Budget & Taxes

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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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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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 141: International Money Transmission Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 2% tax on international money transfers to generate state revenue, directly increasing tax collections under Budget & Taxes.95% 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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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 115: Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts older vehicle sales from tax, providing relief typically for lower-income buyers, aligning with tax relief indicator for support.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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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

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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

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 6: Criminal Justice Base Budget

HB 6 is a state budget bill that allocates funding for Utah's criminal justice system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It appropriates $1.35 billion for 2027 (including $949 million from the General Fund) and $27.8 million for 2026 to support agencies like the Governor's Office, Attorney General's Office, and Board of Pardons and Parole. Key provisions include funding for factual innocence payments ($95,000), jail reimbursements ($412,900), indigent defense services ($283,400), and non-lapsing funds for casework acceleration ($5 million) and children's justice centers ($1 million). The bill specifies how funds may be used and includes intent language to prevent certain appropriations from expiring at year-end.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.35B for criminal justice funding including $949M General Fund, directly advancing state budget appropriations for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $1.35B for criminal justice agencies including indigent defense and factual innocence payments, directly funding reform-oriented services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 7: Social Services Base Budget

HB 7 is the Social Services Base Budget for Utah’s fiscal years 2026 and 2027, providing $8.6 billion in total funding to state agencies, primarily the Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects programs like Child and Family Services, Medicaid, mental health services, and health care administration by allocating specific funds - such as $1.588 billion from the General Fund for 2027 and $53.38 million for legal cost reporting. Key provisions include requiring the Health and Human Services Department to report to lawmakers by May 2026 on attorney fees for child welfare services, including historical costs and funding gaps. The bill establishes concrete budget allocations for operations, capital projects, and specific initiatives without changing program eligibility or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $8.6B total funding for social services including Medicaid, mental health, and Child Services, increasing public service funding through General Fund appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $1.588B General Fund for 2027 to Medicaid, mental health, and health services programs under DHHS95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes