House rejects proposal to convert state building to a public‑private childcare pilot

The House voted down first‑substitute SB176 on Feb. 28, a proposal to establish a pilot program that would retrofit one state‑owned vacant building into a licensed childcare facility under a no‑cost lease with private partners.

Floor sponsor Representative Spendlove described the model as a public‑private partnership: a retrofitted state building would reserve 60% of capacity for partnering businesses’ employees and 40% for low‑income workers, state employees and military dependents. ‘‘This bill will retrofit one state owned vacant building in Salt Lake County into a childcare facility that meets state licensing requirements,’’ he said.

Representative Chu and others questioned the practicality of converting older buildings, pointing to structural and licensing challenges; Representative Chu said retrofitting some buildings might not be feasible. Representative Garner said the proposal was modeled on an adaptive reuse near his district. Representative Strong opposed the bill on fiscal and market‑competition grounds, noting an estimated fiscal note and concerns the 0‑dollar lease might compete with private providers.

After debate the bill failed on a recorded vote, 27 yeas to 43 nays. The bill’s defeat ends the pilot proposal for now; sponsors may revise the approach or seek alternative models.

Next steps: With the bill failing on the floor, sponsors may choose to redraft or pursue pilot options administratively or in committee.