2021 Legislative Update #2
The Utah 2021 Legislative Session opened on Tuesday, Jan 19th. Every year Bike Utah works to keep people updated on legislative issues relevant to cyclists and bicycle advocates. Bike Utah will keep you informed on what is happening and what bills to watch out for.
Governor Cox’s New Proposed Budget
Action: Add your name to a letter supporting this proposed budget item.
Last week Governor Cox’s team published their proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022. Bike Utah is thrilled to see the support of outdoor recreation and active transportation in the Governor’s budget. We are also pleased to see the continued support of the 1,000 Miles program with Governor Cox and Bike Utah will continue working hard to make our goal of 1,000 Miles of family friendly trails by 2027.
Based on available trail counts, it is estimated that biking and walking increased by approximately 88% during the summer of 2020. The governor’s office believes these numbers will not decrease once the pandemic is passed and is directing the budget accordingly.
Why does the Governor’s Proposed budget matter to cyclists?
$125 million is proposed for outdoor recreation and open spaces, including the following:
$100 million for outdoor recreation - This is an unprecedented level of support for trails and outdoor recreation facilities and will help Utah achieve the 1,000 Miles program goal.
$7.3 - Leray Mcallister Critical Lands - This fund works to support agricultural land.
$17.7 Million to expand and improve recreation opportunities at Utah’s state parks.
No specific funds are being added to active transportation funding, which is disappointing. Family-friendly active transportation projects, such as multi-use trails, protected bike lane infrastructure are expensive to implement. Funding is one of the largest barriers to more being built in Utah. The good news is that this statement was included in the proposed budget: “While many of the trails funded with the $125 million recommended for open space and trails are primarily for recreation purposes, some can also facilitate active transportation for commuting purposes” (Governor’s Budget Recommendations, pg 72). We believe this means that some multi-use paths that fall on active transportation corridors may be funded using the $125 million.
$50 Million to address transportation issues in the Wasatch canyons- We are still waiting on details on exactly what this money would go to support, but it seems in general to support the decrease of congestion in the Cottonwood Canyons.
$350 million to double-track FrontRunner - This would allow for more frequent and faster FrontRunner times. This would make utilizing the train when commuting with a bike more convenient. The hope is that with the improved convenience more people will use the FrontRunner alleviating traffic congestion and improving air quality.
Read the full budget proposal here:
Utah Legislative Session 2021 Bills to Watch:
H.B. 142 Cyclist Traffic Amendments
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Carol Spackman Moss
This bill amends traffic code provisions relating to operating a bicycle on the roadway allowing an individual operating a bicycle to yield at stop signs under certain circumstances.
Why is this relevant to bicycling?
Other states who have passed similar legislation have experienced a decrease in bicycle injuries at controlled intersections. For example, in Idaho reports that injuries dropped 14 percent after Idaho passed the law in 1982. Delaware reports a decrease of 23% over 3 years since their revised law was passed.
Similar bills have been attempted in Utah in the past, but failed at various stages. You can read more about the 2019 attempt in this article. We are hoping this will be the year we can get this legislation to pass.
Current Status:
January 28, 2021
Passed House Transportation Committee:
8-3-1
Favorable
Next Steps:
Vote on the HOuse Floor
H.B. 82 Single-family Housing Modification
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Raymond Ward
This bill modifies provisions related to single-family housing. The bill would make accessory dwelling units easier to build throughout the state and would increase housing density as a result. The bill also adjusts minimum parking lot requirements allowing for smaller parking lot sizes.
Why is this relevant to Bicycling?
From a transportation/land use perspective, it is a very bike friendly bill. Higher density housing creates more bikeable communities improving access to a full array of services and destinations within a 1-2 mile radius. Read more about that concept in this article.
Current Status:
Jan 29, 2021
Held
in House Business and Labor Committee
S.B. 15 Workforce Solutions for Air Quality Amendments
Bill Sponsor: Sen. Daniel McCay
Floor Sponsor: Rep. Mike Winder
This bill enacts reporting and other requirements for the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) related to teleworking by state employees.
Why is this relevant to Bicycling?
This bill seeks to increase state employee’s remote working capacities on bad air quality days in an effort to improve Utah’s air quality. If they are working from home then they are not driving to work and adding to the emissions on bad air days. Better air quality means better easier breathing for bicyclists and aligns with one of Bike Utah’s major goals to improve air quality here in Utah.
Current Status:
Jan 19, 2021
Senate Government Operations and Political subdivisions Committee
See something we missed? Email us at info@bikeutah.org.
