HB 370 designates June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day, a legal holiday in Utah. If June 19 falls on a Saturday, the holiday is observed on the preceding Friday; if it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday. The bill also modifies Utah's parent-time schedules for minor children to include Juneteenth as a designated holiday. This affects state employees, courts handling custody cases, and families with court-ordered parent-time arrangements. The changes update existing holiday recognition rules and parent-time provisions without appropriating new funds.
SB 246 modifies how Utah's Medicaid program calculates reimbursement rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services, which are commonly used for autism treatment. It adjusts these rates based on the state's General Fund revenue growth: if revenue grows below 100%, rates stay flat; between 100-102%, rates increase by that percentage; and above 102%, rates must increase by at least 102% but not exceed revenue growth. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers offering ABA services and ensures their reimbursement rates align with state revenue changes without appropriating new funds. It takes effect on May 7, 2025, and amends Utah Code Section 26B-3-203.
HB 371 creates a three-year pilot program to promote student health in Utah elementary schools. The State Board of Education will select 50 elementary schools (including urban and rural) to participate, awarding each $1,000 to implement programs focused on physical activity, healthy eating, and school wellness policies. Schools must meet specific physical education criteria established by the state board to qualify, with the program starting in the 2026-27 school year. The bill requires annual reporting on program outcomes but does not appropriate new state funds.
HB 374 amends Utah's election code to change how voter signatures on candidate nomination petitions are handled. It allows voters to request removal of their signature from a petition for a candidate of a non-qualified political party, requires election officials to post all signature names and dates online, and mandates officials to notify prosecutors if a signature is disputed. These changes apply directly to voters who sign petitions and election officials processing them. The bill makes no funding changes and updates existing election code sections (20A-9-403, 20A-9-405, etc.) without altering ballot access rules.
HB 489 amends the state's sales tax rules for eyewear products. The bill specifically exempts prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses from the general sales tax, while non-prescription items like sunglasses may remain taxable. This change directly affects consumers purchasing corrective vision care products, reducing their out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary eyewear. The key mechanism is modifying the tax code to create a specific exemption category for prescription eyewear under existing sales tax provisions.
SB 131 amends Utah’s water conservation plan requirements to allow water providers (like municipal utilities and water districts) to include commitments of available water for Great Salt Lake uses in their conservation plans. This change specifically adds "the commitment of available water to uses on the Great Salt Lake" as an optional provision within existing conservation plan frameworks. The bill makes no new funding commitments and only adjusts technical language in Utah Code Section 73-10-32. It does not create new obligations but expands what water providers may voluntarily include in their plans to address water conservation.
SB 341 addresses potential conflicts of interest for Utah's lieutenant governor in election administration. It requires the lieutenant governor to delegate certain election duties (like overseeing races where they or the governor are candidates) to county clerks, and allows the attorney general to step in for factual determinations or penalties. The bill also shifts responsibility for canvassing primary election results from the lieutenant governor to the state board of canvassers. These changes directly affect the lieutenant governor, county clerks, the attorney general, and the state board of canvassers during election administration. The bill makes these procedural adjustments without changing voting rules or funding.
HB 247 requires all public K-12 schools to establish mandatory swimming and lifeguarding programs. It directly affects students and school staff by mandating curriculum development, staff training in water safety, and student participation in swimming lessons. Key provisions include annual program implementation, certified instructor requirements, and annual safety reporting to the state education department. The bill is currently pending in the House after moving from the Senate (last action: March 8, 2025).
SB 211 clarifies land use regulations for school districts and charter schools in Utah municipalities. It prohibits cities of the first class from applying most zoning rules (like building placement, parking, and traffic regulations) to school districts, while allowing those rules to apply to charter schools. The bill also establishes a sunset provision and makes technical updates to existing law. This directly affects school districts (which gain exemptions) and charter schools (which remain subject to limited zoning standards), with no funding changes required.
HB 284 imposes a 2% tax on international money transmissions (money sent to foreign countries) starting January 1, 2026, affecting individuals and businesses using money transmitters like Western Union. The tax is collected by the transmitter at the time of transaction and must be listed separately on receipts, but is waived if the customer presents valid ID (e.g., passport or driver's license). Money transmitters must remit collected taxes quarterly to the state and report annually to the State Tax Commission. Individuals who pay the tax can claim a nonrefundable credit against their Utah income tax, equal to the amount paid. The bill also requires the Department of Financial Institutions to share licensed transmitter lists with the Tax Commission annually.
HB 407 updates Utah's traffic laws to clarify safety rules for mini-motorcycles, e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds. It modifies existing bicycle regulations to explicitly include these devices under the same operational rules, such as requiring helmets for certain riders and defining speed limits for e-bikes (20 mph for Class 1/2, 28 mph for Class 3). The bill directly affects riders of these vehicles by standardizing their legal classification and safety requirements. Key changes include adding specific definitions for e-bikes and scooters, repealing outdated terms, and ensuring all covered devices follow consistent traffic rules.
HB 221 creates a new third-degree felony offense for damaging or tampering with a firearm storage container (like a locked safe) or safety device (such as a trigger lock) during a burglary. It directly affects individuals committing burglary who intentionally disable these gun safety measures while attempting, committing, or fleeing the crime. The bill defines key terms, specifies that this applies to all types of burglary under Utah law, and sets the penalty as a felony. This is a concrete policy change that adds a specific criminal charge for targeting firearm safety equipment during burglaries.
