HB 441 requires sellers or closing agents to provide property sale details - including sales price, parcel number, and transfer date - to the Multicounty Appraisal Trust within 10 days of closing for most property transfers. It excludes residential sales (single-family or two-to-four unit homes) and specific transactions like family gifts, tax sales, or eminent domain from this requirement. The bill clarifies that sales price information shared with county assessors or the State Tax Commission is not considered a "private record," allowing county assessors to use this data to support property valuations and appeals. This affects real estate professionals, sellers, and county assessment offices, with no new funding or significant procedural changes beyond disclosure requirements.
HB 424 amends Utah's judicial selection process, primarily affecting governors, judicial nominating commissions, and the Senate. It removes the chief justice's authority to fill judicial vacancies if the governor fails to act, allows governors to appoint qualified candidates not nominated by the commission, and eliminates time limits for the governor to make appointments. The bill also requires governors to provide detailed nominee information to the Senate and Office of Legislative Research before judicial appointments, while updating notification rules for vacancies. These changes require a prior constitutional amendment and take effect upon passage.
HB 18 removes a requirement that individuals aged 18+ need a hunting, fishing, or combination license to simply enter Utah's wildlife management areas in certain counties. It repeals Section 23A-6-402(5)(a) which previously mandated this authorization for access. The bill does not change existing license requirements for actual hunting or fishing activities within these areas. It also makes minor technical updates to the law governing public access to state-owned wildlife lands.
HB 74 amends Utah's rules for gathering signatures on initiative and referendum petitions. It requires that petition signers had the opportunity to read the full statement in the petition packet, and that signature gatherers believe signers read the law being petitioned. The bill also allows using spiral binders for petition packets and permits signature gatherers to remove individual sheets during collection. These changes directly affect individuals signing or collecting signatures for voter initiatives and referendums.
This bill narrows Utah's flag display restrictions from all government properties to apply only to school grounds. It removes rules governing flag displays in non-school government buildings (like city halls or state offices) and eliminates the state auditor's role in enforcing flag rules for those locations. Schools must still follow existing rules about which flags can be displayed, including exemptions for U.S. and Utah state flags, military flags, and school-specific flags. The law now focuses exclusively on school property, with no financial impact or new requirements for other government entities.
HB 109 modifies Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program to prevent grade repetition for students using scholarship funds. It updates program rules in Utah Code sections 53F-6-402, 403, and 405 without adding new funding. The bill affects families using scholarships for private or home-based education, maintaining annual limits ($8,000 for private schools, $4,000-$6,000 for home-based students). Key changes include adjusting how unused scholarship funds are redistributed when students exit mid-year and clarifying accountability requirements for continued eligibility. The bill does not alter scholarship amounts or eligibility criteria but refines program administration.
HCR 3 is a concurrent resolution expressing the Utah Legislature's support for Rugby League in the state. It encourages public and private stakeholders - including schools, local governments, and sports organizations - to expand access to Rugby League, which Utah has identified as having the most teams in the U.S. The resolution highlights Rugby League’s role in promoting community engagement, youth development, and economic opportunities, aligning with Utah’s "State of Sport" initiative. It does not appropriate funds or create new laws, but formally endorses the sport’s growth.
HB 121 clarifies which courses schools cannot charge fees for by updating definitions in Utah law. It specifically adds "science" to the list of core subjects (alongside English, health, math, and social studies) where fees are prohibited for courses that grant credit or a grade. This directly affects secondary schools (grades 7-12) and students enrolled in these required science courses, ensuring schools cannot require fees for them. The bill makes a technical correction to existing definitions without introducing new requirements or costs.
HJR 3 proposes amending the Utah Constitution to limit state elected officials to a maximum of eight cumulative years in office. This applies to all state elected positions covered by Articles VI and VII, including legislators (House and Senate), governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, and state treasurer. The eight-year limit would apply to service beginning January 1, 2027, with specific rules for calculating service time, excluding mid-term vacancy appointments, and allowing temporary exceptions during disasters. The resolution requires voter approval and sets a contingent effective date of January 1, 2027.
HB 543 creates a new "controlled substance certification" requirement for healthcare practitioners in Utah who distribute, dispense, or administer controlled substances. Starting July 1, 2025, practitioners must obtain this certification - which requires active federal DEA registration and 3.5 hours of annual continuing education on controlled substances - to legally handle these medications, replacing the previous "controlled substance license." The bill affects licensed medical professionals (like doctors and pharmacists) whose practice involves controlled substances, while allowing those with existing licenses to continue operating until their current license expires. It updates multiple Utah Code sections to reflect this new certification system and repeals outdated licensing provisions.
HB 559 requires Utah cities and counties to create or update local ordinances governing agritourism activities on farms. It defines specific activities (like petting zoos, pumpkin patches, farmers' markets, and event rentals) and mandates that all municipalities list which are permitted, restricted, or conditional on agricultural properties of at least one acre. The bill ensures existing agritourism uses can continue under current rules while requiring new ordinances to allow all listed activities (e.g., farm tours, on-site produce stores) on properties meeting the acreage threshold. Local governments may still enforce zoning, safety, and licensing rules but cannot impose stricter limits than existing regulations for current operations. This affects farmers hosting agritourism activities and local governments responsible for creating compliant ordinances.
HB 549 amends Utah's anti-discrimination laws to explicitly include antisemitism as a protected characteristic. It defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 standard and requires all businesses and public accommodations to provide equal service without discrimination based on antisemitism. The bill also adds antisemitism as a factor for enhanced criminal penalties when a crime is motivated by antisemitism, requiring courts to consider this in sentencing. These changes apply to businesses, public spaces, and criminal cases across Utah, without appropriating new funds.
