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.
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.
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.
HB 141 imposes a 2% tax on international money transfers processed by licensed businesses (like Western Union or MoneyGram) starting January 1, 2027. Customers can avoid the tax by presenting valid ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license) at the time of transfer. Licensed transmitters must collect the tax separately on receipts, remit it quarterly to Utah’s State Tax Commission, and submit annual reports detailing transactions and tax collection. The bill also requires the Department of Financial Institutions to provide the Tax Commission with a list of all licensed transmitters each year.
HB 210 modifies Utah's Individual Income Tax Act to reduce tax burdens for certain filers. It removes marriage penalties by setting half the income phaseout limits for single, head of household, and married filing separately filers compared to joint filers, and creates a new nonrefundable tax credit for married filers. The bill directly affects Utah taxpayers with these filing statuses, particularly married couples who file separately. It applies retroactively to prior tax years, requires no new state funding, and amends multiple tax code sections to implement these changes.
HB 43 creates Utah's School Safety Support Program to fund school safety measures like personnel, infrastructure, and emergency protocols. It directs state funding to school districts and charter schools based on enrollment (with a 20% equal share for all charters and 80% per student), requiring schools to submit safety plans and annual reports to receive funds. The bill protects this program from funding cuts during enrollment declines and adds it to existing education programs eligible for annual inflation adjustments. No new money is appropriated - funding comes from existing state education budgets. The program applies to all public schools meeting safety requirements under Utah's School Security Act.
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.
HB 115 exempts sales of motorcycles and passenger vehicles with a model year at least 10 years older than the current calendar year from Utah's sales and use tax. This directly affects buyers and sellers of older vehicles who would previously have paid the tax on these transactions. The bill amends Utah Code Section 59-12-104 to add this exemption while making minor technical corrections to existing tax law. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment with no new state funding required.
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.
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.
