S.B. 144 Relocation Assistance Amendments

What this bill does

This bill would raise the maximum direct relocation assistance a displaced small business, family farm, or nonprofit can receive from $50,000 to $75,000 when government action forces it to move. It would also add a yearly inflation adjustment starting in 2027, with payments either reimbursing actual costs or a fixed one-time payment from $1,000 up to the cap.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the sponsor’s presentation in committee and on the floor. Check the official text below.

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Every vote

• 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absentSenate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee: vote to approve it · Jan 23, 2026Who voted how
• 25 yes, 0 no, 4 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 6, 2026Who voted how
• 25 yes, 0 no, 4 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 9, 2026Who voted how
• 10 yes, 0 no, 2 absentHouse Transportation Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 13, 2026Who voted how
• 68 yes, 0 no, 7 absentFinal House vote · Feb 19, 2026Who voted how

Hearings and debates

• Jan 23, 2026 Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (15 turns)

  1. Sen. Ronald M. Winterton (presiding)1:59:54

     Um, Senate Bill one 40. Senator Baldry, are you ready or, I'm okay. This is relocation assistance amendments.

  2. Sen. Heidi Balderree2:00:43

     Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, uh, I'd like to just state at the front that this, uh, Senate bill came directly from a real Utah story. Um, the person who brought this bill to me, Jacob Torres, uh, who was a, a friend of mine that I knew when he was a student and a volunteer, and he is now actually an attorney. And the reason he's not here today is because he had a deposition. So I speak on his behalf and wanted to make sure that, uh, he got credit for this idea that I think is a good one that you will like. So, Jacob noticed that, uh, firsthand how small businesses, family farms and nonprofits are disproportionately harmed when displaced through eminent domain, often through no fault of their own. This bill is about fairness, continuity, and keeping local businesses alive when government action forces relocation. So the problem when property acquired through ent, domain displacement is unavoidable for small businesses, especially those who are leasing property relocation costs can be crippling. Um, there's the cost to build out equipment, mo movement, utility connections, lost revenue during transition. New business cars, everything has to change. Um, the current law caps relocation assistance at $50,000. This limit has not been updated since 2008. For 18 years, there's been no, um, adjustment. That cap has not kept pace with inflation or real world costs. And as a result, when this happens, some bus small businesses will never reopen communities, lose jobs, services, and local anchors. Um, because when government moves the business, we shouldn't be the reason that it never reopens. Um, this bill raises the maximum relocation assistance cap from $50,000 back in 2008 to today to $75,000. It only applies to small businesses, family farms, and nonprofit organizations. So not big businesses. Um, it includes a built-in annual inflation adjustment starting in 2027. This ensures that the law remains fair over time and not just for today. Um, who qualifies? Again, the statute limits the assistant to small businesses, which would mean those who have one and a half million or less in gross annual revenue. This bill is not for large corporation. It is targeted to local businesses, family farms, and community nonprofits. Um, these are the entities that are least able to absorb forced relocation costs. And this bill protects Main Street, not Wall Street, how the assistant works. Uh, state or local agencies may use federal funds when available and state or local funds when federal funds are unavailable. So, SB 1 44 provides two pass one reimbursement of actual reasonable relocation costs, a fixed one-time payment option ranging from $1,000 up to $75,000. Um, it's designed for simplicity and predictability, and it excludes property rental businesses. The assistant limits apply regardless of federal law, unless federal law allows a higher amount. Um, let's talk about fairness between owners and less fees. If a displaced business owns the land, they receive just compensation for the property and relocation assistance if they choose to reestablish. If a business leases the property, which is very common, they do not receive land compensation, these businesses rely entirely on the relocation assistance. SB 1 44 helps close that gap. So leasing businesses aren't punished simply because they don't own the dirt. Um, leasing a storefront shouldn't mean losing your livelihood. Why does this matter to Utah communities? Um, because it keeps displaced businesses viable, which preserves local jobs, maintains neighborhood services, and protects local tax bases. This isn't just about individual businesses, it's about economic stability and continuity. Um, when our small businesses survive displacement, our communities will recover faster and stronger. Uh, this bill takes effect May 6th, 2026, which allows agencies time to prepare and implement it responsibly. This bill is targeted, responsible, and 18 years overdue. Um, it recognizes that when displacement is unavoidable, failure doesn't have to be. SB 1 44 ensures that when government action forces a move, it doesn't force a closure. And with that, uh, that concludes my presentation, and I am open for questions.

  3. Unknown speaker2:05:29speaker not certain

     Okay. You lost me on some explanation there. Mm-hmm. In the case of a lease, not the leaser, who's the, does this fund help out the owner or the leasee?

  4. Sen. Heidi Balderree2:05:43

     The leasee. Okay. Alright. Thank you. You're welcome.

  5. Sen. Ronald M. Winterton (presiding)2:05:48

     Any other questions to the, from the committee? All Senator Buss,

  6. Sen. Emily Buss2:05:57

     What exactly is The definition that you're using for small business?

  7. Sen. Heidi Balderree2:06:00

     That's a great question. So it is, uh, if they make anywhere less than a one and a half million dollars.

  8. Sen. Ronald M. Winterton (presiding)2:06:07

     Okay. Okay. All right. Let's open this up to the public for public comment. Is there anyone here in the room that would like to address this? Come on up and those online if you want to comment, raise your hand.

  9. Peter Asplund, Deputy Director, Legislative Affairs, UDOT2:06:28

     Uh, thank you Chair Winterton and members of the committee. I'm Peter Asland, representing UDOT today, and I just wanted, um, to, to testify that of course, UDOT is very in favor of, uh, fairly compensating people when the property's being taken for a UDOT project. And so we have no opposition to this bill. So thank You. Thank you.

  10. Sen. Ronald M. Winterton (presiding)2:06:51

      Alright, let's close public comment then and come back to the committee for further considerations. We are on anyone 1 44.

  11. Sen. Scott D. Sandall2:07:13

      Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move that we favor favorably recommend SB 1 44. Um, out of this, out of the, this committee.

  12. Sen. Ronald M. Winterton (presiding)2:07:23

      Alright. Discussion to the motion. Back to you. Senator Baldry for a summation, I'll

  13. Sen. Heidi Balderree2:07:28

      Waive. Senator Sandall,

  14. Sen. Scott D. Sandall2:07:29

      I'll waive. Okay.

  15. Sen. Ronald M. Winterton (presiding)2:07:30

      All those in favor of sending SB 1 44 out favorably say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. That is unanimous. All right. Thank you so much. Thank you.

• Feb 6, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (4 turns)

  1. Sen. Heidi Balderree37:10

     and a real Utah story. Uh, this idea was brought to me by Jacob Torres, whom I met years ago. While he was volunteering and completing his undergraduate degree, he is now an attorney. And Jacob saw firsthand how small businesses, family farms and nonprofits are disproportionately harmed when displaced through eminent domain, often through no fault of their own. This bill is about fairness, continuity, and keeping local businesses alive. When government action forces relocation, when properties acquired through eminent domain displacement is unavoidable for small businesses, especially those leasing property relocation costs can be crippling. Current law caps, the relocation assistance at 50,000 a limit last updated in 2008. That cap has not kept pace with inflation or real world costs. And as a result, some small businesses never reopen. Communities lose jobs, services, and local anchors. And when government moves the business, we shouldn't be the reason that it never reopens. So what does the bill do? It updates the Utah Relocation Assistant Act to reflect today's e economic reality. It raises the maximum relocation assistant cap to $75,000. It applies to small businesses, family farms and organizations. Uh, it includes a built in annual inflation adjustment starting in 2027. This ensures that this law remains fair over time, not just today, in case someone else doesn't notice it for another 18 years. Uh, this bill is not for large corporations. It's targeted to local businesses, family farms and community nonprofits. Uh, because this bill protects Main Street, not Wall Street. And with that, I conclude my presentation.

  2. Sen. Ronald M. Winterton (presiding)39:03

     Thank you, Senator. That concludes your presentation. Thank you. Questions to the bill? Seeing none back to you for summation and or motion.

  3. Unknown speaker39:13speaker not certain

     I I move that we call the question.

  4. Sen. Ronald M. Winterton (presiding)39:15

     Thank you. And the question is, shall Senate a Bill 1 44? Be read A third time. Roll call vote. Senator Vickers Baldy Lewin Brammer Bus Comore as Camia Fillmore Grover Harper Kinins Ipson Johnson k Juab McKay Mikel Milner Mussman Owens Pitcher Lum Re, sandal a Stevenson Stratton Vickers Weiler Wilson Winterton, president Adams Senate Bill 1 44, having received 25 yay votes, zero nay votes. Four being absent will be read a third time.

• Feb 9, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (6 turns)

  1. Sen. Heidi Balderree12:34

     Thank you Mr. President. Uh, this one again is simple. Uh, what it does is it says, if you are forced to move due to, um, I not domain reasons, but you're not a property owner but a lessee, then this would take the requirement and the cap, which was existing in code from $50,000 in relocation assistant funds up to $75,000 to account for inflation, which has not been adjusted for 18 years. It also includes, uh, an adjustment going forward so that we don't have to come back to it again. Um, this is, this is super helpful. Helps small communities, businesses, services, and, um, farms to, you know, if they've been in a location for 5, 10, 15, 20 years to help with those, uh, relocation costs. And so, um, they're better, excuse me, better able to absorb those forced relocation costs. And, um, that is the bill in some, since this is our third reading, I'll conclude with my presentation.

  2. President Adams (presiding)13:39

     Thank you for that presentation. Senator. There's no discussion today, so I'm gonna go to you for action. Uh, please call the question. Thank you. And the question is,

  3. Senate clerk13:48

     shall shall Senate bill one forty four pass. Roll call vote. Senator Vickers Baldry Aye. Lewin Aye. Brammer bus? Aye. Comore Escamilla Aye. Bill Moore. Aye. Grover Aye. Harper a Hankins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson Quan McKay a Mikel Aye. Milner musselman a Owens Aye. Pitcher? Aye. Lum a Rebe Aye. Sandal Aye. Stevenson Aye. Stratton Aye. Pickers. Weiler Wilson. Aye. Winterton Aye. President Adams Aye.

  4. President Adams (presiding)14:40

     Senate Bill 1 44, having received 25 yay votes, zero nay votes, four being absent. Pass this, this body will be sent to the house for their consideration. Senator Balderree,

  5. Unknown speaker14:51speaker not certain

     I have two points of personal privilege if I may. Senator

  6. President Adams (presiding)14:53

     This. Go ahead. Granted.

• Feb 13, 2026 House Transportation Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (20 turns)

  1. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:45:00

     So, Senator Balderree, we only have a few minutes and we might get into this and have to postpone depending on how fast it goes. So do you want to try that?

  2. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:45:12

     Uh, yeah, I've been waiting 75 minutes. I'd like to try. Thank you.

  3. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:45:15

     Okay, so we're going to sh we're gonna close this down at five two. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Go ahead.

  4. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:45:21

     Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Senate Bill 1 44 is about giving more financial help to businesses and farms that are forced to move because of government projects. Like when the state buys land to expand a highway, it increases the relocation payments when a business farm or nonprofit is displaced by a government project. And the state provides money to help them reestablish themselves elsewhere. This bill raises the maximum amount of that direct financial assistance from 50,000 to 75,000. So, um, this, this has, this, uh, assistance has been not adjusted for inflation for 18 years. So this rectifies that. And, uh, it will also ask, um, udot to update the limit every year, starting in July, 2027 to account for inflation so we won't have to worry about it in the future. And basically, it sets a better floor for state funded relocation help while allowing for federal ceilings. And if you own a small shop or farm, and the state needs your land for a new road, this bill will give you up, up to an additional $25,000 for a new road or, you know, et cetera, to help cover the cost of, of moving and setting up in a new location. And I would just say that the, it provides two paths, reimbursement of actual reasonable relocation costs, uh, or a fixed one-time payment option ranging from 1000 to $75,000. And this is designed for simplicity and predictability, and it excludes property rental businesses. And this assistant limits apply regardless of federal law, unless federal law allows a higher amount.

  5. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:47:02

     And with that, I'd like to, um, turn some time over to, um, my friend Jacob Torres, who has, uh, he who brought me this bill.

  6. Jacob Torres, attorney1:47:11

     Good morning Committee members. My name is Jacob Torres. I'm an attorney who practices here in Salt Lake City. Uh, I don't represent anybody in particular today, it's just myself. But last year I came across this issue when, uh, helping a client who was facing, uh, relocation. And I brought these concerns over to Senator Baldry. The last time the relocation assistance was amended was in 2008 when the committee, excuse me, the legislature raised the amount of financial assistance from $10,000 to $50,000. And as Senator Baldry pointed out, this hasn't been updated in 18 years, hasn't adjusted for inflation or for actual costs that small business owners, family farms or nonprofits have had to face whenever relocation, uh, whenever they're forced to relocate because of eminent domain. What this bill does is make sure that if a small business or a family farm is forced to move, the cost will be as seamless and as easy as possible. And this ensures that there's more than enough financial assistance to ensure that these small businesses can stay open, can stay in the community, and not have to be worried about going out of business because they have to move. And with that, I'm more than happy to answer any questions from the committee That completes your presentation. It does. I would just do one, uh, one small note. The statute limits assistance to small businesses and what qualifies small business, those with, uh, one and a half million or less in gross annual revenue. Thank you. That concludes my presentation.

  7. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:48:42

     Our presentation. Okay. Thanks. We'll bring it to the committee for questions.

  8. Unknown speaker1:48:47speaker not certain

     Basically, you're just adjusting for inflation here, right?

  9. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:48:50speaker not certain

     That's right. Okay.

  10. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:48:52

      Uh, anyone from the public that would like to speak on this? Okay. Seeing none, we'll bring it back to Committee for action. Representative Matthews.

  11. Rep. Ashlee Matthews1:49:02

      Thank you, Mr. Chair, and make a motion that we pass out favorably SP 1 44.

  12. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:49:06

      Okay. That motion is in order a discussion of the motion Representative Thurston,

  13. Rep. Norman K Thurston1:49:11

      Thank, I'd like to speak in favor of this. We have a UTA project in my district, and those people are getting hosed, and I mean, they're getting treated really well, but when it comes right down to it, at the end of the day, UTA can only do what they can do. And they're, they're awesome. They're trying to U dot UTA, they're doing everything they can, but at the end of the day, there's, it's just not, the, the amount of compensation's available is just not enough to make it work for everybody. So I, I'm, yeah, I think it's time that we catch up. All right. Apologize for saying hosed in committee twice. All right. It's a good thing we don't have a third bill, huh? Yeah. All right. Thank you.

  14. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:49:48

      Um, seeing no other, um, chair. There we go. You've been pushing buttons all day long. All right. Go ahead.

  15. Unknown speaker1:50:03speaker not certain

      Uh, I think, thank you. Um, thanks for doing this. Uh, I, I, I, I always struggle with this issue and, uh, we need to make sure if we're gonna, you know, like the Fifth Amendment, if we're gonna take property, we need to make sure that they get just compensation. So I appreciate you doing this.

  16. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:50:23speaker not certain

      Okay. Thank you very much, uh, appreciate that. And, uh, see no other discussion on the motion. We'll come back to the sponsor for summation. I'll wa And to the maker of the motion. Nope. Uh, I've said way worse. So you're fine. And good job.

  17. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:50:41

      Okay. Thank you. Uh, so the motion is to pass out, uh, relocation assistant amendments SB 1 44 with, from the committee with a favorable, favorable recommendation. Those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. Thank you for your patience. Senator Balderree. Thank you, Katie. That passes, uh, unanimously.

  18. Sen. Heidi Balderree1:51:08

      Excellent. And I, I'm returning four minutes to the committee. Uh, thank you.

  19. Rep. Ken Ivory1:51:18

      Uh, yeah, we probably ought to have one more motion. Thank you. Adjourn. Motion to adjourn. Okay.

  20. Committee chair (Rep. Kay J. Christofferson)1:51:23

      Uh, the motion is to adjourn by Representative Ivory. Those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed? Stay here. Okay, we'll, we'll go ahead and adjourn. There we go.

• Feb 19, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (6 turns)

  1. Reading Clerk40:56

     Senate Bill 1 44, relocation Assistance Amendments by Senator Balderree. This bill was heard in transportation with Vote 10 0 2.

  2. Speaker (presiding)41:05

     The House sponsors Representative Voxer. Representative Voxer.

  3. Rep. Tiara Auxier41:13

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. SB 1 44 strengthens the Utah Relocation Assistance Act by increasing the cap on direct relocation assistance, ensuring that those displaced by government action have a more realistic opportunity to reestablish their homes and livelihoods. And that assistance keeps pace with real world costs instead of being eroded over time. This is a property rights bill. Plain and simple, it re recognizes that when government moves forward with roads and infrastructure, it should not do so on the backs of hardworking utahns who lose their property through imminent domain.

  4. Speaker (presiding)41:50

     Thank you, representative Voxer discussion to the bill? None. Back to Representative Voxer for summation.

  5. Rep. Tiara Auxier41:59

     Yeah, I think just, um, our Utah principles are about making sure that we are transparent and standing up for property owners. And this bill does that. Thank you.

  6. Speaker (presiding)42:10

     Representative Voxer voting will now be open on SB 1 44. Representative Strong would like to vote. Voting is now closed. SB 1 44 passes this body with 68 yes votes zero. No votes be sent to the Senate for or signed by the speaker sent to the Senate for the signature of the president, Madam Reading Clerk