Utah Congressional Bills

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 29, 2026

S 5039: License to Drill Act

The License to Drill Act amends the Mineral Leasing Act to extend the expiration date of a specific fee provision from 2026 to 2037. It requires the Bureau of Land Management to transfer all oil and gas permit processing fees collected between fiscal years 2027 and 2037 into a dedicated fund for improving permit processing. This change directly affects the BLM by altering how revenue from drilling permits is managed and retained over a ten-year period.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 29, 2026

S 4410: A bill to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to provide for the payment of bonus payments of certain coal leases issued under that Act.

This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to change how bonus payments are made for specific coal leases. Under the new rules, the total bonus amount would be split into ten equal annual payments instead of being paid all at once. The first installment must be submitted with the initial bid, while the remaining nine payments are due over the following nine years. This provision directly affects companies bidding for coal leases and the government agencies managing those leases.

passed · Utah · House Jul 29, 2026

HR 7831: License to Drill Act

This bill, known as the License to Drill Act, extends the deadline for collecting fees on new oil and gas drilling permit applications from 2026 to 2037 under the Mineral Leasing Act. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue collecting these fees for each new permit application throughout the extended period. The bill also directs that all fees collected between fiscal years 2027 and 2037 be transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund instead of being distributed as previously required. These changes affect the Bureau of Land Management's administrative process for managing oil and gas leasing on federal lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

passed · Utah · House Jul 29, 2026

HR 5631: Geothermal Energy Advancement Act

HR 5631 establishes a Geothermal Ombudsman within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to streamline permitting for geothermal energy projects on public lands. The ombudsman, appointed within 60 days of enactment, acts as a liaison between BLM offices and project applicants, resolves disputes, monitors permit timelines, and develops best practices for the permitting process. The bill also creates a Geothermal Permitting Task Force led by the ombudsman, which can assign cross-office personnel (with retention allowances up to 25% of pay) to support geothermal authorizations without altering BLM's jurisdiction. The ombudsman must submit annual reports to Congress on the task force's effectiveness and permit processing outcomes. This directly affects geothermal project applicants and BLM field offices handling geothermal permits.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 28, 2026

S 5153: Federal Trade Commission Governance Reform Act

The Federal Trade Commission Governance Reform Act modifies the rules for how the Federal Trade Commission conducts official business. It requires the agency to have at least three commissioners present to take specific actions, such as creating or changing rules, issuing policy guidance, or launching investigations. This new requirement will not take effect until January 20, 2029, ensuring the commission maintains a minimum level of representation before making significant regulatory changes.

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 28, 2026

S 5152: Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act

The Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act amends federal law to explicitly define membership eligibility for the organization. It requires that members be women, legally defined as adult human females who possess a reproductive system capable of producing ova for fertilization. This provision clarifies the genealogical and biological qualifications needed to join the group while maintaining its existing membership structure.

in committee · Utah · House Jul 27, 2026

HR 9965: AI Threat Output and Monitoring Incident Containment Act

This bill establishes the Advanced Artificial Intelligence Nuclear Evaluation Program, requiring large AI developers to submit their systems for government testing to prevent incidents involving nuclear weapons or critical infrastructure. Under the program, the Department of Energy will conduct security assessments, including adversarial "jailbreaking" attempts and third-party reviews, to identify risks and develop safety protocols. Developers who refuse to participate or withhold necessary data face civil penalties of up to $1 million per day, while the information they provide remains confidential unless specific legal exceptions apply. Additionally, the Secretary of Energy must submit annual reports to Congress with recommendations for future legislation to further regulate AI safety and oversight.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Utah · House Jul 27, 2026

HR 9957: Time for Completion Act

The Time for Completion Act requires colleges to publicly report how quickly students finish their degrees based on their specific enrollment status. Institutions must disclose the percentage of first-time and returning students who graduate within the normal time, 150 percent of that time, 200 percent, and 300 percent. These statistics will be broken down by whether students attend full-time or part-time and will be displayed with equal visibility on college websites. The law also updates financial aid reporting to include these same completion rates, ensuring that prospective students and families have clearer data on graduation timelines.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

SRES 816: A resolution honoring 35 years of independence for the countries of Central Asia and recognizing the importance of the United States growing relationship with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

This Senate resolution honors the 35th anniversary of independence for five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It formally acknowledges the growing partnership between the United States and these countries, highlighting their roles in countering regional threats and facilitating global trade. The measure also reaffirms the principle that these nations have the right to choose their own foreign policies and security alliances without outside pressure. Ultimately, the resolution expresses support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the region as a foundation for broader Eurasian stability.

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

SRES 812: A resolution recognizing the 179th anniversary of the arrival of pioneers belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Great Salt Lake Valley, honoring the enduring pioneer spirit that shaped the American West, and celebrating its continued relevance to the unfolding American story.

This Senate resolution commemorates the 179th anniversary of the 1847 arrival of Latter-day Saint pioneers in the Great Salt Lake Valley. It honors their journey across the American West, noting the hardships they endured and their role in establishing over 500 communities that helped develop the region. The bill formally recognizes their legacy of self-reliance and cooperation as a continuing part of the American story without proposing any new laws or funding.

in committee · Utah · House Jul 23, 2026

HRES 1451: Recognizing Charleston as the appropriate host city for the 2027 annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Charleston, South Carolina, should proceed with hosting the 2027 annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly. The bill cites Charleston's existing facilities as suitable for the event and notes that hosting the convention in South Carolina honors the legacy of late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham. It also highlights that the United States has not hosted this specific assembly since 2005. The measure does not change any laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal statement of support for the planned event.

Joe Wilson (R) · 41 co-sponsors

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5129: PROTECT Act of 2026

The PROTECT Act of 2026 requires online platforms that host user-generated content to verify the identity and age of anyone uploading pornographic images, ensuring all individuals depicted are at least 18 years old. To comply, platforms must obtain explicit written consent from every person shown in an image for both the specific sexual acts performed and the distribution of that image, using standardized forms approved by the Attorney General. The law imposes civil penalties and criminal prison sentences for users and platforms that fail to meet these verification and consent requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✗ Technology