This bill adjusts state funding for Utah's public education system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating money to school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies while modifying several existing programs. It eliminates two grant programs - the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program and the Personalized, Competency-based Learning Grants Program - while creating new reporting requirements for how the state superintendent transfers funds and how student data is managed for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The legislation also establishes a new College and Career Counseling program, increases funding for at-risk students, and sets standards for mental health screening fund distribution and educator salary adjustments.
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.
HB 289 updates Utah's laws regarding child sexual abuse material to address AI-generated content. It defines "apparent child sexual abuse material" as AI-created images that realistically depict minors, creating new standalone offenses for possessing or distributing such material. The bill also defines "obscene child sexual abuse material" and amends existing definitions to exclude artificially generated content from the main "child sexual abuse material" category. These changes specifically target individuals who create, distribute, or possess AI-generated images that appear to show minors, while removing AI content from the primary legal definition. The bill amends multiple Utah code sections without appropriating funds.
SB 310 proposes changes to laws regarding intimate image disclosure by limiting when people can be held liable for sharing or threatening to share such images. It creates two key exceptions: disclosure isn't liable if it's already illegal under other laws, or if done for sexual arousal, humiliation, degradation, or financial gain. The bill also clarifies that disclosing intimate images of public figures doesn't automatically become a "matter of public interest." This bill is currently pending in the House Judiciary Committee and would directly affect individuals who share intimate images, particularly concerning children and public figures.
SB 292 amends Utah's product liability laws specifically for automated driving systems (ADS), directly affecting manufacturers and developers of level 3-5 autonomous vehicles. It limits noneconomic damages in related lawsuits, creates a legal defense for companies meeting "state-of-the-art" technology standards, and restricts liability to certain claims. The bill also establishes new definitions for ADS levels and requires a sunset review of these liability provisions. These changes aim to clarify legal responsibilities as autonomous vehicle technology advances, without altering federal safety standards.
SB 162 adds a sales tax to online digital content, including subscription-based streaming services like Netflix or Spotify. It affects companies providing digital video/audio services and their customers who purchase these subscriptions. The bill clarifies that transactions already subject to a multi-channel video service tax remain exempt from this new tax. These changes update Utah's sales tax rules for digital services without requiring new state spending.
HB 144 amends Utah's school community council rules to remove outdated requirements, including digital citizenship standards, parent members who are school employees, and the development of safety principles. It adds new requirements for councils to receive annual reports on school safety practices and document specific votes. The bill directly affects school community councils in Utah public schools, which include parent and school employee members (like principals) who advise on school programs and resource use. These changes streamline council operations by eliminating certain duties while clarifying reporting and documentation processes.
SB 88 amends Utah's public school internet policies to require school boards to adopt specific procedures. It directly affects public schools, parents, and students by mandating that school boards: (1) adopt policies restricting obscene content, (2) implement a parent-accessible monitoring system for student device activity, and (3) use a preapproved content filtering system when parents request it. The bill also requires school boards to review policies every three years and post them visibly in schools. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.
HB 273 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence use in public schools, directly affecting all Utah public schools, teachers, and students. Key provisions include adding artificial intelligence standards to core computer science curriculum, establishing grade-level technology use requirements, creating a model for balanced technology integration, and allowing high schools to offer AI-focused "sandbox" courses. The bill also mandates reporting on implementation and exempts certain student groups from grade-level tech requirements, with no new state funding allocated.
This bill changes Utah school device rules to ban cellphones, smart watches, and similar "emerging technology" during all school hours (including lunch, recess, and transitions), not just during instructional time. It affects all students in Utah public schools by expanding device restrictions from classroom hours to the entire school day. Exceptions allow device use for emergencies, medical needs, IEP accommodations, or the SafeUT Crisis Line. School districts must adopt policies aligning with these rules, effective July 1, 2026.
