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Committee advances bill creating $2M/year wildlife crossing fund, plus voluntary donation option
Summary
Lawmakers favorably recommended first substitute HB 431 to create a non‑lapsing subaccount in the Transportation Investment Fund dedicated to wildlife and livestock safety; the bill directs an annual $2,000,000 statutory transfer and allows voluntary opt‑in donations at vehicle registration and other contributions; committee approved 7–4.
Representative Scott Chu told the committee HB 431 (first substitute) would create a wildlife and livestock safety subaccount inside Utah’s Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) to support fencing, overpasses, culverts and fish passage projects. The bill would statutorily transfer $2,000,000 per year into a non‑lapsing subaccount and allow voluntary donations — for example, an opt‑in $1 donation during motor vehicle registration and contributions tied to hunting or fishing permits.
Carlos Braceras of the Utah Department of Transportation described the TIF funding mechanism: "The transportation investment fund is in statute that 27.68% of the statewide sales tax goes to the transportation investment fund. It's about $1,300,000,000 a year." He said the $2 million annual transfer would create a programmatic fund rather than replace existing programmed projects: "$2,000,000 is not going to impact any of the projects that are programmed."
Isabelle Lingenfelter of the Utah Wildlife Federation said the Division of Wildlife Resources has identified a priority list of just over 20 projects statewide, with estimated costs ranging from roughly $70,000 to $14,000,000 per project. Public commenters including conservation biologists, fisheries and hunting organizations, and agricultural representatives supported the bill and highlighted safety, wildlife population recovery, and opportunities to match federal funds.
Representative Thurston and others praised the program but expressed concern about the funding design and the statutory earmark; Thurston urged seeking federal grants or using the appropriations process rather than an ongoing statutory set‑aside. The sponsor said the intent is to build a steady program that complements federal grants. The committee passed the bill with a favorable recommendation in a roll call recorded as 7 to 4.
