House adopts second substitute HB 298 to overhaul homelessness data, governance and accountability

The Utah House on Feb. 6 passed second substitute House Bill 298, the homelessness services amendments, after floor amendment and extended debate.

Representative Clancy, sponsor of HB 298, said the bill focuses on three main pillars: “data, governance, and accountability.” He described a new data mechanism — referred to in discussion as “Functional 0” — to measure new entries, current caseloads and exits from homeless services so policymakers can understand whether rising counts represent new people entering the system or failures to exit it.

Clancy told the House the governance piece reduces the Utah Homelessness Council from 29 voting members to nine voting members and one non‑voting advisory member to make the council more nimble and effective. On accountability, he said the bill “brings funding and policy decisions under this new 9 individual board” to better track whether taxpayer dollars are producing measurable outcomes.

Representative Daley Provo offered and secured a floor amendment to add the phrase “family homelessness” to the statutory language, describing it as a community‑sourced change from homelessness advocates: “simply adding 3 words, ... after situational homelessness adding or family homelessness.” The sponsor described the amendment as friendly and the House adopted it.

During debate, members offered both policy and personal context in support of the bill. Representative Edelson and others pointed to past reductions in return‑to‑homelessness rates after prior investments; Representative Briscoe described local shelter arrangements and the need to prioritize families; Representative Lazenby and others emphasized outcome measures and fiscal oversight.

Representative Clancy acknowledged the bill is not a cure but said it represents “a marked departure from the status quo” and urged support. After debate, the second substitute passed the House 74–0 and will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.

What’s next: The bill, as amended on the floor, will proceed to the Utah Senate. If enacted, the bill will require implementation work by the designated board and state agencies to stand up the data system and make governance changes.