HB 577 creates a new state-law remedy in Utah for residents injured by government employees (federal, state, or local) who violate federal constitutional rights while acting under official authority. It allows victims to sue for compensatory damages, equitable relief, and attorney fees, but prohibits punitive damages and requires individuals to first pursue existing federal remedies like 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The law does not apply to lawsuits against government entities themselves and only takes effect for claims accruing after May 6, 2026. This bill directly affects Utah residents facing constitutional violations by public officials, providing an additional legal avenue when federal remedies are unavailable or insufficient.
This Utah bill prohibits state and local governments (cities, counties, and state agencies) from entering non-disclosure agreements with prospective data center developers - defined as facilities over 20 megawatts needing approvals or in negotiation. Any such agreement would be void, and governments must publicly post the full contract on their website within 30 days of signing (or court determination), keeping it online for five years. The law requires transparency by banning confidentiality clauses that prevent disclosure of data center negotiation terms. It applies to all government entities and ensures residents can seek court enforcement if agreements violate the law.
HB 478 updates Utah's landlord-tenant laws to clarify obligations for both landlords and renters. It requires landlords to provide 60 days' written notice before rent increases (except for month-to-month leases or low-income housing), disclose all fees and rent estimates upfront in writing, and limit late fees to $75 or 10% of rent, whichever is greater. The bill also mandates written move-in inspections and specifies that landlords must detail all non-rent costs (like utilities) before a lease is signed. These changes directly affect all residential landlords and renters in Utah by standardizing communication and financial disclosures in rental agreements.
SB 259 requires investigators, auditors, and prosecuting attorneys to sign sworn statements confirming evidence in felony cases was collected or disclosed lawfully under state and federal law. Specifically, it mandates that individuals obtaining evidence sign a statement verifying compliance with legal procedures, while prosecutors must sign a statement confirming they disclosed exculpatory evidence as required by law. These signed statements must include an unsworn declaration, and failing to comply is classified as a class A misdemeanor. The bill directly affects criminal justice professionals handling felony cases in Utah and takes effect May 6, 2026. It makes no changes to funding or other policy areas.
SB 303 amends Utah's expungement law to adjust eligibility rules for removing criminal records. It specifically clarifies that individuals with criminal protective orders, stalking injunctions, or civil protective orders may still qualify for expungement, and changes numerical limits that previously disqualified some applicants based on the number of offenses. The bill maintains the requirement that applicants must pay all fines and restitution before expungement can be granted. This affects people with criminal records seeking to have those records removed from public view, including those with certain protective orders in place.
HB 594 designates the week ending on the fourth Saturday of September as "State Trails Week" in Utah. This commemorative period aims to educate the public about trails' importance for recreation, public health, trail maintenance, and volunteer opportunities. The bill adds this week to Utah's existing list of annual commemorative periods under state code, making no new funding or program requirements. It directly affects all Utah residents by establishing an official observance period focused on trail awareness and community engagement.
SB 302 requires law enforcement officers to separately evaluate domestic violence complaints from opposing parties to identify the predominant physical aggressor before making arrests. If one person is determined the main aggressor, officers need not arrest the other alleged offender. The bill mandates that incident reports be provided to victims at no cost and that agencies forward reports to prosecutors within five days, while requiring a follow-up investigation within 48 hours if no arrest is made initially. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, domestic violence victims, and individuals accused of such offenses in cases involving mutual complaints.
SB 291 amends Utah's student transportation rules to expand eligibility for state-funded bus service. It defines "hazardous routes" (e.g., high-speed roads without sidewalks, multi-lane highways, or dangerous intersections) and creates new eligibility: students in kindergarten-grade 6 living ≥1.5 miles from school, or students in middle school (grades 6-12) living ≥2 miles away. Crucially, it adds eligibility for students in certain counties if their walking route is hazardous, regardless of distance. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund transportation for students on hazardous routes, requiring school districts to respond to parent petitions within 30 days. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 309 requires owners of single-family homes rented to register with local authorities, including property managers. It imposes an excise tax on owners who manage 25 or more rental homes and creates a grant program for municipalities to help transition rental properties to owner-occupied homes. The bill mandates that registration notices be included with 2026 property tax notices and requires the Division of Real Estate to share registered property data with county assessors. It affects rental property owners, local governments, and municipalities, with provisions set to take effect in 2026. The bill includes technical changes but does not appropriate funds for implementation.
SB 246 amends Utah's Homeless Services Board membership requirements to ensure local community representation when a new homeless services campus location is announced. Specifically, it requires the board to appoint a member who either lives within five miles of the campus (chosen by a community organization) or represents the west side of Salt Lake City (appointed by the Westside Coalition) within 30 days of the campus location being announced. This change directly affects the board's composition and communities near proposed campus sites. The bill makes technical adjustments to the board's structure but does not appropriate funding or alter service delivery. It focuses on procedural updates to governance rather than substantive policy changes.
HB 480 amends Utah's medical record laws to clarify abortion classifications. It defines "elective abortion" as one not needed for health reasons and "medically indicated abortion" as one required to save a woman's life, treat a pregnancy loss, or address serious health risks. The bill allows patients to request that their medical records reflect a prior abortion as "not elective" (i.e., medically necessary), and requires healthcare providers to update records upon such a request. These changes affect patients who have had abortions and the healthcare providers maintaining their records, with no new funding or major procedural shifts.
HB 455 allows peace officer and dispatcher applicants in Utah with expunged or dismissed criminal convictions to enter training programs and take certification exams under specific conditions. It directly affects individuals seeking these public safety roles who previously faced automatic disqualification due to cleared records. Key conditions include: no violent felony or sexual offense convictions, a minimum 10-year waiting period since conviction, and meeting other standard requirements like background checks. The bill amends Utah Code sections 53-6-203 and 53-6-302 to update eligibility standards for these positions.
