Senate approves GOEO restructuring bill after debate over board representation

The Utah Senate passed third-substitute Senate Bill 84 on Feb. 15, 2024, which renames and reorganizes GO Utah as the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and revises board membership, reporting deadlines and certain economic-development authorities.

Senator Cullimore, sponsor of the substitute, told the chamber the bill clarifies GOEO’s purpose, reduces the business development board from 15 to 9 members and moves some duties such as motion-picture incentive recommendations to the Board of Tourism Development. The bill also creates an innovation and artificial-intelligence grant pilot program and aligns reporting deadlines to Oct. 1.

Senator Reby raised concerns that the smaller board could underrepresent counties of the third through sixth classes, arguing local economic interests differ across county classes. The sponsor responded that the revised board specifically includes a member to represent rural communities and is designed to diversify representation across industries targeted by GOEO.

After discussion, the Senate took a roll call and the bill passed; the clerk recorded the passage and the bill will be transmitted to the House for further consideration.

Supporters said the changes will streamline reporting and create a targeted AI education grant pilot; critics warned about potential uneven geographic representation on a smaller board. No amendments were adopted on the floor beyond the substitute under consideration.