HB 535 modifies Utah's rules for how local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) can sell or transfer publicly owned property. It requires local entities to first determine if property qualifies as a "significant parcel," and if so, obtain public approval for its sale during a formal meeting. The bill also clarifies that school districts can sell surplus property under specific conditions if no other buyer purchases it within a set timeframe, and repeals a minor criminal penalty related to property disposal. These changes aim to standardize and increase transparency in public property sales across Utah jurisdictions.
HB 450 amends Utah's Government Data Privacy Act and Government Records Access and Management Act to strengthen state data privacy oversight. It restructures the Utah Privacy Commission to include state agencies, cities, counties, and education representatives, transfers oversight to a new Utah Office of Data Privacy, and creates a data privacy ombudsman to handle complaints. The bill requires joint studies on government use of passive data collection technology and removes duplicative rules while expanding correction procedures beyond personal data. These changes directly affect Utah state and local government entities that collect or manage public data.
SB 73 requires online platforms providing content deemed harmful to minors to implement age verification systems. It imposes an excise tax on these platforms, with revenues funding mental health programs and enforcement through the Division of Consumer Protection. The bill creates two dedicated accounts for these funds and grants the Division authority to investigate violations, impose fines, and establish verification standards. Platforms failing to comply face civil penalties, while approved verification methods receive a safe harbor from liability.
HB 145 amends Utah's definition of "valid excuse" for school absences to include participation in specific extracurricular clubs. It explicitly adds mountain biking, shooting sports, and Utah State University-administered youth development programs (focused on agriculture, STEM, leadership, etc.) to the list of activities that qualify as a valid excuse. This directly affects public school students in Utah who participate in these clubs, allowing them to miss school for club-related events without being marked truant. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and makes only technical changes to the existing code.
HB 129 amends Utah's education governance structure, directly affecting the State Board of Education, the state superintendent of public instruction, and local school districts. It clarifies the state superintendent's appointment process, duties, and reporting lines (including requiring the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind superintendent to report to the state superintendent). The bill also defines terms, adjusts the scope of authority for state board employees, and specifies how local education agencies relate to state-level leadership. These changes are procedural updates to existing education code without new funding or major policy shifts.
HB 194 establishes new ethics standards and complaint procedures for Utah's State Board of Education members. The bill creates a code of conduct requiring members to disclose conflicts of interest, avoid using official positions for personal gain, and follow specific rules about outside employment. It also sets up an independent ethics commission - appointed by board leadership - to investigate complaints, hold hearings with due process protections, and recommend disciplinary actions for violations. These rules directly affect elected members of the State Board of Education, who serve part-time while maintaining other careers. The bill does not appropriate new funding or change existing laws beyond the specified ethics provisions.
HB 146 removes the word "Pilot" from Utah's Mentoring and Supporting Teacher Excellence and Refinement Program, making it a permanent program instead of a temporary initiative. The bill affects school districts and teachers participating in the program, which provides funding to support teacher leadership roles like mentoring peers and developing instructional skills outside standard pay structures. Key changes include updating program descriptions in state law to reflect its permanent status and adjusting related administrative references. No new funding is provided, as the bill only makes technical revisions to the existing program framework.
HB 393 creates a two-year pilot program to screen for dyslexia in Utah schools. It requires the University of Utah College of Education and Education Policy Center to develop a dyslexia screening tool and provides resources to school districts and charter schools. The program mandates reporting to the Education Interim Committee and will end on July 1, 2027. The bill amends education code sections but does not appropriate state funds.
SB 181 sets safety standards for school seclusion rooms (locked or isolated areas used for student discipline) and creates a one-time grant program to help schools upgrade existing rooms. It requires minimum physical standards (room size, lighting, ventilation, unbreakable windows), mandates audio/video recording during seclusion with one-year retention, and prohibits dangerous objects. The grant program requires local schools to provide matching funds for compliance but forbids using funds to build new seclusion rooms. The bill directly affects Utah public and private K-12 schools, their staff, and students subjected to seclusion, integrating these standards into existing school policies and reporting requirements.
HB 357 updates Utah's privacy law to cover data collected by motor vehicles. It requires car manufacturers to add privacy controls in vehicles, exempts safety data (like speed or braking) from needing driver consent, and mandates the Motor Vehicle Division to inform drivers about their privacy rights. The law directly affects car manufacturers and applies to personal data collected from drivers through their vehicles. This creates new transparency requirements for vehicle data while allowing safety-related information to be used without explicit permission.
SB 77 amends Utah's laws to enhance concurrent enrollment courses for students who have passed foreign language Advanced Placement exams and extend proficiency assessments for dual language immersion programs. The bill requires universities to offer upper-level language courses in person or through blended learning models, taught exclusively by instructors with specific qualifications (such as a master's degree or advanced language proficiency). It extends the current proficiency assessment for dual language immersion students to cover grades 3 through 12 and allows school districts to partner with universities outside their service area if qualified instructors are unavailable. These changes directly affect accelerated language students, universities, school districts, and instructors involved in these programs.
HB 336 clarifies that "recovery operations" (specialized towing for disabled, overturned, or environmentally hazardous vehicles) are distinct from standard towing. It requires car insurance companies to pay recovery operators directly for services - before paying the vehicle owner - within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice. The bill also mandates insurers to verify that tow truck companies performing recovery operations are qualified and establishes a dispute resolution process through the Motor Carrier Advisory Board. This directly affects insurers, specialized towing services, and vehicle owners involved in complex recovery situations.
