2025LegislativeSummary
BuildingonPreviousInvestment
Over the past four years (2021-2024), the Utah Legislature has authorized over $5 billion of new one-time and ongoing funds for Utah’s transportation partners to plan for, program, and construct additional roadway, transit, and active transportation projects across the state. Additionally, state, regional, and local stakeholders have worked together to authorize meaningful tools and policy changes to promote the connection between land use and transportation. The 2025 session did not lead to significant new transportation-related appropriations or policy shifts comparable to recent years but was an opportunity to reflect on the considerable amount of growth-related legislation and funding invested over the past few years. Now we can continue to utilize these tools and funds effectively and prudently, as we implement Utah’s Unified Transportation Plan and the Wasatch Choice Vision.
SessionOverview
962 bills and resolutions introduced, 582 passed
$30.8 Billion FY26 state budget appropriated Areas of focus: energy, economic development, higher education, tax relief, election reform, and housing
”A wise person once said, ‘The road to success is always under construction’, and here in Utah, we know that is true in more ways than one… That’s why this legislative session we are committed to building on past investments to keep our state moving. Over the last two years, the legislature has invested over $3 Billion in statewide transportation infrastructure. These funds have gone to a variety of projects, including repairing and expanding state roads and highways, double-tracking FrontRunner, strengthening commuter rail, improving rural backcountry roads, and much more... These investments help Utah maintain an unsurpassed quality of life by ensuring that our transportation system is ready for the future. A robust transportation system supports our economic growth, helps you spend more time in our beautiful outdoors, and gets you home to your family safely, and efficiently. We’re working together to build the infrastructure to keep our state moving today, and years to come.”
NotableAppropriations
Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) sales tax earmark increase from 20.68% to 27.68%, backing out $330M ongoing in General Funds (initially revenue neutral)
$70M transportation bond authorization for an Affordable Housing Grant Program in Salt Lake County
$400M+ for various local transportation projects
Local Administrative Advisor Program (LAA) funding reduction
$20M ongoing to the state’s Corridor Preservation Fund
For our comprehensive 2025 Legislative Session Wrap-Up, Bill Tracker, and Appropriations Tracker, see: wfrc.org/ga
2025NotableLegislation
Teuscher/Cullimore HB
Thisbillisatransportation omnibusthatamongother changes,includesthefolowing:
Requiresmunicipalities,in collaborationwithMPOs,to amendtheirgeneralplansto identifypriority transportationconnections
ClarifiesStationArea Planning(SAP)reporting requirements; IncreasestheTransportaton InvestmentFund(TIF)state salestaxearmarkfrom 20.68%to27.68%,backing out$330MongoinginGF (initiallyrevenueneutral)
ProhibitsSLCfrom proceedingoncertain roadwayprojectsunless approvedbyUDOTina mobilityplan
AllowsstateTIFfundstobe usedforroadwayandtransit corridorpreservation
RequiresUDOT,ratherthan municipalities,tomaintain statehighwaystreetlighting
Thisbillmakesthefollowing changestonewandexisting programs:
Makeschangestoimposition ofthe“5th5th”localoption salestax
FundsspecficSaltLake County(SLCo)transportation andwaterprojectsoutofthe CountyoftheFirstClass InfrastructureBank(CFCIB)
FundsspecficSLCo transportationprojectsout oftheCountyoftheFirst ClassHighwayProjectsFund (CFCHPF)
Fundsaloca projectwithTIF funding
FundsaBigCottonwood Canyonpublictransithub andassociated ngress/egress
Createsanaffordable housnginfrastructuregrant programforSLCo municipalities,funded bya $70MUDOTbond.
Thisbillmakestechnical changestotheHTRZ statute,including:
Clarifyingcertain administrative functions
Clarifyingthe definitionsof affordabilityand commuterrail
Requiringthat25% ofunitsaremultibedroom
Requiringproposals todemonstrate meetingcertain objectives
Adjustingeligibility atcertainstations
Requiringadditional budgetdetail.
Thisbillalsoallowsfor thecreationofa tax incrementtoolinSLC andSandyfor conventioncenter reinvestment.
This bill clarifies the governance structure of UTA by refining the allocation of responsibilities among the UTA Board of Trustees, Executive Director, and Local Advisory Council.
Additionally, the bill establishes that UDOT will have oversight for all “fixed guideway” transit capital development projects in the state, with the ability to delegate that oversight to UTA. This change reinforces Utah’s transportation partners working together to prov de multimodal transportation choices.
ThisbillrequiresUDOT tocreateanAdvanced AirMobility(AAM)toolkit forlocalgovernments, includingmodel ordinances,best practices,andavailable resourcestoassistin developingAAM. Thebillwouldalso requirethecreationofa communtyoutreachand publiceducation campaignthateducates thepublicregarding potentialAAMusecases, sharesbenefitsabout AAMasamodeof transportation,outlines state-driveninitiativesto advanceAAM,highlights potentialimpactsonthe economyincluding ob creation,andidentifies potentialphasingfor establishingarobust AAMsystem.
Thisbllrequirestheuse ofpopulationdatafrom theUtahPopulation Committee(UPC)as opposedtoCensus Bureaudataforvarious policythresholdsorstate fundingallocations, includingB&Croadfunds andlocaloptionsales taxes.
ByusingUPCdatafor certainpolicyorfunding allocations,thischange isintendedtobetter reflectcurrent populationdistribution whchiscriticalinthe fastgrowingareasofour state.
WFRCappreciatesall effortstoenhancethe qualityandavailabilityof data,whichiscriticalto theworkMPOsdoin planningforfuture growth
Thisbilldefines “BicycleLane”asalane designatedforthe exclusiveuseof bicycle,electricbicycle, andmotor-assisted scootertraffic
Additionally,thebill makesitamoving violationtoobstructor drivewithinabikelane, withsomeexceptions. Thesechangescan leadtogreatersafety outcomesforpeople whochoosetouse actvetransportation facilities,thusmaking bikingasaformof transportationmore comfortableand accessibleforallusers.
Thisbill,amongother things,requiresthe Governor’sOfficeof PlanningandBudget (GOPB)tocoordinate thecreationofastate housingpan,which mayincude developmentof regionalhousingplans. Thiswillenable stakeholders,including AOGs/MPOsto continuetoengagein dialogueaboutregonal approachesto determinetheoptimal pathforward. Thebillwouldalso modifysomeofthe processesfor ModerateIncome HousingPlan(MIHP) reporting,andwould allow notforce citiesandcountiesto implementa“density overlay.”
Harper/Whyte
Harper/Christofferson
Gricius/McKell
Mauga/Weiler
Dunnigan/Fillmore
Harper/Christofferson