SB 15 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

County Forms of Government Amendments

SB 15 removes two restrictions on how Utah counties can structure their local government. It repeals a rule preventing counties with 225,000+ residents from adopting a full-time county commission under an expanded government plan, and eliminates the requirement for voter approval when changing whether a county executive or legislative body operates full-time or part-time. This bill directly affects counties seeking to modify their government structure, giving them more flexibility without needing voter approval for those specific changes. The law takes effect in May 2026 and does not involve any new funding.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 17, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 17, 2026
MINOR
This bill modifies Utah's optional county government plans by removing restrictions that previously prevented large counties from adopting full-time county commissions and by eliminating the voter approval requirement for changing executive or legislative bodies between full-time and part-time status. The changes allow counties with populations of 225,000 or more to include full-time county commissions in their government plans and permit county legislative bodies to change the employment status of their executives or members without needing a separate vote from the registered voters.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of allowable government structures for large counties and simplifies the amendment process for changing the employment status of county officials.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the restriction preventing counties with 225,000 or more residents from including a full-time county commission in an expanded county commission form of government.

Removed the requirement that a majority of registered voters must approve changes to the employment status (full-time to part-time or vice versa) of a county executive or legislative body.

Modified the text of Utah Code Sections 17-62-404 and 17-62-504 to reflect the removal of the aforementioned restrictions and voter approval mandates.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 20, 2026 · House Feb 5, 2026

How they voted

270
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 29
Jan 20, 2026
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
N Forward1
1 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican22
20 Yea 2
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
33
Key actions
7
Committee
3
Mar 17, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Political Subdivisions Committee]
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Political Subdivisions Committee]
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Political Subdivisions Committee]
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (27-0-2)
senate
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors