HB 371 requires Utah's School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) to prioritize multiple purposes and sustainable use when managing trust lands held for public schools and institutions. It prohibits SITLA from issuing grazing permits for land that could be used for grazing, ensuring these lands are actively utilized rather than left vacant. The bill amends existing laws to formalize these management principles and clarify permit terms based on fair market value. These changes directly affect SITLA, land users, and beneficiaries of trust lands, with no new funding required.
HB 193 prohibits Utah government entities from using public funds to pay for certain surgical procedures related to transitioning from one's biological sex (defined as primary or secondary sex characteristic procedures). It requires government insurance plans that previously covered such transition procedures before May 6, 2026, to offer equivalent coverage for procedures to reverse those changes ("detransitioning"), to the extent possible. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate new funds or affect private insurance. It directly impacts state and local government agencies, school districts, and other public entities using public money for health coverage.
SB 103 creates a fee waiver for individuals experiencing homelessness who apply for a Utah driver license or renew/extend their license. It directly affects unhoused residents seeking to obtain or maintain a driver license by removing the standard $52 application or renewal fee. The bill requires applicants to submit written verification of homelessness from approved sources like homeless shelters, housing facilities, or the Department of Workforce Services. This change amends Utah's driver license fee structure to align with existing identification card fee waivers for unhoused individuals. The policy makes no new funding requests and applies to both new licenses and renewals/extensions.
HB 347 requires Utah school districts to notify nearby residents before installing new artificial turf on school athletic fields. Specifically, school boards must send written notice to properties within 200 feet of the installation site at least 30 days before a public meeting, including details like location, size, materials, and intended use. They must also post the notice online 60 days in advance and allow public comment at the meeting. This applies only to new installations - not repairs or replacements - and does not change environmental requirements or create new legal rights.
HB 212 establishes a formal process for creating new counties in Utah, primarily affecting municipalities in large counties (population over 1 million) seeking to secede. It requires petitioning municipalities to meet population thresholds (at least one-third of the county's population), complete a feasibility study, and propose boundaries that avoid dividing cities or leaving the original county unable to function. The bill ensures new counties maintain the same local sales tax rates for transportation as the seceding county and clarifies how property taxes and debts will be handled during the transition. These changes aim to make county formation more structured and financially responsible while protecting the viability of both the new and remaining counties.
SB 76 creates an optional system for landlords with 16 or more rental units to report rent payments to credit bureaus at a renter’s request. Landlords may charge a fee up to their actual reporting cost, and renters can join or leave the program anytime during their lease. However, renters who miss a fee payment or voluntarily leave the program cannot rejoin for six months. The law applies only to large landlords (entities or individuals owning 16+ units), not small-scale property owners.
SB 146 modifies Utah's rules for reusing industrial byproducts like construction debris, ash, or mineral residues. It allows any project (not just public projects) to use an approved byproduct if the Waste Management Division director approves its reuse application. The bill exempts approved byproducts from requiring health risk assessments, ecological studies, or environmental covenants. It repeals an older restriction that limited reuse to public projects and updates definitions for clarity. This change affects businesses and contractors seeking to reuse industrial waste materials in construction or infrastructure projects.
HB 173 creates a new temporary parking permit specifically for expectant mothers in Utah. It allows pregnant individuals, confirmed by a physician, to park in accessible parking spaces using a $15 fee-based placard valid for up to one year. The bill amends existing parking laws to define "expectant mother," require physician certification, and specify placard design and display requirements. This directly affects pregnant residents seeking convenience in accessible parking, while maintaining existing disability permit rules and procedures. The bill makes no changes to accessibility standards or fees for people with disabilities.
HJR 14 is a procedural rules resolution that modifies how Utah legislators request funding for district projects. It directs the Executive Appropriations Committee to set aside 1% of certain revenue for "district requests for appropriation," allowing each legislator to allocate a fixed share (50% of district funds divided by 29 for senators or 75 for representatives) toward projects within their district that serve a statewide public purpose. Approved requests must be included in the final appropriations bill after review by joint subcommittees. This resolution does not appropriate new funds but changes committee procedures for handling existing district funding requests.
SB 138 designates Apple iOS as Utah's official state mobile operating system, adding it to the state's list of symbolic emblems under Utah Code Section 63G-1-601. This procedural bill does not change any laws, impose costs, or affect residents or businesses - it simply adds a symbolic designation to Utah's existing collection of state symbols (like the elk or sego lily). The bill amends the state code to include "Utah's state mobile operating system is Apple iOS" as section (38). It takes effect on May 6, 2026, and has no practical policy impact beyond ceremonial recognition.
HB 375 modifies Utah's Outdoor Adventure Infrastructure Restricted Account to allow up to 2% of funds to cover administrative costs, which were previously restricted. The bill does not appropriate new money but clarifies that existing funds - collected from specific deposits - can now support account management. It maintains the existing distribution rules, requiring at least 15% to state parks, 22% to competitive recreation grants, 53% to larger infrastructure projects, and 10% to the Utah Fairpark district. This change directly affects state agencies managing recreation infrastructure funds, such as the Division of State Parks and Division of Outdoor Recreation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 365 requires local taxing entities (like cities, counties, and school districts) to notify residents *before* starting their budget process if they plan to increase property taxes beyond the previous year's certified rate. The notice must include the approximate revenue increase amount and the purpose of the increase. If the entity fails to provide this notice, the State Tax Commission cannot approve their proposed tax increase, and the tax rate is limited to the amount stated in the notice. This bill modifies Utah's existing tax notification rules to enhance transparency before budget decisions that affect property owners' bills.
