Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 38: Consumer Protection Modifications

SB 38 reorganizes Utah's consumer protection laws by renaming and renumbering existing chapters, such as moving the Health Spa Services Act to "Fitness Center Services," and adds a new Chapter 77 specifically requiring generative AI service providers to disclose certain information to consumers. It updates registration and reporting rules for businesses, clarifies the Division of Consumer Protection's enforcement authority, and specifies when the division may deny or revoke business registrations. The bill directly affects businesses operating in regulated sectors like credit services, charitable solicitations, fitness centers, and now AI service providers. Key changes include mandatory AI disclosures, updated surety bond requirements, and streamlined processes for maintaining registration with the division.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyNew Chapter 77 mandates generative AI providers to disclose information to consumers, enhancing transparency and data privacy protections under consumer law.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 59: Identification Verification Amendments

HB 59 requires businesses serving alcohol (including restaurants, bars, taverns, and beer retailers) to verify the age of individuals appearing to be 35 years old or younger before serving them alcohol or admitting them to the premises. It mandates electronic verification of ID using state-approved technology, limits displayed information to basic details (name, age, ID number), and requires businesses to retain verification data for seven days. The bill also allows authorized personnel to confiscate suspected fake IDs and report them to law enforcement. This law takes effect May 6, 2026, and applies retroactively from January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates electronic ID verification with privacy protections (limits displayed info, 7-day retention), supporting data privacy within technology policy.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 581: Autonomous Vehicle Amendments

HB 581 requires large public transit districts in Utah to gather information about implementing self-driving bus networks by November 2026. It directs the state Department of Transportation to similarly collect data on autonomous vehicle technology, including costs, timelines, and potential benefits. The bill defines key terms like "driverless operation" and "automated driving systems" to clarify future regulations. These information requests aim to inform state decisions about self-driving transit systems without creating new funding or requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires data collection on autonomous vehicles for future regulation, clarifies terms, and prepares state for implementation, advancing tech policy development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 407: Public Education Information System

HB 407 requires Utah's State Board of Education to establish a statewide student information system for public schools, while allowing local school districts to maintain their own systems under specific conditions. The bill sets strict requirements for local systems - including data security, compliance with state standards, and mandatory audits for noncompliance - and mandates implementation timelines. It also specifies that all school districts must collect and manage student data through this system or approved local alternatives, ensuring data accessibility for parents and educators via the "Student Achievement Backpack" feature. The bill makes no new funding appropriations and updates multiple Utah Code sections related to education data management.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates strict data security, compliance, and audits for student information systems, directly strengthening data privacy and cybersecurity in educational technology.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 223: Electronic Signature Collection Amendments

HB 223 updates Utah's process for collecting signatures on petitions by requiring all electronic signature devices to scan voter ID data (like driver's licenses) and operate offline by 2028. Starting January 1, 2030, petition sponsors and circulators must use electronic signatures exclusively, banning manual signature collection entirely. The bill also clarifies security standards for devices and mandates annual reports from the lieutenant governor to the Government Operations Committee. These changes directly affect initiative/referendum petition sponsors and candidate nomination circulators, streamlining the verification process while phasing out manual methods.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates security standards for electronic signature devices and annual reports, enhancing cybersecurity protocols in digital signature collection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 438: Artificial Intelligence Amendments

HB 438, the AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act, regulates companies that create AI chatbots designed for emotional engagement. It requires suppliers to implement safety protocols for identifying risks, conduct independent safety evaluations, and publicly report on safety measures and user engagement. The bill specifically prohibits sharing minors' data, sending unsolicited messages to encourage use, exposing minors to harmful content, or hiding that the chatbot is AI (mandating clear disclosure). It grants enforcement authority to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection and establishes fines for violations. The law directly affects AI chatbot developers and users, particularly minors, by setting concrete safety and transparency standards.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI chatbots with data privacy protections for minors, safety protocols, and transparency requirements, aligning with consumer protection and privacy indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 26: Voting Equipment Amendments

HB 26 amends Utah's voting equipment rules to enhance security and standardize procurement. It bans wireless communication in all voting machines (except electronic pollbooks), repeals outdated ranked-choice voting certification rules, and requires election officials to purchase only equipment selected by the lieutenant governor's new voting equipment system. The bill creates a Voting Equipment Selection Committee to help the lieutenant governor evaluate and procure secure voting systems that meet mechanical ballot requirements. These changes directly affect election officials, vendors, and voters by standardizing equipment security and procurement processes.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill bans wireless in voting machines, requires secure procurement, and creates committee for cybersecurity-focused equipment evaluation, directly enhancing election system security.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 55: Privacy Compliance for Education Technology Vendors

HB 55 requires schools and government agencies contracting with education technology vendors to include specific privacy clauses in their agreements. It mandates that if a vendor illegally sells student data (violating state or federal law), the school must notify the vendor within 30 days and terminate the contract if the violation isn’t fixed within another 30 days. The bill also prohibits vendors from charging fees or seeking damages for contract termination due to privacy violations and repeals a prior provision allowing vendors to respond to student feedback requests. This directly affects schools, their ed tech vendors, and student data privacy protections under Utah law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student data privacy in ed tech contracts, mandating termination for violations and prohibiting vendor fees for breaches, strengthening student privacy safeguards in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates privacy clauses for edtech vendors, requires contract termination for illegal data sales, and protects student data privacy per bill's core provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Feb 1, 2026

SB 5: General Government Base Budget

SB 5 is the General Government Base Budget bill for Utah's fiscal years 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026) and 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It appropriates a total of $538.3 million for state agency operations in FY2026, including $387.1 million for FY2027, primarily from the General Fund and Income Tax Fund. The bill allocates specific funds to agencies like the Department of Commerce (for business licensing and AI policy development), Insurance Department (for autism coverage and fraud programs), and Tax Commission (for license plates and tax administration). These funds cover ongoing operations, system upgrades, and program activities without specifying new policy changes or eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllocates funds to Department of Commerce for AI policy development, a direct support indicator for technology policy advancement.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology