The Issue — Reduced Environmental Oversight
Transparent governance by our legislators is necessary to build a Utah that is free from toxic exposure, poor air quality, and environmental injustice. Two bills have emerged which threaten that transparency by undermining environmental oversight.
Senate Bill 316 and Senate Bill 337 would accelerate unchecked development across Utah at the expense of clean air, natural resources, and public health. HEAL is especially concerned that both S.B. 316 and S.B. 337 prioritize private developer profits over community needs, limit public input, and weaken environmental oversight. At a time when Utah is already facing worsening air quality and a shrinking Great Salt Lake, these bills would make it harder to protect vulnerable ecosystems and frontline communities — locking the state into polluting development patterns instead of investing in clean energy, conservation, and sustainable growth.
The Threat of Senate Bill 316:
HEAL opposes this bill because it would allow MIDA to oversee its own environmental reviews, creating a conflict of interest where a development agency could prioritize construction over environmental protections. The bill could also weaken transparency and public input on environmental impacts, while diverting tax revenue to development projects instead of community or conservation needs.
The Threat of Senate Bill 337:
This bill aims to streamline land development processes to address housing shortages and urban sprawl. Key provisions include simplifying approval procedures for land use applications, reducing bureaucratic obstacles for developers and local governments, and promoting sustainable development practices. The bill also proposes the creation of the Beehive Development Agency, granting the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity authority to propose significant land use projects. While supporters argue that S.B. 337 could expedite the construction of needed housing and stimulate economic growth, critics express concerns about potential unchecked development and its impact on local ecosystems and community character.
Why You Should Care
S.B. 316 and S.B. 337 threaten Utah’s clean air, public health, and environmental protections by prioritizing rapid development over community and ecological needs. S.B. 316 would allow the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) to conduct its own environmental reviews, removing independent oversight and creating a conflict of interest where development projects could move forward without fully addressing pollution, water use, or community health impacts. This lack of transparency could harm Utah’s clean air efforts and accelerate unchecked development in sensitive areas, putting public health at risk.
S.B. 337 poses similar risks by giving the newly proposed Beehive Development Agency broad authority to advance large-scale development projects without adequate public input or environmental protections. While the bill claims to address housing shortages, it could undermine local decision-making and fast-track projects that increase pollution and strain water resources. These bills would shift tax revenue away from critical community needs — like clean energy investments and conservation efforts — and concentrate power in the hands of politically connected developers, compromising long-term public health, climate resilience, and equitable economic growth.
Take Action!
Use this form to urge your Senators’ opposition to S.B. 337, and your Representatives’ opposition to S.B. 316. Your voice matters and will make a difference in this effort to ensure strong environmental oversight in Utah!
- Spread the Word: Share this alert with friends, family, and your network. The more people are aware of these threats, the stronger our collective voice.
- Stay Informed: Follow HEAL Utah for updates and further actions you can take to protect our environment and community.
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