Committee unanimously backs state-level rules for online marketplaces (SB108)

Senator Fillmore presented Senate Bill 108 to the committee as a measure to restrict local governments from regulating online marketplaces themselves while preserving municipal authority to regulate platform users. He said the bill aims to avoid a patchwork of 250 different local rules for platforms such as Amazon, Uber, Airbnb and DoorDash.

Supporters from a range of organizations urged the committee to pass the substitute. Billy Hesterman of the Utah Taxpayers Association urged the committee to support uniform state rules to avoid a patchwork; Alex Folsom of Airbnb said the substitute ‘‘has no impact on the 286 cities and counties in Utah and their ability to regulate short term rentals’’ and that local licensing and zoning remain intact. TechNet and national taxpayer-advocacy groups also urged passage.

Jared Tingey of the League of Cities and Towns said the league worked with sponsors and supports the substitute’s current language. Representative Thurston moved to recommend the first substitute favorably; the sponsor and maker waived remarks, and a roll-call vote recorded unanimous committee approval.

Next steps: The committee unanimously reported the first substitute for SB108 favorably for further legislative consideration.