Lawmakers said "yes" on Wednesday to a bill that could bring toll roads to Utah.

Record amounts of funding for roads also received approval, making this a "successful" year for transportation, state officials said, and providing some payback for millions taken from road funds in previous years.

"In the past, when we had the more difficult budget years, it was considered successful if we were able to retain $65 million in general fund money for the Centennial Highway Fund," said Carlos Braceras, deputy director of the Utah Department of Transportation.

But this year's gains did not come without a fight. The toll road bill, SB80, proved contentious among lawmakers and stirred anger from residents in western Salt Lake and Utah counties, where one of the state's first toll roads could be built.

The measure is described by its sponsor, Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, as a "tool" to help fund $16.5 billion in needed road projects. It allows UDOT to enter into a "public-private partnership" to build toll roads, meaning a private company could pay the state for the right to build, maintain and collect tolls on a road.

Opponents say it's an unfair proposal and a form of double taxation.

"This is nothing more than a different way to tax the population in a different manner," Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns, said during debate Wednesday. "It's not right; it's not fair."

The bill passed with a majority of votes in the House and Senate, and looks likely to receive approval from the governor.

Other so-called "successes" include a record $190 million in new funding that was scheduled late Wednesday to be given to transportation. Of that money, $100 million is supposed to be a one-time appropriation. It is expected to be spent this year and next on construction projects throughout the state.

Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, also successfully ran a bill that dedicates funds to roads each year and makes it harder to take money away from transportation during economic downturns. The measure, HB112, earmarks 8.3 percent of the taxes collected on vehicles and vehicle-related products into a state road fund. It was signed by the governor on Tuesday.

Failed bills include Sen. Karen Hale's primary seat belt bill. This is the fourth year that Hale, a Salt Lake City Democrat, has run the bill. It would have allowed officers to ticket motorists just for not wearing a seat belt, but the bill died in committee.

Another bill that looked likely to fail Wednesday was a measure authorizing the state to issue $1.3 billion in bonds for road projects. The bill, HB369, received approval in committee, but had yet to be debated late Wednesday.

---

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com