2021 Utah Legislative Wrap-up

The Utah 2021 Legislative Session closed on March 5, 2021. Every year Bike Utah works to keep people updated on legislative issues relevant to cyclists and bicycle advocates. This year we saw unprecedented financial support for active transportation. We are very excited to see this investment occur and know it will push Utah forward toward becoming a better and safer place to ride. Although we did not see the $100 Million in outdoor recreation spending, there were a few appropriations that support active transportation and outdoor recreation infrastructure. This investment is due to your support and advocacy in your communities and statewide. Thank you for your hard work and support!

Below are a few highlights from the session:

See the Bills’ progress:

H.B. 142 Cyclist Traffic Amendments

Bill Sponsor: Rep. Carol Spackman Moss

Floor Sponsor: Sen. Curtis S. Bramble

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 previous attempts in this article. We are so thrilled we could support this effort in its passing!

Final Status:

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January 28, 2021

Passed House Transportation Committee:

8-3-1

Favorable

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Feb 5, 2021

House Floor

45-26

Passed

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Feb 25,2021

Passed Senate Transportation Committee;

2-1

Favorable

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March 5,2021

Senate Floor

28-1

Passed


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. 

Final Status:

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Feb 12, 2021 House Business and Labor

12-2-0

Favorable

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Feb 18, 2021

House Floor Vote

50-19-6

Passed

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March 2, 2021 Passed Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee

5-1

Favorable

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March 3, 2021 Senate floor

27-1-1

Passed with Amendments

March 4, 2021

House Floor

64-7-4

Passed


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. 

Final Status:

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Feb 04, 2021

Senate Gov Op. Committee

5-0-3

Favorable

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Feb 16, 2021

Senate Floor

28-0-1

Passed

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Feb 22, 2021

House Rules Committee

12-0-1

Favorable

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March 2, 2021

House Floor

70-5-0

Passed


S.B. 2 New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations Act

Bill Sponsor: Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson

Floor Sponsor: Rep. Bradley G. Last

This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022.

Why is this relevant to Bicycling?

The investment in active transportation is consistent with this letter drafted by the Wasatch Front Regional Council that was signed by 400 public, private, and community stakeholders across Utah urging the Governor and Legislature to invest in constructing high-priority, regionally important “active transportation” (i.e., biking and walking) projects throughout the State. SB2 includes a $35,000,000 one-time appropriation from the General Fund to support paved pedestrian or paved non-motorized transportation infrastructure projects. This bill also reduced required local matching funds from the typical 40% we see in Utah to 20% making this funding more accessible to underserved, smaller and/or more rural communities. We are very excited for what this means for active transportation in Utah!

Final Status:

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March 2, 2021

House Floor Vote

70--0-5

Passed

 


See something we missed? Email us at info@bikeutah.org.

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2021 Legislative Update #4