Budget & Taxes

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 272: Tourism Taxes Amendments

HB 272 strengthens oversight of how counties spend tourism-related taxes (like transient room taxes and tourism facility taxes). It requires counties to submit detailed annual reports on tourism tax spending to the state auditor and legislative fiscal analysts, who must jointly review if funds comply with state rules. If reports are inadequate, the state auditor can block counties from accessing tourism revenue until compliance is proven. This directly affects counties collecting these taxes, ensuring they account for spending on tourism promotion, emergency services, and infrastructure tied to tourism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStrengthens oversight of tourism tax spending compliance, requiring detailed reports and blocking non-compliant county access to funds, promoting fiscal responsibility.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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

Track

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

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 157: Department of Natural Resources Amendments

HB 157 amends various Utah laws related to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It changes how the DNR handles employee work periods, allows water rights records to be kept electronically or physically, and adjusts rules for water rights after contract issues. The bill removes a cap on low-interest loans for water metering, ends the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, and repeals funding rules for a watershed program. It appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for DNR operations in fiscal year 2027. The changes primarily affect DNR staff, water rights holders, and entities managing water resources in Utah.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEnds Alternative Energy Tax Credit and repeals watershed funding, defunding program and restricting tax relief.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, removing financial incentive for renewables and weakening clean energy support.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEnds Alternative Energy Tax Credit and repeals watershed program funding, defunding environmental initiatives per bill text.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

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

Track

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

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 99: Eyewear Sales Tax Amendments

HB 99 exempts corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses from Utah's sales and use tax by reclassifying them as "prosthetic devices" under existing tax law. This change directly affects consumers purchasing these items, removing a tax burden that previously applied. The bill amends Utah Code Section 59-12-102 to include eyewear in the definition of prosthetic devices, which already qualify for tax exemption. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment, with no additional state funding required.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts eyewear from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to consumers purchasing essential items, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 124: Veteran Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption Amendments

This bill simplifies property tax exemption applications for Utah veterans who are disabled or killed in action, and their surviving spouses or minor children. It requires counties to accept a single application for the exemption unless a veteran's disability rating changes or the claimant changes. Counties can no longer demand repeated proof of disability beyond the initial filing, and the exemption covers 100% of property value for eligible veterans (with 10%+ disability) or survivors of veterans killed in action. The changes apply retroactively with no new state funding required.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing their tax burden and aligning with tax relief indicators for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax exemption for veterans, reducing housing costs for eligible individuals, supporting affordable housing access.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSimplifies property tax exemption for veterans (10%+ disability) and survivors, eliminating repeated proof and ensuring 100% coverage, directly expanding access to benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 5: Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Base Budget

HB 5 is a funding bill that allocates $1.3 billion in state funds for Utah's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality agencies for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly affects the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, providing specific appropriations for its programs like Animal Industry, Invasive Species Mitigation, Plant Industry, and Marketing. The bill details funding sources (including General Fund and Income Tax Fund) and includes limited provisions for non-lapsing funds to cover specific operational needs like equipment, training, and projects. It does not create new policies but authorizes spending for existing agency operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.3B for state agencies' programs via General/Income Tax funds, directly funding essential services without cuts or tax increases.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $1.3B to Utah Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Quality agencies, directly funding air quality, natural resources, and conservation programs per bill title and subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Utah · Senate Feb 1, 2026

SB 6: Transportation and Infrastructure Base Budget

SB 6 is a state budget bill allocating $333.6 million for Utah's transportation and infrastructure operations in fiscal year 2026, and $3.8 billion for fiscal year 2027. It specifies funding sources including $54 million from the General Fund for 2026 and $165 million from the General Fund for 2027, covering agency operations, capital projects, and infrastructure needs. The bill directs funds to state agencies like the Department of Transportation and specifies allocations for projects such as the Ogden office building and capital improvements, without changing policy or directly affecting citizens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $333.6M for transportation infrastructure via General Fund, directly funding public services under state budget management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $333.6M (2026) and $3.8B (2027) specifically for transportation infrastructure operations, capital projects, and agency funding per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes