1     
COUNTY OPTION SALES AND USE TAX FOR HIGHWAYS

2     
AND PUBLIC TRANSIT AMENDMENTS

3     
2016 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Jack R. Draxler

6     
Senate Sponsor: Kevin T. Van Tassell

7     

8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10           This bill modifies the Sales and Use Tax Act by amending provisions relating to the
11     county option sales and use tax for highways and public transit.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This bill:
14          ▸      amends the distribution of revenue collected from the local option sales and use tax
15     for highways and public transit; and
16          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          None
19     Other Special Clauses:
20          None
21     Utah Code Sections Affected:
22     AMENDS:
23          51-2a-202, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 275
24          59-12-2219, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 275
25          63I-1-259, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapters 224, 275, and 467
26     

27     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
28          Section 1. Section 51-2a-202 is amended to read:
29          51-2a-202. Reporting requirements.

30          (1) The governing board of each entity required to have an audit, review, compilation,
31     or fiscal report shall ensure that the audit, review, compilation, or fiscal report is:
32          (a) made at least annually; and
33          (b) filed with the state auditor within six months of the close of the fiscal year of the
34     entity.
35          (2) If the political subdivision, interlocal organization, or other local entity receives
36     federal funding, the audit, review, or compilation shall be performed in accordance with both
37     federal and state auditing requirements.
38          (3) If a political subdivision receives revenue from a sales and use tax imposed under
39     Section 59-12-2219, the political subdivision shall identify the amount of revenue the political
40     subdivision budgets for transportation and verify compliance with Subsection
41     59-12-2219[(10)](13) in the audit, review, compilation, or fiscal report.
42          Section 2. Section 59-12-2219 is amended to read:
43          59-12-2219. County option sales and use tax for highways and public transit --
44     Base -- Rate -- Distribution and expenditure of revenue -- Revenue may not supplant
45     existing budgeted transportation revenue.
46          (1) As used in this section:
47          (a) "Class B road" means the same as that term is defined in Section 72-3-103.
48          (b) "Class C road" means the same as that term is defined in Section 72-3-104.
49          (c) "Eligible political subdivision" means a political subdivision that:
50          (i) (A) on May 12, 2015, provides public transit services; or
51          (B) after May 12, 2015, provides written notice to the commission in accordance with
52     Subsection (10)(b) that it intends to provide public transit service within a county;
53          (ii) is not a public transit district; and
54          (iii) is not annexed into a public transit district.
55          (d) "Public transit district" means a public transit district organized under Title 17B,
56     Chapter 2a, Part 8, Public Transit District Act.
57          (2) Subject to the other provisions of this part, a county legislative body may impose a

58     sales and use tax of .25% on the transactions described in Subsection 59-12-103(1) within the
59     county, including the cities and towns within the county.
60          (3) The commission shall distribute sales and use tax revenue collected under this
61     section as provided in Subsections (4) through [(7)] (10).
62          (4) If the entire boundary of a county that imposes a sales and use tax under this section
63     is annexed into a single public transit district, the commission shall distribute the sales and use
64     tax revenue collected within the county as follows:
65          (a) .10% shall be transferred to the public transit district in accordance with Section
66     59-12-2206;
67          (b) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection [(6)] (8); and
68          (c) .05% shall be distributed to the county legislative body.
69          (5) If the entire boundary of a [county that imposes a sales and use tax under this
70     section is not annexed into a single public transit district, or if there is not a public transit
71     district within the county,] county that imposes a sales and use tax under this section is not
72     annexed into a single public transit district, but a city or town within the county is annexed into
73     a single public transit district that also has a county of the first class annexed into the same
74     public transit district, the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue collected
75     within the county as follows:
76          (a) for a city or town within the county that is annexed into a single public transit
77     district, the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue collected within that city
78     or town as follows:
79          (i) .10% shall be transferred to the public transit district in accordance with Section
80     59-12-2206;
81          (ii) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection [(6)] (8); and
82          (iii) .05% shall be distributed to the county legislative body;
83          (b) for an eligible political subdivision within the county, the commission shall
84     distribute the sales and use tax revenue collected within that eligible political subdivision as
85     follows:

86          (i) .10% shall be transferred to the eligible political subdivision in accordance with
87     Section 59-12-2206;
88          (ii) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection [(6)] (8); and
89          (iii) .05% shall be distributed to the county legislative body; and
90          (c) the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue, except for the sales
91     and use tax revenue described in Subsections (5)(a) and (b), as follows:
92          (i) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection [(6)] (8); and
93          (ii) .15% shall be distributed to the county legislative body.
94          (6) For a county not described in Subsection (4) or (5), if the entire boundary of a
95     county of the first or second class that imposes a sales and use tax under this section is not
96     annexed into a single public transit district, or if there is not a public transit district within the
97     county, the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue collected within the
98     county as follows:
99          (a) for a city or town within the county that is annexed into a single public transit
100     district, the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue collected within that city
101     or town as follows:
102          (i) .10% shall be transferred to the public transit district in accordance with Section
103     59-12-2206;
104          (ii) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection (8); and
105          (iii) .05% shall be distributed to the county legislative body;
106          (b) for an eligible political subdivision within the county, the commission shall
107     distribute the sales and use tax revenue collected within that eligible political subdivision as
108     follows:
109          (i) .10% shall be transferred to the eligible political subdivision in accordance with
110     Section 59-12-2206;
111          (ii) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection (8); and
112          (iii) .05% shall be distributed to the county legislative body; and
113          (c) the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue, except for the sales

114     and use tax revenue described in Subsections (6)(a) and (b), as follows:
115          (i) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection (8); and
116          (ii) .15% shall be distributed to the county legislative body.
117          (7) For a county not described in Subsection (4) or (5), if the entire boundary of a
118     county of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class that imposes a sales and use tax under this
119     section is not annexed into a single public transit district, or if there is not a public transit
120     district within the county, the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue
121     collected within the county as follows:
122          (a) for a city or town within the county that is annexed into a single public transit
123     district, the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue collected within that city
124     or town as follows:
125          (i) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection (8);
126          (ii) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection (9); and
127          (iii) .05% shall be distributed to the county legislative body;
128          (b) for an eligible political subdivision within the county, the commission shall
129     distribute the sales and use tax revenue collected within that eligible political subdivision as
130     follows:
131          (i) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection (8);
132          (ii) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection (9); and
133          (iii) .05% shall be distributed to the county legislative body; and
134          (c) the commission shall distribute the sales and use tax revenue, except for the sales
135     and use tax revenue described in Subsections (7)(a) and (b), as follows:
136          (i) .10% shall be distributed as provided in Subsection (8); and
137          (ii) .15% shall be distributed to the county legislative body.
138          [(6)] (8) (a) Subject to Subsection [(6)] (8)(b), the commission shall make the
139     distributions required by Subsections (4)(b), (5)(a)(ii), (5)(b)(ii), [and] (5)(c)(i) , (6)(a)(ii),
140     (6)(b)(ii), (6)(c)(i), (7)(a)(i), (7)(b)(i), (7)(c)(i), and (9)(d)(ii)(A) as follows:
141          (i) 50% of the total revenue collected under Subsections (4)(b), (5)(a)(ii), (5)(b)(ii),

142     [and] (5)(c)(i) , (6)(a)(ii), (6)(b)(ii), (6)(c)(i), (7)(a)(i), (7)(b)(i), (7)(c)(i), and (9)(d)(ii)(A)
143     within the counties that impose a tax under this section shall be distributed to the
144     unincorporated areas, cities, and towns within those counties on the basis of the percentage that
145     the population of each unincorporated area, city, or town bears to the total population of all of
146     the counties that impose a tax under this section; and
147          (ii) 50% of the total revenue collected under Subsections (4)(b), (5)(a)(ii), (5)(b)(ii),
148     [and] (5)(c)(i) , (6)(a)(ii), (6)(b)(ii), (6)(c)(i), (7)(a)(i), (7)(b)(i), (7)(c)(i), and (9)(d)(ii)(A)
149     within the counties that impose a tax under this section shall be distributed to the
150     unincorporated areas, cities, and towns within those counties on the basis of the location of the
151     transaction as determined under Sections 59-12-211 through 59-12-215.
152          (b) (i) Population for purposes of this Subsection [(6)] (8) shall be determined on the
153     basis of the most recent official census or census estimate of the United States Census Bureau.
154          (ii) If a needed population estimate is not available from the United States Census
155     Bureau, population figures shall be derived from an estimate from the Utah Population
156     Estimates Committee created by executive order of the governor.
157          (9) (a) (i) Subject to the requirements in Subsections (9)(b) and (c), a county legislative
158     body:
159          (A) for a county that obtained approval from a majority of the county's registered
160     voters voting on the imposition of a sales and use tax under this section prior to May 10, 2016,
161     may, in consultation with any cities, towns, or eligible political subdivisions within the county,
162     and in compliance with the requirements for changing an allocation under Subsection (9)(e),
163     allocate the revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) by adopting a resolution specifying
164     the percentage of revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) that will be allocated to a
165     public transit district or an eligible political subdivision; or
166          (B) for a county that obtains approval from a majority of the county's registered voters
167     voting on the imposition of a sales and use tax under this section on or after May 10, 2016,
168     shall, in consultation with any cities, towns, or eligible political subdivisions within the county,
169     allocate the revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) by adopting a resolution specifying

170     the percentage of revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) that will be allocated to a
171     public transit district or an eligible political subdivision.
172          (ii) If a county described in Subsection (9)(a)(i)(A) does not allocate the revenue under
173     Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) in accordance with Subsection (9)(a)(i)(A), the commission
174     shall distribute 100% of the revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) to:
175          (A) a public transit district for a city or town within the county that is annexed into a
176     single public transit district; or
177          (B) an eligible political subdivision within the county.
178          (b) If a county legislative body allocates the revenue as described in Subsection
179     (9)(a)(i), the county legislative body shall allocate not less than 25% of the revenue under
180     Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) to:
181          (i) a public transit district for a city or town within the county that is annexed into a
182     single public transit district; or
183          (ii) an eligible political subdivision within the county.
184          (c) Notwithstanding Section 59-12-2208, the opinion question required by Section
185     59-12-2208 shall state the allocations the county legislative body makes in accordance with this
186     Subsection (9).
187          (d) The commission shall make the distributions required by Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or
188     (7)(b)(ii) as follows:
189          (i) the percentage specified by a county legislative body shall be distributed in
190     accordance with a resolution adopted by a county legislative body under Subsection (9)(a) to an
191     eligible political subdivision or a public transit district within the county; and
192          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (9)(a)(ii), if a county legislative body allocates
193     less than 100% of the revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) to a public transit district
194     or an eligible political subdivision, the remainder of the revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or
195     (7)(b)(ii) not allocated by a county legislative body through a resolution under Subsection
196     (9)(a) shall be distributed as follows:
197          (A) 50% of the revenue as provided in Subsection (8); and

198          (B) 50% of the revenue to the county legislative body.
199          (e) If a county legislative body seeks to change an allocation specified in a resolution
200     under Subsection (9)(a), the county legislative body may change the allocation by:
201          (i) adopting a resolution in accordance with Subsection (9)(a) specifying the percentage
202     of revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) that will be allocated to a public transit
203     district or an eligible political subdivision;
204          (ii) obtaining approval to change the allocation of the sales and use tax by a majority of
205     all the members of the county legislative body; and
206          (iii) subject to Subsection (9)(f):
207          (A) in accordance with Section 59-12-2208, submitting an opinion question to the
208     county's registered voters voting on changing the allocation so that each registered voter has the
209     opportunity to express the registered voter's opinion on whether the allocation should be
210     changed; and
211          (B) in accordance with Section 59-12-2208, obtaining approval to change the
212     allocation from a majority of the county's registered voters voting on changing the allocation.
213          (f) Notwithstanding Section 59-12-2208, the opinion question required by Subsection
214     (9)(e)(iii)(A) shall state the allocations specified in the resolution adopted in accordance with
215     Subsection (9)(e) and approved by the county legislative body in accordance with Subsection
216     (9)(e)(ii).
217          (g) (i) If a county makes an allocation by adopting a resolution under Subsection (9)(a)
218     or changes an allocation by adopting a resolution under Subsection (9)(e), the allocation shall
219     take effect on the first distribution the commission makes under this section after a 90-day
220     period that begins on the date the commission receives written notice meeting the requirements
221     of Subsection (9)(g)(ii) from the county.
222          (ii) The notice described in Subsection (9)(g)(i) shall state:
223          (A) that the county will make or change the percentage of an allocation under
224     Subsection (9)(a) or (e); and
225          (B) the percentage of revenue under Subsection (7)(a)(ii) or (7)(b)(ii) that will be

226     allocated to a public transit district or an eligible political subdivision.
227          [(7)] (10) (a) If a public transit district is organized after the date a county legislative
228     body first imposes a tax under this section, a change in a distribution required by this section
229     may not take effect until the first distribution the commission makes under this section after a
230     90-day period that begins on the date the commission receives written notice from the public
231     transit district of the organization of the public transit district.
232          (b) If an eligible political subdivision intends to provide public transit service within a
233     county after the date a county legislative body first imposes a tax under this section, a change
234     in a distribution required by this section may not take effect until the first distribution the
235     commission makes under this section after a 90-day period that begins on the date the
236     commission receives written notice from the eligible political subdivision stating that the
237     eligible political subdivision intends to provide public transit service within the county.
238          [(8)] (11) A county, city, or town may expend revenue collected from a tax under this
239     section, except for revenue the commission distributes in accordance with Subsection (4)(a),
240     (5)(a)(i), [or] (5)(b)(i), or (9)(d)(i) for:
241          (a) a class B road;
242          (b) a class C road;
243          (c) traffic and pedestrian safety, including for a class B road or class C road, for:
244          (i) a sidewalk;
245          (ii) curb and gutter;
246          (iii) a safety feature;
247          (iv) a traffic sign;
248          (v) a traffic signal;
249          (vi) street lighting; or
250          (vii) a combination of Subsections [(8)] (11)(c)(i) through (vi);
251          (d) the construction, maintenance, or operation of an active transportation facility that
252     is for nonmotorized vehicles and multimodal transportation and connects an origin with a
253     destination;

254          (e) public transit system services; or
255          (f) a combination of Subsections [(8)] (11)(a) through (e).
256          [(9)] (12) A public transit district or an eligible political subdivision may expend
257     revenue the commission distributes in accordance with Subsection (4)(a), (5)(a)(i), [or]
258     (5)(b)(i), or (9)(d)(i) for capital expenses and service delivery expenses of the public transit
259     district or eligible political subdivision.
260          [(10)] (13) (a) Revenue collected from a sales and use tax under this section may not be
261     used to supplant existing general fund appropriations that a county, city, or town has budgeted
262     for transportation as of the date the tax becomes effective for a county, city, or town.
263          (b) The limitation under Subsection [(10)] (13)(a) does not apply to a designated
264     transportation capital or reserve account a county, city, or town may have established prior to
265     the date the tax becomes effective.
266          Section 3. Section 63I-1-259 is amended to read:
267          63I-1-259. Repeal dates, Title 59.
268          (1) Subsection 59-2-924(3)(g) is repealed on December 31, 2016.
269          (2) Subsection 59-2-924.2(9) is repealed on December 31, 2017.
270          (3) Section 59-2-924.3 is repealed on December 31, 2016.
271          (4) Section 59-7-618 is repealed July 1, 2020.
272          (5) Section 59-9-102.5 is repealed December 31, 2020.
273          (6) Section 59-10-1033 is repealed July 1, 2020.
274          (7) Subsection 59-12-2219[(10)](13) is repealed on June 30, 2020.