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League says SB 337 improved but stops short of full support, delegates decision to officers
Summary
After member input and negotiations with sponsors, the League reported the first substitute of SB 337 adds a local-consent requirement and a coordinating council seat for the League; members voted to adopt a "position pending" and delegated follow-up to League officers.
The Utah League of Cities and Towns reported on Monday that the first substitute to SB 337 makes two material changes that address member concerns but left members with a "position pending." Executive Director Cameron Dill summarized developments after a week of intensive engagement with sponsors and the governor’s office.
"We were a hard no as is," Dill said of the original draft, noting feedback from an LPC webinar attended by more than 300 members. "Now it is more of a partnership rather than a preemption," he added, describing the first substitute’s new local-consent requirement.
Dill said the first substitute also creates a state authority to pursue large-scale economic-development projects and a coordinating council intended to align statewide economic strategy; the League would hold a seat on that council under the substitute. He characterized those changes as significant technical and structural adjustments from the original bill.
At a recent LPC meeting, members spent nearly an hour and a half discussing SB 337 and "voted to be position pending," delegating authority to League officers — led by Mayor Walker, the League president — and League staff, including Dill, "to continue the dialogue about this bill," Dill said. That delegation means the League has not taken a final position; officers are authorized to continue negotiations and report back.
Dill reported that League leadership met directly with Governor Cox and the bill sponsors, and that the governor’s office, the House speaker and Senate president had been receptive to the concerns the League raised. "I think the bill is in a much better place now than it was last week, and there's still more work to do," he said. SB 337 must pass the Senate within the next 24 hours, Dill added.
The League’s framing indicates the substitute shifts the balance from a state preemption model toward a negotiated model that requires local consent. The League said members’ concerns prompted the change; Dill emphasized the remaining technical issues staff and officers will continue to track.
Next steps: officers and staff will continue discussions with sponsors and the governor’s office; the League will monitor the Senate calendar as SB 337 moves forward and will update members as negotiations continue.
