HB 366 requires mobile phone carriers to provide law enforcement with a user's location data as quickly as possible in three specific situations: during emergency calls for help, when there's imminent risk of death or serious injury, or for missing persons cases where police have prioritized a warrant due to danger. The bill defines "location data" broadly to include call logs, GPS, apps, and messages, and mandates carriers to establish clear procedures for identifying request types. It applies directly to phone companies and law enforcement agencies in Utah, ensuring faster access to location information during critical incidents while protecting carriers from liability when acting in good faith. The law amends Utah Code Section 53-10-104.5 and takes effect May 7, 2025.
HB 456 amends Utah's transient room tax system, primarily affecting counties and municipalities that collect taxes on short-term rentals (hotels, motels, vacation homes). It creates the Outdoor Recreation Mitigation Grant Program, directing funds toward projects that address tourism-related impacts like road repairs, waste disposal, and emergency services. The bill modifies tax rates for different county classifications, adds a new state tax on short-term rentals in first-class counties, and expands allowable uses of tax revenue for tourism promotion and recreation infrastructure. These changes aim to better fund local tourism management and mitigate community impacts from visitor activity.
HB 308 amends Utah's driver's license rules to allow minors under 18 with learner permits to be supervised by a non-parent adult in specific situations. It directly affects teenagers aged 15-17 who hold learner permits and need a licensed adult to ride beside them while driving. The key change adds a new option: a responsible adult aged 21+ who isn't a parent can supervise if the minor's parent/guardian isn't licensed, the adult has written authorization from the parent, and the adult is licensed. This update modifies existing Utah Code Section 53-3-210.5 and takes effect May 7, 2025.
HB 139 requires Utah's state auditor to create a standardized financial certification form for local government financial reports. It mandates that the chief financial officer (CFO) and chief administrative officer (CAO) of every political subdivision (like cities, counties, or school districts) must include this form with their annual financial report starting May 7, 2025. The bill amends Utah Code Section 11-50-201 to specify that these certifications - under penalty of perjury - must affirm the report fairly presents the entity's financial condition. This change standardizes the certification process across all local governments, updating existing reporting requirements without appropriating new funds.
HB 358 creates three new criminal offenses related to sexual conduct. It prohibits demanding explicit content from people in custody (e.g., jail inmates), and bans using virtual reality avatars to engage in sexual activity with children under 14 or minors aged 14-17. The bill defines key terms like "sexually explicit conduct" and specifies that consent is not a defense for these acts. Violations range from class A misdemeanors (for the VR minor offense) to third-degree felonies (for the child VR offense), with penalties taking effect May 7, 2025.
HB 480 allows Utah landlords to return security deposits and prepaid rent electronically (e.g., email) instead of only by mail. It updates the form tenants use to request their deposit back and adds a $100 penalty for landlords who fail to return funds within 30 days, plus potential court costs if litigation is needed. The bill affects landlords and tenants in rental agreements by changing communication methods and enforcement timelines under Utah law. It makes technical updates to existing rental deposit rules without adding new funding requirements.
HB 272 changes Utah's vehicle registration fee structure by increasing the weight threshold from 12,000 to 14,000 pounds for vehicles eligible for a flat statewide fee instead of property tax. This directly affects owners of heavier vehicles (like trucks and commercial vehicles) by altering their registration costs and requirements. The bill updates registration rules for vehicles over 14,000 pounds, requiring clear display of registered weight on the vehicle and adjusting fee calculations for commercial fleets. It makes no new funding changes and affects existing vehicle registration and tax procedures under Utah law.
SB 14 permanently removes the sunset date for Utah's requirement that private firearm sellers conduct background checks before transferring a firearm. This bill amends Section 76-10-526.1 of Utah Code, which mandates background checks for private sales, by eliminating its scheduled repeal on July 1, 2025. The change makes the background check requirement permanent for private firearm transactions in Utah, directly affecting private sellers and buyers. The bill contains no new funding or substantive policy changes, only removing the expiration date and making technical updates. It takes effect on May 7, 2025.
HB 235 requires candidates for county auditor in Utah's first-class counties (typically larger counties like Salt Lake) to hold specific professional certifications, such as CPA, CISA, or CIA, active in good standing. This applies to individuals filing for the office, elected officials, and interim replacements appointed during vacancies. The bill amends existing statutes to add these qualifications to the eligibility requirements under Section 17-16-1, while making minor technical updates to related codes. It does not create new funding or affect current auditors, only setting standards for future candidates. The policy change directly impacts candidates seeking county auditor roles in larger counties.
HB 226 requires Utah county sheriffs and the Department of Corrections to verify the immigration status of individuals being released after serving sentences for certain class A misdemeanors or felonies if they are unlawfully present in the U.S. It mandates coordination with federal immigration authorities before release and adds a rebuttable presumption that non-lawfully present individuals are flight risks for pretrial release decisions. The bill also amends sentencing for specific class A misdemeanors and makes technical changes to related statutes. This directly affects non-lawfully present individuals convicted of qualifying offenses who are nearing release from jail or prison. The bill does not appropriate new funds or change sentencing for most offenses.
HB 259 clarifies that the motor vehicle enforcement administrator of the Utah State Tax Commission must report directly to the executive director, establishing a clear chain of command. It also modifies the executive director's compensation structure, setting the maximum salary at 90% of the annual salary for district judges as specified in the state budget. These changes directly affect the executive director and motor vehicle enforcement administrator, with the reporting change taking effect May 7, 2025, and the compensation adjustment effective July 1, 2025. The bill makes no new funding appropriations.
HB 323 requires Utah's Department of Corrections to establish a dedicated drug abuse and trafficking unit. This unit must develop strategies to combat drug use and trafficking among inmates in correctional facilities, individuals working with offenders, and those on probation or parole. It also mandates enhanced coordination and information sharing between the Department and state law enforcement agencies. The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025, and does not appropriate new funding. This directly affects correctional facilities, probation/parole systems, and law enforcement agencies working with offenders.
