HB 598 requires Utah's Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate research and education about uterine fibroids, a non-cancerous uterine growth affecting many people. The department must study diagnosis rates, treatment options (including non-hysterectomy care), and reproductive impacts, while coordinating with medical research organizations and sharing data under privacy rules. It mandates reports to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee in 2028 and 2029, and the law expires on July 1, 2030. The bill directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and researchers in Utah, focusing on improving understanding and treatment options for uterine fibroids without appropriating new funds.
HB 587 reduces Utah's corporate and individual income tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45% for taxable income. It directly affects corporations and individual residents subject to Utah income tax, applying the lower rate to all taxable income under sections 59-7-104, 59-7-201, and 59-10-104. The bill maintains the $100 minimum tax for corporations but makes no changes to tax exemptions or other provisions. It takes effect May 6, 2026, with retrospective application for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. The bill contains no new funding requirements.
HB 449 would require Utah voters to approve most increases in state or local government taxes or debt, as well as any spending above a set limit in a fiscal year. It also eliminates automatic tax increases and mandates refunds of excess revenue collected beyond approved spending limits. These changes would apply to all state and local government entities and require voter approval of a constitutional amendment before taking effect. The bill does not appropriate new funds and is contingent on passage of the proposed constitutional amendment.
HB 606 regulates how Utah law enforcement agencies use surveillance and investigatory technology. It requires agencies to annually report technology usage to a state commission, prohibits unauthorized surveillance, and allows individuals to sue police departments for illegal tech use. Evidence obtained in violation of the law cannot be used in court. The bill directly affects all Utah law enforcement agencies and mandates new transparency and accountability measures.
HB 603 clarifies how property is divided during Utah divorces by defining "marital property" to include assets acquired during marriage, mixed pre-marital assets, and property protected by a spouse during marriage. It establishes that marital property is presumed to be divided equally between spouses, unless exceptional circumstances exist - such as one spouse undermining the other's finances or wasting marital assets. The bill affects divorcing couples in Utah by setting clear rules for dividing debts, assets, and spousal support, requiring courts to specify debt responsibility and beneficiary updates in divorce decrees. It makes technical updates to Utah Code sections governing divorce proceedings but does not appropriate funds or create new programs.
SB 328 requires municipal services districts (MSDs) to increase transparency when preparing planning or zoning proposals for municipalities. Specifically, MSDs must analyze how proposed changes might impact property values, consult an independent third party on potential consequences, identify affected properties by address or parcel number, and provide this analysis to the municipality. The bill also mandates that at least one MSD board member or employee attend all public meetings where a municipality considers an MSD-proposed planning or zoning recommendation. These changes apply directly to MSDs and the municipalities they serve in Utah. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.
SB 79 makes technical corrections to the formatting and content requirements for signature forms used in Utah's initiative and referendum processes. It updates specific sections of the law governing how signature packets must be printed, including table layouts, required statements about tax increases, and verification notices. These changes directly affect petitioners gathering signatures and election officials verifying them, ensuring forms meet precise administrative standards without altering any substantive policy requirements. The bill contains no new funding or policy changes, only procedural fixes to existing form specifications.
HJR 6 is a non-binding resolution encouraging Utah public schools to prioritize student well-being by increasing physical activity and reducing screen time during the school day. It specifically urges schools to expand physical education, outdoor recess, and unstructured play while recommending thoughtful limits on digital device use - especially for younger students - to support mental health. The resolution, addressed to school leaders and state agencies like the State Board of Education, does not appropriate funds or create new requirements, but rather offers recommendations based on research linking reduced screen time to improved youth mental health outcomes. It follows concerns about rising youth anxiety and the displacement of outdoor play by digital learning tools.
HB 237 amends Utah's stalking law to strengthen protections for victims and increase penalties for offenders. It specifically adds a second-degree felony penalty when an offender unlawfully enters a victim's dwelling during stalking, and clarifies definitions like "course of conduct" to include digital harassment (e.g., texts, social media). The bill directly affects stalking victims and individuals convicted of stalking, making unlawful dwelling entry a more severe offense. These changes update existing statutes without new funding or broad procedural shifts.
HJR 5 proposes to amend Utah's constitution to change how judges are appointed. It would let the Governor appoint any qualified judge without needing the Judicial Nominating Commission's list, remove the 30-day deadline for appointments, and eliminate the Chief Justice's power to fill vacancies if the Governor delays. The Senate would still need to approve appointments within 60 days. If approved by voters, these changes would take effect January 1, 2027.
HB 233 clarifies the distinction between two categories of non-traditional education students in Utah: "home-based students" and "home school students." It creates specific definitions, stating that a "home-based student" uses public funds (like scholarship programs or state online courses) while a "home school student" receives parent-led instruction without public funding. The bill amends multiple education codes to ensure consistent terminology across laws, affecting how Utah categorizes students in scholarship programs versus parent-directed home schooling. No new funding or eligibility changes are introduced - only precise language updates to avoid confusion in existing policies.
HB 155 requires Utah residential water suppliers to adopt a three-tiered rate structure by July 2027, designed to encourage water conservation. The tiers must include: one block for efficient indoor use, one for efficient indoor/outdoor use, and one for wasteful use, with higher rates for increased usage. Suppliers must include water conservation efforts in the highest usage tier's rate calculation and provide clear billing details to customers. The bill applies to residential customers primarily served by retail water suppliers, with specific requirements for rate transparency and conservation funding. It does not appropriate new funds but modifies existing rate-setting rules under Utah Code Section 73-10-32.5.
