Utah Bills

HB 531 updates Utah's licensing requirements for substance use disorder counselors, directly affecting individuals seeking to become master addiction counselors, associate master addiction counselors, or advanced substance use disorder counselors. The bill modifies education, training, and experience standards, requiring specific degrees (like a master's in substance use disorders), 1,200 hours of direct client care (with at least 100 hours under direct clinical supervision), and two hours of approved suicide prevention training. It also allows applicants to use current national certifications (such as from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals) to meet some requirements instead of completing state-specific steps. The changes take effect on May 7, 2025.

SB 193 requires annual Medicaid rate increases for certain providers, including Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and behavioral health plans, based on Utah's General Fund growth factor. The bill establishes a formula: if growth is below 100%, rates stay level; between 100-102%, rates increase by the growth factor; and above 102%, rates increase by 102% through 2026, then align with growth starting in 2027. It coordinates with another bill (SB 246) to clarify which legislation takes effect if both pass. The bill modifies existing budget processes but does not appropriate new funds, affecting providers who serve Medicaid beneficiaries.

HB 450 (Victim Privacy Amendments) allows crime victims to request that their initials - not full names - appear in publicly available criminal justice documents like court records. This protects victims' privacy by preventing their full identities from being easily accessible online or in public files. The bill also requires a searchable database of victim names (accessible only via court order) and classifies victim names as protected records under Utah’s Government Records Act. It directly affects individuals who are crime victims and appear in court documents, providing a practical privacy measure without altering criminal procedures.

HB 558 updates Utah's drug testing rules for local governments and state institutions of higher education. It adds oral fluid to the list of acceptable samples (along with blood, breath, hair, and urine) for testing employees and volunteers. The bill also allows local entities to use collection methods approved by independent bodies instead of requiring a separate independent collector for sample handling. These changes directly affect employees and volunteers working for counties, cities, school districts, or similar local government entities.

SB 114 creates a program offering Utah-resident veterans a discounted annual state park pass at a minimum 25% reduction from the standard day-use pass price. It directly affects veterans who are honorably discharged (with service-connected disability ratings) or generally honorably discharged from military service. The bill appropriates $300,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund this program through the Division of State Parks, with automatic repeal scheduled for 2028. This replaces a prior pilot program and establishes clear eligibility criteria and funding mechanisms for veteran access to state parks.

SB 67 allows certain local governments in Utah to impose a new sales and use tax specifically to fund emergency services, such as fire or ambulance services. It sets requirements for this tax based on the rate imposed and outlines how revenue must be administered, collected, and distributed. The bill also repeals an existing tax that allowed some rural counties to fund emergency medical services through a health care facilities tax. This legislation modifies existing tax code sections without appropriating new state funds, focusing on local government authority and tax administration for emergency services.

SB 124 requires Utah state agencies to procure only electric-powered landscape maintenance equipment (like mowers or trimmers) for use at state facilities located in counties with 200,000+ residents as of 2020, provided the facility needs less than 50,000 square feet of landscaping. The law defines key terms like "landscape maintenance equipment" and specifies exemptions for terrain challenges (e.g., steep slopes) or emergencies where electric equipment is impractical. This applies directly to state government facilities meeting the population and size criteria, effective May 2025. The bill contains no funding changes or additional requirements beyond these procurement conditions.

SB 183 requires Utah's Department of Corrections to offer an optional financial literacy class to inmates, focusing on saving and managing money earned through employment (including during incarceration). The bill mandates that the department maintain educational records for inmates and facilitate transferring these records to post-release entities like schools or employers. It also requires annual reports to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee on program participation, completion rates, and potential impacts on recidivism. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals in Utah correctional facilities by providing financial skills training and improving educational continuity after release.

SB 32 modifies Utah's class size reduction program by gradually narrowing the grade levels covered, shifting from kindergarten through grade 8 (2024-2025) to kindergarten through grade 3 (2028-2029 and beyond). It requires 50% of funds to be used specifically for reducing class sizes in kindergarten through grade 3, with an emphasis on improving student reading skills. The bill expands allowable uses of funds to include instructional coaches, reading specialists, special education staff, English learner staff, and paraprofessionals for targeted instruction. School districts must establish public policies defining minimum teacher-to-student ratios for each grade level and report on compliance.

SB 88 creates a temporary 3-year pilot program (ending July 1, 2027) to reimburse Utah public schools for holding Veterans Day assemblies that include educational activities about veterans' service. It appropriates $960,000 from the Income Tax Fund for fiscal year 2026 to cover these reimbursements. Schools must submit proposals detailing how assemblies incorporated curriculum on veterans' service, and the State Board of Education will share best practices online. The bill directly affects Utah Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that hold qualifying Veterans Day assemblies during the 2025-2027 school years.

HB 454 bars Utah cities from charging general fees for broadband internet service (with existing fees requiring repeal by July 2027) and towns from imposing general fees for public safety services (like police or fire), except for pre-2025 fees or volunteer services. It establishes a new process for municipalities to impose transportation utility fees for road projects, requiring studies, public referendums for fee increases, and prohibiting fees based solely on property ownership or parcel size. Religious organizations' property may be exempt from these transportation fees under specific conditions. The bill does not appropriate funds or alter existing taxes.

This resolution (HR 4) is a symbolic gesture urging the U.S. Postal Service to consider issuing a commemorative stamp honoring Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon. It highlights her historic role as Utah's first woman state senator (and the first woman state senator in U.S. history) and her advocacy for education, health, and women's rights. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect any individuals or entities - it simply recommends the Postal Service recognize her contributions. The bill is purely commemorative with no legislative impact beyond expressing support for the stamp.