HB 328 restricts overhead spray irrigation (above-ground sprinklers) in new and redevelopment projects within Utah's Great Salt Lake drainage area. The bill prohibits this irrigation method in most landscaped areas unless the project includes outdoor activity areas (like sports fields or parks) or existing undisturbed areas with pre-2024 irrigation. Municipalities must require compliance as part of land use approvals and include a notice about the prohibition in permits. Exclusions cover agricultural land, single-family homes, schools, and government properties, with the law taking effect January 1, 2026.
HB 399 requires Utah school districts to collect and report chronic absenteeism data starting in the 2025-2026 school year, defining it as missing 10% or more of school days (excused or unexcused). Districts must track enrollment, absentee rates by grade, and individual absence details, then submit this to the state board for public publication. The state board must also conduct a study analyzing root causes of absenteeism - such as socioeconomic factors, transportation, mental health, and family issues - and identify evidence-based solutions for prevention and student re-engagement. A final report with findings and recommendations is due to the Education Committee by September 2026. This bill directly affects school districts, state education officials, and students impacted by chronic absenteeism.
HB 181 modifies Utah's process for schools seeking waivers to implement a four-day school week. It requires local school districts or charter schools applying for such a waiver to provide specific documentation, including student achievement data, community survey results, and plans to maintain instructional quality. The bill mandates two separate public meetings with stakeholders - one before the board votes to apply and another before submitting the formal application - to discuss the request and address concerns. Schools must also explain how the waiver affects shared bus routes and track relevant data during the waiver period. These changes aim to ensure waivers are data-driven and community-informed, while maintaining educational standards.
HB 513 creates the Utah Commission for Earthquake Preparedness to coordinate statewide efforts for earthquake safety. The commission, made up of 11 voting members (including agency directors, academic experts, business representatives, and legislators), will assess earthquake risks, develop annual action plans to reduce property damage and economic harm, and report progress to state officials. It must meet quarterly, prioritize risk-reduction strategies, and submit annual plans by January 1, 2031, when the commission will sunset. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to staff the commission but provides no new funding, relying instead on existing nonlapsing appropriations for its operations.
HB 210 amends Utah's requirements for members of boards of trustees at degree-granting institutions and technical colleges. It requires all appointed board members to be Utah residents and updates qualifications to include specific service area residency or attendance history. The bill also mandates applicants provide additional application details and applies these changes to appointments made on or after May 7, 2025. These changes affect the composition of governing boards for Utah's public universities and technical colleges. The bill makes technical updates to existing code without appropriating funds.
HB 484 creates a new "State Purchasing Reserve Restricted Account" funded by a 1% administrative fee on state cooperative contracts awarded by the division. The revenue from this fee is deposited into the account and must be invested in precious metals by the state treasurer. Funds in the account can only be used to cover procurement costs for state agencies if specific inflation metrics are met. This directly affects state agencies that use cooperative purchasing contracts, providing a reserve to help offset procurement expenses during economic volatility.
HB 88 modifies Utah's housing policy by changing reporting requirements for moderate-income housing and expanding housing options. It reduces the frequency of progress reports from annual to triennial for qualifying cities, while allowing accessory dwelling units (like in-law suites) and modular housing units in residential zones of urban municipalities. The bill directly affects cities classified as "specified municipalities" (e.g., larger cities or those with 5,000+ residents), requiring them to report on housing strategies but not imposing new funding. Key provisions include permitting accessory dwellings on single-family lots and prohibiting municipalities from banning modular housing in residential areas, with no new state funding allocated.
HB 455 amends Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program to directly affect families using the scholarship and program managers. Key changes include strengthening residency and income verification, prohibiting contracted entities from charging families processing fees, and limiting extracurricular and physical education expenses to 20% of the scholarship amount each. The bill creates a financial administrator to process payments, establishes a scholarship account that can earn interest, and adds procedures for students with special needs. It also enhances program accountability through audits and requires specific annual reports from the program manager.
SB 239 modifies Utah's Inland Port Authority to expand its ability to fund infrastructure, environmental projects, and economic development on or near designated port land. It specifically allows private owners of contaminated land to develop distribution centers there and requires the board to annually review the authority's legal powers. The bill also clarifies how the authority can use existing funding for environmental sustainability and adjacent land development, while adjusting board structure and payment timelines. These changes aim to streamline port development without new state funding.
HCR 5 is a Utah legislative resolution urging Congress to reform federal permitting processes for energy infrastructure. It highlights that current federal reviews under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) take an average of 4.5 years, delaying over 2,000 gigawatts of energy projects and increasing costs. The resolution specifically calls for streamlining permitting timelines, limiting excessive litigation delays, and ensuring environmental protections remain intact during faster approvals. It directly addresses Congress and federal agencies, seeking action to accelerate domestic energy development without weakening environmental standards. This resolution does not create new laws but formally requests legislative changes to address permitting bottlenecks affecting energy infrastructure deployment.
HB 111 clarifies when an individual with a disability is considered the employer of someone providing home and community-based services under Utah's workers' compensation law. It specifically defines the circumstances under which a person receiving care (like a home health aide) would be treated as an employer for workers' compensation purposes. The bill makes technical changes to Section 34A-2-103 of the Utah Code to ensure proper coverage for workers in these arrangements. This directly affects individuals with disabilities who employ personal care providers in their homes. The bill does not appropriate funds or change existing insurance requirements.
HB 161 amends Utah's rules for student eligibility for state-funded school bus transportation. It sets distance thresholds: students in kindergarten through grade 6 must live at least 1.5 miles from school, while students in grade 6 (if in middle school) and grades 7-12 must live at least two miles away. Students in approved special education programs with severe disabilities who cannot walk to school, regardless of distance, remain eligible. The bill makes technical updates to existing eligibility criteria without changing funding formulas or adding new costs. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
