SB 265 amends the Uniform Community Property Disposition at Death Act to clarify surviving spouses' rights to community property owned with a deceased spouse. It ensures that a surviving community-property spouse automatically retains ownership of community property upon the spouse's death, unless the deceased spouse transferred it via a will or other means that explicitly gives it to a third party. The bill explicitly excludes property transferred through right of survivorship (like joint bank accounts) or revocable trusts from these rules. This affects surviving spouses in community property states who may otherwise face disputes over inherited assets.
SB 299 allows Utah candidates to use name variations like nicknames, middle names, or maiden names on ballots under specific conditions. To qualify, candidates must submit a written request by the candidacy deadline, along with their own sworn affidavit and affidavits from five non-family county residents confirming they are commonly known by the variation. The bill permits common variations (e.g., "J. Smith" instead of "John Smith" or "Mia" instead of "Maria") but prohibits offensive, misleading, or slogan-like names. This applies to all Utah election candidates seeking ballot access with a name different from their legal first and last name.
HB 501 requires secondary water suppliers (like cities or water districts providing non-culinary irrigation water) to install meters for all new commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential connections by specific deadlines (2020 for some counties, 2022 for others) and achieve full metering for all users by January 1, 2030. It mandates annual reporting to the Division of Water Resources on metered usage, service boundaries, and water sources, and restricts rate increases related to metering to 10% per year without justification. The bill also defines key terms like "secondary water" and "commercial user" to clarify coverage, and includes requirements for suppliers to develop and submit metering implementation plans by 2025. This affects water suppliers across Utah, particularly those serving non-agricultural or non-residential irrigation needs.
SB 297 clarifies who can provide mental health support in Utah public schools by updating definitions for "qualifying personnel" (including licensed school social workers, counselors, and psychologists) and "behavioral health support personnel" (non-licensed staff assisting students). It requires the State Board of Education to create guidance based on licensing rules from the Division of Professional Licensing, ensuring schools follow proper training and supervision standards. The bill also establishes how existing state funds for school-based mental health services must be distributed to school districts, with requirements for annual reporting and collaboration with local mental health authorities. It does not appropriate new money but specifies that funds cannot replace existing federal or state funding for mental health staff. The changes primarily affect public schools, school districts, and licensed mental health professionals working in educational settings.
HB 464 allows parents to serve as certified driver education instructors for their own children, eliminating the requirement for formal classroom instruction. Local schools must provide parents with materials to complete both classroom education and behind-the-wheel driving hours. This directly affects Utah parents of minor drivers seeking to fulfill state driver education requirements. The bill amends Utah Code sections governing learner permits and driver education to permit parent-led instruction under specific conditions.
HB 581 requires large public transit districts in Utah to gather information about implementing self-driving bus networks by November 2026. It directs the state Department of Transportation to similarly collect data on autonomous vehicle technology, including costs, timelines, and potential benefits. The bill defines key terms like "driverless operation" and "automated driving systems" to clarify future regulations. These information requests aim to inform state decisions about self-driving transit systems without creating new funding or requirements.
HB 548 clarifies when Utah municipalities and special districts must hold primary elections for local offices. It requires a primary election if candidates exceed twice but not more than three times the number of seats available, and mandates one if candidates exceed three times the number of seats. The bill also specifies conditions under which special districts may hold primaries and makes minor technical updates to election procedures. These changes apply directly to cities, towns, and special districts managing local elections, without adding new funding or altering voter eligibility.
SB 322 creates a regulatory sandbox in Utah public schools to safely test educational AI tools under new safety standards. It directly affects public schools, educators, students, and edtech vendors by requiring safety testing, parental opt-out rights, and prohibitions against AI simulating personal relationships with students. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based evaluations, transparency requirements for vendors, integration with existing student data privacy laws (Title 53E), and a five-year sunset. The bill establishes new oversight through an Education Technology Advisory Council and limits the State Board of Education’s role in approving pilot programs.
HB 518 modifies Utah's social studies curriculum requirements for K-12 public schools. It mandates that American constitutional government and citizenship be taught as separate semester courses, and requires U.S. history to be taught as two distinct semester courses. The bill also prohibits students from repeating the same semester course for graduation, requires literacy coaches to integrate social studies content into literacy instruction, and mandates regular social studies instruction in elementary grades. Implementation must occur by July 1, 2031, and the bill repeals an adult education citizenship test.
HB 534 adds legal immunity for property owners, tenants, and government entities when accidental firearm discharges occur on their property under lawful conditions. It expands immunity to include businesses and legal entities (not just individuals) who allow lawful firearm possession on their property, and grants similar immunity to government properties where firearm use complies with policy. The bill explicitly excludes immunity if the property owner or government official actively encouraged or aided a discharge for an unlawful purpose. This changes liability rules for accidental shootings but does not alter firearm laws or require new funding.
HB 168 creates the Poaching Mitigation Fund to use restitution from poaching violations for anti-poaching efforts like education programs, wildlife crime detection equipment, and law enforcement training. It modifies the Guide and Outfitter Fund to allow the Division of Law Enforcement to use its money for wildlife enforcement, removes outdated references to "spotters," and updates definitions for guides and outfitters. The bill also clarifies rules about the number of people allowed to provide guide services, addresses unlawful aircraft activity during hunting/fishing, and requires reimbursement for investigatory expenses related to violations. These changes directly affect wildlife law enforcement, licensed guides/outfitters, and individuals violating hunting/fishing regulations. The bill makes technical updates to Utah code sections without appropriating new funds.
HB 154 directs Utah's Division of Water Resources to study water loss in public water systems from 2015 to 2024, compiling data on system size and analyzing industry practices for both public systems and end-use losses. The study requires the division to make recommendations for improving water loss estimates and reducing actual water losses. The division must report findings to the Legislative Water Development Commission by October 31, 2026. The bill also repeals related provisions by July 1, 2027, with most provisions effective May 6, 2026.
