HB 439 requires counties, municipalities, and special districts to adopt written plans by January 1, 2028, outlining how they will meet future public water needs before imposing water-related development fees. The bill mandates that these plans be based on actual projected water requirements, replacing current calculation methods that relied on less specific standards. It also directs the state engineer to create rules for these plans and ensures transparency by requiring municipalities to publicly share their fee calculation methods. This change directly affects local governments and developers, as it standardizes how water fees are determined for new projects. The bill makes no changes to funding and focuses solely on planning requirements for water fee assessments.
HB 387 modifies Utah's regulations for kratom products. It requires kratom processors and retailers to register with the Department of Agriculture and Food, bans products containing synthetic alkaloids or exceeding 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine, and mandates labeling with specific alkaloid content. The bill also raises the minimum purchase age to 21 and imposes fines up to $5,000 for violations like selling unregistered or mislabeled products. If all kratom alkaloids are classified as controlled substances under state law, the entire bill would become inactive.
HB 13 allows Utah municipalities to place a legal lien on property for unpaid water, sewer, or utility-related service fees after providing written notice of the debt and intent to lien. It authorizes cities to charge interest and a one-time administrative penalty on overdue payments. The bill directly affects property owners who fall behind on these utility bills, giving municipalities a new tool to collect outstanding fees. Key provisions require clear billing notices, define "utility" services, and update lien procedures without creating new government spending.
SB 18 makes minor technical corrections to existing Utah criminal code sections without changing substantive laws. It fixes outdated references in dangerous weapon sale rules, corrects numbering errors in sexual battery statutes, and adds a missing penalty for distributing harmful material to minors. The bill also updates offense names for public assistance fraud and patterns of unlawful activity to align with current legal references. These changes ensure the criminal code remains accurate and consistent but do not create new offenses or alter penalties. The bill requires no funding and has no direct impact on citizens or law enforcement procedures.
HB 14 extends the expiration date for Utah's Behavior Analyst Licensing Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036. This change ensures the law governing behavior analyst licensure remains in effect for an additional decade, preventing its automatic repeal. The bill includes minor technical adjustments to the relevant code but does not alter licensing requirements for behavior analysts. This extension directly affects behavior analysts and the state's regulatory process for their professional licensing.
HB 20 creates a new "Corrections Facility Expansion Restricted Account" within Utah's General Fund to specifically fund the expansion of existing or construction of new state correctional facilities. The account would be funded by portions of new appropriations for capital facility costs, one-time savings from population-related fiscal impacts (starting Year 2), interest earnings, and future legislative appropriations. This bill directly affects the Utah Department of Corrections by establishing a dedicated funding mechanism for facility infrastructure, while prohibiting the use of these funds for any other purpose. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, unless passed by a two-thirds vote with specific timing requirements.
SB 17 allows Utah public colleges and school districts to pass credit card processing fees directly to students or parents when they pay tuition or fees electronically. The bill permits these institutions to collect a fee equal to the cost charged by credit card companies or payment processors for handling electronic transactions. It defines this fee as a "recovery of cost" and applies to both state universities (under Section 53B-7-902) and local school districts (under Section 53G-7-228). The law takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
HB 28 extends the expiration dates for several health-related programs and committees under Utah's Department of Health and Human Services. It specifically delays the sunset (repeal) of programs like the Rare Disease Advisory Council Grant Program, Newborn Hearing Screening Committee, Mobile Crisis Outreach Team Grant Program, and Behavioral Health Receiving Center Grant Program, pushing their expiration dates from 2026 to 2036 or later. The bill amends Utah Code sections to adjust these repeal deadlines without creating new programs or appropriating funds. These changes directly affect the ongoing operation of these advisory bodies and grant initiatives, allowing them to continue functioning past their original expiration dates.
This bill extends the expiration date for the Utah Commission on Aging from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2031. It directly affects the Utah Commission on Aging by giving the body five additional years to continue its work before its statutory termination. The bill makes only a technical change to the commission's sunset date in Utah Code, with no new programs or funding. This is a routine procedural amendment to delay the commission's automatic repeal, requiring no additional legislative action.
HB 29 amends Utah's consumer protection laws to require businesses to clearly disclose the total price of products - including all hidden fees, government charges, and shipping costs - in advertisements and offers. This directly affects suppliers (businesses selling goods or services) by prohibiting misleading pricing practices and mandating upfront transparency. The bill establishes the Division of Consumer Protection as the enforcing body, granting it authority to impose fines up to $2,500 per violation and seek court remedies for noncompliance. It defines key terms like "total price" and "mandatory ancillary charge" to ensure consistent application of the new disclosure rules.
SB 11 extends the repeal date for the Land Use and Eminent Domain Advisory Board from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036, and requires legislative review before the board's authority ends. This directly affects the advisory board, which provides guidance on land use and eminent domain issues in Utah. The bill modifies Utah Code Section 63I-1-213 to delay the board's termination and adds a requirement for lawmakers to review the board's future before its repeal. The change does not alter other existing repeal dates or create new programs.
SB 22 clarifies who can supervise a minor with a learner permit while driving in Utah. It explicitly allows stepparents and foster parents to supervise, adding them to the list of eligible supervisors alongside parents, legal guardians, and approved instructors. This change affects Utah minors aged 15-17 who hold a learner permit and need a licensed adult in the front seat to drive. The bill amends Utah Code sections 53-3-204 and 53-3-210.5 to include these definitions and provisions, with no new funding or significant policy changes beyond the supervisor eligibility.
