This bill is a concurrent resolution that expresses support for the continued federal management of Utah's public lands. It highlights the natural, historical, and cultural significance of these lands and acknowledges their economic contributions through recreation, tourism, and resource use. The resolution states that Utah's public lands should remain in the public domain and managed by federal agencies to preserve them for future generations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or require funding but serves as an official statement of legislative sentiment.
This bill removes state laws that currently prevent government agencies from entering into contracts with companies that participate in boycotts of Israel or engage in economic boycotts. By repealing specific sections of Utah's public contracting code, the legislation eliminates requirements for public entities to certify contractors regarding their boycott status and removes penalties for interfering with state programs related to these restrictions. The changes would allow state agencies to make contracting decisions without considering whether a company is involved in boycotts of Israel or related economic actions. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not allocate any new funding.
This bill modifies Utah's land use regulations to clarify how development agreements between counties and municipalities are handled. It directly affects local governments, property owners, and developers by establishing rules for temporary land use regulations and the relationship between county-approved development agreements and municipal rules. The key provisions prohibit municipalities from limiting rights granted in county-approved development agreements, require that such agreements take precedence over conflicting land use regulations, and restrict when municipalities can impose temporary restrictions on development. Additionally, the bill clarifies what terms can be included in development agreements and limits a municipality's ability to require these agreements for standard developments that already comply with existing rules.
HJR 20 proposes a constitutional amendment to require voter approval for most tax increases and government debt in Utah. If passed, it would mandate that taxpayers vote to approve any rise in tax revenue or new borrowing by state or local governments, limit annual spending without voter consent, and require refunds of excess tax revenue. The amendment also specifies that residential property must be assessed using sales comparison (standard home valuation method) and allows the legislature to exempt business personal property from taxes. This change would affect all Utah taxpayers and government entities by shifting key budgetary decisions to voter approval.
HB 460 amends Utah's candidate nomination rules by creating two distinct types of registered political parties. Primary nominating parties use signature-gathering to select candidates and appear on general election ballots with their party name, while convention nominating parties use internal conventions without signatures and their candidates appear without party identification. The bill repeals outdated provisions about "qualified political parties" and adjusts signature-gathering requirements for nominations. These changes directly affect political parties and candidates seeking office in Utah state elections.
HB 500 amends Utah's criminal trespass law to clarify how property owners must provide notice that entry is prohibited. It specifies four acceptable methods: personal communication, visible fencing/enclosures, posted signs, or livestock barriers. The bill updates penalties, making most trespasses a class B misdemeanor but elevating some to class A misdemeanor if occurring in dwellings or sensitive areas like sex-designated changing rooms. Property owners can also seek civil damages of up to triple the harm or $500, plus attorney fees.
This resolution formally recognizes Utah's Property Rights Coalition for over 20 years of work on land use policy. It acknowledges the Coalition's role in advocating for property rights, improving housing affordability, and streamlining development processes through legislative collaboration. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect or funding, it expresses legislative appreciation for their efforts in promoting fair, predictable land use regulations.
HB 482 is a definitional amendment to Utah's legal code that adds a specific definition for "social health" to Section 68-3-12.5 of the Utah Code. The bill defines "social health" as an individual's ability to build mutually supportive relationships across communities (family, peers, school, work, neighborhood) and to listen with curiosity. It does not create new policies, allocate funding, or directly affect any people or programs. This is purely a procedural update to legal terminology, adding the definition for future reference in statutes.
This resolution (SJR 14) commends the Utah Land Use Task Force for its 20+ years of voluntary work in land use policy. It recognizes the Task Force’s role in bringing together diverse stakeholders - including property owners, homebuilders, real estate groups, and local governments - to develop consensus-based solutions. The resolution highlights how this collaboration has improved fairness, predictability, and efficiency in land use decision-making across Utah, while respecting local government authority. As a ceremonial resolution with no funding or policy changes, it formally expresses legislative appreciation for the Task Force’s contributions.
HB 488 amends Utah's public school curriculum standards to require specific content in social studies and civics education. It mandates instruction on American Exceptionalism, comparative government systems, the Bible as a literary and historical text, and founding documents in English language arts assessments. The bill also requires the State Board of Education to develop free, open educational resources for social studies that align with updated standards and must be revised when standards change. Additionally, it allows local school districts to determine if certain applied arts courses satisfy fine arts credit requirements, with no new state funding allocated.
HB 485 limits how much revenue school districts and other local taxing entities can collect from new property value growth (e.g., increases in property values beyond the base assessment). It caps this revenue at the lesser of two amounts: (1) new growth multiplied by a set tax rate, or (2) an inflation-adjusted budget increase. This change affects school districts' ability to raise funds from new property values and adjusts how state contributions to basic school programs are calculated. The bill makes technical updates to property tax laws without appropriating new state funds, effective January 1, 2027.
HB 499 updates Utah's watercraft safety rules and definitions. It clarifies terms like "beached," "moored," and "personal watercraft" while adjusting personal flotation device (PFD) requirements - exempting sailboards and racing shells, and specifying when PFDs must be worn (e.g., not on flatwater or within 50 feet of shore). The bill also revises how the Division of Outdoor Recreation designates waters as "flatwater" or "whitewater" for safety purposes. These changes directly affect boaters, rental businesses (like boat livery operators), and state agencies managing water safety.
