Co-chairman Rep. David Cox, R-Lehi, said he was swayed by the belief it will help Utah's state parks.

"I think this is money very well spent that will bring back many dollars to us and will help save costs in our state parks," Cox said. "The more people they have come through there, the less we have to spend to fund the parks."

Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville, called the bill "a great opportunity for the state to showcase itself."

Co-chairman Rep. Steven Mascaro, R-West Jordan, said a $3 million investment a few years ago yielded more than $24 million in additional state tax revenues.

"I don't know how many investments out there where you can get an eight-to-one return on your dollar," he said. "I'd like to find a few. My portfolio could use it. But clearly, an investment of this nature has the potential of bringing resounding benefits to the state."

Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, said she is "excited" about the bill.

"I believe that if we are truly serious about doing everything we can about strengthening the economy and promoting economic development, this is a great piece towards that," Morgan said. "I believe it is some of the best money that we can appropriate as a Legislature this year."

SB7 had already gone through the Senate, with the third reading getting a 26-1 approval vote with two abstentions. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, said Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. supports it and the money is in the governor's budget.

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E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com