HB 154 modifies Utah's punitive damages rules for DUI cases, requiring the state's share of certain punitive damages to fund victim services. Specifically, it directs that after May 7, 2025, the state's portion (50% of punitive damages exceeding $50,000) from DUI-related judgments must be deposited into the Victims Services Restricted Account. This applies only to cases involving driving under the influence, not general punitive damages. Funds will support victim services like domestic violence programs and Children's Justice Centers. The bill does not change punitive damages standards but redirects existing state funds to victim assistance.
HB 322 requires parents or guardians to establish financial trusts for minors featured in social media content who meet specific earning thresholds (e.g., appearing in 30%+ of a creator’s content with $150,000+ annual income from that content). It mandates content creators to track minor-related earnings, deposit a portion into these trusts, and maintain records. The bill grants minors the right to request deletion of their content from social media and to pursue legal action if rights are violated, while establishing clear definitions for terms like "qualifying minor" and "market value compensated minor." These provisions apply specifically to minors in social media content meeting the defined criteria, not all child performers.
HB 119 prevents homeowners associations (HOAs) from banning solar panel installations on most residential properties. It allows HOAs to impose limited restrictions on panel size, placement, or appearance (e.g., matching roof color) only if the changes reduce energy production by 5% or less and increase installation costs by 5% or less. For attached homes (like townhouses), all neighboring lot owners must agree to solar installations. The bill also requires solar systems to meet safety standards and not visibly disrupt neighborhood aesthetics (e.g., not extending above roof lines), while prohibiting HOAs from adding new installation bans without 67% owner approval. This directly affects homeowners in HOAs seeking to install solar energy systems.
HB 279, the Earned Wage Access Services Act, regulates companies that allow workers to access earned but unpaid wages (like salary or hourly pay) before their regular payday. It requires these companies to register with Utah’s Division of Consumer Protection, clearly disclose fees to workers, and follow complaint procedures. The law exempts these services from standard financial regulations (like those for banks) but mandates consumer protections. It directly affects workers using these services and the companies providing them, ensuring transparency and oversight without new state funding.
HB 419 updates Utah's real estate licensing rules to clarify investigation procedures for the Division of Real Estate. It changes how the division handles document retention, requests during investigations, and disciplinary actions against licensees. The bill also defines advertising standards, specifies when a principal broker doesn't create an agency relationship with a buyer, and requires brokerage names to appear clearly in ads (including single-click links). These changes directly affect real estate licensees, brokers, and advertising practices by making compliance requirements more explicit. The bill makes no changes to funding or financial requirements.
HB 514 allows Utah vehicle owners to choose electronic notifications instead of mail for registration renewals. It creates a 24-month registration option for trailers, off-highway vehicles, street-legal all-terrain vehicles, and electric motor vehicles, requiring double the standard annual fees. The bill adjusts fee calculations to account for the extended registration period and coordinates with related bills (HB 277 and HB 272) to ensure technical compatibility. This directly affects owners of the specified vehicle types who may opt for the longer registration term, while providing notification flexibility to all registered vehicle owners.
HB 340 creates a new category for small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) designed to plug into standard household outlets. It exempts these devices from utility interconnection fees, approval requirements, and net metering program rules, while requiring a safety feature that shuts off during power outages. Homeowners using such devices won’t need utility approval, pay installation fees, or install extra equipment. The bill also protects utilities from liability for damage caused by these portable systems. It takes effect May 7, 2025.
HB 188 updates Utah's regulations for physical and occupational therapists who use dry needling. It requires therapists to register for dry needling as part of their license (moving it from an exception to a formal requirement) and expands the definitions of physical therapy and occupational therapy to explicitly include dry needling. The bill also removes the need for a referral to access these therapies and creates a separate registration requirement for occupational therapists performing dry needling. Additionally, it allows occupational therapists to assist with mental wellness as part of their practice.
HB 495 amends Utah's health care laws to improve payment processes and expand dental care options. It updates rules for credit card payments to healthcare providers, revises dental claims practices, and allows dentists to dispense certain medications under specific circumstances. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, insurers, and dentists by streamlining claim handling and broadening dental medication access. The bill makes no new funding commitments and focuses on clarifying existing procedures in Utah Code sections related to health care claims.
HB 264 modifies Utah's clean energy tax incentives by limiting eligibility for corporate and individual income tax credits to systems placed in service before January 1, 2035. It also ends specific credits, including the individual tax credit for qualifying solar projects and corporate/individual credits for alternative energy development. These changes directly affect homeowners installing solar systems and businesses developing clean energy projects who previously claimed these credits. The bill removes existing tax breaks while setting a new deadline for claiming credits, with no new funding allocated. The changes take effect retroactively upon enactment.
HB 159 enacts the Uniform Recognition of Canadian Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act, requiring Utah courts to recognize and enforce valid domestic violence protection orders issued by Canadian authorities. This directly affects individuals in Utah involved in cross-border domestic violence cases, such as victims seeking protection under a Canadian order or abusers subject to one. The bill establishes clear legal standards for recognizing these Canadian orders without requiring Utah courts to reevaluate their validity. This change simplifies enforcement for victims and ensures consistent protection across jurisdictions, without altering existing Utah domestic violence laws.
HB 339 exempts law enforcement officers in narcotics units, task forces, or undercover operations from certain body-worn camera activation and use requirements. This means these officers are not required to activate their cameras during specific operations, such as undercover work, without violating the law. The bill also includes technical adjustments to Utah's existing body-worn camera regulations to reflect this exemption. The change applies only to the specified units and does not alter the standard requirements for other officers.
