Governor Signs Bill Repealing Controversial Tax Reform Legislation

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed legislation repealing the controversial tax reform bill passed by the Utah State Legislature late last year.

The governor announced he signed HB185, repealing the tax bill from December’s special session, just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

“I commend the many legislators and people of Utah who participated so fully in this process,” Herbert said. “I remain hopeful that working together we will be able to modernize our tax code and provide long-term stability to fund education, Medicaid and other essential services.”

Lawmakers said a replacement bill may not be passed this general session.

The Utah State Legislature is expected to consider hundreds of bills during the 45-day session that started on Monday. Other topics expected to come up this session include medical marijuana, pathways to expungement for patients with old convictions and curtailing teenager’s access to e-cigarettes.

Senate President Stuart Adams said he believes looking at major tax reform elements should come next year, after Utah elects a new governor.

“I think it would be really good to have that new governor’s input,” he said. “I think it would be a great idea to have that process take place after the new governor is there.”

Utah State Elections officials said a referendum filed to put the now-repealed tax reform bill on November’s ballot had over 130,000 verified signatures.

The referendum had needed nearly 116,000 signatures to pass.

As of 5 P.M., the Tax Restructuring Revisions Referendum has a total of 130,470 verified signatures.

— Vote Utah (@ElectionsUtah) January 29, 2020

Organizers previously said they wanted the verification process to continue in case the tax reform legislation was not fully repealed.