Utah’s growth philosophy is simple: if regulation slows innovation, remove it.
The Regulatory Sandbox is designed to do just that.
Ryan Starks, executive director of EDCUtah, explains:
“If a company says regulation is inhibiting growth, we can say ‘apply to be in the sandbox.’ The state will waive regulations for up to 24 months. During that time, the company can demonstrate what it’s doing is safe, good for the economy, and good for the country.”
If successful, the waivers can become permanent, transforming red-tape reform into an engine for competitiveness.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy – who helped create the sandbox as a state legislator – described its role in supporting innovation from artificial intelligence:
“The sandbox deferred regulations that didn’t exactly fit for something that was new like artificial intelligence.
“Instead of squelching it, we created a state program that actually allowed it to flourish.”
