Budget & Taxes

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 466: Utah Rural Jobs Act Modifications

HB 466 modifies Utah's Rural Jobs Act to authorize new nonrefundable income and insurance tax credits for investments in eligible small businesses located in rural counties. It directly affects insurers and their affiliates that make qualifying investments through rural investment companies, allowing them to claim tax credits against state taxes or retaliatory assessments. The bill enacts new provisions (effective January 1, 2027) that specify credit amounts and carry-forward rules, while repealing one outdated section and making technical updates to related statutes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes nonrefundable tax credits for rural business investments, reducing state tax revenue via incentives to promote economic development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Tags Rural Communities

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 507: State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments

HB 507 establishes a State Reinvestment Restricted Account to collect and manage funds from specific economic development activities. It prohibits local governments from offering incentives for large data centers (with exceptions), creates new development zones for housing, transit, and other projects, and requires counties/cities to follow specific rules for zone creation and funding. The bill sets a 2028 deadline for creating certain zones like home ownership promotion areas and coordinates with another economic development bill (H.B. 475). It affects local governments, counties, cities, and the Utah Inland Port Authority by modifying how they manage economic development projects and tax increment funds.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local tax incentives for large data centers, restricting local taxation policy per bill's explicit language.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates housing development zones, home ownership promotion areas, and funds through Reinvestment Account targeting affordable housing development.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits local incentives for large data centers, restricting tech infrastructure development without addressing privacy/cybersecurity.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly creates new development zones for 'transit' projects and requires coordination for transit infrastructure, advancing transportation planning and funding mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Development Ports Tags Economic Development

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 62: School Finance Amendments

SB 62 modifies Utah's school funding formula to adjust how districts calculate weighted pupil units (WPU) for state funding. It replaces the previous "prior year plus growth" method with a new rule: funding calculations will use the higher of either (1) the prior year's enrollment adjusted for actual growth or (2) the current school year's October enrollment count. This change directly affects public school districts and charter schools by altering how their student enrollment data influences annual funding amounts. The bill makes no new money appropriations but changes the calculation method, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies school funding formula to increase state allocation for education via enrollment-based calculation, strengthening public school financing.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill revises school funding formula to use higher enrollment data for state funding calculations, potentially increasing resources for schools without explicit cuts or restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 101: Specialized Product Amendments

SB 101 removes a $50 fee for issuing or renewing a specific retail license, making it free for businesses. It requires the commission to establish additional information retailers must provide when applying for this license. The bill clarifies this license is separate from other permits required under Section 4-41-103.3. It directly affects retailers seeking this specialized license, with no fee cost and updated application requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $50 license fee for businesses, providing direct tax relief and aligning with Revenue & Taxation subject; explicitly reduces business costs under fiscal policy.95% confidence

passed both · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HJR 4: Resolution Regarding Prison Security and Successful Inmate Reentry

This is a non-binding resolution (HJR 4) from Utah's legislature urging Congress to take specific actions on prison security and inmate reentry. It requests Congress to support the 2025 Second Chance Reauthorization Act (to restore funding for reentry programs), expand affordable health care access for incarcerated individuals before release, pass the 2025 Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act, criminalize drone flights over prisons, and allow pilot programs to mitigate drone threats. The resolution does not appropriate funds or create new state laws, but highlights federal policy gaps using statistics on recidivism, contraband cell phones, and drone incidents. It directly addresses Congress, not Utah residents or state agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesResolution urges restoration of funding for reentry programs and healthcare access, aligning with funding essential services under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges funding for reentry programs (Second Chance Act), healthcare access pre-release, and drone security to reduce recidivism and improve inmate reentry outcomes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExplicitly urges expanding affordable healthcare access for incarcerated individuals before release, aligns with Medicaid support in subjects95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly requests passage of Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act and drone security measures to enhance prison cybersecurity, directly advancing technology regulation for security purposes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Emerging Technology

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 425: Local Government Fees Amendments

HB 425 restricts how Utah cities and towns can charge certain fees. It bars cities from imposing general fees for broadband internet or public safety services (like police/fire) on the public, with limited exceptions (e.g., fees for bonds issued before 2026 must end by 2027). Similarly, towns cannot charge general fees for public safety services, except for existing fees tied to agreements between towns or volunteer services, which must be renewed every three years. The bill also creates a new process for municipalities to establish transportation utility fees (for services like roads), requiring annual reviews, appeal mechanisms, and local referendums for new fees.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts local fee imposition for broadband/public safety, limiting municipal revenue sources under local taxation and fees.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBars local fees for broadband internet, reducing costs and supporting access to technology services per bill's focus on broadband fees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Broadband Access

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 216: Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding

SB 216 proposes adjusting state funding for public colleges based on changes in student enrollment trends. It would calculate funding by comparing five-year average enrollment data (for resident students) between two consecutive five-year periods and adjusting support based on whether enrollment increased or decreased. This funding mechanism directly affects public higher education institutions in the state, tying their state appropriations to measurable enrollment performance. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Education Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTies state appropriations to enrollment performance, directly managing budget allocation for higher education institutions.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts state funding for public colleges based on enrollment trends, linking appropriations to performance metrics rather than cutting funds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Funding

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 43: School Security Amendments

HB 43 creates Utah's School Safety Support Program to fund school safety measures like personnel, infrastructure, and emergency protocols. It directs state funding to school districts and charter schools based on enrollment (with a 20% equal share for all charters and 80% per student), requiring schools to submit safety plans and annual reports to receive funds. The bill protects this program from funding cuts during enrollment declines and adds it to existing education programs eligible for annual inflation adjustments. No new money is appropriated - funding comes from existing state education budgets. The program applies to all public schools meeting safety requirements under Utah's School Security Act.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for school safety program, protects from budget cuts, and directs appropriations toward K-12 safety measures per enrollment metrics.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded school safety program with mandatory safety plans and protected funding, directly supporting school infrastructure and operations under education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 375: Outdoor Recreation Modifications

HB 375 modifies Utah's Outdoor Adventure Infrastructure Restricted Account to allow up to 2% of funds to cover administrative costs, which were previously restricted. The bill does not appropriate new money but clarifies that existing funds - collected from specific deposits - can now support account management. It maintains the existing distribution rules, requiring at least 15% to state parks, 22% to competitive recreation grants, 53% to larger infrastructure projects, and 10% to the Utah Fairpark district. This change directly affects state agencies managing recreation infrastructure funds, such as the Division of State Parks and Division of Outdoor Recreation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies existing funds can cover administrative costs, promoting efficient fiscal management within current budget allocations without new appropriations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates 53% of funds to larger infrastructure projects, directly supporting transportation infrastructure under topic description.85% confidence

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 410: Water Leasing Amendments

HB 410 establishes the Great Salt Lake Preservation Program and its governing board to manage water leasing specifically for preserving Great Salt Lake. It appropriates $5 million (nonlapsing) for the program, creates streamlined leasing processes for water dedicated to the lake, and authorizes the board to enforce leases and address violations. The bill defines key terms, requires reporting by the board and state engineer, and sets a sunset date for the program. It directly affects water rights holders and entities leasing water for Great Salt Lake preservation, focusing on concrete administrative and funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M nonlapsing for Great Salt Lake preservation program, directly funding a state initiative under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Great Salt Lake Preservation Program with $5M funding, streamlined leasing, and enforcement to protect the lake's ecosystem and water rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation