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 425 restricts how Utah cities and towns can charge certain fees. It bars cities from imposing general fees for broadband internet or public safety services (like police/fire) on the public, with limited exceptions (e.g., fees for bonds issued before 2026 must end by 2027). Similarly, towns cannot charge general fees for public safety services, except for existing fees tied to agreements between towns or volunteer services, which must be renewed every three years. The bill also creates a new process for municipalities to establish transportation utility fees (for services like roads), requiring annual reviews, appeal mechanisms, and local referendums for new fees.
HB 453 creates a new "Unspent Balances Restricted Account" to manage state funds that would otherwise expire at fiscal year-end. It requires the Division of Finance to annually transfer specified percentages of unspent balances from various state accounts into this restricted account. The bill directs how money in this account can be used, though it does not appropriate new funds. This affects all state agencies and departments that hold unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year, ensuring those funds are redirected for specific purposes rather than returned to the general fund.
HB 235 reduces Utah's corporate and individual income tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45% for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. It directly affects Utah corporations and residents who pay state income tax, lowering their tax burden slightly. The bill amends three key tax code sections (59-7-104, 59-7-201, and 59-10-104) to reflect the new rate, with no new state funding required. The change applies retroactively to 2026 tax years and takes effect on May 6, 2026.
HB 157 amends various Utah laws related to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It changes how the DNR handles employee work periods, allows water rights records to be kept electronically or physically, and adjusts rules for water rights after contract issues. The bill removes a cap on low-interest loans for water metering, ends the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, and repeals funding rules for a watershed program. It appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for DNR operations in fiscal year 2027. The changes primarily affect DNR staff, water rights holders, and entities managing water resources in Utah.
SB 78 modifies Utah's property tax relief programs, effective 2027, primarily affecting renters, homeowners, and elderly property owners. It expands eligibility for a renter's credit and adds a two-year recency requirement for homeowner credits and indigent abatements, while prohibiting multiple forms of relief (with exceptions). Key changes include removing annual inflation adjustments for homeowner credits, extending delinquency periods to 10 years for seniors 70+, and setting a 6% interest rate for seniors 65+. The bill also requires counties to provide clearer information about deferral programs and tax relief options on official notices.
HB 170 amends Utah's laws to establish a clearer process for school district residents to hold referendums on certain school board decisions. Specifically, it allows voters who live within a school district to petition for a vote on laws passed by their local school board that increase taxes or create new taxes, subject to limited exceptions. The bill defines key terms related to referendums and makes technical updates to existing statutes, but does not appropriate new funding or create new financial obligations. This directly affects school district residents seeking to challenge tax-related decisions through a voter referendum.
