Municipalities that met the requirements outlined in the bill would then be eligible for transportation funding from the state.

“I think it’s a great bill,” said Rep. Val Potter, R-North Logan, the House sponsor for the bill. “I think it takes us in the right direction. It’s the right thing for the state of Utah to consider regarding housing affordability.”

The bill passed the Senate 20-9, with some senators concerned that for the cost of implementing the bill, it didn’t accomplish much.

“This is kind of a drop in the bucket for what you really need to do if you’re going to make this program really work,” said Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, who voted against the bill. “You may make it work in one or two places. But that’s not fair to the whole state of Utah who is paying sales tax on the figures.”

Potter said he knows there are some lawmakers and organizations who argue that SB 34 will not do enough to address the housing issues in the state or that it costs too much and does too little

“Is it the best thing that we can do? No, it isn’t,” Potter said. “But it’s a step in the right direction. It will evolve into something that will benefit the state.”

Logan Mayor Holly Daines said she doesn’t think the bill will have large implications for Logan because the city is already doing many of the things on the list.

“Logan has quite a bit of affordable housing already,” Daines said. “In fact, we have a very high percentage of affordable housing.”

Daines said city staff is working on an update to Logan’s housing plan, which as she understands is one of the bill’s requirements.

She said the bill could provide some new options for the city and appreciates the flexibility it provides her as a mayor.

“One size does not fit all, and that is something that the League of Cities and Towns argues all the time,” Daines said. “What works for one city may not work at all for one community.”

North Logan mayor pro-tem and Utah State University politics professor Damon Cann said he likes this bill because it uses the principle that government closest to the people governs best.

“It’s good policy to allow cities flexibility and freedom to choose to serve their constituents in the way that they think is best,” Cann said.

Cann said North Logan is already doing many of the things in the bill. Cann said although the bill doesn’t fix all of the issues that affect housing affordability, some of those issues cannot be controlled by the cities.

“It would be a mistake, I think, for someone to shoot it down for not solving everything even though it starts the ball rolling and represents a very positive step in the right direction,” Cann said.

Potter said the bill should be heard in a House committee early this week and move to the House floor either at the end of this week or the beginning of next.

“We’ve got a number of very important associations in the state working with us to make this happen,” Potter said. “So I think it will pass, but I think it will be a healthy discussion.”