HB 18 removes a requirement that individuals aged 18+ need a hunting, fishing, or combination license to simply enter Utah's wildlife management areas in certain counties. It repeals Section 23A-6-402(5)(a) which previously mandated this authorization for access. The bill does not change existing license requirements for actual hunting or fishing activities within these areas. It also makes minor technical updates to the law governing public access to state-owned wildlife lands.
HB 31 requires Utah school districts and charter schools (local education agencies) to standardize payroll reporting by using common naming conventions for job titles and including employee benefits data. The bill directs the state auditor to create these standardized naming systems, ensuring consistent reporting of compensation data across all local education agencies. It excludes certain financial information from public reporting requirements and updates the Utah Public Finance Website to improve transparency for taxpayers viewing how funds are spent. The changes aim to make financial data more comparable and accessible without adding new funding.
SB 28 modifies Utah's county classification system by requiring automatic reclassification every five years based on population and revenue thresholds. Counties must move to a higher classification if their population and revenue exceed twice the average for their current class, or to a lower classification if both fall below half the average. This affects all Utah counties by changing their legal classification (e.g., first class to second class) without legislative action, based on reports from the Utah Population Commission and State Tax Commission. The changes take effect after the lieutenant governor receives the biennial reports, starting in 2026. The bill makes no funding changes and updates existing statutes to implement this automatic adjustment process.
SB 23 prohibits the use of aircraft to conduct solar geoengineering - defined as releasing chemicals to artificially reduce solar radiation - within Utah. It makes violating this prohibition a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $100,000 fine for aircraft owners or operators. The bill requires airport operators to report suspected solar geoengineering activity to the Department of Transportation, which must then forward credible reports to the Attorney General. It also establishes a public online system for submitting suspected violations. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026.
HB 27 requires election officials to post the name, precinct, and signature date of voters who sign candidate nomination petitions on the lieutenant governor's website for 90 days after an election. It also mandates emailing voters to inform them their information is posted and to provide a process for requesting signature removal. The bill shortens the deadline for candidates to submit signatures to election officials from 14 to 21 days before a party convention. These changes directly affect voters who sign petitions and election officials managing candidate nominations, with no new funding required.
HB 25 amends Utah's candidate nomination petition rules to require signatures to be submitted to county clerks in the voter's specific county of residence, rather than any county. For offices elected across multiple counties, it mandates county clerks to verify and count only signatures from their own county, then forward totals to the lieutenant governor for ballot qualification. The bill also shortens the deadline for signature submission from 14 to 21 days before a political party's convention. These changes directly affect candidates, county clerks, and political parties seeking ballot access through signature-gathering.
HB 26 amends Utah's voting equipment rules to enhance security and standardize procurement. It bans wireless communication in all voting machines (except electronic pollbooks), repeals outdated ranked-choice voting certification rules, and requires election officials to purchase only equipment selected by the lieutenant governor's new voting equipment system. The bill creates a Voting Equipment Selection Committee to help the lieutenant governor evaluate and procure secure voting systems that meet mechanical ballot requirements. These changes directly affect election officials, vendors, and voters by standardizing equipment security and procurement processes.
SB 24 repeals multiple healthcare-related laws and licensing acts in Utah by setting specific effective dates for their termination. Key provisions include repealing the Health Care Providers Immunity from Liability Act (effective July 1, 2036), massage therapy licensing laws (2029-2034), behavioral health treatment regulations (2027), and opioid supply restrictions (2032), among others. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, clinics, and licensed professionals operating under the repealed statutes. The bill takes effect May 6, 2026, with all repealed provisions ceasing to apply on their respective dates. No new funding is appropriated, and the changes eliminate existing legal protections or requirements for covered healthcare services.
SB 29 extends the expiration date for Utah's Child Care Advisory Committee from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029, as specified in Utah Code Section 63I-1-235. This procedural bill directly affects the committee by allowing it to continue operating for an additional three years without needing reauthorization. The change modifies the existing sunset provision in the code, with no new funding or policy changes required. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving through the House.
HB 39 requires county sheriffs and Utah's Department of Corrections to implement independent oversight systems for all county jails and state correctional facilities. Specifically, it mandates that every county jail under a sheriff's jurisdiction must operate under independently administered standards and undergo regular independent inspections, with the same requirement applying to state facilities managed by the Department of Corrections. These provisions apply directly to county sheriffs, jail operators, and the Department of Corrections, adding new inspection requirements on top of existing standards. The bill makes technical updates to Utah law without appropriating new funds or creating new programs.
HB 92 modifies Utah’s process for allocating presidential electors. It changes how the state distributes its electoral votes: one vote per congressional district goes to the candidate winning that district, and two statewide votes go to the candidate winning the statewide popular vote. The bill also requires political parties or candidates to notify the lieutenant governor if a presidential elector vacancy occurs, and standardizes deadlines for filing candidacies and selecting electors. These changes apply directly to Utah’s election procedures and the state’s delegation to the Electoral College.
This bill designates the portion of Route 126 in Weber County as the George E. Wahlen Memorial Highway. It requires the Utah Department of Transportation to include this name on future state highway maps and install appropriate signage along the route. The legislation affects only the naming and signage of this specific highway segment and does not involve any funding or changes to traffic laws. It takes effect on May 6, 2026.
