Looking to The Future

Utah is among the fastest growing states in the country and Utah is among the fastest growing states in the country and the way that we grow is directly connected with quality of life. Utah’s growth brings forward both challenges and opportunities. During the 2021 Legislative Session, lawmakers reviewed policy looking at infrastructure improvements, air quality, economic growth, safety and accessibility.

A number of bills that passed during the 2021 Legislative Session were specifically designed with growth and quality of life in mind.

H.B. 433 Amendments Related to Infrastructure Funding

Sponsored by: Rep. Mike Schultz, Sen. Kirk Cullimore

H.B. 433 authorizes $1.1 billion in investments in roads, public transit and active transportation through a combination of the authorization of new bonding and the appropriation of available one-time revenues.

H.B. 244 First Class County Highway Road Funds Amendments

Sponsored by Rep. Jim Dunnigan, Sen. Wayne Harper

H.B. 244 directs the flow of funding from the County of the First Class Highway Projects Fund. This fund, which applies only to Salt Lake County, collects and distributes a portion of funding from local option transportation sales taxes (a portion of the first and second “quarters”) and a portion of revenues from the Salt Lake County $10 vehicle registration fee. A summary below explains these modifications and the fiscal years affected.

H.B. 142 Cyclist Traffic Amendments

Sponsored by Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, Sen. Curt Bramble

H.B. 142 provides that an individual operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign may proceed through the intersection without stopping at the stop sign if: (i) the individual slows to a reasonable speed; and (ii) yields the right-of-way to:

(A) any pedestrian within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk;
(B) other traffic within the intersection; and
(C) oncoming traffic that poses an immediate hazard during the time the individual is traveling through the intersection.