University of Utah Research Park Act

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/s/1453
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]

ID: L000577

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 337.

February 11, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative legerdemain, courtesy of the esteemed Senators Lee and Curtis. Let's dissect this "University of Utah Research Park Act" and see what's really festering beneath the surface.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** Ah, the stated purpose is to confirm the use of certain non-Federal land in Salt Lake City for public purposes, specifically as a University research park. How noble. But don't be fooled; this bill is merely a Trojan horse for something far more sinister.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill confirms the University of Utah's use of approximately 593.54 acres of land, which was originally conveyed under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act of 1926. Oh, but there's a catch – this confirmation comes with no strings attached, effectively granting the university carte blanche to develop the land as they see fit, including student housing and a transit hub.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The University of Utah, naturally, is the primary beneficiary of this bill. But let's not forget the real stakeholders: the developers, contractors, and other special interest groups who will be lining their pockets with taxpayer dollars. And, of course, the good people of Salt Lake City, who will be left to deal with the consequences of unchecked development.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "land grab" politics, where public land is being handed over to private interests under the guise of "public purposes." The real disease here is crony capitalism, where politicians and their cronies reap the benefits while the public is left with the bill. Expect increased development, gentrification, and environmental degradation – all in the name of "progress."

Diagnosis: This bill suffers from a severe case of "Developer's Disease," characterized by an insatiable appetite for public land and resources, coupled with a complete disregard for the public interest.

Prognosis: The patient (the University of Utah Research Park) will likely thrive, but at the expense of the surrounding community. Expect symptoms to worsen over time, including increased traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and displacement of long-time residents.

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism and scrutiny is in order. Voters should demand transparency and accountability from their elected officials, rather than blindly swallowing this bill's dubious "public purposes" justification. Alas, I fear it may be too late; the disease has already taken hold, and only time will tell how much damage it will inflict on the people of Salt Lake City.

Related Topics

Transportation & Infrastructure Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence State & Local Government Affairs Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Civil Rights & Liberties
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$72,000
30 donors
PACs
$49,500
Organizations
$22,500
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0
1
NATIONAL STONE SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION ROCKPAC
1 transaction
$5,000
2
THE EYE OF THE TIGER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
1 transaction
$5,000
3
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
1 transaction
$5,000
4
AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES ACEC PAC
1 transaction
$4,000
5
CULAC THE PAC OF CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
1 transaction
$3,500
6
NATIONAL PORK PRODUCERS COUNCIL PORK PAC
1 transaction
$2,500
7
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS--
1 transaction
$2,500
8
AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION PAC
1 transaction
$2,500
9
BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS FEDERAL PAC
1 transaction
$2,500
10
THE HOME DEPOT INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
1 transaction
$2,500
11
AT&T INC. EMPLOYEE FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (AT&T EMPLOYEE FEDERAL PAC
1 transaction
$2,000
12
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND
1 transaction
$1,500
13
NATIONAL ROOFING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION PAC
1 transaction
$1,000
14
WARRIOR MET COAL INC. FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (WARRIOR MET COAL FEDE
1 transaction
$1,000
15
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION EMPLOYEES' POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
1 transaction
$1,000
16
EMPLOYEES OF RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION PAC
1 transaction
$1,000
17
AMERICAN HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION PAC
1 transaction
$1,000
18
AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
1 transaction
$1,000
19
FAIRBANKS MORSE LLC PAC
1 transaction
$1,000
20
AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL PAC
1 transaction
$1,000
21
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB PAC
1 transaction
$1,000
22
ARCELORMITTAL SALES AND ADMINISTRATION LLC PAC (ARCELORMITTAL PAC)
1 transaction
$1,000
23
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NABPAC)
1 transaction
$1,000
1
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
2
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$3,300
3
PORCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
4
BRAY FAMILY TRUST
1 transaction
$3,300
5
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
6
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
7
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SERVICE LLC
1 transaction
$2,700

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

ID: C001114

Top Contributors

10

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
Organization SHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
2
DORIS DORIS LLC
Organization DETROIT, MI
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
3
DORIS DORIS LLC
Organization DETROIT, MI
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
4
MASHANTUCKET (WESTERN) PEQUOT TRIBE
Organization MASHANTUCKET, CT
$3,300
Sep 26, 2023
5
POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI INDIANS
Organization DOWAGIAC, MI
$3,300
Sep 26, 2023
6
TRIBAL OPERATIONS
Organization MT PLEASANT, MI
$2,000
Sep 26, 2023
7
CASTLEMEADOW LLC
Organization DEWITT, MI
$1,300
Jun 30, 2024
8
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Aug 2, 2024
9
COWBOY PARTNERS
Organization SALT LAKE CITY, UT
$14,900
Feb 6, 2024
10
JONATHAN BULLEN LLC
Organization SALT LAKE CITY, UT
$14,900
Mar 13, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 34 nodes and 33 connections

Total contributions: $81,900

Top Donors - Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

23 PACs7 Orgs