SB0197S01 (Substitute)
Transportation Funding and Governance Amendments
Introduction
Jan 26
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Jan 30
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 20
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 23
House Rules
Feb 26
House Committee
Feb 26
House Floor Vote
Mar 6
Senate Concurrence
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 26
This bill amends provisions related to the governance of a large public transit district and financial reporting of public transit districts.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, reviewed by Better Utah staff.
This bill fundamentally restructures how Utah's largest public transit district — UTA, which serves more than 65% of the state's population — is governed. It replaces UTA's existing locally-appointed board of trustees with a new seven-member "transit commission," whose members are appointed by the governor (with Senate confirmation), the House speaker, and the Senate president rather than by local governments. The bill also removes the requirement for a local advisory council and shifts appointment of UTA's executive director from the board to the governor, making that position serve at the governor's pleasure. The executive director gains broad operational authority, while the transit commission takes on an oversight and approval role for budgets, long-range plans, and bond issuance. Beginning in fiscal year 2028, the bill also directs a portion of new sales tax growth into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund when annual General Fund revenues exceed a 2025 baseline.
Current version: SB0197S01 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 26
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Jan 30
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 20
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 23
House Rules
Feb 26
House Committee
Feb 26
House Floor Vote
Mar 6
Senate Concurrence
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 26
IntroductionJan 26
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeJan 30
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 20
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 23
House RulesFeb 26
House CommitteeFeb 26
House Floor VoteMar 6
Senate ConcurrenceMar 6
Governor SignedMar 26
This bill amends provisions related to the governance of a large public transit district and financial reporting of public transit districts.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, reviewed by Better Utah staff.
This bill fundamentally restructures how Utah's largest public transit district — UTA, which serves more than 65% of the state's population — is governed. It replaces UTA's existing locally-appointed board of trustees with a new seven-member "transit commission," whose members are appointed by the governor (with Senate confirmation), the House speaker, and the Senate president rather than by local governments. The bill also removes the requirement for a local advisory council and shifts appointment of UTA's executive director from the board to the governor, making that position serve at the governor's pleasure. The executive director gains broad operational authority, while the transit commission takes on an oversight and approval role for budgets, long-range plans, and bond issuance. Beginning in fiscal year 2028, the bill also directs a portion of new sales tax growth into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund when annual General Fund revenues exceed a 2025 baseline.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Mar 26, 2026, 9:44 PM