Utah Congressional Bills

passed · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

SRES 813: A resolution designating July 25, 2026, as "National Day of the American Cowboy".

This resolution designates July 25, 2026, as "National Day of the American Cowboy" to honor the historical and cultural contributions of cowboys to the United States. It encourages citizens to observe the day with ceremonies and activities that recognize the cowboy's role in establishing the American West and its enduring presence in literature, media, and the economy. The measure highlights values associated with the cowboy archetype, such as integrity, hard work, and environmental stewardship, while noting that the role transcends gender, ethnicity, and political affiliation.

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

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5128: GRACE Act

The GRACE Act prohibits federal education funding for schools and agencies that mandate vaccinations unless they offer a specific exemption process. Under this bill, institutions must allow parents or guardians to request an exemption based on a sincerely held religious belief without requiring any supporting documentation. The law defines a child as anyone under 18 and applies these rules to elementary and secondary schools as well as local and state educational agencies. By removing the need for proof of religious belief, the measure aims to simplify the process for families seeking to opt out of vaccination requirements for religious reasons.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Healthcare

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5114: PATH Act

The PATH Act modifies federal funding rules for fixed guideway transit projects, such as light rail and subway lines, to better support high-growth communities. It allows agencies to use population density, population growth rates, and local development plans when forecasting how many people will use a new transit line. By updating these criteria, the bill aims to make it easier for cities with rapidly growing populations to qualify for capital investment grants. This change directly affects transit agencies and local governments seeking federal money to build or expand rail systems in expanding areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5097: End H–1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026

This bill, the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, proposes to stop the issuance of H-1B work visas for three years and then restrict them to primary workers rather than their families. It would require employers to prove a shortage of qualified American workers and pay a minimum wage of $200,000 per year, while also banning the use of staffing agencies to hire these workers. The legislation further limits the total number of H-1B visas to 25,000 annually, removes the current lottery system in favor of prioritizing higher wages, and prohibits H-1B workers from holding jobs with more than one employer or working for third-party agencies. Additionally, the bill bars federal government agencies from hiring H-1B workers, eliminates optional training programs for foreign students, and generally prevents nonimmigrant visa holders from changing their status to permanent residents while in the United States.

Topics ✗ Immigration ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Utah · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9926: PATH Act

The PATH Act modifies federal funding rules for fixed-guideway transit projects, such as rail lines, to allow grant recipients to use more flexible ridership forecasting methods. Under the new provisions, agencies can choose to base their forecasts on either population density or population growth rate, whichever factor is most beneficial for predicting ridership. The bill also requires these forecasts to consider local development planning activities alongside the chosen population metric. This change directly affects transit agencies applying for capital investment grants by expanding the data they may use to justify project viability.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Utah · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9920: Foster Youth Investment Act

The Foster Youth Investment Act allows individuals to contribute to Coverdell Education Savings Accounts for foster children who are under 18 and in the custody of a state or tribal government. This change expands eligibility beyond just the taxpayer's own eligible foster child to include any minor meeting these specific care and age requirements. The provision applies to contributions made after December 31, 2025, enabling these youth to benefit from tax-advantaged savings for their education.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 3004: Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2026

The Upper Price River Watershed Project Act of 2025 would transfer approximately 124 acres of federal land in Utah to the city of Price for public use. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey the land, as shown on a specific map dated May 8, 2025, without following standard federal land transfer rules. The city would gain full ownership of the land, which it could then use for public purposes as determined by the city council, subject to any existing rights like easements or private claims.

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1981: Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act

This bill requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to develop a strategy within 18 months for using livestock grazing to reduce wildfire risks on federal lands. The strategy must include targeted grazing in high-risk areas (like the wildland-urban interface), controlling invasive grasses such as cheatgrass, and using technologies like virtual fencing to adjust grazing placement. It affects federal land managers, ranchers with grazing permits, and communities in fire-prone regions by integrating grazing into wildfire management plans. The bill does not change existing grazing programs but adds specific provisions for risk reduction during droughts, wildfires, or post-fire recovery. It mandates consultation with states, tribes, firefighting agencies, and local stakeholders to coordinate this approach.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Utah · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1860: Brian Head Town Land Conveyance Act

Brian Head Town Land Conveyance Act This bill directs the Forest Service to convey approximately 24 acres of land within the Dixie National Forest to Brian Head Town, Utah, along with any improvements made to the land. The town must use the land for a public works facility or any other uses determined to be necessary by the town. The Forest Service must convey the land to the town without consideration (such as payment).