Committee approves updates to Utah’s Office of AI Policy, adopts amendment expanding regulatory sandbox tools
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Summary
Lawmakers adopted Amendment 1 and voted 7–1 to advance HB 320, which broadens the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy’s agreement types (including a joint-interpretation agreement), extends regulatory-mitigation program periods to 12 months with limited extensions and allows broader agency participation in agreements.
Representative Cutler presented amendments to the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, explaining that the office’s learning lab and sandbox experiences over two years identified needed clarifications and flexible agreement types. Zach Boyd, the office director, described a new "joint interpretation" agreement that allows the office and a relevant enforcing agency to agree on short-term enforcement interpretations so businesses can operate while the legislature considers permanent regulatory changes.
The bill also clarifies that participants in regulatory-mitigation agreements may receive an initial 12-month period and apply for up to two extensions if necessary. Committee members asked about which agencies qualify as the "relevant agency" for a given agreement; Boyd answered that the agency responsible for enforcement in a subject area would be the partner in that agreement.
A public commenter raised concerns that the approach could create regulatory advantages for larger, better‑connected firms; the sponsor and the director said the sandbox primarily serves small startups and local entities in practice. The committee adopted Amendment 1 by voice and passed HB 320 as amended in a recorded vote of 7–1.
