HB 383 allows judges to credit the cost of court-ordered treatment (like substance abuse programs) toward criminal fines for minor offenses, directly affecting defendants sentenced to pay fines for infractions or class B/C misdemeanors. The bill requires defendants to complete the treatment and provide proof, after which the court may apply the cost toward reducing the fine amount - excluding restitution or principal amounts. Judges can also issue this credit via a petition for remittance if paying the fine would cause "manifest hardship" to the defendant or their family. This modifies existing Utah laws (76-3-301.7 and 77-32b-105) to expand options for resolving fine obligations without cash payment.
HB 496 makes minor technical corrections to the Utah Code to fix outdated references, redundant language, numbering errors, and cross-references. It specifically updates the Sunset Act and Repeal Dates by Title Act to remove expired provisions that had already taken effect. The bill affects numerous Utah Code sections (listed in the bill text) but does not create new policies or require funding. It includes a coordination clause to resolve conflicts with other legislation passed during the 2025 General Session. This is a routine administrative update to maintain clarity in state law, not a substantive policy change.
HB 452 regulates mental health chatbots using artificial intelligence in Utah. It prohibits suppliers from selling or sharing users' personally identifiable health information or user input with third parties (with limited exceptions for healthcare providers or health plans), requires clear disclosures to users, and mandates specific policies for chatbot operations. The Division of Consumer Protection enforces these rules, with suppliers complying with requirements facing a rebuttable presumption of compliance. The bill directly affects mental health chatbot providers operating in Utah, ensuring user data privacy and transparency in AI-driven mental health services.
HB 350 amends Utah's high-cost infrastructure tax credit program to include district energy systems, which are centralized networks providing heating and cooling to multiple buildings (like apartment complexes or business districts) from a single source. The bill sets minimum investment thresholds that these systems must meet to qualify for the tax credit and updates definitions to explicitly cover cooling plants under existing heat corporation rules. This change directly affects developers and operators of district energy projects by making them eligible for the tax credit, potentially reducing their project costs. The bill makes these adjustments without appropriating new state funds.
HB 173 adds tianeptine and phenibut to Utah’s Schedule I controlled substances list, making them illegal to possess or distribute without authorization. This directly affects individuals who use or distribute these substances in Utah, as they will now face the same legal restrictions as other Schedule I drugs like fentanyl derivatives. The bill updates Utah’s Controlled Substances Act to include these specific chemicals, aligning with federal classifications but not changing existing medical use exceptions. No new funding or administrative requirements are introduced.
HB 376 amends Utah's National Guard laws to clarify leadership appointments, update management procedures, and add new benefits. It establishes a 2027 start date for four-year terms for the adjutant general (top National Guard commander), allows current funds to repay student loans for active Guard members, and clarifies how the State Armory Board can conduct meetings electronically. The bill also defines terms, adjusts responsibilities for judge advocates, and specifies use-of-force protocols for Guard members. These changes directly affect Utah National Guard members, leadership, and the State Armory Board, with no new state funds required.
HB 425 adjusts fees collected by Utah's Department of Public Safety for concealed firearm permits and offender registry compliance. It increases fees for out-of-state concealed permit applicants and annual fees for offenders on the Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry before July 1, 2026, while allowing the Bureau to set future fees for both after that date per established procedures. The bill also changes when funds from concealed weapons permit fees are transferred to the Suicide Prevention and Education Fund. These changes directly affect out-of-state permit seekers and registered offenders subject to annual fees. The bill contains coordination language with another related bill (S.B. 41) but does not appropriate new funding.
SB 12 extends the expiration date of Utah's Board of Tourism Development from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2030. This procedural bill directly affects the Board of Tourism Development, which oversees state tourism policy and funding. The change delays the board's automatic termination, allowing it to continue operations for an additional five years. No new policies or funding are created; the bill only adjusts the board's sunset date through technical amendments to existing code.
HB 516 amends Utah's automobile franchise law to clarify definitions and remove outdated provisions. It defines "affiliate," excludes dealerships from the "franchise holder" definition, and repeals rules about franchisors' permitted activities. The bill makes technical adjustments to Utah Code sections 13-14-201 and 41-3-102, which govern franchisor-franchisee relationships. These changes primarily affect automobile dealerships and manufacturers operating under franchise agreements in Utah, streamlining existing regulations without introducing new restrictions.
HB 287 amends Utah's stalking statute (Sections 76-5-106.5 and 78B-7-701) to clarify that specific circumstances do not constitute stalking and makes technical adjustments to the legal code. The bill directly affects individuals accused of stalking, law enforcement, and courts by refining the definition of stalking to exclude certain actions. Key provisions include adding an explicit exception to the stalking definition and updating related code sections for consistency. The bill does not change penalties, funding, or existing legal standards.
HB 150 modifies Utah's public safety communications system rules, affecting 911 centers (PSAPs) and the Utah Communications Authority Board. The bill changes the strategic plan review cycle from annual to every three years, requires regular updates to the statewide CAD-to-CAD communication protocol, and removes a requirement that all PSAPs in a county must qualify for a proportionate share of remaining funds for any single PSAP to receive funding. It also prohibits nonvoting board members from attending closed board meetings. These changes streamline funding access for PSAPs and adjust governance procedures without appropriating new funds.
HB 464 creates the State Sovereignty Fund to hold specific state savings for long-term investment. The fund collects half of General Fund savings from federal medical assistance changes, 25% of savings if federal percentages increase, excess revenue collections (over 20-year estimates), and interest/earnings. It prohibits using principal before 2075-76, allowing only up to 50% of annual earnings after that for tax relief or offsetting federal funding cuts. The state treasurer must invest fund assets to grow principal while prioritizing stability, with administrative costs deducted from earnings. The fund is designed to benefit Utah residents perpetually through prudent investment management.
