HB 162 allows certain Utah municipalities to impose a local sales tax specifically to fund infrastructure improvements for their local law enforcement agencies. It requires municipalities to hold a public hearing before approving the tax and mandates that all revenue be deposited into a separate special fund, not the general municipal fund. The bill also establishes procedures for reauthorizing the tax after its initial period and permits the State Tax Commission to retain a small administrative fee from collected revenue. This legislation modifies existing tax code provisions to create a structured framework for this targeted local funding mechanism, affecting only qualifying municipalities seeking to fund law enforcement infrastructure.
SB 105 amends Utah's self-defense laws to limit when a person can claim justification for using force. It removes the defense if someone causes injury or death to an innocent person while using force against another individual, and denies pretrial hearings for defendants charged with reckless or negligent harm to others during such incidents. The bill specifically targets cases where the defendant’s claimed self-defense against one person results in unintended harm to a third party. These changes affect criminal defendants in Utah who attempt to use self-defense as a legal justification but are charged with causing harm to an unrelated individual. The amendments take effect on May 6, 2026.
HB 167 modifies Utah's election procedures for verifying signatures on candidate nomination petitions. It requires election officials to post verified signers' names and dates on the lieutenant governor's website within five business days of verification, for 90 days after the primary election. The bill also mandates officials to notify prosecutors if someone claims they didn't sign a petition and clarifies deadlines for voters to request signature removal. These changes directly affect voters who sign nomination petitions and election officials handling signature verification. The bill makes technical updates to Utah Code sections governing primary elections but does not change eligibility rules or funding.
This Utah bill creates a new offense for openly carrying firearms within 500 feet of "large public gatherings" (defined as 200+ people at protests, parades, or similar First Amendment events). It clarifies open carry rules by age: those 18-20 without permits may only carry unloaded firearms in vehicles or on streets, while those 21+ may openly carry anywhere except prohibited locations like schools, airports, or houses of worship. The key new provision specifically bans open carry near large gatherings, though concealed carry remains unaffected. This directly affects Utah residents carrying firearms openly near public demonstrations or events.
HB 189 requires Utah's Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee to adjust funding formulas for technical colleges to ensure they provide equal funding value for secondary and adult students and fully account for the colleges' statutorily required services. This change, effective May 6, 2026, directly affects how state funds are distributed to Utah's technical colleges. The bill does not appropriate new money but mandates specific adjustments to existing funding mechanisms to better align with institutional responsibilities and workforce needs. It amends Section 53H-1-402 of Utah Code to formalize these requirements in funding calculations.
This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 5) is a non-binding statement urging Utah to seek greater management authority over certain federal public lands for recreation. It specifically requests that Utah's state parks division petition the Bureau of Land Management to transfer the Little Sahara Recreation Area for a new state park and negotiate with the Forest Service to acquire Antelope Flat Campground for Flaming Gorge State Park. The resolution also directs the state parks division to study additional areas like Monte Cristo and trust lands in the San Rafael Swell for potential state park designation. It does not appropriate funds or create new legal requirements, but instead asks federal agencies and Utah's congressional delegation to explore cooperative management frameworks.
HB 208 amends Utah's parentage laws to clarify and limit timelines for establishing parentage. It limits past child support liability to one year before filing a claim (previously four years), sets new deadlines for filing parentage actions (children must file before age 18, or by age 26 for those born after May 6, 2026), and clarifies how parentage claims can be raised during divorce proceedings. The bill directly affects unmarried biological fathers, birth mothers, and children seeking to establish legal parentage. These changes take effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
HB 267 limits annual salary increases for school district administrators (including superintendents, business administrators, and deputies) to the weighted pupil unit (WPU) inflation rate, unless specific conditions are met. To exceed this cap, school boards must hold a public hearing, tie raises to measurable performance outcomes (like student literacy rates or graduation rates), and secure a majority vote. The bill also restricts certain benefits and sets new pay scales for deputy administrators and new superintendents. It directly affects school district leadership compensation decisions across Utah, with no new state funding required.
SB 67 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requiring peace officers to meet arrest or citation quotas and bans retaliation against officers for refusing such quotas. It requires the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to collect and annually report alleged violations to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. The bill directly affects peace officers and local law enforcement agencies by preventing quota-based pressure and disciplinary actions. Key provisions include defining "impermissible quotas," mandating violation reporting, and amending existing statutes to align with this prohibition. The bill makes no financial changes and focuses solely on policy reforms to address alleged quota practices.
HB 275 establishes a two-year red light camera pilot program (2027-2028) at up to 10 high-risk intersections in Utah, designated using crash, traffic, and injury data. The Department of Transportation manages camera installation and data collection, while local law enforcement agencies issue warnings (not fines) to drivers captured violating traffic signals during a public education phase. The program requires clear signage at intersections and prohibits using camera evidence for citations or penalty points on driving records. It mandates annual reports on the program’s implementation and results before its repeal in April 2028.
HB 255 requires health care sharing ministries in Utah to provide clear disclosures to consumers. Specifically, ministries must include a written "Notice" on applications, guidelines, and advertising materials stating they are not insurance, have no obligation to pay medical bills, and participants remain personally responsible for all expenses. This directly affects health care sharing ministries and their members by mandating transparency about their non-insurance status. The bill amends Utah Code to add these disclosure requirements, ensuring consumers understand these arrangements differ fundamentally from traditional health insurance.
SB 107 creates the Education Legislation Advisory Commission to provide structured input on education policy. The commission, composed of eight legislative members (four from each chamber with party balance) and 15 non-voting education stakeholders (including teachers, school leaders, and parents), studies education issues and advises legislators on proposed bills. It makes recommendations to key education committees and considers input from state boards, school districts, and higher education institutions. The bill requires no new funding and establishes a two-year term for non-legislative members with specific appointment rules.
