Senate approves nearly $834 million in revenue bonds for higher‑ed and state projects
March 02, 2022 | 2022 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah
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The Utah Senate adopted a substituted version of House Bill 191 authorizing revenue bonds and capital facilities projects for multiple higher‑education institutions and state retail projects.
Senator Wilson presented the third substitute and a technical floor amendment replacing references to the former State Building Board with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM). The substituted bill lists specific projects and maximum bonding amounts, including large authorizations for the University of Utah (Impact Epicenter and clinical facilities), a new West Valley health and community center/hospital clinical facility, student housing phases at Dixie State, and other campus projects across the higher‑education system. The bill also authorizes revenue bonds for new state liquor stores and increases bonding for planned DABC locations in Foothill and downtown Salt Lake City with funds to build an associated parking structure.
Sen. Fillmore asked whether tax dollars would be used to repay bonds; the sponsor responded that projects are revenue‑backed and vetted, and that the University approvals are still required at the institutional level. The sponsor said no new general tax appropriation was expected to repay these bonds; repayment would rely on project revenue streams, donors, or designated clinical revenues where applicable.
Senators recorded approval of the substituted bill under suspension of the rules; the floor roll call shows the measure passed with 24 yeas, 0 nays and 5 absent. The bill will be returned to the House for further consideration.
The bill’s scope and the large aggregate bonding total were emphasized on the floor. Sponsors noted that most projects had been vetted by the Interagency or IGG (appropriations review) and that further institutional approvals remain part of the process before issuing bonds.
Next steps include institutional approvals and, where applicable, local development and revenue projections to support bond sales.
Senator Wilson presented the third substitute and a technical floor amendment replacing references to the former State Building Board with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM). The substituted bill lists specific projects and maximum bonding amounts, including large authorizations for the University of Utah (Impact Epicenter and clinical facilities), a new West Valley health and community center/hospital clinical facility, student housing phases at Dixie State, and other campus projects across the higher‑education system. The bill also authorizes revenue bonds for new state liquor stores and increases bonding for planned DABC locations in Foothill and downtown Salt Lake City with funds to build an associated parking structure.
Sen. Fillmore asked whether tax dollars would be used to repay bonds; the sponsor responded that projects are revenue‑backed and vetted, and that the University approvals are still required at the institutional level. The sponsor said no new general tax appropriation was expected to repay these bonds; repayment would rely on project revenue streams, donors, or designated clinical revenues where applicable.
Senators recorded approval of the substituted bill under suspension of the rules; the floor roll call shows the measure passed with 24 yeas, 0 nays and 5 absent. The bill will be returned to the House for further consideration.
The bill’s scope and the large aggregate bonding total were emphasized on the floor. Sponsors noted that most projects had been vetted by the Interagency or IGG (appropriations review) and that further institutional approvals remain part of the process before issuing bonds.
Next steps include institutional approvals and, where applicable, local development and revenue projections to support bond sales.
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