SB 284 modifies Utah's local land use regulations to streamline processes for cities, counties, and property developers. It directly affects municipal planning commissions, local governments, and residents seeking to build or modify properties by requiring counties to act if planning commissions miss deadlines, clarifying appeal procedures, and mandating that certain municipalities allow detached accessory dwelling units (like backyard cottages) as permitted uses in specific zones. Key changes include updating standards for regulating building heights, simplifying business use approvals, and altering how land use decisions are reviewed for fairness. The bill makes these adjustments without appropriating new funds or changing existing infrastructure fee requirements.
SB 88 amends Utah's public school internet policies to require school boards to adopt specific procedures. It directly affects public schools, parents, and students by mandating that school boards: (1) adopt policies restricting obscene content, (2) implement a parent-accessible monitoring system for student device activity, and (3) use a preapproved content filtering system when parents request it. The bill also requires school boards to review policies every three years and post them visibly in schools. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.
HB 306 amends Utah's rules for homeowners' associations (HOAs) regarding reinvestment fees charged during property transfers. It directly affects HOAs that collect these fees, requiring them to deposit 50% of each reinvestment fee into reserve funds. The bill also clarifies which expenses (like infrastructure maintenance or facilities) HOAs can cover with these fees, sets limits on fee amounts, and mandates that HOAs provide specific fee details when registering with the Department of Commerce. These changes aim to ensure transparency and proper fund allocation for association infrastructure.
HB 333 clarifies that adoption record access applies to all adoptions in Utah and allows birth parents (pre-existing parents) to petition a court to keep adoption records sealed after an adoptee turns 18. Adult adoptees (18+) can automatically access their original birth certificate, adoption report, findings of fact, and final decree without a court order. Birth parents may request a 10-year sealing extension of these records if they provide sworn evidence of reasonable fear of harm from the adoptee. The bill amends Utah Code § 81-13-103 and takes effect on May 6, 2026.
HB 324 removes a $400,000 annual cap on funds the Utah Marriage Commission receives from county marriage license fees. It affects county clerks who collect marriage license fees, as they must now send all funds above $400,000 from these fees directly to the state General Fund instead of capping them for the Commission. The bill does not change existing $10 contributions for Children's Legal Defense or domestic violence shelters, which remain unchanged. This is a technical adjustment to fee distribution rules without creating new fees or altering other provisions.
HB 377 amends Utah's real estate licensing rules to clarify and streamline regulations for brokers and property managers. It creates a "dual broker" license, allowing a principal broker to operate a separate property management company without needing a second property management license. The bill also sets new requirements: property managers employed by entities needing broker affiliation must affiliate with a principal broker, while others do not, and updates rules for handling client funds and brokerage record-keeping. These changes affect real estate brokers, property managers, and the Division of Real Estate, which gains authority to create related licensing rules.
This bill makes permanent a budgeting mechanism that adjusts Medicaid reimbursement rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services based on Utah's General Fund revenue growth. It ensures ABA providers receive rate increases tied to the state's budget growth factor (e.g., 100% if growth is below 100%, or 102% if growth is 102% or higher). The policy directly affects Medicaid providers delivering ABA services to beneficiaries and ensures these rates stay aligned with reimbursement for similar services under Medicaid managed care plans. The bill does not appropriate new funding but modifies how existing funds are allocated to maintain these rate adjustments.
SB 192 updates procedures for the Legislative Management Committee (LMC), clarifying its role in overseeing workplace harassment and discrimination policies. It requires annual rotation of the LMC chair and vice-chair between the Senate President and House Speaker, mandates quarterly meetings, and grants the Senate President and House Speaker joint authority to break committee ties. These changes directly affect how the LMC governs legislative operations and committee workflows. The bill focuses solely on procedural adjustments to committee management, with no substantive policy changes to laws or regulations.
HB 273 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence use in public schools, directly affecting all Utah public schools, teachers, and students. Key provisions include adding artificial intelligence standards to core computer science curriculum, establishing grade-level technology use requirements, creating a model for balanced technology integration, and allowing high schools to offer AI-focused "sandbox" courses. The bill also mandates reporting on implementation and exempts certain student groups from grade-level tech requirements, with no new state funding allocated.
This bill updates Utah election laws to clarify how voter registration information is classified and shared. It allows voters who previously had private registration records to reclassify them as public unless they take steps to maintain privacy, and requires election officials to notify affected voters about this change. The legislation also adds new protections against unauthorized access to voter lists, requires the lieutenant governor to publish data on at-risk voters, and modifies how ballot titles are prepared for constitutional amendments. These changes affect all Utah voters, election officials, and political organizations that handle voter registration data.
HB 280 regulates third-party litigation funding in Utah by creating clear distinctions between funding for individuals ("consumer maintenance") and businesses ("commercial maintenance"). It extends consumers' right to cancel funding agreements (rescission), restricts foreign entities from providing such funding, and prohibits funding providers from influencing case decisions or settlements. The bill also requires businesses to disclose outcome-based funding agreements in court and holds funding providers jointly liable for costs if a case fails. These changes primarily affect individuals in personal injury or wrongful death cases and businesses using litigation funding, aiming to increase transparency and protect consumers from predatory practices.
SB 175 updates Utah's health insurance requirements for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coverage. It requires health benefit plans to cover ASD treatment - including applied behavior analysis - and expands the list of qualified providers (like psychologists and social workers) eligible for reimbursement for diagnosis and treatment. The bill also removes outdated language about preexisting conditions and clarifies definitions for ASD diagnosis and treatment under Utah law. These changes directly affect health insurance plans sold in Utah's individual and large group markets, ensuring coverage for children aged 2-10 years with ASD. The law amends specific Utah Code sections (26B-3-904 and 31A-22-642) without appropriating new funds.
