HB 99 exempts corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses from Utah's sales and use tax by reclassifying them as "prosthetic devices" under existing tax law. This change directly affects consumers purchasing these items, removing a tax burden that previously applied. The bill amends Utah Code Section 59-12-102 to include eyewear in the definition of prosthetic devices, which already qualify for tax exemption. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment, with no additional state funding required.
HB 115 exempts sales of motorcycles and passenger vehicles with a model year at least 10 years older than the current calendar year from Utah's sales and use tax. This directly affects buyers and sellers of older vehicles who would previously have paid the tax on these transactions. The bill amends Utah Code Section 59-12-104 to add this exemption while making minor technical corrections to existing tax law. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment with no new state funding required.
HB 35 extends the expiration date of the Bears Ears Visitor Center Advisory Committee from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2028. This procedural bill makes no changes to the committee's responsibilities or funding, as it only adjusts the committee's sunset date. The committee, which advises on the Bears Ears Visitor Center operations, will now continue functioning for two additional years. No new policy or financial provisions are introduced.
HB 67 removes the lead acid battery disposal regulations from Utah's sunset schedule, preventing them from automatically expiring on July 1, 2026. This ensures existing rules for handling and disposing of lead acid batteries (affecting auto shops, recyclers, and waste management entities) remain in effect indefinitely. The bill makes no new policy changes but maintains current requirements through technical amendments to the Utah Code. No additional costs or new provisions are introduced.
HB 116 increases mandatory fines for certain prostitution-related offenses in Utah. It raises the minimum fine for patronizing an adult sex worker or exploiting prostitution from $5,000 to $10,000 for repeat offenders, and clarifies that higher fines ($20,000 minimum) for offenses involving children only apply to offenders aged 18 or older. The bill also requires courts to mandate completion of an educational program about prostitution's harms for all convicted offenders. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of specific sex crime offenses under Utah law, with no new state funding required.
This bill simplifies property tax exemption applications for Utah veterans who are disabled or killed in action, and their surviving spouses or minor children. It requires counties to accept a single application for the exemption unless a veteran's disability rating changes or the claimant changes. Counties can no longer demand repeated proof of disability beyond the initial filing, and the exemption covers 100% of property value for eligible veterans (with 10%+ disability) or survivors of veterans killed in action. The changes apply retroactively with no new state funding required.
This non-binding Senate resolution encourages Utah municipalities, developers, and builders to voluntarily integrate agricultural elements - like community gardens, orchards, or working farms - into new residential neighborhoods, promoting "agrihoods." It recognizes agriculture's historical and cultural importance to Utah while urging flexible planning to blend housing with food production, education, and community spaces. The resolution explicitly states it creates no legal requirements or mandates, instead expressing legislative support for these concepts. It targets local governments and developers as key stakeholders to consider during residential planning, without altering existing land-use laws or appropriating funds.
HR 4 requires legislative sponsors to verbally disclose when they introduced a bill at the request of a state agency head (like a cabinet officer or agency director) during committee presentations or floor debates. It amends existing House rules to add this disclosure requirement specifically when legislation is presented by a sponsor acting on an agency's request. The bill does not create new policies or appropriate funds; it only changes procedural disclosure rules for sponsors. This affects any legislator introducing bills at the direction of state agencies, ensuring transparency about agency involvement. The resolution passed the House rules committee but failed its first committee vote on February 4, 2026.
This resolution encourages Utah's local governments to update their disaster emergency plans to include sheltering for household pets during evacuations. It directly affects pet-owning residents and local emergency management agencies, noting that 58% of Utah households have pets and pet-related issues contribute to evacuation failures. The resolution urges local governments to align with federal guidance (like the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act) and coordinate with animal shelters and health agencies. It does not create new laws or appropriate funds, instead serving as a recommendation for improved planning.
This resolution removes brackets surrounding section titles in the Utah Constitution, treating it as a technical editing change rather than a substantive amendment. It directs the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel to prepare all future constitutional amendment resolutions and published versions of the constitution without these brackets. The bill does not alter constitutional content or affect citizens, as it only addresses formatting in official legal documents.
This procedural bill (HJR 1) amends the Utah Legislature's internal operating rules. It defines terms like "minority leader" and "sunset bill," modifies journal publication requirements for the Senate and House, updates procedures for extraordinary sessions, and allows legislators to co-sponsor bills from the opposite chamber. The resolution also establishes specific handling rules for sunset bills (requiring the Senate to table House sunset bills on third reading and the House to refer Senate sunset bills to Rules Committee). As a procedural measure, it affects only legislative operations, not public policy or funding.
SJR 5 amends Utah's civil procedure rules to clarify how cases are transferred to the Business and Chancery Court. It requires district courts to transfer a case to this specialized court if a party requests it within 21 days of appearing in the case, unless the transfer would harm the interests of justice. After 21 days, courts may consider the plaintiff's original venue choice and factors like cost, delay, and fairness before deciding. This change applies to civil cases that meet the jurisdictional requirements for the Business and Chancery Court.
