Follow along with the bills Utah Clean Cities is tracking this year throughout the 2020 Utah State Legislative Session.

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H.B. 259 Electric Vehicle Charging Network

H.B. 259 requires the Department of Transportation to lead in the creation of a statewide
electric vehicle charging network plan.

This bill:
▸requires the Department of Transportation to lead in the creation of a statewide electric vehicle charging network plan to provide electric vehicle charging facilities along certain state highways;
▸ requires the department to coordinate with other relevant state entities; and
▸ requires the department to present the plan to the Transportation Interim Committee.

H.B. 59 Tax Credit for Alternative Fuel Heavy Duty Vehicles

H.B. 59 extends the income tax credit to 2029 for certain alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles. This bill is being sponsored by Rep. Andrew Stoddard, and has so far been recommended by the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee recommended this bill. 

This bill:
▸     extends the availability of the income tax credit related to certain alternative fuel
heavy duty vehicles; and
▸     makes technical and conforming changes.

H.B. 180 Emissions Inspection Revisions

Exempts EVs from local emissions compliance fees. Sponsored Rep. Cory Maloy. More information to be revealed, stay tuned!

S.B. 50 Clean Energy Act Amendments

Defines air quality standards, qualifying EV and PEV for the purposes of the Comercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Act (i.e. financing for commercial buildings seeking capital intensive energy upgrades)

H.B. 176 Vehicle Emissions Reduction Program

H.B. 176 is a vehicle replacement program meant to incentive low income families whose car does not pass emissions inspections (i.e. monetary reward for repair or entire vehicle replacements). This bill is sponsored by Rep. Jeffrey Stenquist, and will enact the Vehicle Emissions Reduction Program as part of the Air Conservation Act.

This bill:
▸     creates the Vehicle Emissions Reduction Program Restricted Account;
▸     creates the Vehicle Emissions Reduction Program (program) to provide financial
assistance in the purchase of a motor vehicle under certain conditions;
▸     establishes certain criteria by which a person may participate in the program;
▸     requires certain local health departments to assist in administering the program;
▸     requires the Air Quality Board to make rules for the administration of the program;
▸     requires the Division of Air Quality under certain circumstances to conduct a public
service campaign; and
▸     creates a repeal date requiring committee review of the program.

H.B. 194 Clean and Renewable Energy Requirement Amendments 

HB 194-Clean and Renewable Energy Requirement Amendments  would require Rocky Mountain Power to provide 50% zero-emissions electricity resources to its Utah customers by 2030. This includes renewable energy resources, certain hydropower resources, fossil resources with carbon sequestration, and more.  

S.B. 50 Clean Energy Act Amendments

S.B. 50, sponsored by Sen. Jake Anderegg, defines air quality standards, qualifying EV and PEV for the purposes of the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Act (i.e. financing for commercial buildings seeking capital intensive energy upgrades).

S.B. 77 Electric Energy Storage Tax Credit

This bill enacts a corporate and individual income tax credit for the purchase of an
electric energy storage asset.
This bill:
▸     defines terms;
▸     enacts a refundable corporate and individual income tax credit for the purchase of
an electric energy storage asset;
▸     provides for apportionment of the individual income tax credit for the purchase of an electric energy storage asset; and makes technical changes.

H.B. 230 Digital Integration Progress Report for Public Utilities

H.B. 230, Rep. Handy, Stephen G., requires data sharing across public utilities to facilitate more accurate measurements in order to increase buildings’ efficiency

This bill enacts provisions relating to electricity and gas customer usage reporting.

This bill:
▸ requires municipal utilities, electrical corporations, and gas corporations to file a report on the status and plans for digital integration between the utility and

customers;

▸ provides for the required contents of a report; and
▸ requires the report to be made available to the public

H.B. 235 Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program

This bill creates a voluntary 2 year pilot project in nonattainment counties to provide a “home energy performance report” – information to potential homebuyers & sellers about energy efficiency, cost savings, and air quality impacts of single-family

This bill:
▸     creates the Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program to provide reimbursements to fund home energy assessments and the issuance of home energy performance reports to qualified applicants;
▸     requires the Office of Energy Development to administer or contract for the administration of the program;
▸     requires the Office of Energy Development to create a home energy performance score system;
▸     creates the Home Energy Information Advisory Committee to consult on the development and implementation of the home energy information pilot program and the home energy performance score system;

▸    specifies advisory committee membership and duties;
▸     grants the Office of Energy Development rulemaking authority to make rules regarding the development and implementation of the home energy information pilot program and the home energy performance score system; and

▸     provides for a sunset of the Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program.

H.B. 281 Tax Credit for Alternative Fuel Vehicles

This bill:
▸     creates nonrefundable corporate and individual income tax credits for the purchase or lease of certain alternative fuel vehicles;

▸     defines terms;
▸     creates an application process for the purchaser or lessee to receive a tax credit certificate from the director of the Division of Air Quality; and
▸     sets a termination date for the tax credit but requires legislative review before the termination date.

H.B. 299 Opportunity Zone Enhancements

General Description:
This bill modifies provisions related to economic development.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸     defines terms, including “opportunity zone”;
▸     modifies provisions related to the administration of certain programs within the Division of Air Quality;
▸     modifies provisions related to the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund;
▸     modifies provisions related to the Utah low-income housing tax credit;
▸     creates a tax credit for eligible construction costs for a parking structure in an opportunity zone;
▸     describes the requirements for a business entity to receive, and for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to issue, a tax credit certificate for eligible construction costs in an opportunity zone; and
▸     makes technical changes.

H.B. 317 Nonroad Engine Study

This bill funds a study of nonroad compression-ignition engines.
This bill:
▸     defines terms;
▸     directs the Division of Air Quality to conduct a study into the number and type of nonroad compression-ignition engines in nonattainment areas of Utah;
▸     requires the division to report the results of the study; and
▸     is repealed on July 1, 2021.

H.B. 339 Clean Air Special Group License Plate

This bill creates the Clean Air Support special group license plate.
This bill:
▸     creates the Clean Air Support special group license plate;
▸     requires donations of recipients of the license plate to be deposited into the Clean Air Fund to fund education, awareness, and other programs to promote cleaner air; and makes technical changes.

Funding for Electric Vehicle Charging  & Weatherization in the Governor’s Budget 

Governor Gary Herbert’s FY 2021 Budget Recommendation calls on the Utah Legislature to provide new funding for clean energy projects. The Governor called for a one-time request for $66 million for electric vehicle infrastructure, including $63 million for electric charging “fast charging” infrastructure and $3 million in matching funds for a project at Utah State University supported by the US NSF that focuses on electric vehicle transportation infrastructure. It also would include new ongoing funding for the state Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). However, the repeal of the tax reform bill as a result of a citizen referendum has thrown most revenue projections for the state General Fund (sales tax revenues) into doubt, so additional funding for air quality and public transportation projects may be hard to come by.