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Senate committee backs funding to add troopers for growing state road network
Summary
The Senate Transportation committee recommended favorably the first substitute to SB 151, which directs about $3 million from insurance premium tax revenue and a total of $5 million in available funds toward adding roughly 19–20 troopers to patrol expanded state highways; supporters said more troopers are needed while UDOT remained neutral.
Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee — Jan. 22, 2026
Senator Thomas Harper, sponsor of the first substitute to SB 151, told the committee the measure is intended to address a shortage of troopers to patrol newly expanded state roads and highways and would fund roughly 19 to 20 additional troopers. "We actually need 35 troopers to go through and patrol roads that we've either expanded," Harper said, citing a report he requested from the Utah Highway Patrol.
The bill directs a transfer of…
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