Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 236: Truth in Taxation Amendments

HB 236 requires local governments (like cities and school districts) proposing property tax increases to follow specific transparency steps. It mandates that these entities make a public statement about considering a tax hike before approval and submit two budgets: one without the proposed tax revenue and another including it if approved. The bill also clarifies the State Tax Commission's power to reject increases that don't meet these requirements. This directly affects how local taxing entities plan and present property tax changes, aiming to increase public accountability without new funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility through transparency requirements for local property tax increases, ensuring accountability in budgeting processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 75: Educator Salary Adjustment Eligibility

SB 75 defines eligibility for annual educator salary adjustments by requiring a license from the Division of Professional Licensing and a position as a social worker or registered nurse in an educational setting. The bill mandates that the Legislature annually appropriate funds for these adjustments, though actual funding remains subject to budget constraints. It directly affects licensed social workers and registered nurses employed in educational roles by establishing their eligibility for potential salary increases. The bill does not guarantee specific raises but creates a framework for future budget allocations to address retention and recruitment. (Note: This bill is procedural in nature, defining eligibility criteria rather than implementing new policy.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual appropriations for educator salary adjustments, directly funding specific education roles within budget constraints.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual appropriations for educator salary adjustments, establishing eligibility for licensed school social workers/nurses, directly supporting educator compensation in K-12 settings.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates annual appropriations for salary adjustments for licensed social workers and RNs in schools, directly advancing wage standards for specific educational workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Student Health Teachers

Track

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

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 321: Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments

HB 321 establishes that Utah's Department of Health and Human Services must pay University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics the standard Medicaid base rate (not higher rates) for inmate medical care when no contract exists, creating a savings mechanism. It requires the department to deposit 50% of these savings into a new "Inmate Medical Treatment Restricted Account" for correctional health services, while the other 50% returns to the General Fund. The bill mandates annual reports to legislative committees detailing the savings calculations and account balances. This directly affects state departments managing inmate healthcare, hospitals providing services, and incarcerated individuals receiving medical treatment. The policy changes focus on standardizing reimbursement rates and tracking cost savings without altering healthcare delivery.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill standardizes inmate medical rates to save costs, directing 50% of savings to General Fund, promoting fiscal responsibility and budget management.92% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates 50% of inmate medical savings to correctional health services, directly funding a key criminal justice component per bill's funding mechanism.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill redirects 50% of savings from lower inmate medical payments into a dedicated correctional health services account, explicitly funding this healthcare subsector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Corrections Medicaid

signed · Utah · Senate Feb 1, 2026

SB 7: National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and Legislature Base Budget

SB 7 is a state budget bill that allocates funding for Utah's National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and legislative operations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It appropriates $148.44 million for 2027 operations (including $76.05 million from the General Fund), covering existing programs like National Guard operations, veterans services, and legislative office support. The bill directly affects state agencies including the Utah National Guard, Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, and the Legislature’s offices, funding their ongoing operations through specific line items. It does not create new policies but provides the financial resources for current agency functions as outlined in the budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $148.44M for National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and legislative operations, directly funding essential state programs through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $76.05M General Fund for veterans services programs as part of state budget appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget National Guard & Reserve

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 214: Home-based Childcare Solutions

SB 214 creates a $2.3 million grant program (funded from the General Fund) to expand home-based childcare capacity in Utah. It requires home-based childcare providers caring for qualifying children (under 13 years old or with disabilities, not related to the provider) to register with the state, updates criminal background check requirements, and ensures funds remain available ("non-lapsing"). The bill directly affects home-based childcare providers who serve these children, with key provisions including mandatory registration, revised background checks, and the new grant program to help providers increase their capacity.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.3M from General Fund to expand childcare services, directly increasing public service funding under state budget appropriations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

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

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections Probation & Parole

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 185: Carbon Credit Amendments

HB 185 establishes new rules and funds for carbon credit transactions in Utah. It creates a Carbon Credit Investment Fund funded by a 19% assessment on carbon credit sales (administered by the State Tax Commission) and a Carbon Credit Litigation Fund. The bill requires carbon credit brokers to hold licenses, imposes criminal penalties for unlicensed sales, and gives the Office of Energy Development a right of first refusal to purchase in-state carbon credits. State agencies must report carbon credit details and deposit sale revenue into the General Fund, while 5% of the Investment Fund’s annual earnings go to rural counties and eligible rural colleges meeting specific enrollment and completion rate criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 19% assessment on carbon credit sales to fund state programs via new Carbon Credit Investment/Litigation Funds, directly establishing revenue mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Carbon Credit Investment Fund to support emissions reduction initiatives under energy policy, directly funding carbon credit transactions and renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Carbon Credit Investment Fund, requires licensing for brokers, and gives agencies authority to manage carbon credits - directly advancing emissions reduction efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 324: Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments

HB 324 removes a $400,000 annual cap on funds the Utah Marriage Commission receives from county marriage license fees. It affects county clerks who collect marriage license fees, as they must now send all funds above $400,000 from these fees directly to the state General Fund instead of capping them for the Commission. The bill does not change existing $10 contributions for Children's Legal Defense or domestic violence shelters, which remain unchanged. This is a technical adjustment to fee distribution rules without creating new fees or altering other provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $400k cap on marriage fee funds, directing excess to state General Fund, increasing budgetary revenue without tax changes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 157: Department of Natural Resources Amendments

HB 157 amends various Utah laws related to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It changes how the DNR handles employee work periods, allows water rights records to be kept electronically or physically, and adjusts rules for water rights after contract issues. The bill removes a cap on low-interest loans for water metering, ends the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, and repeals funding rules for a watershed program. It appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for DNR operations in fiscal year 2027. The changes primarily affect DNR staff, water rights holders, and entities managing water resources in Utah.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEnds Alternative Energy Tax Credit and repeals watershed funding, defunding program and restricting tax relief.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, removing financial incentive for renewables and weakening clean energy support.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEnds Alternative Energy Tax Credit and repeals watershed program funding, defunding environmental initiatives per bill text.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tax Credits Water Quality

Track