Budget & Taxes

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 453: Unspent Funding Amendments

HB 453 creates a new "Unspent Balances Restricted Account" to manage state funds that would otherwise expire at fiscal year-end. It requires the Division of Finance to annually transfer specified percentages of unspent balances from various state accounts into this restricted account. The bill directs how money in this account can be used, though it does not appropriate new funds. This affects all state agencies and departments that hold unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year, ensuring those funds are redirected for specific purposes rather than returned to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates restricted account for unspent funds, directing efficient fiscal management without new appropriations, aligning with fiscal responsibility.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 466: Utah Rural Jobs Act Modifications

HB 466 modifies Utah's Rural Jobs Act to authorize new nonrefundable income and insurance tax credits for investments in eligible small businesses located in rural counties. It directly affects insurers and their affiliates that make qualifying investments through rural investment companies, allowing them to claim tax credits against state taxes or retaliatory assessments. The bill enacts new provisions (effective January 1, 2027) that specify credit amounts and carry-forward rules, while repealing one outdated section and making technical updates to related statutes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes nonrefundable tax credits for rural business investments, reducing state tax revenue via incentives to promote economic development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 554: State Debt Collection Amendments

HB 554 modifies Utah's debt collection rules to streamline how government entities recover unpaid amounts. It directs the State Tax Commission to apply corporate tax overpayments toward debts under the Crime Victims Restitution Act, allows collections without a court judgment, and standardizes definitions for "accounts receivable" (including fines, restitution, and taxes). The bill also permits the State Debt Collection Fund to retain up to one year's expenses annually and makes technical updates to multiple statutes. These changes primarily affect taxpayers with outstanding debts and government agencies collecting public funds, with no new state funding required.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStreamlines tax debt collection, enhances revenue recovery via corporate tax overpayments, and promotes fiscal management efficiency.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines restitution collections under Crime Victims Restitution Act, directly supporting victim compensation within criminal justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 521: Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments

HB 521 creates a new Public Education Economic Stabilization Trust Fund managed by the state treasurer, which must receive $350 million annually starting in 2027 from the existing Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account. The bill requires this trust fund to be funded before other one-time appropriations for public education, ensuring priority for education funding during budget cycles. It also exempts the trust fund from standard state financial management laws and corrects how minimum funding levels apply. This directly affects Utah's public education system by mandating a dedicated funding stream for schools and specific programs like the Catalyst Center Grant Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrioritizes $350M annual education funding before other appropriations, strengthening public education budget allocation and fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates mandatory $350M annual education trust fund prioritized over other appropriations, ensuring stable school funding per bill's funding requirements and subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 235: Income Tax Revisions

HB 235 reduces Utah's corporate and individual income tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. It directly affects Utah corporations and residents who pay state income tax, lowering their tax burden slightly. The bill amends three key tax code sections (59-7-104, 59-7-201, and 59-10-104) to reflect the new rate, with no new state funding required. The change applies retroactively to 2026 tax years and takes effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces corporate and individual tax rates, weakening state revenue collection without new funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 375: Outdoor Recreation Modifications

HB 375 modifies Utah's Outdoor Adventure Infrastructure Restricted Account to allow up to 2% of funds to cover administrative costs, which were previously restricted. The bill does not appropriate new money but clarifies that existing funds - collected from specific deposits - can now support account management. It maintains the existing distribution rules, requiring at least 15% to state parks, 22% to competitive recreation grants, 53% to larger infrastructure projects, and 10% to the Utah Fairpark district. This change directly affects state agencies managing recreation infrastructure funds, such as the Division of State Parks and Division of Outdoor Recreation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies existing funds can cover administrative costs, promoting efficient fiscal management within current budget allocations without new appropriations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates 53% of funds to larger infrastructure projects, directly supporting transportation infrastructure under topic description.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 405: State Purchasing Reserve Funding

HB 405 creates a new "State Purchasing Reserve Restricted Account" by imposing a 0.5% administrative fee on state cooperative contracts. Revenue from this fee is deposited into the account and must be invested in precious metals by the state treasurer. The funds can later be used to offset procurement costs for public entities (like local governments or schools) if specific inflation metrics are met, ensuring continuity in purchasing goods and services. This bill directly affects state cooperative contracts and public entities that rely on them for procurement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 0.5% fee (new revenue source) to fund a reserve for procurement cost stability during inflation, promoting fiscal responsibility and managing state spending within Budget & Taxes framework.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 78: Property Tax Relief Amendments

SB 78 modifies Utah's property tax relief programs, effective 2027, primarily affecting renters, homeowners, and elderly property owners. It expands eligibility for a renter's credit and adds a two-year recency requirement for homeowner credits and indigent abatements, while prohibiting multiple forms of relief (with exceptions). Key changes include removing annual inflation adjustments for homeowner credits, extending delinquency periods to 10 years for seniors 70+, and setting a 6% interest rate for seniors 65+. The bill also requires counties to provide clearer information about deferral programs and tax relief options on official notices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly expands renter tax credit eligibility and modifies relief programs to provide tax relief, directly advancing property tax relief for target groups per bill title and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 229: Restricted Account Modifications

HB 229 modifies rules for two state restricted accounts: the Tobacco Settlement Restricted Account and the Electronic Cigarette Substance and Nicotine Product Proceeds Restricted Account. It updates how funds are allocated when legislative appropriations exceed available revenue (requiring sequential, partial funding until exhausted) and adds a sunset review requirement for electronic cigarette account provisions before their automatic repeal. The bill makes technical corrections to ensure consistency but does not appropriate new money. These changes primarily affect state agencies that manage tobacco-related funding, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Tax Commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUpdates allocation rules for restricted accounts, promoting fiscal responsibility through sequential funding and sunset reviews for fiscal management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 170: School Board Referendum Amendments

HB 170 amends Utah's laws to establish a clearer process for school district residents to hold referendums on certain school board decisions. Specifically, it allows voters who live within a school district to petition for a vote on laws passed by their local school board that increase taxes or create new taxes, subject to limited exceptions. The bill defines key terms related to referendums and makes technical updates to existing statutes, but does not appropriate new funding or create new financial obligations. This directly affects school district residents seeking to challenge tax-related decisions through a voter referendum.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill requires voter approval for school tax increases, restricting school boards' authority to enact tax changes without public consent.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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