SB 133 clarifies Utah's requirements for juvenile offenders on the sex, kidnap, and child abuse registry. It specifies that individuals under 18 who committed certain offenses (like sexual abuse or trafficking) without force or coercion and were under 21 at the time of the crime will only need to register for 10 years instead of for life. This amendment to Utah Code Section 53-29-203 directly affects young people convicted of specific crimes who would otherwise face lifetime registration. The change applies only to cases meeting all the specified criteria, not to all juvenile offenders.
HB 415 modifies Utah's State Construction Code to allow property owners to alter, add to, or repair existing structures without bringing them up to current new-construction safety standards - unless the work would make the structure less safe than before. This primarily affects homeowners, contractors, and property managers renovating older buildings, reducing compliance burdens for minor updates. Key provisions include new exceptions for bedroom window egress (allowing existing smaller windows to remain) and clarifying that renovations don’t require full code upgrades unless safety is compromised. The bill also adds definitions for terms like "Accessory Dwelling Unit" and "Energy Storage System" but contains no funding or major new requirements.
HB 161 increases Utah's residential property tax exemption from 45% to 60% of a home's fair market value for primary residences, directly affecting homeowners who qualify for this exemption. The bill modifies Utah Code Section 59-2-103 to implement this change, contingent on voters approving a related constitutional amendment (H.J.R. 7) in the 2026 election. If approved, the exemption rate would take effect on January 1, 2027, reducing the taxable value of qualifying primary residences. This change applies only to properties used as primary residences for at least 183 days annually and limits exemptions to one primary residence per household.
HB 443 modifies Utah's process for filling vacancies in the state legislature. It requires all legislative vacancies to remain unfilled until a special election is held, with the governor mandated to call the election within seven days of a vacancy occurring or an "irrevocable letter of future resignation" being submitted. The bill specifies that special elections must be held on predetermined dates aligned with existing municipal or regular primary/general election schedules, unless the governor requests a different date with legislative funding approval. This directly affects state representatives and senators whose seats become vacant before the end of their term, ensuring vacancies are resolved through elections rather than interim appointments.
HB 234 creates a temporary "Alternative Statewide Testing Pilot Program" allowing Utah local school districts (LEAs) to use non-traditional testing methods instead of standard state assessments. The program requires the State Board of Education to select a testing provider through procurement, sets specific rules for participating districts, and mandates an annual report to the Education Interim Committee. The pilot is set to expire on July 1, 2027, and does not appropriate new state funds. This bill directly affects school districts opting into the pilot and the State Board of Education responsible for oversight.
HB 326 allows ranchers and farmers to obtain aerial hunting permits for coyotes to protect livestock and crops, directly affecting agricultural producers. The bill establishes that permit holders assume full liability for accidents during aerial hunts, modifies annual predator control fees for livestock owners, and updates definitions related to wildlife damage. It also increases penalties for feral swine violations and adds provisions for seizing vehicles used in such crimes. The changes aim to streamline wildlife damage prevention without new state funding, updating existing Utah Code sections.
SB 223 modifies Utah's sales and use tax exemptions to support renewable energy infrastructure development. It extends the tax exemption for equipment used to expand existing alternative energy power plants (like solar, wind, or geothermal facilities) and adds a new exemption for equipment that increases capacity at electric energy storage facilities (such as battery systems). This directly affects businesses building or upgrading renewable energy projects by reducing their upfront costs for qualifying equipment. The bill also includes minor technical adjustments to tax code definitions but does not appropriate new state funds.
HB 197 (School Materials Amendments) requires Utah schools to manage "sensitive material" (defined as pornographic or indecent content per state law) in digital instructional resources. It directly affects parents, school staff, and vendors providing digital learning tools by mandating: (1) annual parent notifications during student registration, (2) school libraries to prioritize certain books, (3) LEAs to maintain online reporting systems for sensitive material, and (4) school devices to use filters blocking such content. The bill also allows school entities to terminate vendor contracts if digital materials aren’t removed after violations. It does not appropriate new funds and amends Utah Code sections related to school materials and parent portals.
HB 203 amends Utah's non-compete agreement laws to provide stronger protections for workers. It prohibits employers from enforcing non-compete agreements against nonexempt employees (those not earning at least $913/week), students in internships, workers under 18, and employees earning under $155,000 annually. The bill requires employers to provide written non-compete notices at least 14 days before an employee starts work or the agreement takes effect, and makes agreements void if these requirements aren't met. It also bans enforcement against independent contractors and grants workers the right to sue if employers attempt to enforce unlawful agreements.
SB 178 repeals Utah's existing Right to Work Law, which currently prohibits mandatory union membership and dues payments for workers. This bill removes all 17 sections of the law (including protections against forced union membership and requirements for union dues) that apply to employers and employees across Utah. The repeal takes effect on May 6, 2026, with one specific section changing on November 28, 2026. This directly affects all Utah workplaces covered by the repealed law, eliminating legal barriers to union membership requirements.
HB 141 imposes a 2% tax on international money transfers processed by licensed businesses (like Western Union or MoneyGram) starting January 1, 2027. Customers can avoid the tax by presenting valid ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license) at the time of transfer. Licensed transmitters must collect the tax separately on receipts, remit it quarterly to Utah’s State Tax Commission, and submit annual reports detailing transactions and tax collection. The bill also requires the Department of Financial Institutions to provide the Tax Commission with a list of all licensed transmitters each year.
HB 170 amends Utah's laws to establish a clearer process for school district residents to hold referendums on certain school board decisions. Specifically, it allows voters who live within a school district to petition for a vote on laws passed by their local school board that increase taxes or create new taxes, subject to limited exceptions. The bill defines key terms related to referendums and makes technical updates to existing statutes, but does not appropriate new funding or create new financial obligations. This directly affects school district residents seeking to challenge tax-related decisions through a voter referendum.
