A reporter asked Governor Spencer Cox on Monday whether a bill that would ban pride flag displays in public buildings — and that has been reported as prompting the Sundance Film Festival to consider leaving Utah — would prompt him to send the bill to law.

“I haven't nothing's changed on the bill. We're still going through the the the review process,” Governor Spencer Cox said, adding that he “care[s] deeply about Sundance. Sundance is an important part of Utah.”

Cox said he had been told by Sundance’s board that political issues were not driving their decision and questioned reporting that attributed departure intentions to a single board member. “I saw the same article that, that that that you did that, you know, wasn't sourced. It was apparently, 1 board member. I I can't speak for that board member,” he said.

Cox urged the festival to remain in Utah, saying state officials had put together “an incredible package, that that is competitive with anywhere else.” He said if Sundance left, “it will be a mistake and, and that they they will eventually wish that they had not left,” and called the festival “their heritage.”

Asked whether he would support leaving the bill unsigned to keep Sundance in state, Cox criticized what he called the logic of leaving: “If that bill did not become law, does that mean that that board member is going to vote to stay here, for sure? Because that's not what they said. That's not what they said at all. So it's it's a little disingenuous of that person, whoever they are.”

Cox also referenced a prior dispute with the outdoor recreation industry, saying the state was “excited when it came back” after an earlier departure and that any economic hit from Sundance leaving “wasn't even a blip.” He said the legislature had passed the bill with a “veto proof majority,” a point he raised while arguing the festival’s decision would be based on multiple factors.

No bill number, legislative sponsor, or text was cited during the exchange. No formal action or decision by the governor was announced at the news conference; Cox described the matter as under review.

Reporting at the conference did not identify which Sundance board member was cited in media reports, and the governor did not state whether he will sign, veto, or otherwise act on the bill once the review is complete.