Budget & Taxes

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 231: Energy User Amendments

SB 231 modifies Utah's property tax system for large energy users (facilities with 100+ megawatts of cumulative electricity demand). It prohibits new tax increment financing agreements (a tool for funding development projects) for projects containing such "large load customers" after May 6, 2026, affecting cities, counties, and special districts. The bill also requires large load customers to notify county auditors and treasurers of their location. These changes adjust how tax revenue is distributed and restrict development funding for major energy consumers.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits new tax increment financing for large energy projects, restricting local government funding tools under property tax amendments.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 8: State Agency Fees and Internal Service Fund Authorization and Appropriations

HB 8 is a budget bill that allocates funding for Utah state agencies during fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It adjusts existing appropriations for agencies like the Department of Corrections, Attorney General’s office, and criminal justice commissions by authorizing specific agency fees and internal service fund rates. The bill appropriates over $14 million for 2027 operations, including $4.1 million from the General Fund and $1.3 million from the Income Tax Fund, while also making adjustments for prior-year funding impacts. It directly affects state government operations by determining how agencies budget for services, staff, and programs without creating new policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $14M for agency operations via appropriations, directly funding state budget management without tax changes or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Income Tax State Budget

signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 318: Agency Fee Amendments

HB 318 modifies Utah's budget procedures for state agencies that charge other state agencies for services (internal service fund agencies). It requires these agencies to submit detailed rate data to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and Legislative Fiscal Analyst *before* billing other agencies, including cost breakdowns and justification for fees. The bill also mandates annual reports on actual costs and revenue for each fee charged. These changes aim to increase transparency around interagency billing without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates transparency in agency fee structures and cost reporting, promoting fiscal accountability within state budget procedures per subjects listed.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 1: Public Education Base Budget Amendments

HB 1 amends Utah's public education budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, primarily adjusting funding formulas and allocations. It sets the weighted pupil unit (WPU) value at $4,870 for 2026-2027, revises eligibility for career and technical education funding, and modifies emergency funding for English learners. The bill appropriates over $8.7 billion for school operations and capital budgets in 2027, including $4.8 billion from the Uniform School Fund, and adjusts tax rate calculations to support school funding. These changes directly affect Utah school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies through updated budget allocations and funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $8.7B for public education, adjusts tax rates to fund school budgets, and increases WPU value, directly advancing state education finance.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $8.7B+ for K-12 operations including $4.8B from Uniform School Fund, increases WPU value, and revises funding formulas to support schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 235: Income Tax Revisions

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces corporate and individual tax rates, weakening state revenue collection without new funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 151: Public Safety Funding Amendments

SB 151 modifies how Utah allocates insurance premium tax revenue to fund public safety. It directs $5 million in FY 2027 toward firefighter retirement programs and creates a new Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Account to fund hiring new Highway Patrol troopers through annual transfers from insurance tax revenue. The bill clarifies funding priorities for firefighter retirement, requires the state to notify lawmakers if excess revenue is collected, and repeals outdated provisions. These changes directly affect firefighters' retirement benefits and Highway Patrol staffing levels.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects insurance tax revenue to fund firefighter retirement and Highway Patrol hiring, strengthening public safety funding through existing tax allocation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirects $5M to firefighter retirement programs and funds Highway Patrol hiring, supporting public safety workforce benefits and employment within Labor & Employment framework.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Account to fund Highway Patrol troopers, directly enhancing transportation safety through public safety funding allocation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Roads & Highways Tags Public Safety

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 185: Child Welfare Parental Representation Program Amendments

SB 185 amends Utah's Child Welfare Parental Representation Program to expand support for attorneys representing parents in child welfare cases. The bill directly affects parental representation attorneys, particularly those serving indigent parents, by removing the requirement that they must be contracted with the program and allowing the program to provide education, support, and grants for indigent defense services. Key provisions include enabling the program to administer existing interdisciplinary representation services, manage its budget based on prior-year spending (instead of estimated needs), and provide guidance on attorneys' professional duties. The changes aim to streamline program operations without new state funding, effective May 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates program grants for indigent defense services, increasing government funding for legal aid under child welfare programs.85% confidence

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 8: State Agency and Higher Education Compensation Appropriations

SB 8 provides funding for compensation adjustments for Utah state employees and higher education staff for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It includes a 1% labor market pay increase, funding for health/dental benefit changes, retirement rate adjustments, and a $26-per-pay-period retirement plan match. The bill appropriates $124.5 million for 2027 (with significant portions from General and Income Tax Funds) to cover these specific employee compensation changes. It directly affects all state employees and higher education personnel covered by these funding provisions. The bill focuses on operational budget adjustments rather than new policy mandates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $124.5M from General/Income Tax Funds for state employee compensation increases, directly funding public sector salaries and benefits per budgeting needs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds higher education staff compensation with 1% pay increase, health benefits, and retirement matches, directly supporting educators in state higher education institutions.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds 1% pay increase, health benefits, retirement adjustments for state employees - directly advances compensation and benefits per Labor & Employment indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget Public Employees Retirement Benefits

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 112: Utah Exemptions Act Modifications

SB 112 modifies Utah's Exemptions Act to protect certain federal tax refunds from being seized by creditors. It specifically allows individuals with unsecured debt to keep the full amount of federal income tax refunds linked to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit, whether the refund is refundable or reduces their tax liability. This change directly affects low-income Utah residents who rely on these credits, ensuring these refunds remain exempt from collection efforts. The bill makes no other policy changes beyond this targeted exemption and technical updates to existing law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProtects EITC/Child Tax Credit refunds for low-income residents, preventing creditor seizure and providing tax relief per bill's explicit purpose.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 78: Property Tax Relief Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly expands renter tax credit eligibility and modifies relief programs to provide tax relief, directly advancing property tax relief for target groups per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track