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A Vernal Republican is pushing legislation aimed at the fixing the issues plaguing the Utah State Fairpark. Sen. Kevin Van Tasselll told a budget committee Tuesday that he expected to release the bill later this week but he was vague on the details on his bill saying he wasn't sure how the final draft of the bill would look.

The Fairpark's requested 50-year lease with the state has long been a point of contention on Capitol Hill. An agreement was once made but plans fell through after doubts arose over the fair's long-term financial future against prospects of developing a high-value real estate project. A committee that included Van Tasselll, recommended last year that the fair stay put.

However, there still is no long-term lease in place.

Van Tassell said he wants to solve the problem once and for all, and that his preference would be to transfer ownership of the property to the Fairpark but wasn't sure if that was possible."I want to solve this issue so we'll be done with it," Van Tassell said.

Fairpark Interim Executive Director Larry Mullenax outlined the master plan in front of the committee, showing his proposal to return the Fairpark to profitability. Mullenax said fair officials want to increase the number of days of the fair and to bring in more events during the year. To entice event organizers, however, a multiple-use stadium would be needed. Currently the governor's budget has requested $625,000 for the fair and $3 million for building costs.

Rep. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, said he was confident that the bill would fix most issues, but the stadium question still looms as a central piece.

In 2014, Dell Loy Hansen, owner of the Real Salt Lake soccer franchise, pledged to help build a stadium at the fairgrounds, but moved on last year after lawmakers and the Fair Board could not make a deal. Since then, the Days' of 47 has pledged $4 million to build a stadium, but the project would cost between $14 million and $20 million.

Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, said the Legislature should act sooner rather than later.

"There's a window here. Days of '47 is ready to commit, but if we don't act, this opportunity will pass," Jenkins said.