Senate approves COVID‑19 grant amendments to expand eligibility to local districts

The Utah State Senate approved First Substitute House Bill 1,004, an amendment to an earlier COVID‑19 matching grant program that explicitly extends eligibility to include local districts and special service districts.

Senator Cullimore, presenting the substitute, said the amendment (online 82a) clarifies the grant program will include local districts and special service districts as eligible entities to receive matching funds. He told the Senate the effective date language was already included and that the primary change is to expand participating entities to local districts and special service districts.

The presiding officer announced the bill passed the Senate with no nay votes and four members absent; the enrolled bill will be signed by the President and returned to the House for the Speaker's signature.

The amendment broadens the set of local governmental entities that may apply for the matching grant program; floor debate did not include additional appropriations or a breakdown of funding amounts during this session.