All Roll Calls
Yes: 129 • No: 1
UtahS.B. 1742025 General SessionSenate
Transit and Transportation Governance Amendments
Sponsored By: Wayne A. Harper (Republican)
Signed by Governor
TransportationDepartment of TransportationPublic Transit DistrictsPublic Transit
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
Transit boards take safety coordination role
Large transit district boards must engage their safety and security teams at least annually to coordinate with local cities and counties. Beginning May 7, 2025, local advisory councils no longer have that specified annual safety-coordination duty. Councils advise boards on routes, service plans, new capital projects, budgets, and fares. They also review development plans for areas near transit.
Transit boards oversee directors and budgets
Large transit district boards hire, supervise, set pay for, and evaluate executive directors; boards no longer must hire every chief-level officer. Boards must consult local advisory councils before approving annual budgets, including bonds and other financial instruments. Beginning May 7, 2025, directors must set administrative policies and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. Directors must also consult the councils when preparing budgets and submit those budgets for board approval. Board rules must serve district affairs or carry out the governing law, without conflicting with it or either constitution.
Transit contract and audit reviews change
The large transit district board-approval threshold for contracts or expenses rises from $200,000 to $250,000. Change orders need approval when they bring a contract to at least $250,000 or themselves total at least $250,000. Approval also applies when changes increase a contract or expense worth at least $250,000 by 25% or more. Boards must direct critical internal audits with local advisory council input. An audit of an internal issue requires both an executive director request and council approval.
Transit districts must plan and test costs
Beginning May 7, 2025, large transit district directors must prepare strategic plans at least every four years. Plans need board approval, must align with relevant transportation plans, and must cover projects over 5, 10, and 20 years. Directors must consult boards, local advisory councils, regional planning groups, operations specialists, and other relevant stakeholders. Boards and directors must seek capital and service funding for expected growth under the plan; funding is not guaranteed. Directors must also study each transit mode's costs and benefits at least every five years and set goals for balancing them.
Transit fares face added local review
Large transit district boards must consult their local advisory councils when setting fares. Boards must also review and approve all reduced-fare contracts and evaluate existing deals. Reviews cover how deals were negotiated, why fares were reduced, and cost shifts affecting district operations. The law does not change fare prices or who qualifies for reduced fares.
Utah expands oversight of transit projects
Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah's transportation deputy director oversees fixed-guideway capital projects within large transit district boundaries. This covers projects without state funding and includes enforcing related federal grant duties. The transportation executive director may delegate certain related projects or acquisitions to a large transit district. Delegation requires a finding that the district is better positioned or equipped to handle that work.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wayne A. Harper
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Kay J. Christofferson
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/27/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 67 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/12/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/31/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/27/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/7/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/7/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/3/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/3/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
2/27/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
2/27/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/27/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/24/2025HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/24/2025HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/24/2025HouseHouse/ to standing committee
2/21/2025HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/13/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/12/2025HouseSenate/ to House
2/12/2025SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/12/2025SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/12/2025SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/11/2025SenateSenate/ floor amendment
2/11/2025SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/11/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/7/2025
Amended 2/11/2025 14:02:334
2/11/2025
Introduced
1/27/2025