Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 3: Current Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations

This bill provides supplemental funding for Utah state government operations during fiscal year 2026, totaling approximately $483.7 million across operating budgets, business-like activities, and transfers. It directly affects state agencies including the Governor's Office, Attorney General's office, Department of Corrections, and higher education institutions by allocating specific funds for their continued operations and projects. The legislation authorizes employment levels for internal service funds and includes provisions allowing certain funds to carry over to the next fiscal year for designated purposes like inmate housing, equipment purchases, and legal services. All appropriations are detailed by specific agency, fund source, and intended use, with restrictions on how nonlapsing funds may be spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides supplemental funding of $483.7M for state government operations, directly advancing budget appropriations and funding essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides supplemental funding to Department of Corrections and related agencies, supporting criminal justice operations and infrastructure.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections

vetoed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 3: Appropriations Adjustments

HB 3 adjusts state government budgets for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 by increasing or decreasing funding for various agencies, education programs, and higher education institutions. The bill provides specific budget changes for criminal justice agencies, including the Governor's Office, Board of Pardons and Parole, Judicial Council, and Department of Public Safety, with some funds designated for technology upgrades and program implementation. It also allocates money to support bills passed in the 2026 General Session and includes intent language regarding fund usage. The legislation appropriates hundreds of millions of dollars across operating budgets, expendable funds, and business-like activities from multiple funding sources including the General Fund, Income Tax Fund, and various restricted accounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly adjusts state budgets by increasing funding for various agencies, education programs, and higher education institutions, directly advancing fiscal management and public service funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funding to criminal justice agencies including Department of Corrections and Judicial Council, with funds designated for technology upgrades and program implementation, indicating support for the system.65% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funds for technology upgrades in criminal justice agencies, indicating support for technology implementation and modernization.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Income Tax State Budget Probation & Parole

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signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 2: Public Education Budget Amendments

This bill adjusts state funding for Utah's public education system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating money to school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies while modifying several existing programs. It eliminates two grant programs - the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program and the Personalized, Competency-based Learning Grants Program - while creating new reporting requirements for how the state superintendent transfers funds and how student data is managed for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The legislation also establishes a new College and Career Counseling program, increases funding for at-risk students, and sets standards for mental health screening fund distribution and educator salary adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding for public education system for FY 2026-2027, strengthening education budget despite eliminating some grants85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts state funding for public education system, allocating money to school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies despite eliminating some grants75% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill eliminates Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program and Personalized, Competency-based Learning Grants, reducing funding for technology integration in education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Student Health Teachers

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 2: New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations

This bill provides supplemental budget funding for Utah state government agencies and institutions for fiscal year 2027, totaling approximately $1.16 billion in operating and capital budgets. It directly affects state departments including corrections, criminal justice, higher education, and various administrative offices by increasing or decreasing their allocated funds. The legislation authorizes specific employment levels for internal service funds and outlines funding sources from the General Fund, Income Tax Fund, and various restricted accounts. Money is distributed across programs such as jail reimbursement, indigent defense services, prison operations, and children's justice centers, with some line items showing budget reductions alongside increases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides $1.16B in supplemental funding for state agencies including corrections, education, and administrative offices, directly advancing budget appropriations and government spending.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Income Tax State Budget

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 505: Vehicle Tax and Fee Amendments

HB 505 reorganizes Utah's vehicle tax and fee structure, affecting all vehicle owners in the state by changing how registration fees and taxes are classified and collected. Key provisions include redesignating service, regulatory, and vehicle taxes; creating a new restricted account for Motor Vehicle Division funding; and eliminating six-month vehicle registration options. The bill also reorganizes related code sections and appropriates $9.88 million in capital project funds from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027. These changes streamline administrative processes but do not introduce new taxes or fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestructures vehicle taxes to fund Motor Vehicle Division via new restricted account and appropriates $9.88M capital funds, promoting fiscal management and funding essential operations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAppropriates $9.88M in capital project funds for transportation infrastructure and reorganizes fees to fund Motor Vehicle Division operations, directly advancing transportation funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 285: Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments

SB 285 creates a new "Uninsured Children Dental Care Restricted Account" within Utah's General Fund and appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2027 to fund dental care for uninsured children. The bill directs the University of Utah School of Dentistry's Oral Health Assistance Program to provide these services across all counties. Funds are nonlapsing for FY2027-28, with excess amounts over $200,000 lapsing to the General Fund starting FY2028-29. This bill directly affects uninsured children in Utah by expanding access to dental care through a dedicated funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M from General Fund for uninsured children's dental care, directly increasing state spending on public health services per budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $5M for dental care services for uninsured children, directly expanding access to health services and funding a healthcare program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 485: Property Tax Revenue Increase Amendments

HB 485 limits how much revenue school districts and other local taxing entities can collect from new property value growth (e.g., increases in property values beyond the base assessment). It caps this revenue at the lesser of two amounts: (1) new growth multiplied by a set tax rate, or (2) an inflation-adjusted budget increase. This change affects school districts' ability to raise funds from new property values and adjusts how state contributions to basic school programs are calculated. The bill makes technical updates to property tax laws without appropriating new state funds, effective January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps property tax revenue growth for school districts, limiting their ability to collect new funds from rising property values.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationCapping property tax revenue growth limits school districts' ability to raise funds from new property values, restricting potential education funding increases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget School Funding Testing & Assessment

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signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 599: Social Services Funding Amendments

HB 599 amends Utah's social services funding to redirect interest earned from the Medicaid ACA Fund into the General Fund, freeing up $759,700 annually for 2026-2027. It adds immunosuppressive drugs to Medicaid's preferred drug list and transitions the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) into Medicaid, with dental services for CHIP beneficiaries to be provided through the University of Utah School of Dentistry. The bill also allocates funds from electronic cigarette taxes to support substance use treatment and prevention services. These changes directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries, CHIP enrollees (now covered under Medicaid), and individuals seeking substance use treatment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects Medicaid ACA Fund interest to General Fund, freeing $759k annually for fiscal management and allocates e-cig tax revenue.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds immunosuppressive drugs to Medicaid, transitions CHIP to Medicaid with dental services, and allocates new funds - expands coverage and access without defunding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 449: Utah Taxpayer Oversight of Government Spending Amendments

HB 449 would require Utah voters to approve most increases in state or local government taxes or debt, as well as any spending above a set limit in a fiscal year. It also eliminates automatic tax increases and mandates refunds of excess revenue collected beyond approved spending limits. These changes would apply to all state and local government entities and require voter approval of a constitutional amendment before taking effect. The bill does not appropriate new funds and is contingent on passage of the proposed constitutional amendment.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts tax increases and spending without voter approval, requiring constitutional amendment for changes; eliminates automatic tax hikes and mandates refunds for excess revenue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Business Taxes State Budget

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introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 525: Child Care Pilot Program Amendments

HB 525 creates the Child Care Center Employee Subsidy Pilot Program, which provides subsidies to licensed child care centers to reduce tuition costs for their own employees' children. It directly affects licensed child care centers (eligible employers) and their staff (eligible employees) who enroll children at the center but don't qualify for standard income-based subsidies. The program allows centers to receive up to 50% of average monthly tuition costs for each eligible employee's child, funded by a $3 million appropriation from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027. Funds in the new restricted account are designated as nonlapsing, ensuring they remain available for the program's duration. The bill amends existing child care subsidy laws to establish this targeted support, preventing duplicate benefits for the same child under other subsidy programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds (up to 50% tuition subsidies) for child care centers' employees, directly increasing public spending on workforce services and childcare programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides subsidies to reduce child care costs for employee children, expanding workforce benefits under Workforce Services and Public Assistance subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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