HB 213 sets specific deadlines for courts to schedule criminal trials after requests from defendants or victims. It requires trials to begin within 90 days for defendants in custody and 180 days for others (including victims) who file written requests. Courts may extend these deadlines only for limited reasons like case complexity, court backlog, or a defendant's requested continuance. The bill amends Utah law to clarify these timeframes and applies to all criminal cases in Utah courts, effective May 6, 2026.
SB 70 requires counties, cities, and towns to include at least one emergency shelter in their operations plans that can accommodate both people and their household pets during natural disasters. It defines "household pet" to include common pets like dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, and turtles, but excludes livestock, reptiles (other than turtles), amphibians, fish, insects, and racing animals. The bill also clarifies that local governments have immunity from lawsuits related to their emergency operations plans and makes technical changes to existing law. No new funding is provided, and the bill repeals an outdated section of the code.
SB 199 expands motor vehicle liability insurance coverage in Utah to explicitly include heirs of individuals who die in accidents. It amends minimum coverage limits to require insurers to cover "each heir" (as defined in Utah Code § 78B-3-105) for death-related claims, alongside the injured individual. Specifically, it increases the per-person death coverage from $25,000 to $30,000 and property damage coverage from $15,000 to $25,000 for policies issued after January 1, 2025. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
HB 242 amends Utah's rules for removing signatures from initiative and referendum petitions. It requires anyone gathering signature removal requests to be at least 18 years old, and mandates paid gatherers to display a badge with their ID, the petition name, and verify the signer's identity. The bill also requires paid gatherers to include a notice stating that removing a signature may prevent the petition from appearing on the ballot, prohibits paying by the signature (only hourly rates allowed), and bans using petitioners' email addresses for non-petition purposes. These changes aim to increase transparency and prevent misuse during the signature removal process.
SB 177 requires businesses using algorithmic pricing (where prices change based on a consumer's personal data) to include a specific disclaimer when setting or displaying those prices. It directly affects suppliers - such as retailers or service providers - that regularly use algorithms to adjust prices for goods or services. The bill defines "algorithmic pricing" and makes it a deceptive practice to fail to provide the required disclaimer, as outlined in amended Utah Code Sections 13-11-3 and 13-11-4. This policy change mandates clear disclosure to consumers about algorithm-driven pricing without introducing new funding or broad regulatory changes.
This resolution expresses Utah's support for developing new technologies to help victims of human trafficking and domestic violence discreetly request assistance, particularly at transportation hubs like bus and train stations. It specifically highlights how traffickers often operate in such locations and suggests innovations like alert systems in public restrooms could allow victims to safely contact help without detection. The resolution does not create new programs or allocate funding but formally declares the state's backing for these technological solutions. It aims to encourage the development of tools addressing these critical safety issues without imposing new legal requirements.
HB 160 modifies Utah's statewide initiative process by increasing the required signature threshold from 4% to 8% of active voters for both legislative submission and direct voter submission. It equalizes these requirements and mandates that initiatives not approved by the legislature automatically appear on the ballot at the next general election. The bill affects citizens seeking to propose new laws via initiative petitions, requiring more signatures and ensuring legislative inaction leads to voter approval. Key provisions include standardized signature percentages statewide and by district, and automatic ballot placement without additional signature collection. These changes take effect on May 6, 2026.
SB 157, the New Motorboat Distributor Act, regulates relationships between motorboat distributors and dealerships in Utah. It directly affects dealerships by prohibiting distributors from using unfair practices, requiring good cause and advance notice for termination, and mandating distributors to reimburse dealers for warranty work at retail rates. The bill also requires distributors to buy back unsold inventory if a dealership agreement ends, protect dealers' rights to transfer ownership, and provide detailed warranty policies. It replaces the previous Motorboat Agreements Act and empowers the Department of Commerce to enforce these rules with administrative fines up to $5,000 per day for violations.
HB 157 amends various Utah laws related to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It changes how the DNR handles employee work periods, allows water rights records to be kept electronically or physically, and adjusts rules for water rights after contract issues. The bill removes a cap on low-interest loans for water metering, ends the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, and repeals funding rules for a watershed program. It appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for DNR operations in fiscal year 2027. The changes primarily affect DNR staff, water rights holders, and entities managing water resources in Utah.
SB 75 defines eligibility for annual educator salary adjustments by requiring a license from the Division of Professional Licensing and a position as a social worker or registered nurse in an educational setting. The bill mandates that the Legislature annually appropriate funds for these adjustments, though actual funding remains subject to budget constraints. It directly affects licensed social workers and registered nurses employed in educational roles by establishing their eligibility for potential salary increases. The bill does not guarantee specific raises but creates a framework for future budget allocations to address retention and recruitment. (Note: This bill is procedural in nature, defining eligibility criteria rather than implementing new policy.)
SB 137 amends Utah's Homeless Services Board by requiring two new members with health care expertise: one appointed by University of Utah Health and one by Utah's largest non-profit hospital system with multiple hospitals. This changes the board's composition to ensure direct representation from health care providers specializing in physical or mental health. The bill makes no new services or funding changes - it only adjusts membership requirements. The board's existing structure and responsibilities remain unchanged.
HB 316 prevents health care providers from using nondisclosure clauses in contracts to stop patients from reporting misconduct to Utah's Division of Professional Licensing. The bill requires providers to give patients a specific model notice (created by the division) before signing such contracts, explaining patients' rights to report unprofessional or unlawful conduct. This notice must detail what constitutes misconduct, the reporting process, and include a reference to relevant laws. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, making nondisclosure clauses unenforceable after June 1, 2025, unless the required notice was provided. It directly affects patients seeking care and health care providers using such contractual clauses.
