2022 Capitol Report
emission reduction program, fossil fuel industry, and public transit!
We only have one week left in the 2022 legislative session, and things are about to get crazy as legislators make their last push to get bills passed. Keep reading to to get the latest updates and information on how to get involved.
Diesel Emission Reduction Program
This week Senate Bill 136 Air quality policy amendments passed both the Senate floor and House Public Utilities Committee! This bill will now be sent to the House Floor! ( one step left!)
What does this bill do? : If passed this bill will require the Department of Environmental Quality to study and make recommendations on a diesel emissions reduction plan framework.
What would this program do?: Diesel emission reduction programs incentivize heavy diesel vehicles and equipment to transition to alternative fuels. This program would help development projects like the inland port adopt cleaner energy sources minimizing their impacts on the surrounding environment.
Support or oppose?: Bill addresses and promotes equitable access to switching towards cleaner energy sources for rural and urban communities and will ultimately help clean our air quality throughout the state.
Fossil fuel investments.
House Business and Labor Committee held House Bill 312 State Financial Contracts.
Early this week, a problematic bill that would prevent the state from doing business with financial institutions that have shifted away from fossil fuel investments was held for further study in upcoming interim sessions.
Why oppose?: Current federal subsidies prove that oil and gas industries are treated fairly, and government bodies shouldn’t control financial institutions’ free market or investment decisions. Further, financial institutions are naturally moving away from oil and gas investments as the industry declines.
Great news, now what?: While there wont be any movement of this bill during the 2022 session, it is important to note that this bill barley missed the required votes pass committee— meaning we could possibly see a reintroduction in the following years.
Free Public Transit.
House Revenue and Taxation Committee held House Bill 164 Public Transit Fares.
This week House Bill 164 Public Transit Fares, a bill that HEAL Utah strongly supports, was held for further study in upcoming interim sessions.
Why support?: Investing in public transit and removing cost barriers will help address mobility and air quality issues throughout the state.
Bad news, now what? : While it is unfortunate news, HEAL will continue to watch this bill during interim sessions and will continue to support similar legislation in the following years. During the committee hearing legislatures expressed their interest in free fare funding for smaller groups, such as free fares for students or possible designated days for free or reduced fares, like free fare Saturdays.
All the bills!
Received a substitute during committee. Passed with a favorable recommendation out of the House Political Subdivisions Committee but failed to pass on the House Floor ( 37 yeas, 36 nays, 3 absent) Utah Legislature requires a bill to receive 38 yeas to pass the House Floor ( one vote short).
Still has not been assigned to a House Committee, stuck in rules committee.
HB 272 Energy Storage Amendments – Support
Due to funding issues, and being late in the session sponsor decided to not go forward this year with bill. Committee has sent this bill back to rules committee as a study item for interim.
Passed House Floor ( 70 yeas, 0 nays, 5 absent) sent to the House for the signature of the speaker.
Passed the Senate floor ( 23 yeas, 0 nays, 6 absent ) and will be sent to the House Floor for the signature of the speaker.
Passed the House Floor ( 70 yeas, 0 nays, 5 absent) will be sent to the Senate for the signature of the Speaker.
Passed Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee with favorable recommendation and will be heard at the Senate Floor ( Last house to pass)
SB 51 Transportation Amendments -Watching
New amendment removed Throughput Infrastructure fund language and passed the Senate Floor (24 yeas, 0 nays, 5 being absent) and will be sent to the House Floor for the signature of the speaker.
Passed both the House Transportation Committee and House floor, bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
HCR 7 Large Public Transit District Amendments – Support
Passed the House (66 yeas, 0 nays, 9 absent) and will be sent to the Senate Floor for the signature of the speaker.
HB 405 Switcher Amendments – Support
Held during committee for further converstation with Union Pacific to address solutions of the bill, to be heard in the next agenda.
Was successfully substituted and passed on the Senate Floor ( 20 yeas, 3 nays, 6 being absent) and will be sent to the House Floor for its consideration.
Passed Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee with favorable recommendations and has been assigned to be heard on the Senate Floor ( Last House)
SB 187 Fossil Fuels Tax Amendments– Support
Passed the House (69 yeas, 0 nays, 6 absent) and moved on to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee were it was held as a study item for the following interim session.
HB 418 Grid Resilience Committee- Watching
Passed the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee with a favorable recommendation and is being sent out to the House Floor to be voted on.
Held during the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
HB 378 Mining Operations Amendments – Watching
Passed Senate Floor ( 68 yeas, 0 nays, 7 absent) assigned to Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee.
Last day to lobby! (+ Donuts)
Can you believe it’s the last week!?
Join HEAL Utah this Thursday, March 3rd for our final Citizen Lobbying of the 2022 legislative session!
This event will be in-person and virtual with citizen lobbying training and updates, lobbying opportunities, as well as the ability to watch LIVE floor time with us as we lobby our legislators!
You can join us at any time that day after 9 am during floor times!