Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

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

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 288: Medicaid Provider Amendments

SB 288 requires Utah's Department of Health and Human Services to establish quality standards for Medicaid providers (including managed care entities and fee-for-service providers) and annually report their performance to the legislature. It mandates a new "closed loop referral system" to coordinate social needs care (like housing or food assistance) for Medicaid-eligible individuals, ensuring secure communication and tracking of referrals between providers. The bill appropriates $42.7 million for fiscal year 2027 to fund these requirements, including $16.9 million from the General Fund. This directly affects Medicaid providers through performance evaluations and new reporting duties, while improving care coordination for Medicaid enrollees with social needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $42.7 million for Medicaid provider quality standards and referral system, increasing government spending on public health services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Medicaid quality standards, mandates coordinated social needs referrals, and appropriates $42.7M to improve care access and provider performance for Medicaid recipients.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

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

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 160: Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Amendments

This bill makes permanent a budgeting mechanism that adjusts Medicaid reimbursement rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services based on Utah's General Fund revenue growth. It ensures ABA providers receive rate increases tied to the state's budget growth factor (e.g., 100% if growth is below 100%, or 102% if growth is 102% or higher). The policy directly affects Medicaid providers delivering ABA services to beneficiaries and ensures these rates stay aligned with reimbursement for similar services under Medicaid managed care plans. The bill does not appropriate new funding but modifies how existing funds are allocated to maintain these rate adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ties Medicaid reimbursement rates to Utah's General Fund revenue growth, ensuring stable funding alignment with budget performance and preventing defunding of ABA services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures ABA providers receive rate increases tied to Utah's budget growth, directly funding mental health services under Medicaid and protecting provider reimbursement rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid Mental Health

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 300: School District Taxation Amendments

HB 300 extends a 5-year "hold harmless" period for school districts that reduce their tax rates due to changes in property valuation. This protects districts from losing state funding guarantees if they proportionally lower all local tax levies (voted, board, and capital). The bill phases out excess state funding received in 2025 over three years (2026-2028), requiring districts to gradually reduce payments until 2029. It does not appropriate new funds but adjusts how existing state guarantee money is distributed to maintain stability during tax rate changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProtects school districts from losing state funding guarantees when reducing local tax rates, maintaining fiscal stability without new appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends 'hold harmless' period to protect school district funding guarantees from tax reductions, preventing loss of state funding without new appropriations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget School Funding

signed · Utah · Senate Feb 1, 2026

SB 1: Higher Education Base Budget

SB 1 allocates $44.5 million for Utah's public higher education institutions for fiscal year 2026 and $3.08 billion for 2027, funding operations, instruction, research, and specific programs. It directs funds from the General Fund, Income Tax Fund, and other sources to institutions like the University of Utah (including its School of Medicine, cancer research, and hospital) and Utah State University (covering veterinary medicine, dentistry, and career education). The bill specifies detailed budget breakdowns for departments such as academic support, student services, and initiatives like the Poison Control Center. This funding directly supports the day-to-day operations and strategic priorities of Utah's public universities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3.08B from General/Income Tax Funds to public higher education, directly increasing state budget funding for essential education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $3.08B for 2027 higher education operations, instruction, and research at public institutions, directly funding core educational functions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget Higher Education

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 8: State Agency Fees and Internal Service Fund Authorization and Appropriations

HB 8 is a budget bill that allocates funding for Utah state agencies during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It adjusts existing appropriations for agencies like the Department of Corrections, Attorney General’s office, and criminal justice commissions by authorizing specific agency fees and internal service fund rates. The bill appropriates over $14 million for 2027 operations, including $4.1 million from the General Fund and $1.3 million from the Income Tax Fund, while also making adjustments for prior-year funding impacts. It directly affects state government operations by determining how agencies budget for services, staff, and programs without creating new policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $14M for agency operations via appropriations, directly funding state budget management without tax changes or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Income Tax State Budget

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 318: Agency Fee Amendments

HB 318 modifies Utah's budget procedures for state agencies that charge other state agencies for services (internal service fund agencies). It requires these agencies to submit detailed rate data to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and Legislative Fiscal Analyst *before* billing other agencies, including cost breakdowns and justification for fees. The bill also mandates annual reports on actual costs and revenue for each fee charged. These changes aim to increase transparency around interagency billing without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates transparency in agency fee structures and cost reporting, promoting fiscal accountability within state budget procedures per subjects listed.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 1: Public Education Base Budget Amendments

HB 1 amends Utah's public education budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, primarily adjusting funding formulas and allocations. It sets the weighted pupil unit (WPU) value at $4,870 for 2026-2027, revises eligibility for career and technical education funding, and modifies emergency funding for English learners. The bill appropriates over $8.7 billion for school operations and capital budgets in 2027, including $4.8 billion from the Uniform School Fund, and adjusts tax rate calculations to support school funding. These changes directly affect Utah school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies through updated budget allocations and funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $8.7B for public education, adjusts tax rates to fund school budgets, and increases WPU value, directly advancing state education finance.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $8.7B+ for K-12 operations including $4.8B from Uniform School Fund, increases WPU value, and revises funding formulas to support schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 8: State Agency and Higher Education Compensation Appropriations

SB 8 provides funding for compensation adjustments for Utah state employees and higher education staff for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It includes a 1% labor market pay increase, funding for health/dental benefit changes, retirement rate adjustments, and a $26-per-pay-period retirement plan match. The bill appropriates $124.5 million for 2027 (with significant portions from General and Income Tax Funds) to cover these specific employee compensation changes. It directly affects all state employees and higher education personnel covered by these funding provisions. The bill focuses on operational budget adjustments rather than new policy mandates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $124.5M from General/Income Tax Funds for state employee compensation increases, directly funding public sector salaries and benefits per budgeting needs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds higher education staff compensation with 1% pay increase, health benefits, and retirement matches, directly supporting educators in state higher education institutions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds 1% pay increase, health benefits, retirement adjustments for state employees - directly advances compensation and benefits per Labor & Employment indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget Public Employees Retirement Benefits