HB 438, the AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act, regulates companies that create AI chatbots designed for emotional engagement. It requires suppliers to implement safety protocols for identifying risks, conduct independent safety evaluations, and publicly report on safety measures and user engagement. The bill specifically prohibits sharing minors' data, sending unsolicited messages to encourage use, exposing minors to harmful content, or hiding that the chatbot is AI (mandating clear disclosure). It grants enforcement authority to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection and establishes fines for violations. The law directly affects AI chatbot developers and users, particularly minors, by setting concrete safety and transparency standards.
HB 13 allows Utah municipalities to place a legal lien on property for unpaid water, sewer, or utility-related service fees after providing written notice of the debt and intent to lien. It authorizes cities to charge interest and a one-time administrative penalty on overdue payments. The bill directly affects property owners who fall behind on these utility bills, giving municipalities a new tool to collect outstanding fees. Key provisions require clear billing notices, define "utility" services, and update lien procedures without creating new government spending.
SB 17 allows Utah public colleges and school districts to pass credit card processing fees directly to students or parents when they pay tuition or fees electronically. The bill permits these institutions to collect a fee equal to the cost charged by credit card companies or payment processors for handling electronic transactions. It defines this fee as a "recovery of cost" and applies to both state universities (under Section 53B-7-902) and local school districts (under Section 53G-7-228). The law takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
SB 23 prohibits the use of aircraft to conduct solar geoengineering - defined as releasing chemicals to artificially reduce solar radiation - within Utah. It makes violating this prohibition a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for aircraft owners or operators. The bill requires airport operators to report suspected solar geoengineering activity to the Department of Transportation, which must then forward credible reports to the Attorney General. It also establishes a public online system for submitting suspected violations. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026.
HB 85, titled "State Sovereignty Amendments," prohibits Utah's governor and local officials from declaring a state of emergency solely based on an international organization's (such as the UN, WHO, or World Economic Forum) declaration. The bill declares that international organizations have no legal authority in Utah and bans state agencies, counties, cities, and other local governments from implementing or enforcing their directives. It defines key terms like "chief executive officer" and "international organization" to clarify which officials and actions are covered by the law. The bill amends existing Utah code sections and does not appropriate new funds.
HB 112 updates Utah's political advertising rules to address modern communication methods. It explicitly includes social media platforms as venues for political ads and clarifies that if multiple people fund a single advertisement, all contributors must disclose their payments. The bill also authorizes election officials to impose fines for violations of these advertising rules. These changes apply directly to campaigns, political committees, and organizations running political ads on platforms like Facebook or X. The law does not appropriate funds or alter election timing.
HB 43 creates Utah's School Safety Support Program to fund school safety measures like personnel, infrastructure, and emergency protocols. It directs state funding to school districts and charter schools based on enrollment (with a 20% equal share for all charters and 80% per student), requiring schools to submit safety plans and annual reports to receive funds. The bill protects this program from funding cuts during enrollment declines and adds it to existing education programs eligible for annual inflation adjustments. No new money is appropriated - funding comes from existing state education budgets. The program applies to all public schools meeting safety requirements under Utah's School Security Act.
HB 80 requires adults (18+) who store loaded firearms at home to secure them properly, or face a class C misdemeanor charge if a minor (under 16) accesses the firearm and uses it unlawfully in public or during a fight. It defines "locked container" as a secure storage method and sets specific conditions, including that the adult knew or should have known a minor might access the firearm. The law does not apply if a minor entered unlawfully, the firearm was used in self-defense, or the owner reported the incident to police. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and creates no new funding requirements.
Utah's SB 56 requires public schools to provide legal awareness education to all 10th-grade students starting in the 2026-27 school year. The bill mandates coverage of specific topics like voting rights, jury duty, contracts, healthcare consent, tax obligations, workplace protections, and interactions with law enforcement. Schools may deliver this information through existing courses, assemblies, or digital resources, without creating new courses or requiring student testing. The law emphasizes using current, age-appropriate materials and does not alter existing curricula or create new assessments. It directly affects Utah's 10th-grade students and public school districts.
SB 53 amends Utah's Public Land Management Advisory Board by adding two permanent membership slots: the state historic preservation officer (or their designee) and the director of the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (or their designee). This increases the board's membership from 11 to 13 members while maintaining its existing structure of governor-appointed representatives for sectors like mining, agriculture, and environmental groups. The bill makes technical changes to the board's composition in Utah Code Section 63L-9-104 but does not alter funding, voting procedures, or the board's responsibilities. It takes effect on May 6, 2026.
HB 96, the "Ivermectin Amendments," allows pharmacists to dispense FDA-approved ivermectin to patients aged 18 or older without a patient-specific prescription, based on a physician's "standard prescription drug order." It defines key terms, authorizes physicians to issue these standing orders, and permits pharmacists to dispense under this framework. The bill also limits liability for physicians who issue such orders and pharmacists who dispense under them, and clarifies that this dispensing is not unlawful conduct. These changes apply specifically to the use of ivermectin as an anti-parasitic drug, not other potential uses.
HB 104 creates a new state holiday called "Election Day" observed on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. This amendment adds Election Day to Utah's official list of legal holidays, which currently includes dates like Pioneer Day and Thanksgiving. The bill directly affects state employees and businesses operating under state holiday regulations, requiring them to observe this new holiday. It makes a technical update to Utah Code Section 63G-1-301 without changing existing holidays or appropriating funds.
