SB 249 establishes a Labor Relations Board to oversee collective bargaining for public employees in Utah. The bill creates a board with five members (the Labor Commission commissioner plus four governor-appointed members representing employers and employees) and sets rules for representation elections, mandatory bargaining between public employers and unions, and dispute resolution through mediation or arbitration. It prohibits police officers from striking and requires unions to represent all employees without discrimination. The bill also outlines procedures for investigating unfair labor practices and administering collective bargaining agreements, affecting all state and local government employees covered by the new rules.
SB 243 amends tax increment financing rules for public transit-oriented developments in designated counties. It limits new projects to a 1/3-mile radius of transit hubs, restricts total project area to 125 noncontiguous acres, and caps the capture of property tax increases at 50% (not 80%) over a 15-year period per parcel. These changes apply specifically to projects approved under the bill's framework within a 30-year overall timeline. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Rules Committee after committee recommendations failed.
HJR 24 modifies the membership structure of Utah's Executive Appropriations Committee, changing its composition from 20 members to a new format. The bill establishes the committee as consisting of co-chairs from eight specific subcommittees (covering areas like education, transportation, and social services) plus two members appointed by the Senate minority leader and two by the House minority leader. This procedural change, effective May 6, 2026, does not appropriate funds or alter budget policy. The resolution solely adjusts committee staffing rules under legislative procedures.
HB 470 requires municipalities to approve plan reviews for certain owner-occupied single-family home renovations, directly affecting homeowners making alterations to their primary residences. The bill allows these homeowners to hire a third-party inspection firm instead of relying solely on municipal inspections if the municipality cannot complete an inspection within three business days. Key provisions include setting a three-business-day screening period for application completeness and mandating written violation notices during inspections. The law makes technical updates to Utah’s building code but does not appropriate new funds or change fees.
SB 279 creates a 50% nonrefundable tax credit for property owners within one mile of designated "homeless services campuses" (facilities offering emergency shelter, mental health services, and support in one location, excluding correctional centers or microshelters). It directly affects qualifying property owners who receive annual tax notices for their land near these campuses. The credit equals half the property taxes paid in the year the tax notice is issued, applied to the owner’s state tax return. This policy aims to offset costs for neighbors of these facilities through a direct tax reduction.
SB 239 establishes rules for Utah's "homeless services campus," a single facility providing emergency shelter, mental health treatment, and support services to people experiencing homelessness. It requires the state coordinator and Homeless Services Board to create a comprehensive plan covering safety, transportation, services offered, and staff requirements within a set timeframe after selecting a campus location. The bill also creates an ombudsman role to investigate campus violations, recommend remediation, and potentially halt operations, while mandating reporting and coordination with public safety entities. These changes directly affect the Office of Homeless Services, the Utah Homeless Services Board, campus operators, and the people using these facilities.
SB 282 amends rules for large electricity contracts affecting major industrial users (defined as customers with 100+ megawatts demand). It requires these "large load customers" to prove their contracts won’t harm grid reliability or raise costs for other customers, include measurable benefits to the grid or other users, post financial security before construction starts, and submit annual reports on electricity and water use. The bill updates definitions for terms like "large load facilities" and "evaluation" to clarify these requirements. These changes apply to contracts between large customers and utilities or energy providers, with no new funding required.
SB 272 allows charter schools in Utah to become eligible for state transportation funding starting on a specified date. It requires the State Board of Education to study charter school transportation funding needs and establishes new reporting requirements for this funding. The bill also includes a sunset provision (ending the policy after a set date) and makes technical changes to existing education codes. No new state funds are appropriated for this change, meaning it modifies eligibility rules without additional spending.
SB 255 creates the Homelessness in Vulnerable Populations Task Force to assess housing needs for specific vulnerable groups in five Utah counties (Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, and Weber) ahead of the 2034 Olympics. The task force, composed of 17 members including housing authorities, nonprofits, and Olympic organizers, must evaluate gaps in shelters, supportive housing, and affordable options while analyzing displacement risks from Olympic-related housing demands. It will identify potential funding sources like grants or public-private partnerships and report findings to a legislative committee by November 2026. The bill directly affects individuals facing barriers like disabilities, domestic violence, mental illness, or homelessness in the specified counties, with no new funding provided. The task force will sunset on December 31, 2026.
SB 247 would establish a minimum statewide average rack price for motor fuel (gasoline), starting January 1, 2027, initially set at $2.67 per gallon. Beginning January 1, 2028, this minimum price would be adjusted annually based on a formula to account for inflation or other factors. The bill directly affects drivers and businesses that purchase motor fuel by setting a guaranteed floor price for gasoline. This legislation failed in the Senate on March 4, 2026, and did not become law.
SB 259 requires investigators, auditors, and prosecuting attorneys to sign sworn statements confirming evidence in felony cases was collected or disclosed lawfully under state and federal law. Specifically, it mandates that individuals obtaining evidence sign a statement verifying compliance with legal procedures, while prosecutors must sign a statement confirming they disclosed exculpatory evidence as required by law. These signed statements must include an unsworn declaration, and failing to comply is classified as a class A misdemeanor. The bill directly affects criminal justice professionals handling felony cases in Utah and takes effect May 6, 2026. It makes no changes to funding or other policy areas.
SB 291 amends Utah's student transportation rules to expand eligibility for state-funded bus service. It defines "hazardous routes" (e.g., high-speed roads without sidewalks, multi-lane highways, or dangerous intersections) and creates new eligibility: students in kindergarten-grade 6 living ≥1.5 miles from school, or students in middle school (grades 6-12) living ≥2 miles away. Crucially, it adds eligibility for students in certain counties if their walking route is hazardous, regardless of distance. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund transportation for students on hazardous routes, requiring school districts to respond to parent petitions within 30 days. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
