HB 106 creates two new tax credits for Utah taxpayers. It provides a 20% nonrefundable credit for employers covering costs to build or improve child care facilities (e.g., construction, renovation), and a 10% credit for ongoing operational expenses. It also expands the existing child tax credit to cover children under age 5 (previously only up to age 17), allowing families to claim the credit for infants and young children. The bill applies retroactively and requires employers claiming the child care credit to maintain facilities for five years to avoid repayment penalties.
SB 250 modifies how certain community development funds can be used to support home ownership for low-income residents. It authorizes the Utah Inland Port Authority and community reinvestment agencies to direct funding to nonprofit housing funds, specifically to help low-income individuals and families achieve or retain homeownership within a 15-mile radius of project areas generating the funds. The bill requires agencies to verify participants aren’t delinquent on property taxes before disbursing funds and allows county treasurers to use allocated funds to resolve past-due taxes or liens. These changes aim to streamline housing assistance while ensuring funds are used for eligible homeownership support, with no new money appropriated.
SB 181 limits local government regulations on single- and two-family home construction to increase housing affordability. It prohibits municipalities and counties from requiring specific building design elements (like exterior colors or roof styles) or imposing parking space size limits (e.g., max 10 feet wide for enclosed spaces) for most homes. The bill specifically exempts owner-occupied affordable housing - defined as housing priced at 80% of the county median home price - from mandatory garage requirements. These changes apply to "specified" municipalities and counties under Utah law, aiming to reduce development costs without altering existing historic district or flood program rules.
HB 127 increases mandatory minimum prison sentences for rape, object rape, and forcible sodomy when committed against an incapacitated individual. Specifically, it raises the baseline sentence from 10 years to 15 years for these offenses when the victim meets the defined criteria of being "incapacitated" (14+ years old with cognitive, intellectual, or physical impairments preventing understanding of sexual acts or resistance). The bill amends Utah Code Sections 76-5-402 (rape), 76-5-402.2 (object rape), and 76-5-403 (forcible sodomy) to implement this change. It does not create new programs or appropriate funds, focusing solely on adjusting sentencing requirements for these specific cases. The bill was signed into law by the governor on March 26, 2025.
SB 48 modifies Utah's licensing rules for mental health therapists by updating definitions and requirements for clinical supervision. It expands therapists' scopes of practice, clarifies standards for clinical supervisors (including training and oversight rules), and creates the Mental Health Professionals Education and Enforcement Fund. These changes directly affect licensed mental health therapists, their supervisors, and trainees by adjusting practice boundaries and supervision protocols. The bill makes technical corrections to existing code but does not appropriate new funding.
SB 142, the App Store Accountability Act, requires app stores operating in Utah to verify users' age categories (child, younger teen, older teen, or adult) and obtain parental consent for minors before allowing app downloads, purchases, or in-app transactions. It mandates app stores to notify users and parents of significant app changes (like new ads or privacy policies) and share age verification data with developers. Developers must verify age status through app stores and cannot enforce contracts with minors without confirmed parental consent. The law treats violations as deceptive trade practices, creates a private right for parents to seek remedies, and gives Utah's Division of Consumer Protection authority to set age verification standards.
SB 146 allows Utah public and private schools to stock glucagon kits for treating severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) emergencies. It permits qualified adults (like teachers or coaches who complete training) to administer the kits to students experiencing such emergencies, establishes a standing prescription for schools to obtain kits, and provides liability protection for those administering or prescribing them. The bill also requires training for school staff on proper kit storage and use. This directly affects schools, students with diabetes, and school staff in Utah.
SB 44 standardizes criminal background check requirements for professionals seeking or renewing licenses in Utah, directly affecting applicants in fields like healthcare, therapy, and security. The bill clarifies when the Division of Professional Licensing can revoke a license based on background check results and updates the Physicians Education Fund to include enforcement purposes. It requires administrative penalties for unprofessional conduct to be deposited into this fund and renames the fund to reflect its expanded role. These changes apply to multiple licensed professions covered under Utah’s licensing statutes, with no new funding required.
SB 213 exempts businesses that manufacture energy storage devices or equipment from paying sales and use tax on physical materials used to build these products and on machinery, equipment, and standard repair parts. The bill defines "qualifying energy storage manufacturing facility" to determine eligibility for this tax break. It also includes minor technical adjustments to existing tax code without requiring new state funding. This change directly lowers operational costs for qualifying manufacturers in Utah.
SB 204 creates a new right to appeal certain court orders that block enforcement of Utah state laws. It directly affects parties (defendants) in civil cases where a trial court issues an injunction restraining state law enforcement, as well as governmental entities (like state agencies) subject to such orders. The bill modifies Utah's appellate court jurisdiction by adding "an appeal of an injunctive order" to the Supreme Court's authority under Section 78A-3-102 and defining key terms in new sections 78B-5-1001 and 78B-5-1002. This allows parties to seek appellate review when a trial court blocks a state law's enforcement, streamlining the process for these specific appeals.
SB 16 modifies Utah's annual property tax valuation notices to help eligible homeowners understand tax relief options. It requires county auditors to include a clear statement on notices that homeowners aged 65+ or with disabilities (or experiencing extreme hardship) may qualify for a deferral on their primary residence taxes, along with a phone number to apply. The bill also expands access to the county discretionary deferral program for low-income individuals and makes minor technical corrections to existing tax notice requirements. These changes apply to all property owners receiving tax notices under Utah law, with no new state funding required. The notice updates take effect January 1, 2025.
HB 195 requires law enforcement to return firearms seized during criminal cases to owners who can legally possess them, unless the owner faces charges that would make them a restricted person. It prohibits courts from conditioning plea deals on the forfeiture of firearms in certain circumstances. The bill also clarifies procedures for temporary firearm custody at airports, ensuring lawful owners can retrieve confiscated weapons within three business days. These changes apply to defendants whose firearms were seized as part of a criminal case, directly affecting their ability to regain possession. The bill amends Utah Code sections related to firearm possession and legal procedures without changing firearm ownership laws.
