SB 236 amends Utah's property tax exemption process to clarify deadlines and procedures for property owners seeking exemptions. It requires property owners to file applications by March 1 each year and mandates county boards of equalization to issue written decisions on applications by the date the county assessor completes the assessment book. The bill also allows county boards to request additional information instead of holding hearings, requires them to revoke exemptions when property no longer qualifies, and mandates that written decisions include notice of appeal rights. Additionally, it establishes an annual reporting requirement for certain exemptions (like agricultural or historic properties) to maintain eligibility, with failure to file triggering automatic revocation.
SB 310 proposes changes to laws regarding intimate image disclosure by limiting when people can be held liable for sharing or threatening to share such images. It creates two key exceptions: disclosure isn't liable if it's already illegal under other laws, or if done for sexual arousal, humiliation, degradation, or financial gain. The bill also clarifies that disclosing intimate images of public figures doesn't automatically become a "matter of public interest." This bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee and would directly affect individuals who share intimate images, particularly concerning children and public figures.
SB 237 proposes combining the Driver License Division, Motor Vehicle Division, and Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division into a single agency under the state department. This administrative change would directly affect state agencies responsible for processing driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, and enforcement of motor vehicle laws. The bill's key mechanism is restructuring these divisions under one unified umbrella agency to streamline operations. The measure passed the House on March 5, 2026, and is now pending action in the Senate.
HB 565 requires counties in Utah to separately list city library taxes on property tax notices sent to owners of real property in first-class counties. This change affects property owners who pay city library taxes, ensuring these levies are clearly itemized alongside other taxes. The bill amends existing property tax notice requirements (Utah Code 59-2-919.1) to mandate this separate listing in the "itemized tax information" section of notices. It does not create new taxes or appropriates funds, but updates how current library levies are presented to taxpayers.
SB 292 amends Utah's product liability laws specifically for automated driving systems (ADS), directly affecting manufacturers and developers of level 3-5 autonomous vehicles. It limits noneconomic damages in related lawsuits, creates a legal defense for companies meeting "state-of-the-art" technology standards, and restricts liability to certain claims. The bill also establishes new definitions for ADS levels and requires a sunset review of these liability provisions. These changes aim to clarify legal responsibilities as autonomous vehicle technology advances, without altering federal safety standards.
HB 474 updates Utah's Uniform Commercial Code to modernize rules for digital transactions. It replaces "writing" with "record" to include electronic documents and creates new rules for controlling digital assets like bank accounts, electronic titles, and payment intangibles. The bill clarifies when a secured party (e.g., a bank or lender) has control over electronic records, affecting how security interests attach and are enforced in digital transactions. Businesses, financial institutions, and individuals using electronic contracts or digital assets in Utah will directly experience these changes, as the bill aligns Utah's commercial law with current electronic commerce practices.
SB 72 creates a new legal definition for "obscene animal abuse material" and makes distributing it a standalone criminal offense in Utah. The bill specifically adds "animal crushing" (graphic abuse of animals for sexual purposes) to the prohibited material, separating it from existing definitions of pornographic content. It requires that this material be treated identically to pornographic materials under Utah law for enforcement and penalties. The bill affects anyone distributing such material, with no budget impact or new funding required.
SB 93 amends Utah's correctional laws to affect offenders under supervision and correctional facilities. It eliminates unpaid probation and parole supervision fees from offenders' debt records, directing these fees to the state debt collection office instead. The bill also prohibits removing any item from within a correctional facility's property (a change related to drone-related offenses) and updates definitions for direct supervision and correctional facility operations. These changes make technical adjustments to existing statutes without new funding.
This resolution approves an updated management plan for Utah's existing Zion Scenic Byway, which runs along State Route 9 from Hurricane to Mount Carmel Junction. It directly enables the byway corridor - including Washington and Kane Counties, local municipalities, and the Zion Regional Collaborative - to pursue federal National Scenic Byway designation, as required by Utah law. The plan, developed with local governments and agencies, outlines how the route’s scenic, cultural, and natural resources will be managed. This approval is a procedural step needed before the Utah Department of Transportation can submit the byway for federal recognition.
SB 161 amends Utah's guardianship laws to clarify rights for individuals alleged to be incapacitated and update procedures for court-appointed health care assessments. The bill ensures that Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rights are preserved and sets new standards for health care providers conducting assessments, including requiring their reports to be filed with the court. It also prohibits health care providers from interviewing the person seeking guardianship or including their opinions in assessment reports. These changes apply to guardianships granted on or after May 7, 2025.
HB 228 amends Utah's vehicle title branding rules to clarify how damaged or salvaged vehicles are labeled. It defines terms like "rebuilt and restored" for salvaged vehicles that have been properly repaired and restored to safety standards. The bill requires Utah's Motor Vehicle Division to check a national database before issuing new titles, helping prevent fraud with vehicles from other states. These changes directly affect vehicle owners, dealers, and the state's title processing system by standardizing branding and improving title verification.
HB 186 amends Utah's Judicial Conduct Commission procedures to clarify when certain records are protected and establish new filing requirements. It requires prosecutors and the Administrative Office of the Courts to file complaints with the Commission under specific circumstances, while mandating the Commission annually report certain information to the Legislature. The bill also makes technical changes to existing law but does not appropriate funds or create new financial obligations. These provisions directly affect judges, prosecutors, court officials, and the Commission itself by defining complaint protocols and transparency requirements for judicial conduct matters.
