Gains in Tourism Marketing Appropriations: According to the Utah Office of Tourism, tourism accounts for $6.5B of Utah's gross domestic product, employs 122,000 people and reduces Utah household's tax burden by $1,000 through tourism taxes paid to state and local governments.
DABC Restructuring Laid Out: Along with adding two more commissioner positions and providing more oversight over the director's position, legislators passed a bill that would study alcohol use in Utah that may provide better information in forming alcohol-related laws in the future.
S.B. 66 and H.B. 354 passed and are currently awaiting Gov. Herbert's signature.
Ski Interconnect Supported: The Utah Senate passed a resolution in support of any ski interconnect project that would link resorts. The bill expresses support for low-impact interconnection of the seven resorts in Salt Lake County and Summit County to enhance the ski and snowboard industry's contribution to Utah's economy, jobs, and tax base.
S.C.R. 10 passed and is currently awaiting printing.
Environmental Boards Revamped: The Utah Department of Environmental Quality was revamped by legislators in S.B. 21, shifting certain controls and responsibilities away from the five boards that address air quality, radiation control, water quality, drinking water and solid and hazardous waste, the five boards that currently deal with permitting and rule making. The legislation was developed by the Utah Manufacturers Association and the Utah Mining Association with the hopes that businesses would be able to move through the permitting process more quickly.
S.B 21 passed and is awaiting enrollment from the Legislative Research and General Counsel. Park Record
