House passes air quality task force bill

SALT LAKE CITY — The House passed a bill Tuesday creating a task force to study the state’s air quality.

HB70 sponsor Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Salt Lake, said it’s time to find long-term solutions to a Utah’s pollution problems using good science. The state’s poor air quality causes health concerns and hurts business, she said.

The task force would comprise eight House members and five senators. Arent said legislation may or may not emerge from the study.

“This is an issue that needs to be addressed,” said Rep. Jack Draxler, R-North Logan. “Our efforts to this point have been piecemeal.”

The bill, which passed 55-16, now goes to the Senate.