All Roll Calls
Yes: 185 • No: 1
UtahS.B. 1292025 General SessionSenateWALLET
Higher Education Development Areas
Sponsored By: Chris H. Wilson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ConstructionEconomic DevelopmentReal EstateEducationHigher EducationLand UsePolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)Planning and ZoningReal Property
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
University development gets conflict safeguards
Beginning May 7, 2025, university trustees must sit out development actions involving specified business conflicts affecting themselves or family members. Covered ties include ownership, direct affiliation, employment, or officer roles in a private firm. The rule applies when the trustee reasonably believes the firm is likely to participate or directly benefit financially. Conflicts must be disclosed in writing before agreement approval, and existing ethics rules still apply. After designation, boards must report development activity and fund deposits and spending to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee annually by September 30.
Utah universities gain land development tools
Beginning May 7, 2025, eligible Utah public universities can each designate one development area before January 1, 2035. Each area must be contiguous, cover no more than 75 acres, and include only land owned on January 1, 2025. It cannot overlap community reinvestment project areas or housing and transit reinvestment zones existing on that date. Designation requires Utah Board of Higher Education approval and a public hearing with at least seven days’ notice. The university’s resolution must describe the boundaries, planned development, and expected revenue. Universities can partner with private developers and must keep all development and lease receipts in a separate fund. That money can support area development, university facilities and upkeep, or other university purposes; the law appropriates no money.
Businesses leasing university land face tax
Private lessees using qualifying university property in a designated development area for a for-profit business must pay Utah privilege tax. The tax starts January 1 of the year after the development agreement is signed. The county treasurer collects it from the lessee and sends 80% of the revenue to the university. Existing privilege-tax law governs the tax; this law does not state a rate or each lessee’s bill.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chris H. Wilson
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Steve Eliason
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 27 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 70 • No: 1
House vote • 2/26/2025
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2025
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2025
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2025
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/21/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/13/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/13/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/7/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/7/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/7/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/7/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/7/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/7/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/7/2025HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ substituted/ amended
2/27/2025HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/26/2025HouseHouse Comm - Amendment Recommendation
2/26/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/13/2025
Amended 2/27/2025 09:02:225
2/27/2025
Substitute #3
2/26/2025
Substitute #2
2/25/2025
Substitute #1
2/7/2025
Introduced
1/16/2025