SB231, sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, would assign a state auditor to the regional transit agency and allow the House speaker, Senate president and governor each to appoint a member to the board of trustees. The bill also would make the state transportation commissioner a voting member of the board.

A legislative audit released this session criticized UTA for a number of alleged shortcomings, including the independence of its board. Killpack told committee members the issue is important on a state level because legislators must authorize local governments to vote on the sales taxes they approve to fund transit. At present, the board is appointed by the local governments that UTA serves.

Transit now is more of a state issue than when the agency was established in the 1970s because communities that once were isolated have grown together, he said.

"Now basically we have one large metropolitan area from Brigham City to Payson," Killpack said.

Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City and a former UTA board member, said increasing the representation is a good idea. She said she was slightly concerned that if legislators are appointed to the board they'll support transit improvements in their own districts, but she agreed to vote for the bill.

The bill passed out of committee unanimously.

bloomis@sltrib.com

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, would assign a state auditor to the regional transit agency and would allow the House speaker, Senate president and governor each to appoint a member to the board of trustees. The bill would also make the state transportation commissioner a voting member of the board.