HB 542: Economic Development Amendments - Utah

Substitute #9 → Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 27, 2025

MINOR

This bill was finalized with minor formatting corrections to section headers and a change in the timestamp of the final version. The substantive policy content, including funding amounts, effective dates, and specific legal amendments, remains unchanged from the previous draft.

Scope change

No change in scope or applicability; the bill's legal effect is identical to the prior version.

TECHNICAL

Corrected a typo in Section 24 where the word 'officedepartment' was merged into a single word, separating them for clarity.

Updated the timestamp at the end of the document from '3-7-25 7:27 PM' to '3-13-25 2:53 PM', indicating the finalization date.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change the Senate sponsor and add a specific appropriation of funds to the Utah Board of Higher Education. The text of the substantive sections regarding duties and grants remains largely the same, though some formatting and cross-references were updated to reflect the renumbering of the Utah Broadband Center.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the agencies affected remains the same, but the financial scope changed by adding a specific transfer of funds to the Utah Board of Higher Education.

FISCAL

Added a new section appropriating $553,600 from the General Fund and $200,000 from Federal Funds to the Utah Board of Higher Education - Administration, while reducing the same amounts from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity - Economic Prosperity.

TECHNICAL

Updated the Senate Sponsor name from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Chris H. Wilson' and adjusted formatting in the list of affected code sections to remove redundant deletion markers.

Corrected internal cross-references in the broadband sections to properly link the new section numbers (72-19-xxx) with the old repealed numbers (63N-17-xxx).

Substitute #7 → Substitute #8 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill restructures Utah's economic development framework by replacing the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission with a new Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and creating a separate Office of Housing. It also renumbers broadband center sections and adjusts tax credit limitations for economic development projects.

Scope change

The bill shifts economic development oversight from a commission-based structure to an office-based structure within the Governor's Office, while creating a new Office of Housing to consolidate housing programs.

STRUCTURE

Replaced the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission with the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity as the central economic development authority

Created a new Office of Housing within the Governor's Office to consolidate housing programs by July 1, 2026

Repealed the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its associated committees and subcommittees

FISCAL

Transferred $553,600 from Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to Utah Board of Higher Education Administration

Appropriated $1,900,000 for Office of Homeless Services to support Family Interim Non-congregate Children Housing

DEFINITION

Added definitions for 'Office of Housing' and modified definitions related to economic development terms

REQUIREMENT

Changed tax credit limitations for economic development projects, including thresholds for capital investments and job creation requirements

TIMELINE

Set July 1, 2026 deadline for consolidating housing programs into the new Office of Housing

TECHNICAL

Renumbered Utah Broadband Center sections from Title 63N to Title 72 for organizational clarity

Substitute #6 → Substitute #7 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill restructures Utah's economic development and housing agencies by repealing the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and creating a new Office of Housing within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. It also renumbers the Utah Broadband Center sections and removes sunset dates on several state commissions while making technical updates to economic development tax credit provisions.

Scope change

The bill shifts housing program oversight from the Housing and Community Development Division to the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity and removes sunset dates on multiple state commissions that previously had expiration dates.

REQUIREMENT

Repeals the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and associated committees and subcommittees that previously oversaw economic development coordination.

Updates economic development tax credit limitations and definitions to clarify eligibility criteria for new commercial projects and remote work opportunities.

SCOPE

Creates a new Office of Housing within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to consolidate state housing programs by July 1, 2026.

TIMELINE

Removes sunset dates on the Utah Housing Corporation and several other state commissions that previously had expiration dates.

TECHNICAL

Renumbers Utah Broadband Center sections from Title 63N to Title 72 and updates related cross-references throughout the code.

DEFINITION

Adds new definitions for 'Office of Housing' and 'Office of Housing' coordination requirements including a plan to consolidate housing programs.

Substitute #5 → Substitute #6 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity by creating a new Office of Housing, repealing the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission, and renaming the Women in the Economy Subcommittee to a Commission. It also renumbers broadband-related sections and makes technical updates to economic development provisions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity by adding housing responsibilities and consolidating state housing programs, while reducing the scope of the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission by repealing it.

SCOPE

Created a new Office of Housing within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to coordinate and consolidate state housing programs by July 1, 2026.

Repealed the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its associated subcommittees.

Renamed the Women in the Economy Subcommittee to the Women in the Economy Commission and renumbered it as a legislative committee.

TECHNICAL

Renumbered multiple broadband-related sections from Title 63N to Title 72 to align with the Utah Broadband Center and Access Act.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions in economic development sections to reflect changes in commission names and office responsibilities.

FISCAL

Transfers $1,900,000 from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity - Economic Prosperity fund to the Utah Board of Higher Education - Administration fund for the Nucleus Institute.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the bill to July 1, 2025, with specific housing program consolidation deadline of July 1, 2026.

Substitute #4 → Substitute #5 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes Utah's economic development structure by repealing the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its subcommittees, renaming the Women in the Economy Subcommittee to a Commission, and transferring broadband center sections from Title 63N to Title 72. The changes consolidate economic development authority under the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity while maintaining existing programs like broadband grants and workforce development initiatives.

Scope change

The bill shifts organizational structure from a Unified Economic Opportunity Commission model to a more streamlined Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity framework, with specific sections moved to different code titles for better organization.

STRUCTURE

Repealed the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its subcommittees, consolidating functions under the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.

Renamed the Women in the Economy Subcommittee to the Women in the Economy Commission and renumbered it from 63N-1b-402 to 36-29-113.

TECHNICAL

Renumbered Utah Broadband Center sections from Title 63N to Title 72, moving sections 63N-17-102 through 63N-17-401 to 72-19-101 through 72-19-401.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions in multiple sections to reflect new organizational structure, including changes to how 'commission', 'office', and 'GOEO' are defined.

REQUIREMENT

Modified reporting requirements and committee structures, including changes to how broadband commission and talent board members are appointed and how reports are submitted.

TIMELINE

Maintained existing repeal dates for various task forces and commissions while establishing new effective dates for the reorganized structure.

FISCAL

Added intent language regarding transfer of funding from Utah Board of Higher Education Administration fund to the Nucleus Institute upon passage of related legislation.

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill restructures Utah's economic development framework by repealing the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its subcommittees, replacing them with a new Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) that has expanded responsibilities. The bill also renames the Women in the Economy Subcommittee to the Women in the Economy Advisory Committee and renumbers the Utah Broadband Center sections. Additionally, it transfers funding from the GOEO to the Utah Board of Higher Education for the Nucleus Institute.

Scope change

The bill shifts economic development authority from a commission-based structure to an office-based structure under the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, expanding the office's coordination and strategic planning responsibilities.

STRUCTURE

Repealed the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its subcommittees, consolidating functions into the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.

Renamed the Women in the Economy Subcommittee to the Women in the Economy Advisory Committee and moved it within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.

FISCAL

Transfers funding from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity - Economic Prosperity fund to the Utah Board of Higher Education - Administration fund for the Nucleus Institute.

REQUIREMENT

Renumbered and amended the Utah Broadband Center sections, updating references and organizational structure.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions and responsibilities across multiple economic development statutes to reflect the new office-based structure.

TIMELINE

Established a special effective date of July 1, 2025, for the funding transfer and structural changes.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill restructures Utah's economic development framework by repealing the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its subcommittees, replacing them with a new Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) that operates more directly under the governor. The bill also renumbers broadband center sections from Title 63N to Title 72 and clarifies funding transfers between the GOEO and Utah Board of Higher Education.

Scope change

The bill shifts economic development authority from the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission to the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, expanding the office's direct responsibilities for statewide economic strategy and coordination.

SCOPE

Repealed the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its associated subcommittees, eliminating a separate commission structure for economic development oversight.

Created a new Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity with expanded duties to coordinate economic development efforts, establish performance metrics, and administer state and federal grant programs.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions throughout the bill to reflect the new GOEO structure and clarify terms like 'economic opportunity agency' and 'targeted industry'.

TECHNICAL

Renumbered Utah Broadband Center sections from Title 63N to Title 72 and updated related references throughout the code.

FISCAL

Added intent language for transferring funding from the GOEO Economic Prosperity fund to the Utah Board of Higher Education Nucleus Institute if both HB 542 and HB 530 pass.

REQUIREMENT

Modified tax credit limitations for new commercial projects, adjusting percentage caps and conditions based on project location and economic impact.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill repeals the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its subcommittees, replacing them with a new Board of Economic Opportunity. It renumbers and amends the Utah Broadband Center and Access Act, and makes technical changes to various economic development and transportation sections. The bill also transfers money from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to the Utah Board of Higher Education.

Scope change

The bill significantly changes the structure of economic development oversight by eliminating the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and creating a new Board of Economic Opportunity with different membership requirements and appointment processes.

REQUIREMENT

Repeals the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its associated subcommittees, including the Housing Affordability Commission and Women in the Economy Subcommittee.

Creates a new Board of Economic Opportunity with nine members appointed by the executive director, replacing the previous commission structure.

DEFINITION

Updates definitions and terminology throughout economic development sections, including changes to how 'commission' and 'office' are defined in various chapters.

TECHNICAL

Renumbered sections from Title 63N to Title 72-19 for the Utah Broadband Center and related provisions.

FISCAL

Transfers money from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity - Economic Prosperity fund to the Utah Board of Higher Education - Administration fund.

TIMELINE

Establishes new effective date of July 1, 2025 for the bill's provisions.

Economic Development Amendments

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