HB 444 amends Utah's rules for managing minor public access roads (class D roads) on state and school trust lands. It requires the state to identify and record these roads with county offices by specific deadlines (e.g., January 5, 2026, for certain counties), creates a formal process for abandoning roads (including mandatory public meetings), and ensures existing utility access rights remain protected. The bill also expands road closure rules to cover roads on public university or government property. These changes affect counties, landowners, and utility providers by clarifying procedures for road maintenance and access without appropriating new funds.
HB 144 amends Utah's school community council rules to remove outdated requirements, including digital citizenship standards, parent members who are school employees, and the development of safety principles. It adds new requirements for councils to receive annual reports on school safety practices and document specific votes. The bill directly affects school community councils in Utah public schools, which include parent and school employee members (like principals) who advise on school programs and resource use. These changes streamline council operations by eliminating certain duties while clarifying reporting and documentation processes.
HB 445 restricts counties from acquiring real property located in another county through purchase, lease, or exchange without two conditions: (1) express permission from the county where the property is situated, and (2) the acquisition must be part of a joint effort under an interlocal agreement. This applies to all counties seeking to buy or lease land outside their own boundaries. The bill also clarifies that property owned by a county but located outside its borders is subject to Utah’s Property Tax Act and not exempt from taxation. These changes amend several Utah Code sections to formalize cross-county land acquisition rules and ensure tax compliance.
HB 390 authorizes Utah's Huntsman Mental Health Institute to conduct a clinical study on the safety and feasibility of psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD (veterans whose PTSD hasn't improved with standard treatments). The bill permits Huntsman to accept donations and grants to fund the study, requiring combined legislative appropriations and donations to reach a sufficient threshold by January 1, 2027, to begin the research. Huntsman must report findings to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee and will return unused donations by July 1, 2032. The study must comply with federal and state regulations, including FDA oversight and safety protocols for administering psychedelic drugs like MDMA or psilocybin in controlled settings. The bill makes no direct funding appropriation and focuses solely on enabling this specific research initiative.
This bill amends the Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office by updating the list of state agencies and institutions that must be represented on its board. It clarifies which entities, such as universities, hospitals, and public facilities, are included and specifies who represents each one. The update also reaffirms the rights of trust beneficiaries under existing state law. This change ensures the office continues to include relevant state stakeholders in its governance structure.
HB 44 updates Utah school safety standards for security personnel. It allows county security chiefs to approve private companies to train school safety staff, requires school districts to provide panic alert devices for certain personnel, and expands the definition of "armed school security guard" to include special function officers. The bill also clarifies rules for school guardians carrying firearms on duty, establishes protocols for using deadly force, and mandates annual/biannual training on firearm safety, de-escalation, and emergency response. These changes directly affect school security personnel, county security chiefs, and local school districts across Utah.
SB 52 removes the requirement for a teaching license for long-term substitute teachers in Utah school districts. This change directly affects school districts hiring substitutes and non-licensed individuals seeking long-term substitute roles. The bill eliminates the previous restriction limiting non-licensed substitutes to 20 days per school year, while maintaining background checks and requiring districts to prioritize licensed educators when available. It amends Utah Code Section 53E-6-901 and takes effect May 6, 2026.
HB 84 repeals a prior restriction on carrying firearms at Utah's public colleges and universities. It allows individuals aged 18 to 20 without concealed carry permits to carry **unloaded** firearms openly on campus grounds, but prohibits them from carrying **loaded** firearms there. The bill clarifies that 18-20 year olds may carry unloaded firearms in any public location not prohibited by law, while maintaining existing rules for other age groups and locations. These changes apply specifically to state-run higher education institutions in Utah.
SB 58 requires public schools to address chronic absenteeism and academic needs through specific, funded programs. School principals must provide written compliance assurances, and school councils must create detailed plans using allocated funds to target the school’s most critical academic needs and absenteeism. These plans must include specific programs, materials, or staff training (like attendance plans, academic recovery programs, and staff development) with measurable goals for improving student performance. The bill directly affects public schools, their councils, and principals by mandating structured, accountable approaches to attendance and academic improvement.
HB 36 creates a three-year Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program administered by Utah's State Board of Education. It designates elementary schools in counties of the fourth, fifth, or sixth class (serving grades K-6) as eligible to receive a "Gold medal recognition award" for meeting physical education standards set by the board. The program includes reporting requirements and is scheduled to sunset after three years, with no funding appropriated. This pilot aims to recognize schools meeting specific physical education criteria but does not establish ongoing funding or permanent standards.
SB 54 amends Utah's Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program to make it more accessible. It removes income-based eligibility requirements (affecting low-income families) and eliminates eligibility for siblings. The bill aligns the program with Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program by allowing scholarship organizations to approve private schools and providers, requiring physical education and extracurricular caps, and adding primary residency verification. These changes streamline administration and clarify eligibility without appropriating new funds.
SB 51 creates a statewide system for Utah schools to share information about student threats. Local schools (LEAs) must report specific threat-related data to the State Board of Education, which can then share this information with other schools to improve safety coordination. The bill includes privacy protections for students, immunity for schools reporting in good faith, and clear rules for data collection and deletion. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.
