Utah House passes resolution welcoming Major League Baseball after floor debate and guest introduction

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution supporting Major League Baseball in Utah (SCR 3) on Jan. 30, 2024, after more than an hour of floor remarks celebrating the sport’s cultural and economic appeal.

Representative Katy Hollins, the House sponsor, presented the resolution during the time‑certain segment and framed it as a statewide welcome and an opportunity to spur redevelopment and community activities in Salt Lake City and across Utah. “My district is a jewel spot,” Hollins said, noting proximity to highways, transit and the airport as locational advantages for hosting a major league team.

Members of both parties gave personal recollections about baseball’s role in family life and community identity. Representative Joel Briscoe offered a light endorsement and urged colleagues to “join the wood tie caucus,” while Representative Ryan Wilcox introduced former major‑league outfielder Dale Murphy, who was seated on the House floor as a guest. Wilcox described baseball’s capacity to unite families and communities and called the potential expansion “super unique.”

Lawmakers emphasized that the resolution makes no funding commitment. Representative Matthew Gwynn explicitly clarified that “there’s no funding associated with just this resolution,” noting the measure is an expression of support rather than an appropriation.

The floor session included multiple expressions of support from representatives across the state, with members pointing to youth participation, rural fan interest, and potential economic benefits. Following Hollins’s summation, the House opened and closed voting; the final recorded tally in the transcript is 68 yes and 2 no. The resolution was signed by the Speaker and will be sent to the Senate for its consideration.

Big League Utah and representatives of the Larry H. Miller Companies were present in the gallery and were introduced on the House floor after the vote. Representative Hollins introduced Amanda Covington (Big League Utah). House members also introduced Greg Miller, Sarah Starkey (chief legal officer, Larry H. Miller Company), David Smith (Big League Utah/managing partner, Larry H. Miller), BJ Vanderland (technology specialist), and Steve Starks (CEO, Larry H. Miller Companies).

Next steps: SCR 3 is a nonbinding statement of support and, per the House action, will be transmitted to the Utah Senate for further action or acknowledgement.