SB 146 modifies Utah's rules for reusing industrial byproducts like construction debris, ash, or mineral residues. It allows any project (not just public projects) to use an approved byproduct if the Waste Management Division director approves its reuse application. The bill exempts approved byproducts from requiring health risk assessments, ecological studies, or environmental covenants. It repeals an older restriction that limited reuse to public projects and updates definitions for clarity. This change affects businesses and contractors seeking to reuse industrial waste materials in construction or infrastructure projects.
SB 18 makes minor technical corrections to existing Utah criminal code sections without changing substantive laws. It fixes outdated references in dangerous weapon sale rules, corrects numbering errors in sexual battery statutes, and adds a missing penalty for distributing harmful material to minors. The bill also updates offense names for public assistance fraud and patterns of unlawful activity to align with current legal references. These changes ensure the criminal code remains accurate and consistent but do not create new offenses or alter penalties. The bill requires no funding and has no direct impact on citizens or law enforcement procedures.
HB 20 creates a new "Corrections Facility Expansion Restricted Account" within Utah's General Fund to specifically fund the expansion of existing or construction of new state correctional facilities. The account would be funded by portions of new appropriations for capital facility costs, one-time savings from population-related fiscal impacts (starting Year 2), interest earnings, and future legislative appropriations. This bill directly affects the Utah Department of Corrections by establishing a dedicated funding mechanism for facility infrastructure, while prohibiting the use of these funds for any other purpose. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, unless passed by a two-thirds vote with specific timing requirements.
SB 22 clarifies who can supervise a minor with a learner permit while driving in Utah. It explicitly allows stepparents and foster parents to supervise, adding them to the list of eligible supervisors alongside parents, legal guardians, and approved instructors. This change affects Utah minors aged 15-17 who hold a learner permit and need a licensed adult in the front seat to drive. The bill amends Utah Code sections 53-3-204 and 53-3-210.5 to include these definitions and provisions, with no new funding or significant policy changes beyond the supervisor eligibility.
HB 26 amends Utah's voting equipment rules to enhance security and standardize procurement. It bans wireless communication in all voting machines (except electronic pollbooks), repeals outdated ranked-choice voting certification rules, and requires election officials to purchase only equipment selected by the lieutenant governor's new voting equipment system. The bill creates a Voting Equipment Selection Committee to help the lieutenant governor evaluate and procure secure voting systems that meet mechanical ballot requirements. These changes directly affect election officials, vendors, and voters by standardizing equipment security and procurement processes.
SB 35 extends the expiration date of Utah's Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Pilot Program from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2031. It also prohibits individuals who previously worked for the Division of Child and Family Services from joining the program for one year after leaving that agency. The program provides parental representation liaisons (with specific educational backgrounds) to help parents navigate child welfare cases. These changes are limited to the program's timeline and employment rules, with no new funding appropriated.
SB 33 repeals a requirement that individuals or groups seeking to regulate a new occupation must first submit an application for "sunrise review" to Utah's Office of Professional Licensure Review before introducing related legislation. This change directly affects anyone proposing to regulate a new occupation, such as professionals or trades, by removing a pre-legislative review step. The bill eliminates the need for an application describing public safety concerns and the least restrictive regulation, along with a $500 fee, which previously had to be submitted before introducing such bills. The repeal takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no funding changes or additional provisions.
HB 93 creates the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area on state-owned lands near the Great Salt Lake, designated for conservation and public use. The bill authorizes the Wildlife Board to manage this area to protect waterfowl and other wildlife habitat, enhance wetland ecosystems, and provide recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. It directly affects the Wildlife Board (which will manage the area) and the public who access the site for outdoor activities. The bill makes technical updates to existing Utah law (23A-6-403 and 23A-12-301) to formally establish the area without appropriating new funds.
HB 356 clarifies Utah's rules for the federal 340B drug discount program, which provides discounted medications to eligible healthcare organizations. It defines key terms like "340B covered entity" (e.g., hospitals or clinics participating in the federal program) and prohibits drug manufacturers from restricting contracts between pharmacies and these entities or requiring excessive data sharing beyond federal requirements. The bill directly affects 340B-covered entities, pharmacies, and drug manufacturers by ensuring they cannot interfere with program participation or impose unnecessary conditions. It makes technical updates to Utah law without new funding, aligning state rules with federal program standards.
HB 12 amends Utah's definition of "recreational infrastructure project" to explicitly include trail/facility improvements and equipment acquisitions that enhance access for disabled or adaptive users. This change directly affects state parks, outdoor recreation projects, and grant applicants seeking funding under existing infrastructure programs. The key mechanism expands eligibility for infrastructure grants by adding specific language to the definition, ensuring accessibility upgrades qualify for funding. The bill makes no new funding commitments but clarifies what projects can be supported through current grant processes. It takes effect May 6, 2026.
HB 11 amends Utah’s law regarding searches for dyed diesel fuel violations. It clarifies that government officials (including law enforcement) may only inspect a vehicle’s fuel for such violations if they have probable cause, the vehicle owner’s consent, or are conducting a search at a port-of-entry. Crucially, the bill states that simply observing a diesel-powered vehicle on a highway does not create sufficient probable cause for an inspection. This change directly affects law enforcement officers and vehicle owners by setting clear limits on when fuel inspections can occur. The amendment does not alter the underlying prohibition on using dyed diesel on highways or the associated penalties.
HB 19 requires community water systems serving 3,300 or more people to create and update emergency response plans by December 2026 (with annual updates), while smaller systems must do so by July 2027. It mandates that any security breach threatening water quality or supply must be reported to the Utah Cyber Center within two hours. The bill also requires the Division of Drinking Water to annually report on security practices to legislative committees and classifies emergency response plans as protected records. These provisions aim to strengthen cybersecurity and emergency preparedness at drinking water facilities across Utah.
