Budget & Taxes

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 523: Homeless Services Land Use Amendments

HB 523 prohibits Utah's Office of Homeless Services from using state funds to establish or operate shelters with 300 or more beds year-round (defined as "large-scale, low-barrier shelters"), excluding temporary emergency shelters. It repeals a law allowing eminent domain for unincorporated city-owned land related to homeless services and makes technical updates to existing statutes. The bill does not appropriate new funding and specifically restricts state appropriations, not federal funds. It affects how state money can be allocated for homeless shelter infrastructure but does not change services for temporary shelters or existing homeless management systems.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts state appropriations by prohibiting funds for large homeless shelters, directly limiting budget allocation for this purpose without new funding.95% confidence

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introduced · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 274: Supplemental Funding for Literacy Coaching

SB 274 provides supplemental funding to Utah's local schools based on student reading assessment results. It directs the state board to give additional literacy coaching support to school districts (LEAs) and small schools (under 300 students) where average reading performance falls below statewide averages on benchmark assessments. Funding amounts are set as half a full-time equivalent for most districts and a full-time equivalent for small schools showing significant reading growth gaps. The bill does not appropriate new state funds but triggers existing budget allocations based on prior year assessment data, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides supplemental state funding for literacy coaching in schools, directly increasing education budget allocation for K-12 programs based on student performance metrics.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 274 provides supplemental funding for literacy coaching in schools with below-average reading performance, directly advancing educational support through targeted financial resources to improve student outcomes in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Testing & Assessment

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 247: Road Funding Amendments

SB 247 would establish a minimum statewide average rack price for motor fuel (gasoline), starting January 1, 2027, initially set at $2.67 per gallon. Beginning January 1, 2028, this minimum price would be adjusted annually based on a formula to account for inflation or other factors. The bill directly affects drivers and businesses that purchase motor fuel by setting a guaranteed floor price for gasoline. This legislation failed in the Senate on March 4, 2026, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSets minimum gasoline price floor to ensure stable fuel tax revenue for transportation funding, directly supporting state budget through consistent taxation.95% confidence

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signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 254: Extracted Natural Resources Amendments

SB 254 streamlines permitting for critical minerals projects by prioritizing state agency review and allowing parallel processing for permits related to extraction or processing in designated zones. It redirects severance tax revenues into new state accounts for mineral development, establishes a Critical Minerals Council to coordinate policy and annual reviews, and creates a public "Critical Minerals Atlas" for data sharing. The bill also adjusts property taxes in critical minerals zones and modifies tax credits for mining exploration. These changes primarily affect mining companies, local governments managing mineral-rich areas, and state agencies overseeing natural resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects severance tax revenues to mineral development accounts and adjusts property taxes in zones, funding industry-specific development through tax reallocation.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentStreamlines mining permits and redirects funds to mineral development, prioritizing industry over environmental reviews with no environmental protection measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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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in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 484: Property Tax Changes

HB 484 limits how much additional property tax revenue Utah school districts and local taxing entities can collect without voter approval, capping increases at 20% of their previous year's revenue. It requires voter approval for tax hikes exceeding this limit and eliminates a protection period that previously shielded school districts from losing state funding when lowering tax rates. The bill also phases out excess state funding over three years if a school district reduces its certified tax rate, ensuring funding aligns with current property valuations. This directly affects school districts' budgets and local tax collection processes under Utah law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps property tax increases at 20% without voter approval, restricting local tax authority and requiring voter consent for hikes exceeding limit.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school district tax increases without voter approval and phases out excess state funding, limiting local revenue options and potential school funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Revenue

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 291: Student Transportation Amendments

SB 291 amends Utah's student transportation rules to expand eligibility for state-funded bus service. It defines "hazardous routes" (e.g., high-speed roads without sidewalks, multi-lane highways, or dangerous intersections) and creates new eligibility: students in kindergarten-grade 6 living ≥1.5 miles from school, or students in middle school (grades 6-12) living ≥2 miles away. Crucially, it adds eligibility for students in certain counties if their walking route is hazardous, regardless of distance. The bill appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund transportation for students on hazardous routes, requiring school districts to respond to parent petitions within 30 days. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands state-funded transportation eligibility, increasing public service funding for student safety. Directly allocates state budget resources to cover more students under new criteria.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands state-funded bus eligibility for K-6/MS students in hazardous routes or beyond distance thresholds, improving school access and safety.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDefines hazardous routes (e.g., high-speed roads without sidewalks) and expands bus eligibility for safety, directly enhancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Transportation Public Transit

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introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HJR 20: Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Utah Taxpayer Oversight of Government Spending

HJR 20 proposes a constitutional amendment to require voter approval for most tax increases and government debt in Utah. If passed, it would mandate that taxpayers vote to approve any rise in tax revenue or new borrowing by state or local governments, limit annual spending without voter consent, and require refunds of excess tax revenue. The amendment also specifies that residential property must be assessed using sales comparison (standard home valuation method) and allows the legislature to exempt business personal property from taxes. This change would affect all Utah taxpayers and government entities by shifting key budgetary decisions to voter approval.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill mandates voter approval for tax increases/debt, limits spending without consent, and requires tax refunds - directly restricting government fiscal actions per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Property Tax Revenue

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introduced · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 300: Single Payer Health Insurance Amendments

SB 300 would establish Utah's state-run health financing program, replacing Medicaid and public employee health plans for all residents and government employees. It creates the Utah Health Services Commission to manage the program, requires healthcare facilities to stop billing directly (with the state billing on their behalf), and transitions existing health programs into the new system. The program would be funded by a new tax, while certain outdated health programs would be repealed. This bill directly affects all Utah residents, government employees, and healthcare providers through these structural changes to the state's health coverage system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new tax to fund state health program, directly addressing taxation and budget allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state-run health financing replacing Medicaid, expands coverage to all residents, creates new funding via tax, and transitions existing programs into unified system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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vetoed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 462: School Bus Internet Access

HB 462 creates a $325,000 grant program to provide internet access on school buses for extended trips (over 60 minutes one-way) in rural Utah school districts. It targets districts with schools in specific rural counties or fewer than 3,000 students, requiring at least two buses per district to be equipped with internet systems. Districts must maintain the service for three years, follow the same internet safety rules as school buildings, and can combine grant funds with their own to cover additional buses or service time. The program takes effect July 1, 2026, and is funded through the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $325,000 grant for school bus internet, funding an education program through state budget appropriations.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $325k grant for internet access on school buses in rural K-12 districts, enhancing educational access during transportation.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds internet access on school buses for rural students, expanding connectivity and promoting digital equity in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Broadband Access Online Safety

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