Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 542 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Hawkins, Jon

Final action

Governor Signed 3/27/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• amends and defines terms;
• amends provisions of the Office of Homeless Services regarding certain legislative appropriations;
• amends provisions of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity;
• repeals the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and associated committees and subcommittees;
• renumbers and amends the Utah Broadband Center and Access Act;
• makes technical and conforming changes; and
• provides intent language regarding the transfer of funding from the Utah Board of Higher Education - Administration fund to the Utah Board of Higher Education Nucleus Institute upon passage of this bill and H.B. 530, Utah Innovation Lab Modifications.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

151
11-59-203
35A-8-2203
35A-16-103
36-12-23
36-29-109
53B-34-101
53B-34-102
53B-34-111
63I-1-263
63N-1a-102
63N-1a-201
63N-1a-202
63N-1a-301
63N-1a-303
63N-1a-304
63N-1a-305
63N-1a-306
63N-1a-401
63N-1b-102
63N-1b-401
63N-1b-402
63N-1b-403
63N-1b-404
63N-2-103
63N-2-104.3
63N-2-107
63N-3-204
63N-16-302
72-1-203
72-1-303
63N-17-102
63N-17-201
63N-17-202
63N-17-203
63N-17-301
63N-17-302
63N-17-401
0
Economic Development Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Jon Hawkins
Senate Sponsor: Chris H. Wilson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill amends provisions of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
amends and defines terms;
amends provisions of the Office of Homeless Services regarding certain legislative 
appropriations;
amends provisions of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity;
repeals the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and associated committees and 
subcommittees;
renumbers and amends the Utah Broadband Center and Access Act; 
makes technical and conforming changes; and
provides intent language regarding the transfer of funding from the Utah Board of Higher 
Education - Administration fund to the Utah Board of Higher Education Nucleus 
Institute upon passage of this bill and H.B. 530, Utah Innovation Lab Modifications.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill transfers money from the funds or accounts of the Governor's Office of 
Economic Opportunity - Economic Prosperity to the funds or accounts of the Utah Board of 
Higher Education - Administration.
This bill appropriates 
$1,900,000
 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026, all of 
which is from the General Fund.
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
11-59-203
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 413
35A-8-2203
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapters 118, 406
36-12-23
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 506
36-29-109
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 458
53B-34-101
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 362
53B-34-102
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 362
53B-34-111
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 482
63I-1-263
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Third Special Session, Chapter 4
63N-1a-102
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 159
63N-1a-301
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 159
63N-1a-303
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 362
63N-1a-304
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 282
63N-1a-305
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 282
63N-1a-306
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 362
63N-1a-401
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 159
63N-2-103
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 438
63N-2-104.3
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 499
63N-2-107
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 159
63N-16-302
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 157
72-1-203
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 517
72-1-303
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 498
ENACTS:
35A-16-103
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
72-19-101
, (Renumbered from 63N-17-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, 
Chapter 159)
72-19-201
, (Renumbered from 63N-17-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, 
Chapter 159)
72-19-202
, (Renumbered from 63N-17-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, 
Chapter 159)
72-19-203
, (Renumbered from 63N-17-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, 
Chapter 159)
72-19-301
, (Renumbered from 63N-17-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, 
Chapter 159)
72-19-302
, (Renumbered from 63N-17-302, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, 
Chapter 282)
72-19-401
, (Renumbered from 63N-17-401, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, 
Chapter 159)
REPEALS:
63N-1a-201
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 159
63N-1a-202
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 159
63N-1b-102
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 118
63N-1b-401
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 362
63N-1b-402
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 499
63N-1b-403
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 499
63N-1b-404
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 159
63N-3-204
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 362
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
11-59-203
 is amended to read:
11-59-203
. Authority duties and responsibilities.
(1)
As the authority plans, manages, and implements the development of the point of the 
mountain state land, the authority shall pursue development strategies and objectives 
designed to:
(a)
maximize the creation of high-quality jobs and encourage and facilitate a highly 
trained workforce;
(b)
ensure strategic residential and commercial growth;
(c)
promote a high quality of life for residents on and surrounding the point of the 
mountain state land, including strategic planning to facilitate:
(i)
jobs close to where people live;
(ii)
vibrant urban centers;
(iii)
housing types that incorporate affordability factors and match workforce needs;
(iv)
parks, connected trails, and open space, including the preservation of natural 
lands to the extent practicable and consistent with the overall development plan; 
and
(v)
preserving and enhancing recreational opportunities;
(d)
complement the development on land in the vicinity of the point of the mountain 
state land;
(e)
improve air quality and minimize resource use; 
(f)
accommodate and incorporate the planning, funding, and development of an 
enhanced and expanded future transit and transportation infrastructure and other 
investments, including:
(i)
the acquisition of rights-of-way and property necessary to ensure transit access to 
the point of the mountain state land; and
(ii)
a world class mass transit infrastructure, to service the point of the mountain state 
land and to enhance mobility and protect the environment; and
(g)
if appropriate, exercise its land use authority to increase the supply of housing in the 
state.
(2)
In planning the development of the point of the mountain state land, the authority shall:
(a)
consult with applicable governmental planning agencies, including:
(i)
relevant metropolitan planning organizations;
 and
(ii)
Draper City and Salt Lake County planning and governing bodies;
 and
(iii)
in regards to the factors described in Subsections (1)(c)(i) and (iii), the Unified 
Economic Opportunity Commission created in Section 
63N-1a-201
;
(b)
research and explore the feasibility of attracting a nationally recognized research 
center; and
(c)
research and explore the appropriateness of including labor training centers and a 
higher education presence on the point of the mountain state land. 
Section 2, Section 
35A-8-2203
 is amended to read:
35A-8-2203
. Duties of the commission.
(1)
The commission shall:
(a)
serve as a subcommittee of the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and 
assist the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission in performing the Unified 
Economic Opportunity Commission's duties under Section 
63N-1a-202
;
(b)
(a)
increase public and government awareness and understanding of the housing 
affordability needs of the state and how those needs may be most effectively and 
efficiently met, through empirical study and investigation;
(c)
(b)
identify and recommend implementation of specific strategies, policies, 
procedures, and programs to address the housing affordability needs of the state;
(d)
(c)
facilitate the communication and coordination of public and private entities that 
are involved in developing, financing, providing, advocating for, and administering 
affordable housing in the state;
(e)
(d)
study, evaluate, and report on the status and effectiveness of policies, 
procedures, and programs that address housing affordability in the state;
(f)
(e)
study and evaluate the policies, procedures, and programs implemented by other 
states that address housing affordability;
(g)
(f)
provide a forum for public comment on issues related to housing affordability;
(h)
(g)
provide recommendations to the 
Unified Economic Opportunity Commission 
and the 
Legislature on strategies, policies, procedures, and programs to address the 
housing affordability needs of the state; and
(i)
(h)
on or before December 31, 2022, approve the methodology developed by the 
division under Subsection 
35A-8-803(1)(a)(ix)
.
(2)
To accomplish its duties, the commission may:
(a)
request and receive from a state or local government agency or institution summary 
information relating to housing affordability, including:
(i)
reports;
(ii)
audits;
(iii)
projections; and
(iv)
statistics; and
(b)
appoint one or more advisory groups to advise and assist the commission.
(3)
(a)
A member of an advisory group described in Subsection 
(2)(b)
:
(i)
shall be appointed by the commission;
(ii)
may be:
(A)
a member of the commission; or
(B)
an individual from the private or public sector; and
(iii)
notwithstanding Section 
35A-8-2202
, may not receive reimbursement or pay for 
any work done in relation to the advisory group.
(b)
An advisory group described in Subsection 
(2)(b)
 shall report to the commission on 
the progress of the advisory group.
Section 3, Section 
35A-16-103
 is enacted to read:
35A-16-103
. Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter governing funding for the provision of homeless services 
do not apply to money the Legislature appropriates for a direct award grant governed by Title 
63G, Chapter 6b, State Grants.
Section 4, Section 
36-12-23
 is amended to read:
36-12-23
. Legislative committees -- Staffing.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Chair" means a presiding officer or a co-presiding officer of a committee.
(b)
"Committee" means a standing committee, interim committee, subcommittee, special 
committee, authority, commission, council, task force, panel, or board in which 
legislative participation is required by statute or legislative rule.
(c)
"Legislative committee" means a committee:
(i)
formed by the Legislature to study or oversee subjects of legislative concern; and
(ii)
that is required by statute or legislative rule to have a chair who is a legislator.
(d)
"Legislator" means a member of either chamber of the Legislature.
(e)
"Professional legislative office" means the Office of Legislative Research and 
General Counsel, the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, the Office of the 
Legislative Auditor General, or similar office of the Legislature.
(2)
(a)
Except as provided in Subsections 
(3)
 and (4), a professional legislative office 
shall provide each legislative committee's staff support, regardless of whether statute 
or legislative rule directs another entity to provide the staff support.
(b)
Unless a legislative committee's enacting statute or legislative rule names a particular 
professional legislative office to provide the legislative committee's staff support, the 
professional legislative offices shall select, based on subject matter expertise, which 
professional legislative office will staff the legislative committee.
(3)
(a)
Subject to Subsection (3)(b), the provisions of this section control over any 
conflicting provision of statute or legislative rule.
(b)
(i)
If another provision of statute or legislative rule directs an entity other than a 
professional legislative office to provide a legislative committee's staff support, 
notwithstanding Subsection (2), a legislator who is a chair of the legislative 
committee may elect to have the other entity provide the legislative committee's 
staff support.
(ii)
If the legislative committee has more than one chair who is a legislator, the chairs 
who are legislators shall collectively make the election under Subsection (3)(b)(i).
(iii)
A chair or chairs who make an election under Subsection (3)(b)(i) may change 
the chair's or chairs' election no more than once each calendar year.
(4)
This section does not apply to:
(a)
the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority created in Section 
11-59-201
;
(b)
the Utah Broadband Center Advisory Commission created in Section 
36-29-109
;
(c)
the Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force created in Section 
36-29-110
;
(d)
the Public Safety Data Management Task Force created in Section 
36-29-111
;
(e)
the Constitutional Defense Council created in Section 
63C-4a-202
;
(f)
the Women in the Economy Subcommittee
 created in Section 
63N-1b-402
;
(g)
(f)
the House Ethics Committee established under Legislative Joint Rule 
JR6-2-101
; 
or
(h)
(g)
the Senate Ethics Committee established under Legislative Joint Rule 
JR6-2-101
.
Section 5, Section 
36-29-109
 is amended to read:
36-29-109
. Utah Broadband Center Advisory Commission.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Broadband infrastructure funds" means the funds available for broadband 
infrastructure pursuant to:
(i)
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 115-58;
(ii)
legislative appropriations; and
(iii)
state and federal grants.
(b)
"Center"
"Broadband center"
 means the Utah Broadband Center created in Section 
63N-17-201
72-19-201
.
(c)
"Commission" 
"Broadband commission" 
means the Utah Broadband Center 
Advisory Commission created in Subsection 
(2)
.
(d)
"Strategic plan" means the statewide digital connectivity plan described in Section 
63N-17-203
72-19-203
.
(2)
There is created the Utah Broadband Center Advisory Commission consisting of the 
following nine voting members:
(a)
two members of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate;
(b)
two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the 
House of Representatives;
(c)
the executive director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, or the 
executive director's designee;
(d)
the governor shall appoint four members who currently work in the public sector and 
who have professional experience in:
(i)
broadband or broadband infrastructure;
(ii)
applying for federal grants; or
(iii)
financing infrastructure.
(3)
In addition to the nine voting members, the director of the 
broadband 
center, or the 
director's designee, shall serve on the 
broadband 
commission in a nonvoting capacity.
(4)
(a)
The president of the Senate shall designate one of the members described in 
Subsection 
(2)(a)
 to serve as cochair of the 
broadband 
commission.
(b)
The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one of the members 
described in Subsection 
(2)(b)
 to serve as cochair of the 
broadband 
commission.
(5)
(a)
If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the 
broadband 
commission, the member 
shall be replaced in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(b)
A member shall serve until the member's successor is appointed and qualified.
(6)
(a)
A majority of the members of the 
broadband 
commission constitutes a quorum.
(b)
The action of a majority of a quorum constitutes an action of the 
broadband 
commission.
(7)
(a)
Salaries and expenses of the members of the 
broadband 
commission who are 
legislators shall be paid in accordance with:
(i)
Section 
36-2-2
;
(ii)
Legislative Joint Rules, 
Title 5, Chapter 2, Lodging, Meal, and Transportation 
Expenses
; and
(iii)
Legislative Joint Rules, 
Title 5, Chapter 3, Legislator Compensation
.
(b)
A member of the 
broadband 
commission who is not a legislator may not receive 
compensation for the member's work associated with the 
broadband 
commission but 
may receive per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses incurred as a member of 
the 
broadband 
commission at the rates established by the Division of Finance under:
(i)
Sections 
63A-3-106
 and 
63A-3-107
; and
(ii)
rules made by the Division of Finance in accordance with Sections 
63A-3-106
and 
63A-3-107
.
(8)
The 
broadband 
center shall provide staff support to the 
broadband 
commission.
(9)
The
 broadband
 commission shall:
(a)
make recommendations to the 
broadband 
center with respect to:
(i)
strategic plan development; and
(ii)
the application for and use of broadband infrastructure funds;
(b)
solicit input from relevant stakeholders, including:
(i)
public and private entities who may assist in developing and implementing the 
strategic plan; and
(ii)
public and private entities whom the strategic plan may impact;
(c)
provide recommendations for strategic plan development and implementation based 
on the input described in Subsection 
(9)(b)
;
(d)
review strategic plan drafts; and
(e)
recommend changes.
(10)
The 
broadband 
commission shall meet as needed.
Section 6, Section 
53B-34-101
 is amended to read:
53B-34-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Apprenticeship program" means a program that:
(a)
combines paid on-the-job learning with formal classroom instruction to prepare 
students for careers; and
(b)
includes:
(i)
structured on-the-job learning for students under the supervision of a skilled 
employee;
(ii)
classroom instruction for students related to the on-the-job learning;
(iii)
ongoing student assessments using established competency and skills standards; 
and
(iv)
the student receiving an industry-recognized credential or degree upon 
completion of the program.
(2)
"Career and technical education region" means an economic service area created in 
Section 
35A-2-101
.
(3)
"GOEO" means the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity created in Section 
63N-1a-301
.
(3)
"Commission" means the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission created in 
Section 
63N-1a-201
.
(4)
"High quality professional learning" means the professional learning standards for 
teachers and principals described in Section 
53G-11-303
.
(5)
"Institution of higher education" means the University of Utah, Utah State University, 
Southern Utah University, Weber State University, Snow College, Utah Tech 
University, Utah Valley University, or Salt Lake Community College.
(6)
"Local education agency" means a school district, a charter school, or the Utah Schools 
for the Deaf and the Blind.
(7)
"Master plan" means the computer science education master plan described in Section 
53B-34-105
.
(8)
"Participating employer" means an employer that:
(a)
partners with an educational institution on a curriculum for an apprenticeship 
program or work-based learning program; and
(b)
provides an apprenticeship or work-based learning program for students.
(9)
"State board" means the State Board of Education.
(10)
"Talent board" means the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board created in 
Section 
53B-34-102
.
(11)
"Talent program" means the Talent Ready Utah Program created in Section 
53B-34-103
.
(12)
"Targeted industry" means an industry or group of industries targeted by 
the 
commission 
GOEO 
for economic development in the state.
(13)
"Technical college" means:
(a)
the same as that term is defined in Section 
53B-1-101.5
; and
(b)
a degree-granting institution acting in the degree-granting institution's technical 
education role described in Section 
53B-2a-201
.
(14)
(a)
"Work-based learning program" means a program that combines structured and 
supervised learning activities with authentic work experiences and that is 
implemented through industry and education partnerships.
(b)
"Work-based learning program" includes the following objectives:
(i)
providing students an applied workplace experience using knowledge and skills 
attained in a program of study that includes an internship, externship, or work 
experience;
(ii)
providing an educational institution with objective input from a participating 
employer regarding the education requirements of the current workforce; and
(iii)
providing funding for programs that are associated with high-wage, in-demand, 
or emerging occupations.
(15)
"Workforce programs" means education or industry programs that facilitate training 
the state's workforce to meet industry demand.
Section 7, Section 
53B-34-102
 is amended to read:
53B-34-102
. Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board -- Creation -- 
Membership -- Expenses -- Duties.
(1)
There is created the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board composed of the 
following members:
(a)
the state superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee;
(b)
the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;
(c)
the chair of the State Board of Education or the chair's designee;
(d)
the executive director of the Department of Workforce Services or the executive 
director's designee;
(e)
the executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity or the 
executive director's designee;
(f)
the director of the Division of Professional Licensing or the director's designee;
(g)
the governor's education advisor or the advisor's designee;
(h)
one member of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate;
(i)
one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the House 
of Representatives;
(j)
the president of the Salt Lake Chamber or the president's designee;
(k)
six representatives of private industry chosen to represent targeted industries, 
appointed by 
the commission
GOEO
;
(l)
the lieutenant governor or the lieutenant governor's designee; and
(m)
any additional individuals appointed by 
the commission
GOEO
 who represent:
(i)
one or more individual educational institutions; or
(ii)
education or industry professionals.
(2)
The talent board shall select a chair and vice chair from among the members of the 
talent board.
(3)
The talent board shall meet at least quarterly.
(4)
Attendance of a majority of the members of the talent board constitutes a quorum for 
the transaction of official talent board business.
(5)
Formal action by the talent board requires the majority vote of a quorum.
(6)
A member of the talent board:
(a)
may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service; and
(b)
who is not a legislator may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(i)
Section 
63A-3-106
;
(ii)
Section 
63A-3-107
; and
(iii)
rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 
63A-3-106
 and 
63A-3-107
.
(7)
The talent board shall:
(a)
(i)
review and develop metrics to measure the progress, performance, 
effectiveness, and scope of any state operation, activity, program, or service that 
primarily involves employment training or placement; and
(ii)
ensure that the metrics described in Subsection 
(7)(a)
 are consistent and 
comparable for each state operation, activity, program, or service that primarily 
involves employment training or placement;
(b)
make recommendations to the board and 
the commission
GOEO
 regarding how to 
better align training and education in the state with industry demand;
(c)
make recommendations to the board and 
the commission
GOEO
 regarding how to 
better align technical education with current and future workforce needs;
(d)
coordinate with the talent program to meet the responsibilities described in 
Subsection 
53B-34-103(4)
Section 
53B-34-103
;
(e)
develop a computer science education master plan in accordance with Section 
53B-34-105
;
(f)
coordinate with the talent program to meet the responsibilities described in Section 
53B-34-107
; and
(g)
administer the Utah Works Program in accordance with Section 
53B-34-108
.
(8)
Nothing in this section prohibits an individual who, on June 30, 2022, is a member of a 
subcommittee within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity known as the 
Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Subcommittee from serving as a member of 
the talent board.
Section 8, Section 
53B-34-111
 is amended to read:
53B-34-111
. Youth apprenticeship governance study.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Apprenticeship" means the same as the term is defined in Section 
35A-6-102
.
(b)
"Study" means the study created in Subsection (2).
(2)
There is created a study to design a framework and system for maximizing efficiencies 
and expanding youth apprenticeship opportunities for students.
(3)
The study shall be conducted collaboratively by the following entities:
(a)
the 
Governor's Office
governor's office
;
(b)
the State Board of Education;
(c)
the Department of Workforce Services;
(d)
the Talent Ready Utah Program; and
(e)
relevant participating employers as determined by the entities described in 
Subsections (3)(a) through (d).
(4)
The study shall examine framework and system design recommendations regarding:
(a)
ways to increase youth apprenticeship offerings;
(b)
increasing student and employer participation in youth apprenticeships;
(c)
formalizing roles and streamlining use of existing infrastructure described in:
(i)
Title 35A, Chapter 6, Apprenticeship Act;
(ii)
Title 53B, Chapter 34, Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment, including the 
role of the state apprenticeship intermediary described in Section 
53B-34-103
; and
(iii)
Section 
53G-7-902
;
(d)
aligning youth apprenticeship efforts to meet the definition of youth apprenticeship 
defined in Section 
35A-6-102
;
(e)
identifying metrics to assess the success of youth apprenticeship programs;
(f)
opportunities to leverage secondary and post-secondary educational programs in 
conjunction with youth apprenticeships, including:
(i)
career and technical education;
(ii)
concurrent enrollment; and
(iii)
stackable credentials; and
(g)
the creation of career competencies to prepare a qualified workforce.
(5)
The staff of the Talent Ready Utah Program shall staff the study.
(6)
No later than May 1, 2025, the entities described in 
Subsections (3)(a) through (e)
Subsection (3)
 shall report the recommendations described in Subsection (4) to
:
(a)
the talent board
; and
.
(b)
the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission.
Section 9, Section 
63I-1-263
 is amended to read:
63I-1-263
. Repeal dates: Titles 63A to 63O.
(1)
Subsection 
63A-5b-405
(5), regarding prioritizing and allocating capital improvement 
funding, is repealed July 1, 2024.
(2)
Title 63C, Chapter 4a, Constitutional and Federalism Defense Act, is repealed July 1, 
2028.
(3)
Title 63C, Chapter 6, Utah Seismic Safety Commission, is repealed January 1, 2025.
(4)
Title 63C, Chapter 18, Behavioral Health Crisis Response Committee, is repealed 
December 31, 2026.
(5)
Title 63C, Chapter 23, Education and Mental Health Coordinating Committee, is 
repealed December 31, 2024.
(6)
Title 63C, Chapter 25, State Finance Review Commission, is repealed July 1, 2027.
(7)
Title 63C, Chapter 27, Cybersecurity Commission, is repealed July 1, 2032.
(8)
Title 63C, Chapter 28, Ethnic Studies Commission, is repealed July 1, 2026.
(9)
Title 63C, Chapter 31, State Employee Benefits Advisory Commission, is repealed July 
1, 2028.
(10)
Section 
63G-6a-805
, Purchase from community rehabilitation programs, is repealed 
July 1, 2026.
(11)
Title 63G, Chapter 21, Agreements to Provide State Services, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(12)
Title 63H, Chapter 4, Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority, is repealed July 1, 
2029.
(13)
Title 63H, Chapter 8, Utah Housing Corporation Act, is repealed July 1, 2026.
(14)
Subsection 
63J-1-602.2
(16), related to the Communication Habits to reduce 
Adolescent Threats (CHAT) Pilot Program, is repealed July 1, 2029.
(15)
Subsection 
63J-1-602.2
(26), regarding the Utah Seismic Safety Commission, is 
repealed January 1, 2025.
(16)
Section 
63L-11-204
, Canyon resource management plan, is repealed July 1, 2025.
(17)
Title 63L, Chapter 11, Part 4, Resource Development Coordinating Committee, is 
repealed July 1, 2027.
(18)
Title 63M, Chapter 7, Part 7, Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Board, is 
repealed July 1, 2027.
(19)
Section 
63M-7-902
, Creation -- Membership -- Terms -- Vacancies -- Expenses, is 
repealed July 1, 2029.
(20)
Title 63M, Chapter 11, Utah Commission on Aging, is repealed July 1, 2026.
(21)
Title 63N, Chapter 1b, Part 4, Women in the Economy Subcommittee, is repealed 
January 1, 2030.
(22)
(21)
Title 63N, Chapter 2, Part 2, Enterprise Zone Act, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(23)
(22)
Subsection 
63N-2-511
(1)(b), regarding the Board of Tourism Development, is 
repealed July 1, 2025.
(24)
(23)
Section 
63N-2-512
, Hotel Impact Mitigation Fund, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(25)
(24)
Title 63N, Chapter 3, Part 9, Strategic Innovation Grant Pilot Program, is 
repealed July 1, 2027.
(26)
(25)
Title 63N, Chapter 3, Part 11, Manufacturing Modernization Grant Program, is 
repealed July 1, 2025.
(27)
(26)
Title 63N, Chapter 4, Part 4, Rural Employment Expansion Program, is repealed 
July 1, 2028.
(28)
(27)
Section 
63N-4-804
, which creates the Rural Opportunity Advisory Committee, is 
repealed July 1, 2027.
(29)
(28)
Subsection 
63N-4-805
(5)(b), regarding the Rural Employment Expansion 
Program, is repealed July 1, 2028.
(30)
(29)
Subsection 
63N-7-101
(1), regarding the Board of Tourism Development, is 
repealed July 1, 2025.
(31)
(30)
Subsection 
63N-7-102
(3)(c), regarding a requirement for the Utah Office of 
Tourism to receive approval from the Board of Tourism Development, is repealed July 
1, 2025.
(32)
(31)
Title 63N, Chapter 7, Part 2, Board of Tourism Development, is repealed July 1, 
2025.
Section 10, Section 
63N-1a-102
 is amended to read:
63N-1a-102
. Definitions.
As used in this title:
(1)
"Baseline jobs" means the number of full-time employee positions that existed within a 
business entity in the state before the date on which a project related to the business 
entity is approved by the office or by the GOEO board.
(2)
"Baseline state revenue" means the amount of state tax revenue collected from a 
business entity or the employees of a business entity during the year before the date on 
which a project related to the business entity is approved by the office or by the GOEO 
board.
(3)
"Commission" means the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission created in 
Section 
63N-1a-201
.
(4)
(3)
"Economic opportunity agency" includes:
(a)
the Department of Workforce Services;
(b)
the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement;
(c)
the Department of Commerce;
(d)
the Department of Natural Resources;
(e)
the Office of Energy Development;
(f)
the State Board of Education;
(g)
institutions of higher education;
(h)
the Utah Multicultural Commission;
(i)
the World Trade Center Utah;
(j)
local government entities;
(k)
associations of governments;
(l)
the Utah League of Cities and Towns;
(m)
the Utah Association of Counties;
(n)
the Economic Development Corporation of Utah;
(o)
the Small Business Administration;
(p)
chambers of commerce;
(q)
industry associations;
(r)
small business development centers; and
(s)
other entities identified by the commission or the executive director.
(5)
(4)
"Executive director" means the executive director of the office.
(6)
(5)
"Full-time employee" means an employment position that is filled by an employee 
who works at least 30 hours per week and:
(a)
may include an employment position filled by more than one employee, if each 
employee who works less than 30 hours per week is provided benefits comparable to 
a full-time employee; and
(b)
may not include an employment position that is shifted from one jurisdiction in the 
state to another jurisdiction in the state.
(7)
(6)
"GOEO board" means the Board of Economic Opportunity created in Section 
63N-1a-401
.
(8)
(7)
"High paying job" means a newly created full-time employee position where the 
aggregate average annual gross wage of the employment position, not including health 
care or other paid or unpaid benefits, is:
(a)
at least 110% of the average wage of the county in which the employment position 
exists; or
(b)
for an employment position related to a project described in Chapter 2, Part 1, 
Economic Development Tax Increment Financing, and that is located within the 
boundary of a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class, or located within a 
municipality in a county of the second class and where the municipality has a 
population of 10,000 or less:
(i)
at least 100% of the average wage of the county in which the employment position 
exists; or
(ii)
an amount determined by rule made by the office in accordance with Title 63G, 
Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, if the office determines the 
project is in a county experiencing economic distress.
(9)
(8)
(a)
"Incremental job" means a full-time employment position in the state that:
(i)
did not exist within a business entity in the state before the beginning of a project 
related to the business entity; and
(ii)
is created in addition to the number of baseline jobs that existed within a business 
entity.
(b)
"Incremental job" includes a full-time employment position where the employee is 
hired:
(i)
directly by a business entity; or
(ii)
by a professional employer organization, as defined in Section 
31A-40-102
, on 
behalf of a business entity.
(10)
(9)
"New state revenue" means the state revenue collected from a business entity or a 
business entity's employees during a calendar year minus the baseline state revenue 
calculation.
(11)
(10)
"Office" or "GOEO" means the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.
(12)
(11)
"State revenue" means state tax liability paid by a business entity or a business 
entity's employees under any combination of the following provisions:
(a)
Title 59, Chapter 7, Corporate Franchise and Income Taxes;
(b)
Title 59, Chapter 10, Part 1, Determination and Reporting of Tax Liability and 
Information;
(c)
Title 59, Chapter 10, Part 2, Trusts and Estates;
(d)
Title 59, Chapter 10, Part 4, Withholding of Tax; and
(e)
Title 59, Chapter 12, Sales and Use Tax Act.
(13)
(12)
"State strategic goals" means the strategic goals listed in Section 
63N-1a-103
.
(14)
(13)
"Statewide economic development strategy" means the economic development 
strategy developed by the 
commission in accordance with Section 
63N-1a-202
office in 
accordance with Section 
63N-1a-301
.
(15)
"Talent board" means the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board created in 
Section 
53B-34-102
.
(16)
(14)
"Targeted industry" means an industry or group of industries targeted by the 
commission under Section 
63N-1a-202
office under Section 
63N-1a-301
, for economic 
development in the state.
Section 11, Section 
63N-1a-301
 is amended to read:
63N-1a-301
. Creation of office -- Responsibilities.
(1)
There is created the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.
(2)
The office is:
(a)
responsible for 
creating and 
implementing the statewide economic development 
strategy 
developed by the commission; and
that:
(i)
unifies and coordinates economic development efforts in the state;
(ii)
includes key performance indicators for long-term progress toward the state 
strategic goals;
(iii)
establishes reporting and accountability processes for the key performance 
indicators; and
(iv)
ensures the success of statewide economic development; and
(b)
the industrial and business promotion authority of the state.
(3)
The office shall:
(a)
consistent with the statewide economic development strategy, coordinate and align 
into a single effort the activities of the economic opportunity agencies in the field of 
economic development;
(b)
provide support and direction to economic opportunity agencies in establishing 
goals, metrics, and activities that align with the statewide economic development 
strategy;
(c)
administer and coordinate state and federal economic development grant programs;
(d)
promote and encourage the economic, commercial, financial, industrial, agricultural, 
and civic welfare of the state;
(e)
develop the statewide economic development strategy consistent with the state water 
policy described in Section 
73-1-21
, including the state's commitment to appropriate:
(i)
conservation;
(ii)
efficient and optimal use of water resources;
(iii)
infrastructure development and improvement;
(iv)
optimal agricultural use;
(v)
water quality;
(vi)
reasonable access to recreational activities;
(vii)
effective wastewater treatment; and
(viii)
protecting and restoring health ecosystems;
(f)
at least once every five years, identify which industry or groups of industries shall be 
targeted for economic development in the state;
(e)
(g)
promote and encourage the employment of workers in the state and the purchase 
of goods and services produced in the state by local businesses;
(f)
(h)
act to create, develop, attract, and retain business, industry, and commerce in the 
state:
(i)
in accordance with the statewide economic development 
plan and commission 
directives
strategy
; and
(ii)
subject to the restrictions in Section 
11-41-103
;
(g)
(i)
act to enhance the state's economy;
(j)
analyze the state's projected long-term population and economic growth and plan for 
the anticipated impacts of the projected growth in a manner that improves quality of 
life and is consistent with the statewide economic development strategy and state 
strategic goals;
(h)
(k)
act to assist strategic industries that are likely to drive future economic growth;
(i)
(l)
assist communities in the state in developing economic development capacity and 
coordination with other communities;
(m)
develop strategies and plans to ensure comprehensive economic development efforts 
are targeted to the unique needs of rural areas of the state;
(j)
(n)
identify areas of education and workforce development in the state that can be 
improved to support economic and business development;
(k)
(o)
consistent with direction from the commission, 
develop core strategic 
priorities for the office, which may include:
(i)
enhancing statewide access to entrepreneurship opportunities and small business 
support;
(ii)
focusing industry recruitment and expansion of targeted industries;
(iii)
ensuring that in awarding competitive economic development incentives the 
office accurately measures the benefits and costs of the incentives; and
(iv)
assisting communities with technical support to aid those communities in 
improving economic development opportunities;
(l)
(p)
submit an annual written report as described in Section 
63N-1a-306
; and
(m)
(q)
perform other duties as provided by the Legislature.
(4)
To perform the office's duties under this title, the office may:
(a)
enter into a contract or agreement with, or make a grant to, a public or private entity, 
including a municipality, if the contract or agreement is not in violation of state 
statute or other applicable law;
(b)
except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), receive and expend funds from a public or 
private source for any lawful purpose that is in the state's best interest; and
(c)
solicit and accept a contribution of money, services, or facilities from a public or 
private donor, but may not use the contribution for publicizing the exclusive interest 
of the donor.
(5)
Money received under Subsection (4)(c) shall be deposited into the General Fund as 
dedicated credits of the office.
(6)
(a)
The office shall:
(i)
obtain the advice of the GOEO board before implementing a change to a policy, 
priority, or objective under which the office operates; and
(ii)
provide periodic updates to the commission regarding the office's efforts under 
Subsections (3)(a) and (b).
(b)
Subsection (6)(a)(i) does not apply to the routine administration by the office of 
money or services related to the assistance, retention, or recruitment of business, 
industry, or commerce in the state.
Section 12, Section 
63N-1a-303
 is amended to read:
63N-1a-303
. Powers and duties of executive director.
(1)
Unless otherwise expressly provided by statute, the executive director may organize the 
office in any appropriate manner, including the appointment of deputy directors of the 
office.
(2)
The executive director may consolidate personnel and service functions for efficiency 
and economy in the office.
(3)
The executive director, with the approval of the governor:
(a)
may, by following the procedures and requirements of 
Title 63J, Chapter 5, Federal 
Funds Procedures Act
, seek federal grants, loans, or participation in federal programs;
(b)
may enter into a lawful contract or agreement with another state, a chamber of 
commerce organization, a service club, or a private entity; and
(c)
shall annually prepare and submit to the governor a budget of the office's financial 
requirements.
(4)
With the governor's approval, if a federal program requires the expenditure of state 
funds as a condition for the state to participate in a fund, property, or service, the 
executive director may expend necessary funds from money provided by the Legislature 
for the use of the office.
(5)
The executive director shall coordinate with the executive directors of the Department 
of Workforce Services and the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget to review data 
and metrics to be reported to the Legislature as described in 
Subsection 
63N-1a-306(2)(b)
Section 
63N-1a-306
.
(6)
Unless otherwise provided in this title, the executive director may make rules in 
accordance with 
Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act
, as 
necessary for the administration of programs established under state law.
Section 13, Section 
63N-1a-304
 is amended to read:
63N-1a-304
. Executive director and the Public Service Commission.
(1)
The executive director or the executive director's designee shall:
(a)
become generally informed of significant rate cases and policy proceedings before 
the Public Service Commission; and
(b)
monitor and study the potential economic development impact of 
these
the
proceedings.
(2)
In the discretion of the executive director or the executive director's designee, the office 
may appear in a proceeding before the Public Service Commission to testify, advise, or 
to 
present argument regarding the economic development impact of a matter that is the 
subject of the proceeding.
Section 14, Section 
63N-1a-305
 is amended to read:
63N-1a-305
. Incentive review process.
The Legislature intends that the
The
 office 
will
shall
 develop an 
incentives
incentive
review process under the direction of the speaker of the House 
of Representatives 
and the 
president of the Senate.
Section 15, Section 
63N-1a-306
 is amended to read:
63N-1a-306
. Annual report -- Content -- Format.
(1)
The office shall prepare and submit to the governor and the Legislature, by October 1 of 
each year, an annual written report of the operations, activities, programs, and services 
of the office, including the divisions, sections, boards, commissions, councils, and 
committees established under this title, for the preceding fiscal year.
(2)
For each operation, activity, program, or service provided by the office, the annual 
report shall include:
(a)
a description of the operation, activity, program, or service;
(b)
data and metrics:
(i)
selected and used by the office to measure progress, performance, effectiveness, 
and scope of the operation, activity, program, or service, including summary data; 
and
(ii)
that are consistent and comparable for each state operation, activity, program, or 
service that primarily involves employment training or placement as determined 
by the executive directors of the office, the Department of Workforce Services, 
and the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget;
(c)
budget data, including the amount and source of funding, expenses, and allocation of 
full-time employees for the operation, activity, program, or service;
(d)
historical data from previous years for comparison with data reported under 
Subsections 
(2)(b)
 and 
(c)
;
(e)
goals, challenges, and achievements related to the operation, activity, program, or 
service;
(f)
relevant federal and state statutory references and requirements;
(g)
contact information of officials knowledgeable and responsible for each operation, 
activity, program, or service; and
(h)
other information determined by the office that:
(i)
may be needed, useful, or of historical significance; or
(ii)
promotes accountability and transparency for each operation, activity, program, 
or service with the public and elected officials.
(3)
The annual report shall be designed to provide clear, accurate, and accessible 
information to the public, the governor, and the Legislature.
(4)
The office shall:
(a)
submit the annual report in accordance with Section 
68-3-14
;
 and
(b)
make the annual report, and previous annual reports, accessible to the public by 
placing a link to the reports on the office's website
; and
.
(c)
provide the data and metrics described in Subsection 
(2)(b)
 to the talent board.
Section 16, Section 
63N-1a-401
 is amended to read:
63N-1a-401
. Creation of Board of Economic Opportunity.
(1)
(a)
There is created within the office the Board of Economic Opportunity, consisting 
of nine members appointed by the 
chair of the commission
executive director of the 
office
, in consultation with the 
executive director
governor
, to four-year terms of 
office with the advice and consent of the Senate in accordance with Title 63G, 
Chapter 24, Part 2, Vacancies.
(b)
The nine members described in Subsection (1)(a) shall include:
(i)
one member associated with the state's rural communities;
(ii)
one member associated with direct entrepreneurship in the state;
(iii)
one member associated with higher education in the state;
(iv)
five members, other than the members described in Subsections (1)(b)(i) through 
(iii), that are associated with a targeted industry; and
(v)
one at-large member.
(c)
Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (1)(a), the 
chair of the commission
executive director
 shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the 
length of terms to ensure that the terms of board members are staggered so that 
approximately half of the board is appointed every two years.
(d)
The members may not serve more than two full consecutive terms except when the 
chair of the commission
executive director
 determines that an additional term is in 
the best interest of the state.
(2)
When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be 
appointed for the unexpired term in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 24, Part 2, 
Vacancies.
(3)
A majority of board members, not including a vacancy, constitutes a quorum for 
conducting board business and exercising board power.
(4)
The chair of the commission 
The executive director 
shall select one board member as 
the board's chair and one member as the board's vice chair.
(5)
A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may 
receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
(a)
Section 
63A-3-106
;
(b)
Section 
63A-3-107
; and
(c)
rules made by the Division of Finance under Sections 
63A-3-106
 and 
63A-3-107
.
(6)
A member shall comply with the conflict of interest provisions described in Title 63G, 
Chapter 24, Part 3, Conflicts of Interest.
Section 17, Section 
63N-2-103
 is amended to read:
63N-2-103
. Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1)
(a)
"Business entity" means a person that enters into a written agreement with the 
office to initiate a new commercial project in Utah that will qualify the person to 
receive a tax credit under Section 
59-7-614.2
 or 
59-10-1107
.
(b)
With respect to a tax credit authorized by the office in accordance with Subsection 
63N-2-104.3
(2), "business entity" includes a nonprofit entity.
(2)
"Commercial or industrial zone" means an area zoned agricultural, commercial, 
industrial, manufacturing, business park, research park, or other appropriate business 
related use in a general plan that contemplates future growth.
(3)
"Development zone" means an economic development zone created under Section 
63N-2-104
.
(4)
"Local government entity" means a county, city, or town.
(5)
"New commercial project" means an economic development opportunity that:
(a)
involves a targeted industry;
 or
(b)
is located within:
(i)
a county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class; or
(ii)
a municipality that has a population of 10,000 or less and the municipality is 
located within a county of the second class
; or
.
(c)
involves an economic development opportunity that the commission determines to 
be eligible for a tax credit under this part.
(6)
"Remote work opportunity" means a new commercial project that:
(a)
does not require a physical office in the state where employees associated with the 
new commercial project are required to work; and
(b)
requires employees associated with the new commercial project to:
(i)
work remotely from a location within the state; and
(ii)
maintain residency in the state.
(7)
"Significant capital investment" means an investment in capital or fixed assets, which 
may include real property, personal property, and other fixtures related to a new 
commercial project that represents an expansion of existing operations in the state or 
that increases the business entity's existing workforce in the state.
(8)
"Tax credit" means an economic development tax credit created by Section 
59-7-614.2
or 
59-10-1107
.
(9)
"Tax credit amount" means the amount the office lists as a tax credit on a tax credit 
certificate for a taxable year.
(10)
"Tax credit certificate" means a certificate issued by the office that:
(a)
lists the name of the business entity to which the office authorizes a tax credit;
(b)
lists the business entity's taxpayer identification number;
(c)
lists the amount of tax credit that the office authorizes the business entity for the 
taxable year; and
(d)
may include other information as determined by the office.
(11)
"Written agreement" means a written agreement entered into between the office and a 
business entity under Section 
63N-2-104.2
.
Section 18, Section 
63N-2-104.3
 is amended to read:
63N-2-104.3
. Limitations on tax credit amount.
(1)
Except as provided in Subsection 
(2)(a)
, for a new commercial project that is located 
within the boundary of a county of the first or second class, the office may not authorize 
a tax credit that exceeds:
(a)
50% of the new state revenues from the new commercial project in any given year;
 or
(b)
30% of the new state revenues from the new commercial project over a period of up 
to 20 years
; or
.
(c)
35% of the new state revenues from the new commercial project over a period of up 
to 20 years, if:
(i)
the new commercial project brings 2,500 or more new incremental jobs to the 
state;
(ii)
the amount of capital expenditures associated with the new commercial project is 
$1,000,000,000 or more; and
(iii)
the commission approves the tax credit.
(2)
If the office authorizes a tax credit for a new commercial project located within the 
boundary of:
(a)
a municipality with a population of 10,000 or less located within a county of the 
second class and that is experiencing economic hardship as determined by the office, 
the office may authorize a tax credit of up to 50% of new state revenues from the new 
commercial project over a period of up to 20 years;
(b)
a county of the third class, the office may authorize a tax credit of up to 50% of new 
state revenues from the new commercial project over a period of up to 20 years; and
(c)
a county of the fourth, fifth, or sixth class, the office may authorize a tax credit of 
50% of new state revenues from the new commercial project over a period of up to 
20 years.
Section 19, Section 
63N-2-107
 is amended to read:
63N-2-107
. Reports of new state revenue, partial rebates, and tax credits.
(1)
Before October 1 of each year, the office shall submit a report to the Governor's Office 
of Planning and Budget, the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, and the Division of 
Finance identifying:
(a)
(i)
the total estimated amount of new state revenue created from new commercial 
projects;
(ii)
the estimated amount of new state revenue from new commercial projects that 
will be generated from:
(A)
sales tax;
(B)
income tax; and
(C)
corporate franchise and income tax; and
(iii)
the minimum number of new incremental jobs and high paying jobs that will be 
created before any tax credit is awarded; and
(b)
the total estimated amount of tax credits that the office projects that business entities 
will qualify to claim under this part.
(2)
By the first business day of each month, the office shall submit a report to the 
Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, 
and the Division of Finance identifying:
(a)
each new written agreement that the office entered into since the last report;
(b)
the estimated amount of new state revenue that will be generated under each written 
agreement described in Subsection (2)(a);
(c)
the estimated maximum amount of tax credits that a business entity could qualify for 
under each written agreement described in Subsection (2)(a); and
(d)
the minimum number of new incremental jobs and high paying jobs that will be 
created before any tax credit is awarded.
(3)
At the reasonable request of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, the Office 
of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, or the Division of Finance, the office shall provide 
additional information about the tax credit, new incremental jobs and high paying jobs, 
costs, and economic benefits related to this part, if the information is part of a public 
record as defined in Section 
63G-2-103
.
(4)
By October 1, the office shall submit to the Economic Development and Workforce 
Services Interim Committee, the Business, Economic Development, and Labor 
Appropriations Subcommittee, and the governor, a written report that provides an 
overview of the implementation and efficacy of the statewide economic development 
strategy, including an analysis of the extent to which the office's programs are aligned 
with the prevailing economic conditions expected in the next fiscal year.
Section 20, Section 
63N-16-302
 is amended to read:
63N-16-302
. Proactive regulatory relief efforts.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Regulatory framework" means a framework for determining the risk level to the 
public if a law or regulation that inhibits the creation or success of new and existing 
companies or industries were to be permanently removed or temporarily waived.
(b)
"Risk level" means a level of risk categorized from low, medium, and high.
(2)
The regulatory relief office may:
(a)
review, at any time, any existing state laws or regulations that may unnecessarily 
inhibit the creation or success of companies or industries other than the occupational 
regulations of individuals reviewed by the Office of Professional Licensure Review 
under Title 13, Chapter 1b, Office of Professional Licensure Review; and
(b)
provide recommendations to the governor and the Legislature on modifying those 
state laws and regulations described in Subsection (2)(a).
(3)
The regulatory relief office shall:
(a)
create a regulatory framework; and
(b)
annually study the laws and regulations of at least two industries selected from:
(i)
an industry targeted for economic development by the 
Unified Economic 
Opportunity Commission
office
 as described in Section 
63N-1a-202
63N-1a-302
; 
or
(ii)
an industry designated by the General Regulatory Sandbox Program Advisory 
Committee for study by the regulatory relief office.
(4)
In undertaking the review described in Subsection 
(3), 
(2), 
the regulatory relief office 
shall:
(a)
identify any law or regulation that the regulatory relief office determines inhibits the 
creation or success of new and existing companies or industries;
(b)
apply the regulatory framework to the identified law or regulation; and
(c)
consider:
(i)
the history of the identified regulation or law, including the reasons why the 
regulation or law was originally enacted;
(ii)
whether the identified regulation or law:
(A)
creates an unnecessary barrier to industry for businesses; or
(B)
imposes an unnecessary cost to businesses or consumers;
(iii)
whether the penalty for violation of the regulation or law, if any, is proportional 
to the potential harm; and
(iv)
if there are potentially less burdensome alternatives to the existing regulation or 
law and apply the regulatory framework to that alternative.
(5)
The regulatory relief office shall submit as part of the report described in Section 
63N-16-105
:
(a)
a detailed overview of the regulatory relief office's study of the laws and regulations 
as described in this section, including the reasons why the laws and regulations of a 
particular industry were selected for study and the strategy the office implemented to 
study the laws and regulations of that industry; and
(b)
recommended changes to a law or regulation identified by the regulatory relief office 
in Subsection (4) that the regulatory relief office determines:
(i)
is inhibiting the success of businesses, companies, or industries; and
(ii)
would not present a high risk level to the public if the law or regulation were 
permanently removed or temporarily waived.
Section 21, Section 
72-1-203
 is amended to read:
72-1-203
. Deputy director -- Appointment -- Qualifications -- Other assistants 
and advisers -- Salaries.
(1)
The executive director shall appoint the following deputy directors, who shall serve at 
the discretion of the executive director:
(a)
the deputy director of engineering and operation, who shall be a registered 
professional engineer in the state, and who shall be the chief engineer of the 
department; and
(b)
the deputy director of planning and investment.
(2)
As assigned by the executive director, the deputy directors described in Subsection (1) 
may assist the executive director with the following departmental responsibilities:
(a)
project development, including statewide standards for project design and 
construction, right-of-way, materials, testing, structures, and construction;
(b)
oversight of the management of the region offices described in Section 
72-1-205
;
(c)
operations and traffic management;
(d)
oversight of operations of motor carriers and ports;
(e)
transportation systems safety;
(f)
aeronautical operations;
(g)
equipment for department engineering and maintenance functions;
(h)
oversight and coordination of planning, including:
(i)
development of statewide strategic initiatives for planning across all modes of 
transportation;
(ii)
coordination with metropolitan planning organizations and local governments;
(iii)
coordination with a large public transit district, including planning, project 
development, outreach, programming, environmental studies and impact 
statements, construction, and impacts on public transit operations; and
(iv)
corridor and area planning;
(i)
asset management;
(j)
programming and prioritization of transportation projects;
(k)
fulfilling requirements for environmental studies and impact statements;
(l)
resource investment, including identification, development, and oversight of 
public-private partnership opportunities;
(m)
data analytics services to the department;
(n)
corridor preservation;
(o)
employee development;
(p)
maintenance planning;
(q)
oversight and facilitation of the negotiations and integration of public transit 
providers described in Section 
17B-2a-827
;
(r)
oversight and supervision of any fixed guideway capital development project within 
the boundaries of a large public transit district for which any state funds are 
expended, including those responsibilities described in Subsections (2)(a), (h), (j), 
(k), and (l), and the implementation and enforcement of any federal grant obligations 
associated with fixed guideway capital development project funding; and
(s)
other departmental responsibilities as determined by the executive director.
(3)
The executive director shall ensure that the same deputy director does not oversee or 
supervise both the fixed guideway capital development responsibilities described in 
Subsection (2)(r) and the department's fixed guideway rail safety responsibilities, 
including the responsibilities described in Section 
72-1-214
.
(4)
The executive director shall ensure that the same deputy director does not oversee or 
supervise both the authorization of a telecommunication provider to have longitudinal 
access to state right-of-way as described in Section 
72-7-108
, and the operations and 
duties of the Utah Broadband Center created in Section 
72-19-201
.
Section 22, Section 
72-1-303
 is amended to read:
72-1-303
. Duties of commission.
(1)
The commission has the following duties:
(a)
determining priorities and funding levels of projects and programs in the state 
transportation systems and the capital development of new public transit facilities for 
each fiscal year based on project lists compiled by the department and taking into 
consideration the strategic initiatives described in Section 
72-1-211
;
(b)
determining additions and deletions to state highways under Chapter 4, Designation 
of State Highways Act;
(c)
holding public meetings and otherwise providing for public input in transportation 
matters;
(d)
making policies and rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah 
Administrative Rulemaking Act, necessary to perform the commission's duties 
described under this section;
(e)
in accordance with Section 
63G-4-301
, reviewing orders issued by the executive 
director in adjudicative proceedings held in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4, 
Administrative Procedures Act;
(f)
advising the department on state transportation systems policy;
(g)
approving settlement agreements of condemnation cases subject to Section 
63G-10-401
;
(h)
in accordance with Section 
17B-2a-807
, appointing a commissioner to serve as a 
nonvoting member or a voting member on the board of trustees of a public transit 
district;
(i)
in accordance with Section 
17B-2a-808
, reviewing, at least annually, the short-term 
and long-range public transit plans; 
(j)
determining the priorities and funding levels of public transit innovation grants, as 
defined in Section 
72-2-401
;
 and
(k)
approving grant awards administered by the Utah Broadband Center in accordance 
with Section 
17-19-301
; and
(k)
(l)
reviewing administrative rules made, substantively amended, or repealed by the 
department.
(2)
(a)
For projects prioritized with funding provided under Sections 
72-2-124
 and 
72-2-125
, the commission shall annually report to a committee designated by the 
Legislative Management Committee:
(i)
a prioritized list of the new transportation capacity projects in the state 
transportation system and the funding levels available for those projects; and
(ii)
the unfunded highway construction and maintenance needs within the state.
(b)
The committee designated by the Legislative Management Committee under 
Subsection (2)(a) shall:
(i)
review the list reported by the Transportation Commission; and
(ii)
make a recommendation to the Legislature on:
(A)
the amount of additional funding to allocate to transportation; and
(B)
the source of revenue for the additional funding allocation under Subsection 
(2)(b)(ii)(A).
(3)
The commission shall review and may approve plans for the construction of a highway 
facility over sovereign lakebed lands in accordance with Chapter 6, Part 3, Approval of 
Highway Facilities on Sovereign Lands Act.
(4)
One or more associations representing airport operators or pilots in the state shall 
annually report to the commission recommended airport improvement projects and any 
other information related to the associations' expertise and relevant to the commission's 
duties.
Section 23, Section 
72-19-101
, which is renumbered from Section 63N-17-102 is renumbered 
and amended to read:
19. UTAH BROADBAND CENTER
1. General Provisions
63N-17-102
72-19-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Broadband center" means the Utah Broadband Center created in Section 
63N-17-201
72-19-201
.
(2)
"Broadband commission" means the Utah Broadband Center Advisory Commission 
created in Section 
36-29-109
.
(2)
(3)
"Final proposal" means the submission provided by the state to the Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information as part of the state's 
BEAD Application, as set forth in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 1702(e)(4).
(3)
(4)
"Initial proposal" means the submission provided by the state to the Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information as part of the state's 
BEAD Application, as set forth in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 1702(e)(3).
(4)
(5)
"Letter of intent" means the submission provided by the state to the Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information as part of the state's 
BEAD Application, as set forth in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 1702(e)(1)(B).
(5)
(6)
"Public-private partnership" means an arrangement or agreement between a 
government entity and one or more private persons to fund and provide for a public need 
through the development or operation of a public project in which the private person or 
persons share with the government entity the responsibility or risk of developing, 
owning, maintaining, financing, or operating the project.
(6)
(7)
"Subgrantee" means an entity that receives funds from the state under:
(a)
the Broadband Access Grant Program created in Section 
63N-17-301
72-19-301
; or
(b)
the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Grant Program created in Section 
63N-17-401
72-19-401
.
(7)
(8)
"State BEAD application" means a submission by the state for a grant under the 
federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program established under 47 U.S.C. 
Sec. 1702(b), consisting of a letter of intent, initial proposal, and final proposal.
Section 24, Section 
72-19-201
, which is renumbered from Section 63N-17-201 is renumbered 
and amended to read:
2. Utah Broadband Center
63N-17-201
72-19-201
. Utah Broadband Center -- Creation -- Director -- 
Duties.
(1)
There is created within the 
office
department
 the Utah Broadband Center.
(2)
The executive director shall appoint a director of the broadband center to oversee the 
operations of the broadband center.
(3)
The broadband center shall:
(a)
ensure that publicly funded broadband projects continue to be publicly accessible and 
provide a public benefit;
(b)
develop the statewide digital connectivity plan described in Section 
63N-17-203
72-19-203
;
(c)
carry out the duties described in Section 
63N-17-202
72-19-202
; 
(d)
administer the Broadband Access Grant Program 
in accordance with Part 3, 
Broadband Access Grant Program
created in Section 
72-19-301
; and
(e)
administer the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Grant Program 
in 
accordance with Part 4, Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program
created 
in Section 
72-19-401
.
(f)
(4)
The broadband center shall ensure efficiency with respect to:
(i)
(a)
expenditure of funds; and
(ii)
(b)
avoiding duplication of efforts.
(g)
(5)
The broadband center shall consider administering broadband infrastructure funds 
in a manner that:
(i)
(a)
efficiently maximizes the leverage of federal funding;
(ii)
(b)
avoids the use of public funds for broadband facilities that duplicate existing 
broadband facilities that already meet or exceed federal standards; and
(iii)
(c)
accounts for the benefits and costs to the state of existing facilities, equipment, 
and services of public and private broadband providers.
Section 25, Section 
72-19-202
, which is renumbered from Section 63N-17-202 is renumbered 
and amended to read:
63N-17-202
72-19-202
. Infrastructure and broadband coordination.
(1)
The broadband center shall partner with the Utah Geospatial Resource Center created in 
Section 
63A-16-505
 to collect and maintain a database and interactive map that displays 
economic development data statewide, including:
(a)
voluntarily submitted broadband availability, speeds, and other broadband data;
(b)
voluntarily submitted public utility data;
(c)
workforce data, including information regarding:
(i)
enterprise zones designated under Section 
63N-2-206
;
(ii)
public institutions of higher education; and
(iii)
APEX accelerators;
(d)
transportation data, which may include information regarding railway routes, 
commuter rail routes, airport locations, and major highways;
(e)
lifestyle data, which may include information regarding state parks, national parks 
and monuments, United States Forest Service boundaries, ski areas, golf courses, and 
hospitals; and
(f)
other relevant economic development data as determined by the office, including data 
provided by partner organizations.
(2)
The broadband center may:
(a)
make recommendations to state and federal agencies, local governments, the 
governor, and the Legislature regarding policies and initiatives that promote the 
development of broadband-related infrastructure in the state and help implement 
those policies and initiatives;
(b)
facilitate coordination between broadband providers and public and private entities;
(c)
collect and analyze data on broadband availability and usage in the state, including 
Internet speed, capacity, the number of unique visitors, and the availability of 
broadband infrastructure throughout the state;
(d)
create a voluntary broadband alliance, which shall include broadband providers and 
other public and private stakeholders, to solicit input on broadband-related policy 
guidance, best practices, and adoption strategies;
(e)
work with broadband providers, state and local governments, and other public and 
private stakeholders to facilitate and encourage the expansion and maintenance of 
broadband infrastructure throughout the state; and
(f)
in accordance with the requirements of Title 63J, Chapter 5, Federal Funds 
Procedures Act, and in accordance with federal requirements:
(i)
apply for federal grants;
(ii)
participate in federal programs; and
(iii)
administer federally funded broadband-related programs.
Section 26, Section 
72-19-203
, which is renumbered from Section 63N-17-203 is renumbered 
and amended to read:
63N-17-203
72-19-203
. Statewide digital connectivity plan.
As used in this section:
(1)
"Commission" 
"Broadband commission" 
means the Utah Broadband Center Advisory 
Commission created in Section 
36-29-109
.
(2)
"Strategic plan" means the statewide digital connectivity plan created in accordance 
with Subsections 
(2) and 
(3)
 and (4)
.
(3)
The broadband center shall develop the strategic plan.
(4)
The strategic plan shall include strategies to:
(a)
implement broadband connectivity statewide;
(b)
promote digital 
equity
access throughout the state
;
(c)
apply for federal infrastructure funds; and
(d)
apply for additional funds.
(5)
In developing the strategic plan, the broadband center shall work with the 
broadband 
commission.
(6)
The broadband center shall provide the commission with quarterly status updates 
regarding:
(a)
implementation of the commission's recommendations;
(b)
the grant programs created in Sections 
63N-17-301
 and 
63N-17-401
, including:
(i)
applications received for grant funding;
(ii)
grant awards about to be made by the broadband center;
(iii)
grant awards made by the broadband center; and
(iv)
projects implemented with grant funding;
(c)
strategic plan development;
(d)
strategic plan implementation;
(e)
grants received in addition to those described in Subsection (6)(b);
(f)
projects funded in addition to those described in Subsection (6)(b); and
(g)
recommendations for legislation.
(7)
(6)
The broadband center shall submit the strategic plan to the 
broadband 
commission 
for the 
broadband 
commission's recommendation before finalizing the strategic plan.
(8)
(7)
On or before October 1 of each year, the broadband center shall report to the 
broadband 
commission and the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim 
Committee regarding status updates.
Section 27, Section 
72-19-301
, which is renumbered from Section 63N-17-301 is renumbered 
and amended to read:
3. Broadband Access Grant Program
63N-17-301
72-19-301
. Creation of Broadband Access Grant Program.
(1)
As used in this part:
(a)
"Eligible applicant" means:
(i)
a telecommunications provider or an Internet service provider;
(ii)
a local government entity and one or more private entities, collectively, who are 
parties to a public-private partnership established for the purpose of expanding 
affordable broadband access in the state; or
(iii)
a tribal government.
(b)
"Underserved area" means an area of the state that is underserved in terms of the 
area's access to broadband service, as further defined by rule made by the 
department 
in coordination with the 
broadband center.
(c)
"Unserved area" means an area of the state that is unserved in terms of the area's 
access to broadband service, as further defined by rule made by the 
department in 
coordination with the 
broadband center.
(2)
There is established a grant program known as the Broadband Access Grant Program 
that is administered by the broadband center in accordance with this part.
(3)
(a)
The broadband center may award a grant under this part to an eligible applicant 
that submits to the broadband center an application that includes a proposed project 
to extend broadband service to individuals and businesses in an unserved area or an 
underserved area by providing last-mile connections to end users.
(b)
Subsection (3)(a) does not prohibit the broadband center from awarding a grant for a 
proposed project that also includes middle-mile elements that are necessary for the 
last-mile connections.
(4)
In awarding grants under this part, the broadband center shall:
(a)
based on the following criteria and in the order provided, prioritize proposed projects:
(i)
located in unserved areas;
(ii)
located in underserved areas;
(iii)
(A)
that the eligible applicant developed after meaningful engagement with the 
impacted community to identify the community's needs and innovative means 
of providing a public benefit that addresses the community's needs; and
(B)
that include, as a component of the proposed project, a long-term public 
benefit to the impacted community developed in response to the eligible 
applicant's engagement with the community;
(iv)
located in an economically distressed area of the state, as measured by indices of 
unemployment, poverty, or population loss;
(v)
that make the greatest investment in last-mile connections;
(vi)
that provide higher speed broadband access to end users; and
(vii)
for which the eligible applicant provides at least 25% of the money needed for 
the proposed project, with higher priority to proposed projects for which the 
eligible applicant provides a greater percentage of the money needed for the 
proposed project; and
(b)
consider the impact of available funding for the proposed project from other sources, 
including money from matching federal grant programs.
(5)
For a project that the eligible applicant cannot complete in a single fiscal year, the 
broadband center may distribute grant proceeds for the project over the course of the 
project's construction.
(6)
(a)
Before awarding a grant under this part, the broadband center shall present the 
application described in Subsection 
(3)
 to the Transportation Commission for 
approval.
(b)
In awarding a grant under this part, the broadband center shall ensure that grant 
funds are not used by a subgrantee in a manner that causes competition among 
projects that are substantially supported by state funds or federal funds subgranted by 
the state
, as determine in accordance with rules made by the broadband center in 
accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act
.
(7)
As provided in and subject to the requirements of Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government 
Records Access and Management Act, a record submitted to the broadband center that 
contains a trade secret or confidential commercial information described in Subsection 
63G-2-305
(2) is a protected record.
Section 28, Section 
72-19-302
, which is renumbered from Section 63N-17-302 is renumbered 
and amended to read:
63N-17-302
72-19-302
. Duties of the broadband center.
(1)
The broadband center shall:
(a)
establish an application process by which an eligible applicant may apply for a grant 
under this part, which application shall include:
(i)
a declaration, signed under penalty of perjury, that the application is complete, 
true, and correct; and
(ii)
an acknowledgment that the eligible applicant is subject to audit;
(b)
establish a method for the broadband center to determine which eligible applicants 
qualify to receive a grant;
(c)
establish a formula to award grant funds; and
(d)
report the information described in Subsections 
(1)(a)
 through 
(c)
 to the director of 
the Division of Finance.
(2)
Subject to appropriation, the broadband center shall:
(a)
collect applications for grant funds from eligible applicants;
(b)
determine which applicants qualify for receiving a grant; and
(c)
award the grant funds in accordance with the process established under Subsection 
(1)
and in accordance with Section 
63N-17-301
72-19-301
.
(3)
In accordance with 
Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act
, the 
broadband center may make rules to administer the grant program
The department, in 
coordination with the broadband center, may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, 
Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to administer the grant program
.
Section 29, Section 
72-19-401
, which is renumbered from Section 63N-17-401 is renumbered 
and amended to read:
4. Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Grant Program
63N-17-401
72-19-401
. Creation of Broadband Equity Access and Deployment 
Grant Program.
(1)
There is established a grant program known as the Broadband Equity Access and 
Deployment Grant Program that is administered by the broadband center in accordance 
with:
(a)
this part; and
(b)
the requirements of the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration's Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, 47 U.S.C. Sec. 
1702 et seq.
(2)
The broadband center shall:
(a)
prepare and submit the state's Broadband Equity Access and Deployment application, 
including the letter of intent, initial proposal, and final proposal to the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration;
(b)
administer the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Grant Program in 
accordance with this section and as approved by the National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration;
(c)
accept and process an application for subgranted funds;
 and
(d)
report to the broadband commission quarterly on:
(i)
the progress of the broadband center's submission described in Subsection (2)(a);
(ii)
the administration of the program;
(iii)
applications received for subgranted funding;
(iv)
approved applications for subgranted funds; and
(v)
projects supported by subgranted funds;
(e)
(d)
ensure that a subgrantee complies with the state's final proposal to the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration
; and
.
(f)
make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative 
Rulemaking Act, necessary to administer this section.
(3)
The department, in coordination with the broadband center, may make rules in 
accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to 
administer the grant program.
(3)
The broadband commission shall give the broadband center recommendations during 
the quarterly reports described in Subsection (2)(d).
(4)
The broadband center may approve an application for subgranted funds if:
(a)
the application meets the requirements of this section;
(b)
the application meets any rule made pursuant to this section;
(c)
the application meets the requirements of the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration's Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, 47 
U.S.C. Sec. 1702 et seq.; and
(d)
the broadband center has informed the 
broadband commission
Transportation 
Commission
 about the application
, as
 described in Subsection 
(2)(d)
(2)(c)
.
(5)
After the broadband center completes a competitive application process for subgranted 
funds but before the broadband center notifies the applicant of the award, the broadband 
center shall present to the 
broadband commission
Transportation Commission
 on the 
subgrant award.
Section 30, 
Repealer.
Creation of commission.
Commission duties.
Subcommittees generally.
Definitions.
Women in the Economy Subcommittee created.
Purpose -- Powers and duties of the subcommittee.
Annual report.
Administration -- Grants and loans.
Section 31. 
FY 2026 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 
2025, and ending June 30, 2026. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for 
fiscal year 2026. 
Subsection 31(a).
Operating and Capital Budgets
Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the 
Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for 
the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
Economic and Community Development
Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
ITEM 1
Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity - Economic Prosperity
From General Fund
(553,600)
From Federal Funds
(200,000)
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
(93,700)
Business Services
(847,300)
Department of Workforce Services
ITEM 2
Department of Workforce Services - Office of Homeless Services
From General Fund
1,900,000
Homeless Services
1,900,000
Under the provisions of Utah Code Annotated 
Title 63G, Chapter 6b, the Legislature intends that the 
Department of Workforce Services provide a direct 
award grant of $1,900,000 ongoing to Family Interim 
Non-congregate Children Housing (FINCH) facility 
located in a county of the first class under the 
consultation of the Homeless Coordinator of the Office 
of Homelessness.
Higher Education
Utah Board of Higher Education
ITEM 3
Utah Board of Higher Education - Administration
From General Fund
553,600
From Federal Funds
200,000
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
93,700
Administration
847,300
The Legislature intends, that if H.B. 542, 
Economic Development Amendments, and H.B. 530, 
Utah Innovation Lab Modifications, both pass and 
become law, on July 1, 2025, the funding appropriated in 
H.B. 542 be transferred to the Utah Board of Higher 
Education for the Nucleus Institute. The Legislature 
further intends that the Office of Legislative Fiscal 
Analyst, when preparing the base budget for the 2026 
General Session, create a new line item titled within the 
Utah Board of Higher Education "Nucleus Institute" and 
transfer the funding for the Utah Board of Education - 
Administration line item to the newly created item.
Section 32. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on 
July 1, 2025
.
3-13-25 2:53 PM