HB 109 modifies Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program to prevent grade repetition for students using scholarship funds. It updates program rules in Utah Code sections 53F-6-402, 403, and 405 without adding new funding. The bill affects families using scholarships for private or home-based education, maintaining annual limits ($8,000 for private schools, $4,000-$6,000 for home-based students). Key changes include adjusting how unused scholarship funds are redistributed when students exit mid-year and clarifying accountability requirements for continued eligibility. The bill does not alter scholarship amounts or eligibility criteria but refines program administration.
HB 49 requires the salary ranges and pay progression for law enforcement officers in Utah's Division of Natural Resources (DNR) to match those of peace officers in the Department of Public Safety, with similar experience and qualifications. This directly affects DNR law enforcement officers, ensuring their compensation aligns with comparable state law enforcement roles. The bill includes an exception allowing DNR leadership (majors and division directors) to have lower salary ranges than other division directors within the department. It makes technical updates to Utah Code Section 63A-17-110 and takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
HB 86 expands Utah's definition of "restricted persons" who cannot possess dangerous weapons. It adds two key categories: people found not guilty by reason of insanity for *any* criminal offense (not just felonies) and those found mentally incompetent to stand trial for *any* criminal offense (not just felonies). These changes directly affect individuals with specific mental health findings in criminal cases, broadening existing restrictions. The bill amends Utah Code Section 76-11-303 to include these provisions without new funding.
SB 35 extends the expiration date of Utah's Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Pilot Program from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2031. It also prohibits individuals who previously worked for the Division of Child and Family Services from joining the program for one year after leaving that agency. The program provides parental representation liaisons (with specific educational backgrounds) to help parents navigate child welfare cases. These changes are limited to the program's timeline and employment rules, with no new funding appropriated.
SB 33 repeals a requirement that individuals or groups seeking to regulate a new occupation must first submit an application for "sunrise review" to Utah's Office of Professional Licensure Review before introducing related legislation. This change directly affects anyone proposing to regulate a new occupation, such as professionals or trades, by removing a pre-legislative review step. The bill eliminates the need for an application describing public safety concerns and the least restrictive regulation, along with a $500 fee, which previously had to be submitted before introducing such bills. The repeal takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no funding changes or additional provisions.
HB 56 allows vehicle owners to cancel registration for eligible vehicles (under 14,000 pounds gross weight) and receive refunds for registration fees and related taxes on a pro-rata monthly basis for the remaining registration period. It specifically excludes motorcycles, heavy vehicles (14,001+ lbs), off-highway vehicles, ATVs, recreational vehicles, and vintage vehicles from refunds. Owners who cancel registration but continue operating the vehicle face an additional $100 penalty. The bill modifies Utah’s vehicle registration code to implement these refund rules and clarify cancellation requirements. It does not appropriate new funds and affects owners of standard passenger vehicles who choose to deregister.
HCR 3 is a concurrent resolution expressing the Utah Legislature's support for Rugby League in the state. It encourages public and private stakeholders - including schools, local governments, and sports organizations - to expand access to Rugby League, which Utah has identified as having the most teams in the U.S. The resolution highlights Rugby League’s role in promoting community engagement, youth development, and economic opportunities, aligning with Utah’s "State of Sport" initiative. It does not appropriate funds or create new laws, but formally endorses the sport’s growth.
SJR 3 amends Utah's Rules of Judicial Administration to clarify how the state Bar can collect fees from licensed lawyers. It requires that all licensing fees directly cover the Bar's costs for admitting lawyers, disciplining members, and creating practice rules, and prohibits using these fees to fund services for lawyers or the public. The bill also allows the Bar to collect voluntary fees for specific services, provided they're reasonable and reflect actual costs. This directly affects all licensed lawyers, paralegals, and the Utah State Bar, as it governs their fee structure and oversight under the Supreme Court.
HB 64 creates a formal process for counties to nominate culturally or scientifically significant sites on Utah's school and institutional trust lands for preservation. It requires counties to submit detailed nominations - including maps, evidence of significance, public input, and preservation plans - within 24 months of receiving notice from the trust lands administration. The director must review nominations within 180 days, approve those meeting strict criteria (like limiting sites to 640 acres or excluding mineral resources), and maintain a public list of approved sites. This bill directly affects counties with trust lands and the administration, establishing clear procedures without new funding or altering existing historic preservation laws.
HB 83 creates a civil penalty for minors under 18 who possess modified imitation firearms that appear realistic in public places, but only after police have previously issued a documented warning. The law targets toys altered to look like real guns (not standard imitation firearms), requiring minors to have been warned before facing penalties. It applies specifically to public locations and does not affect first-time offenses or non-altered toys. The bill takes effect in May 2026.
HB 80 requires adults (18+) who store loaded firearms at home to secure them properly, or face a class C misdemeanor charge if a minor (under 16) accesses the firearm and uses it unlawfully in public or during a fight. It defines "locked container" as a secure storage method and sets specific conditions, including that the adult knew or should have known a minor might access the firearm. The law does not apply if a minor entered unlawfully, the firearm was used in self-defense, or the owner reported the incident to police. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and creates no new funding requirements.
HB 93 creates the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area on state-owned lands near the Great Salt Lake, designated for conservation and public use. The bill authorizes the Wildlife Board to manage this area to protect waterfowl and other wildlife habitat, enhance wetland ecosystems, and provide recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. It directly affects the Wildlife Board (which will manage the area) and the public who access the site for outdoor activities. The bill makes technical updates to existing Utah law (23A-6-403 and 23A-12-301) to formally establish the area without appropriating new funds.
