Utah Seeks New Process for Honoring People on State Highways

Proposed bill would create a committee to review and approve honorary road namings

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Utah legislators are considering a new process to honorarily name highways in the state after dealing with a record number of requests to rename roads this year. A proposed bill would create a six-person committee to approve or reject proposed state highway designations and establish new criteria for honoring individuals on state roads.

Why it matters

The high volume of road-naming bills has bogged down the legislative process, leading lawmakers to seek a more streamlined and less politically-charged approach. The new committee would help ensure that highway namings honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the state or region, rather than being used for political purposes.

The details

The proposed bill, HB491, would create a legislative committee composed of three House members and three Senate members, including at least two from a minority party. The committee would meet during the interim to consider road-naming proposals from other legislators. The bill establishes criteria for acceptable proposals, such as requiring a person to be deceased for at least five years and have exemplified 'exceptional bravery in the line of duty' or have other significant ties to the state or region. The bill would also limit the number of signs on a highway with an individual's name to reduce costs, which would be covered by donors behind the request.

  • The proposed changes would go into effect in May if approved by the House and Senate by the end of March 6.

The players

Rep. Norm Thurtson

A member of the House Transportation Committee who supports the bill as a way to handle important issues without 'gumming up the works' of the legislative process.

Rep. David Shallenberger

The sponsor of HB491, who says the bill aims to create a 'methodical approach' to highway namings that recognizes important people without causing political contention.

Rep. Ariel Defay

A member of the House Transportation Committee who expressed strong support for the bill, calling it 'phenomenal'.

Utah Department of Transportation

The state transportation agency that has expressed support for the proposed changes to the highway naming process.

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What they’re saying

“We have a lot of bills that are not really critical policy issues, but are important. And if we can find a way of handling those in a way that doesn't gum up the works ... I'm all in favor of taking care of these important issues through administrative action.”

— Rep. Norm Thurtson, Member, House Transportation Committee (Deseret News)

“Sometimes they're made off political reasoning and can be used to take digs at other parties, and this gums up our legislative process ... so then it causes contention. Permanent decisions should not be made on 'temporary emotion'.”

— Rep. David Shallenberger, Bill Sponsor (Deseret News)

“I love this bill. I think it's phenomenal.”

— Rep. Ariel Defay, Member, House Transportation Committee (Deseret News)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the full House floor for consideration. If approved by the House and Senate by the end of March 6, the changes would go into effect in May.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation aims to create a more thoughtful and less politically-charged process for honoring individuals on Utah's state highways. By establishing a dedicated committee and clear criteria, lawmakers hope to reduce the number of road-naming bills that have bogged down the legislative process in recent years.