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After negotiation, ULCT calls HB596 a mixed outcome for shelter cities; mitigation task force established
Summary
ULCT staff said negotiations substantially narrowed HB596: the final package gives municipalities more choice on shelter capacity, recognizes West Valley as a year‑round shelter, raises 'code blue' flexibility to 25°F, and establishes a mitigation task force plus a one‑time 15% mitigation assessment to be studied further.
Molly, a ULCT staff member leading homelessness policy work, briefed the Legislative Policy Committee on HB596 and described how the league’s negotiated amendments changed the bill.
She said the original draft would have preempted local land‑use determinations about shelter capacity and required steep mitigation contributions (rising sharply over two years). Through negotiation, the league preserved municipal consent for land‑use choices, limited a broad 'code red' construct to allow the St. George shelter to expand capacity where needed, and replaced a multi‑year mitigation ramp with a one‑time 15% assessment plus creation of a mitigation task force to recommend future rates.
Molly explained the task force will include league staff, representatives from shelter and non‑shelter cities, and the new homeless service coordinator; its recommendations will inform a statutory mitigation contribution (the amendment restores a 2.55% or $275,000 reference beginning in 2027 but the precise future contribution will be shaped by the task force).
Members praised the negotiation — several mayors thanked Molly and Representative Elison, the bill sponsor, for collaborative work — and the league recommended a neutral position on the revised bill while noting continued watchfulness about details and task‑force outcomes.
ULCT asked members for feedback and for help engaging local stakeholders during the task‑force process if the bill becomes law.
