HB 214 makes it harder to sue firearm sellers, manufacturers, and trade associations by requiring courts to dismiss certain lawsuits that don’t meet specific standards. It prevents local governments from imposing additional liability on these businesses and allows winning defendants to recover legal costs. The bill excludes claims about negligent entrustment, product defects when firearms are used properly, or violations of gun laws from being sued over. It directly affects firearm sellers, manufacturers, and trade associations by limiting their civil liability in most cases. The bill contains no new funding requirements.
SB 151 modifies how Utah allocates insurance premium tax revenue to fund public safety. It directs $5 million in FY 2027 toward firefighter retirement programs and creates a new Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Account to fund hiring new Highway Patrol troopers through annual transfers from insurance tax revenue. The bill clarifies funding priorities for firefighter retirement, requires the state to notify lawmakers if excess revenue is collected, and repeals outdated provisions. These changes directly affect firefighters' retirement benefits and Highway Patrol staffing levels.
HB 164 requires health care providers to give patients written information about reporting unprofessional or unlawful conduct to Utah's Division of Professional Licensing before patients sign any nondisclosure agreement. It makes such agreements legally unenforceable unless the provider first provides a standardized model notice explaining how to file a complaint. The bill directs the Division to create and publish this notice online, including details on what constitutes misconduct and the reporting process. This affects patients seeking to report provider misconduct and health care providers using nondisclosure clauses, effective May 6, 2026.
HB 416 creates the Firefighter Cancer Benefit Trust Fund to provide financial support for firefighters diagnosed with cancer presumed to be work-related. The bill redirects existing revenue from property and life insurance premiums (specifically 50% of the first $4 million from property insurance tax and 10% of the first $1 million from life insurance tax) to fund this trust, replacing prior allocations. The trust fund, administered by an 11-member board (including firefighters, fire chiefs, medical experts, and officials), will cover benefits for affected firefighters and their families, with assets protected from creditor claims. This bill modifies tax distribution rules without new appropriations, directly affecting Utah firefighters with presumptive cancer diagnoses under existing law.
HB 136 modifies Utah's laws for drivers without a valid license, permit, or privilege card. It clarifies when police must impound vehicles (e.g., if an unlicensed driver is caught, with exceptions like expired licenses or public safety concerns), allows certain fees to be waived in specific situations, and adjusts penalties for driving without a license. The bill also defines key terms like "driving credential" and updates procedures for identifying unlicensed operators. These changes directly affect unlicensed drivers and law enforcement officers handling such violations.
HB 139 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting female genital mutilation (FGM), meaning prosecutors can pursue cases at any time regardless of when the offense occurred. It also repeals a requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services to create a community education program about FGM. The bill directly affects individuals who commit FGM and law enforcement by changing how these cases can be prosecuted. These changes amend Utah Code Section 76-1-301 to include FGM under offenses with no time limit for prosecution and remove the education program mandate. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
This bill requires Utah healthcare facilities to provide parents or legal guardians full access to minors' electronic medical records, unless exceptions apply (such as a minor's consent for specific treatments, a court order, or if the parent isn't legally authorized under state/federal law). It mandates electronic health record vendors to ensure systems support this access and authorizes the attorney general to enforce compliance with fines up to $10,000 per day. Facilities must also provide paper records free of charge upon request if electronic access is restricted. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, and aligns with federal privacy standards.
HB 178 removes a requirement that courts order drivers convicted of speeding in school zones (21+ MPH) to perform compensatory service observing a crossing guard. This change applies to both first offenses at 30+ MPH and repeat offenses within three years. The bill does not alter existing fine schedules for speeding violations (e.g., $260 for 21-29 MPH) or speed limits. It makes only technical updates to Utah’s school zone speeding penalty law, with no new costs or policy changes beyond eliminating this specific service requirement.
HB 195 extends the state treasurer's requirement to study precious metals' role in economic security for 2026-2027, mandating annual reports to the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee. It requires the state treasurer to issue requests for proposals seeking a vendor to create a gold/silver-backed electronic payment system, where physical precious metals held in Utah vaults would back transactions. The system would allow state contractors to receive payments electronically and redeem physical metals, though participation is voluntary for both contractors and state entities. The bill modifies existing investment rules for public funds and sets no new spending, focusing on procedural steps for potential future implementation.
HB 448 amends the governance, operations, and relationships of Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind (USDB). It clarifies USDB's mission, requires standardized student counting, mandates data reporting to the State Board of Education, and establishes procedures for when USDB replaces a student's local school district as their primary education provider. The bill affects USDB students, local education agencies (LEAs), the State Board of Education, and USDB's advisory council by defining operational responsibilities and data transparency requirements. It makes no new funding commitments but updates administrative processes for USDB's educational and financial coordination with school districts.
HB 190 expands Utah's tax credit for employers providing child care by increasing the credit rate for small businesses to 30% (from 10%) of eligible child care costs and allowing credits for off-site child care facilities employers don't own. It removes a previous requirement that employers must have claimed a construction-related credit to qualify for the child care credit. The bill directly affects Utah employers who provide child care for employees, particularly small businesses meeting IRS Section 45F criteria. The changes apply retroactively and make no new state funding appropriations.
HB 269 amends Utah's ambulance payment rules to directly affect ambulance providers and health insurers or workers' compensation carriers. It requires the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services to annually adjust base rates based on medical inflation, explicitly includes medication costs in the base rate (previously excluded), and allows providers to collect both base rates and mileage fees. The bill also clarifies that health plans must pay providers directly for covered ambulance services without balance billing for uncovered portions. These changes take effect January 1, 2027, with no new state funding required.
