HB 66 requires law enforcement officers in Utah to receive training on recognizing and responding to sexual assault committed during rituals, including its impact on victims. It creates an aggravating factor for certain crimes against minors (like abuse, kidnapping, or sexual offenses) if the crime was committed as part of a ritual, which could lead to harsher sentences. The bill affects law enforcement officers (through mandatory training) and defendants convicted of qualifying offenses against minors (who may face increased penalties). It coordinates with another bill (S.B. 24) that adds "child torture" to the list of offenses triggering this aggravating factor. The law takes effect May 7, 2025.
This bill amends Utah's Foreign Judgment Act to require that postjudgment interest on foreign judgments filed in Utah after May 7, 2025, use the same interest rate established under Utah law (Section 15-1-4). It directly affects creditors and debtors involved in cases where foreign court judgments are enforced in Utah courts. The key change ensures consistency by mandating that the interest rate applied matches Utah's standard postjudgment rate from the date the foreign judgment is officially recognized ("domesticated"). The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025, with no new funding required.
HB 8 provides funding for pay raises and benefits for state employees, directly affecting state agency workers, elected officials, judges, and higher education staff. It includes a 2.5% base pay increase for state agencies, a 2.5% discretionary raise for elected officials/judiciary/higher ed, and a 1% one-time performance bonus for all state employees. The bill also covers health benefit adjustments, retirement rate changes, and a $26-per-pay-period match for employees in retirement plans. This budget measure appropriates over $136 million for fiscal year 2026 to implement these compensation changes.
HB 73 clarifies procedures for challenging agency decisions under Utah's Administrative Procedures Act. It defines when a permit order or financial assurance determination becomes a "final agency action" that can be legally challenged, and specifies that only issues raised during public comment periods can be argued in subsequent proceedings. This bill directly affects permit applicants, agencies (like the Division of Waste Management), and administrative law judges handling these disputes. It makes technical adjustments to existing law without creating new policies or requiring funding.
HB 87 creates a new criminal offense specifically for trafficking fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances in Utah, directly affecting individuals involved in such drug distribution. The bill establishes tiered penalties: second-degree felony for trafficking Schedule I/II drugs (up to 15 years), third-degree felony for Schedule III/IV drugs, and misdemeanors for Schedule V drugs, with harsher penalties if weapons were used or if minors were involved. It also mandates courts to report trafficking convictions to the Division of Professional Licensing and clarifies sentencing rules for repeat offenders. The law amends Utah’s existing drug trafficking statutes to address the fentanyl crisis without appropriating new funds.
HB 60 updates Utah's tax code with multiple technical changes affecting taxpayers and tax administration. It repeals outdated provisions, clarifies when the State Tax Commission can share income tax data with workforce services for public assistance eligibility, and sets limits on interest payments the commission makes. The bill also requires online marketplace sellers to file federal forms with the tax commission, updates rules for commercial energy tax credits, and creates a new deduction for individuals repaying taxable Social Security benefits. It repeals an expired enterprise zone tax credit and extends carry-forward periods for certain business tax credits. These changes primarily impact individual taxpayers, businesses, and state agencies managing tax compliance.
HB 99 amends Utah's Residential Mortgage Practices and Licensing Act to give the Division of Real Estate new authority to issue citations for specific violations by mortgage professionals. It directly affects mortgage lenders, brokers, and other licensed entities by adding enforcement mechanisms for breaches like operating without a license, failing to report ownership changes, making false statements to regulators, or using consumer reports to solicit customers. Key provisions include enabling the Division to issue citations for violations listed in subsections (4)(a)-(dd) of the amended law and prohibiting the use of consumer report data for solicitation. The bill makes no funding changes and focuses on clarifying enforcement procedures for existing regulatory requirements.
HB 43 extends the expiration dates for multiple Utah public education programs that were scheduled to end. It amends Utah Code Section 63I-1-253 to delay repeals for programs like the School Security Task Force (extended from 2025 to 2029), USTAR Researchers (2028), SafeUT Commission (2030), and several higher education councils and pilot programs. The bill makes technical adjustments to these sunset dates without creating new programs or appropriating funds. This affects state education initiatives and administrative bodies operating under the listed code sections.
HB 21 reorganizes Utah's criminal code (Title 76) into a clearer, standardized structure without changing existing criminal laws. It reorders offenses like animal cruelty, electronic harassment, gang activities, and tobacco sales into new statutory sections, clarifies definitions (e.g., defining "minor" for public intoxication), and moves specific provisions to more appropriate legal sections (e.g., libel to Title 45). The bill removes outdated references (like the defunct Utah Trade Commission) and corrects minor technical errors from prior recodification efforts. It directly affects Utah courts, law enforcement, and legal professionals who reference the criminal code, ensuring the statutes are more logically organized and easier to navigate. The bill contains no new funding or substantive policy changes, only structural and clarifying updates.
HB 36 extends the expiration date for Utah's Provo Canyon Resource Management Plan from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027. This bill does not change the management plan itself but delays when the specific provision governing it will sunset (expire). The change directly affects the Provo Canyon resource management plan, allowing it to remain in effect for two additional years. The bill makes this adjustment through a technical amendment to Utah Code Section 63L-11-204, with no new funding or policy changes.
HB 551 prohibits public officials from using public funds to pay for billboards or mass communications containing their image, likeness, or prominently displayed name less than 60 days before an election, caucus, or convention where they are a candidate. It directly affects elected and appointed officials (like mayors, county commissioners, or state legislators) who seek re-election. The law defines "public funds" broadly to include taxpayer money from government entities and clarifies that such communications must not influence voters for or against a candidate. Exceptions exist for certain mass communications, but the core rule prevents using taxpayer resources for campaign-style advertising near election time. The bill amends Utah Code Sections 20A-11-1202 and adds Section 20A-11-1203.5, effective after Governor's signature on March 24, 2025.
HB 302 ensures minors in Utah’s state custody (like foster care) maintain Medicaid eligibility while receiving federal benefits. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for Medicaid waivers by 2026, evaluate each minor’s federal benefit eligibility within 60 days of placement, and apply for benefits on their behalf. The department must manage federal benefit funds in separate accounts, use ABLE accounts when possible, spend up to 75% on maintenance costs, and provide annual financial literacy training. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the legislature on benefits managed for these minors.
