# Utah S.B. 197: Transportation Funding and Governance Amendments Utah S.B. 197, Transportation Funding and Governance Amendments, is a 2026 General Session Senate bill sponsored by Wayne A. Harper (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-03-26 (Governor Signed); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-14). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-SB197-2026GS - As of: 2026-10-14 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Utah S.B. 197 - State: Utah - Session: 2026 General Session - Title: Transportation Funding and Governance Amendments - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2026-01-26 - Last action: 2026-03-26, Governor Signed - Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper (Republican) - Cosponsors: 1 - Subjects: Legislative Operations, Legislative Committees and Task Forces, Sales and Use Tax, State Tax Commission, Revenue and Taxation, Transportation, Public Transit Districts, Public Transit, Transit Transportation Investment Fund, Transportation Funding - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 12 (183 yes, 7 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 13 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - State balance growth funds transit investment: benefit, medium. For fiscal years beginning July 1, 2028, or later, the State Tax Commission must make an annual transit-fund deposit. A deposit is required only when the General Fund balance exceeds the balance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027. The deposit equals the smaller of 5% of that increase or the… - Outgoing transit trustees receive severance benefits: benefit, low. Large transit districts must provide severance pay and benefits to trustees serving on June 30, 2026. This protection runs through December 31, 2026. The law does not state payment or benefit amounts. - More public access to transit decisions: benefit, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, large transit district commissions must hold public meetings and hear comments at least monthly. At public meetings, they approve budgets, local government agreements, and long-range transit plans. They also vote on ordinances and bylaws, and review and recommend bonds. Each… - Transit audits and reports become required: benefit, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, each large transit district commission must arrange an annual independent audit. After each fiscal year, it must promptly share service, transportation sales-tax spending, financial status, and fiscal progress reports with local governments and planning groups. Reports cover… - Transit commissions can provide police services: benefit, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, multicounty transit commissions, like district boards, can hire police officers or contract with another agency. Officers must meet the state law governing law enforcement officers. The law allows these services but requires no hiring, contract, or staffing level. - Transit parking rules can include fines: cost, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, multicounty transit commissions, like district boards, can adopt and enforce parking rules at transit facilities. Those rules can include fines or civil penalties. The law sets no penalty amounts and does not require districts to adopt parking rules. - Transit fares face approval and hearings: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, small district boards and large district directors set service rates and charges. Two-thirds of all board members must approve them. Rates must be reasonable and, where practical, cover operating costs, maintenance, debt payments, and other liabilities. Proposed reduced-fare,… - Transit director pay comparisons and benefits: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, large transit district directors are included in the state's local district executive compensation rules. State human resources salary studies must compare their pay with leaders of similarly sized and complex transit districts in other states. The transit commission sets dir… - New leaders for large transit districts: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, a seven-member commission replaces the board governing each large transit district. The House speaker and Senate president each appoint two members; the governor appoints three from specified nominations. Members generally serve four-year terms and need extensive experience… - Transit directors gain powers and duties: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, large transit district directors manage services, facilities, staff, business affairs, and compliance with laws. They can set fares, approve specified development contracts and property deals, and seek money for transit projects and service. They must pursue cost-effective se… - Tighter transit budget and borrowing controls: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, large transit district directors must submit budgets at least 60 days before the fiscal year starts. Cities and counties get a budget copy and hearing notice at least 30 days before the hearing. Budgets need commission approval, estimated income and spending, major changes, r… - Transit development investments face new safeguards: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, transit districts can assist or operate transit-linked development connected with project area development. With board or commission approval, they can make limited-liability investments or place their property interest behind other claims. For limited-liability investments,… - Transit housing plans face new conditions: mixed, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, transit districts undertaking transit-oriented development must include affordable housing in their policies and guidelines. For transit-supportive projects, they must work with regional planners, cities, and counties to seek joint plans within one-half mile of stations. Thos… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper (Republican), Senate - Cosponsor: Kay J. Christofferson (Republican), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate/ concurs with House amendment | pass | 28 | 1 | | | 2026-03-06 | House | House/ floor amendment | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-06 | House | House/ passed 3rd reading | pass | 65 | 2 | | | 2026-02-26 | House | House Comm - Substitute Recommendation | pass | 12 | 0 | | | 2026-02-26 | House | House Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 11 | 1 | | | 2026-02-26 | House | House Comm - Amendment Recommendation | pass | 12 | 0 | | | 2026-02-23 | Senate | Senate/ uncircled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-23 | Senate | Senate/ circled | fail | | | | | 2026-02-23 | Senate | Senate/ passed 3rd reading | pass | 27 | 1 | | | 2026-02-20 | Senate | Senate/ floor amendment | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-20 | Senate | Senate/ passed 2nd reading | pass | 23 | 2 | | | 2026-01-30 | Senate | Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 5 | 0 | | ## Actions (46) - 2026-03-26: Governor Signed - 2026-03-13: Senate/ to Governor (Senate) - 2026-03-13: Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing (Senate) - 2026-03-11: Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing (Senate) - 2026-03-11: Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate - 2026-03-10: Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared - 2026-03-10: Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling - 2026-03-10: Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling (Senate) - 2026-03-10: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ concurs with House amendment (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ passed 3rd reading (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ floor amendment (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ 3rd reading (House) - 2026-03-05: House/ 2nd reading (House) - 2026-03-05: House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar (House) - 2026-02-26: House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact (House) - 2026-02-26: House/ comm rpt/ substituted/ amended (House) - 2026-02-26: House Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-02-26: House Comm - Amendment Recommendation - 2026-02-26: House Comm - Substitute Recommendation - 2026-02-25: House/ to standing committee (House) - 2026-02-24: House/ 1st reading (Introduced) (House) - 2026-02-24: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-02-23: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-02-23: Senate/ passed 3rd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-23: Senate/ uncircled (Senate) - 2026-02-23: Senate/ circled (Senate) - 2026-02-23: Senate/ 3rd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-20: Senate/ passed 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-20: Senate/ floor amendment (Senate) - 2026-02-20: Senate/ 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar (Senate) - 2026-02-02: Senate/ committee report favorable (Senate) - 2026-01-30: Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-01-28: Senate/ to standing committee (Senate) - 2026-01-28: Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst (Senate) - 2026-01-26: Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced) (Senate) - 2026-01-26: Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research (Senate) - 2026-01-26: Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed ## Bill text - Enrolled, 2026-03-11: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/SB0197.pdf) - Amended 3/6/2026 17:03:606, 2026-03-06: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/amended/AV_SB0197S01_2026-03-06_17-00-49.pdf) - Amended 2/26/2026 19:02:436, 2026-02-26: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/amended/AV_SB0197S01_2026-02-26_19-05-49.pdf) - Substitute #1, 2026-02-26: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0197S01.pdf) - Amended 2/20/2026 14:02:833, 2026-02-20: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/amended/AV_SB0197_2026-02-20_14-14-56.pdf) - Introduced, 2026-01-26: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0197.pdf) ## Related bills - H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments (signed) - H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments (signed) - H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments (signed) - H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments (signed) - H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments (signed) - H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments (signed) ## Sources - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/SB0197.pdf) - [Amended 3/6/2026 17:03:606 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/amended/AV_SB0197S01_2026-03-06_17-00-49.pdf) - [Amended 2/26/2026 19:02:436 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/amended/AV_SB0197S01_2026-02-26_19-05-49.pdf) - [Substitute #1 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0197S01.pdf) - [Amended 2/20/2026 14:02:833 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/amended/AV_SB0197_2026-02-20_14-14-56.pdf) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0197.pdf) ## Related - [H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB94-2026GS) - [H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB101-2026GS) - [H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB178-2026GS) - [H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB134-2026GS) - [H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB136-2026GS) - [H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB220-2026GS) - [Utah bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah/bills) - [Utah state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-SB197-2026GS (as of 2026-10-14).