Governor takes action on 59 bills including investments in transportation, education equalization
SALT LAKE CITY (March 27, 2015) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert signed an additional 59 bills today, bringing the total number of bills the governor has taken action on from the 2015 General Legislative Session to 311. The Legislature passed 528 bills this session, 495 of which require action by the governor.
Among the bills signed is HB 362, Transportation Infrastructure Funding. In his State of the State address, Gov. Herbert called on state legislative leaders to address the state’s long term transportation funding needs. HB 362 ensures appropriate funding will be in place to meet the growth needs and increased use of the state’s transportation infrastructure. The Legislature last addressed transportation funding 17 years ago and due to inflation, the motor fuel tax had lost significant purchasing power.
With passage of HB 362, additional state funds will now be available to increase funding for the governor’s top budget priority, public education. Gov. Herbert expects the Legislature will limit the growth in the current earmark for transportation funding and devote more general fund revenue to public education, a state priority that needs additional funding now.
“A strong transportation infrastructure has played a critical role in our economic growth and it will continue to do so thanks to this bill,” said Gov. Herbert. “This session we took the necessary steps to address the discrepancy between the funds we have set aside for transportation and the funds we will need to support our growing population and keep commerce flowing through our state for decades to come.”
The governor also signed SB97, Property Tax Equalization Amendments. This bill makes changes related to school property taxes and funding as part of the state’s commitment to ensure students receive the same high-quality education regardless of where they live.
“Education is the key to our long-term economic strength,” said Gov. Herbert. “For Utah to remain among the strongest economies in the nation we need all of our students to succeed, whether they live in a metro or rural area”
The full list of bills signed today is as follows:
Bill Number
Bill Name
Bill Sponsor
State Agency and Higher Education Compensation Appropriations
Sanpei, D.
Utah Retirement System Amendments
Powell, K.
Insurance Modifications
Dunnigan, J.
Water Law - Application Revisions
Snow, V.L.
Medicaid Management of Emergency Department Utilization
Kennedy, M.
Local Government Disclosure and Campaign Finance Amendments
Draxler, J.
Supplemental Savings Plan Amendments
Cunningham, R.
Water Rights - Change Application Amendments
McIff, K.
Local Government Residential Reimbursement Authority
Anderson, Johnny
Change Application Modifications
Grover, K.
Hearing Instrument Specialist Amendments
Froerer, G.
Maintenance of Student Records
Froerer, G.
Firefighter Retirement Amendments
Ipson, D.
Vulnerable Adult Worker Amendments
Sanpei, D.
Affiliated Emergency Service Worker Postretirement Employment Amendments
Sagers, D.
Infertility Insurance Coverage Amendments
Christensen, L.
Revisor's - Technical Corrections
Dunnigan, J.
Unclaimed Life Insurance and Annuity Benefits
Dunnigan, J.
Local District Service Amendments
Perry, L.
Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption Amendments
Oda, C.
Real Estate Amendments
Froerer, G.
Veteran Employment Protection Act
McKell, M.
Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act Modifications
McKell, M.
Amendments to the Interlocal Act
Anderson, Johnny
Prescription Notification Amendments
Gibson, F.
Highway Special Event Permitting
Froerer, G.
New Car Dealership Franchise Amendments
McKell, M.
Government Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - Amendments
Sandall, S.
Traffic Safety Lights on Vehicles
Perry, L.
Jail Contracting Treatment Rate Amendments
Noel, M.
Child and Family Amendments
Christensen, L.
Career and Technical Education Comprehensive Study
Cunningham, R.
Parent and Child Amendments
Christensen, L.
Transportation Infrastructure Funding
Anderson, Johnny
School Land Trust Program Amendments
Cunningham, R.
Connected Vehicle Testing
Knotwell, J.
Utah Broadband Outreach Center
Handy, S.
Current School Year Supplemental Public Education Budget Adjustments
Hillyard, L.
State Agency Fees and Internal Service Fund Rate Authorization and Appropriations
Stevenson, J.
Revenue Bond and Capital Facilities Amendments
Harper, W.
Water Law - Forfeiture Exemptions
Dayton, M.
Governor's Office of Economic Development Revisions
Osmond, A.
Department of Financial Institutions Amendments
Bramble, C.
Water Law - Application Withdrawal
Dayton, M.
Municipal and County Officials Attendance At School District Board Meetings
Harper, W.
Property Tax Equalization Amendments
Osmond, A.
Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations
Adams, J.S.
Board of Education Compensation Amendments
Osmond, A.
Regulation of Reverse Mortgages
Harper, W.
Motion Picture Licensing Amendments
Shiozawa, B.
Physics Education Proposal
Stephenson, H.
Contact Lens Consumer Protection Act Amendments
Henderson, D.
Amendments to Sales and Use Tax Exemptions
Bramble, C.
Development of Lands Around Bear Lake
Jenkins, S.
Political Activity Amendments
Bramble, C.
Capital Improvement and Development Project Amendments
Harper, W.
Irrigation Service Water Rights Amendments
Van Tassell, K.
Charter School Revisions
Henderson, D.
School Districts - Transportation Policies
Adams, J.S.
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