Transportation Commission Amendments
SB 36 requires the Utah Department of Transportation to conduct two specific studies: one on the composition of the Transportation Commission and another on the qualifications needed for the executive director position. These studies must be completed by January 1, 2027, after which the requirements for these studies are repealed. The bill does not create new policies, allocate funding, or change existing laws - its sole purpose is to mandate these temporary studies. It directly affects the Transportation Commission and the Department of Transportation's leadership structure through this procedural requirement.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 20, 2026
Signed Mar 18, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Substitute #1
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Mar 18, 2026
MODERATE
The bill establishes a seven-member Transportation Commission with staggered six-year terms starting in 2026, ensuring at least one member represents a rural county. The commission's duties include setting funding priorities, reviewing public transit plans, and approving airport improvements, with a new requirement to annually report unfunded needs to a legislative subcommittee. The effective date was updated from May 19, 2026, to May 6, 2026.
Scope change
The bill creates a new independent Transportation Commission with specific regional representation requirements and expanded duties over public transit and airport infrastructure.
REQUIREMENT
Established a seven-member commission with specific appointment rules, including a requirement that at least one member be selected from a rural county.
Added a duty for the commission to annually report prioritized projects and unfunded needs to the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee.
Corrected a typo in the duties section regarding the review of public transit plans.
TIMELINE
Changed the bill's effective date from May 19, 2026, to May 6, 2026.
Floor votes · Senate Jan 20, 2026 · House Feb 4, 2026
How they voted
24–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 29
Jan 20, 2026
D
Democratic6
83% Yea
N
Forward1
100% Yea
R
Republican22
81% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
38
Key actions
7
Committee
3
Mar 18, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Transportation Committee]
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Transportation Committee]
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (24-0-5)
senate
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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