Budget & Taxes

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HJR 7: Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Property Tax Modifications

HJR 7 proposes amending Utah's constitution to allow the legislature to exempt up to 60% of the fair market value of residential property from property tax (previously capped at 45%). If approved by voters, this would directly reduce property tax bills for most Utah homeowners by lowering the taxable portion of their primary residence. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election, with implementation set for January 1, 2027, if passed. This change modifies Article XIII, Section 3 of the Utah Constitution, specifically updating the statutory exemption limit for residential property.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces property tax burden by exempting more home value, providing direct tax relief to homeowners. Aligns with tax relief indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 201: Radioactive Waste Facility Tax Amendments

HB 201 extends Utah's existing radioactive waste facility expansion tax until December 31, 2026. It applies to facilities submitting new applications for waste disposal capacity before that date, requiring a $3.45 tax per cubic yard of new capacity (capped at 8.7 million cubic yards). Revenue from this tax must be paid within 60 days of application and deposited into the Electrical Energy Development Investment Fund. The bill makes minor technical updates to tax code sections but does not create new funding or alter the tax's core structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends radioactive waste facility tax, directing revenue to Electrical Energy Development Fund; creates new tax stream for fiscal management per Revenue & Taxation subject.95% confidence

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 236: Truth in Taxation Amendments

HB 236 requires local governments (like cities and school districts) proposing property tax increases to follow specific transparency steps. It mandates that these entities make a public statement about considering a tax hike before approval and submit two budgets: one without the proposed tax revenue and another including it if approved. The bill also clarifies the State Tax Commission's power to reject increases that don't meet these requirements. This directly affects how local taxing entities plan and present property tax changes, aiming to increase public accountability without new funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPromotes fiscal responsibility through transparency requirements for local property tax increases, ensuring accountability in budgeting processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 252: Tariff Payment Tax Credit

HB 252 creates a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for Utah businesses that pay tariffs on imported goods but do not pass those costs to customers. It applies to businesses importing items held for sale or used in operations, such as manufacturers or retailers. To claim the credit, businesses must first obtain written certification from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity verifying their eligibility and the credit amount, which equals the total qualifying tariff payments multiplied by a set percentage. The credit is limited to the business's tax liability for the year and cannot be carried forward, with certification requirements effective retroactively from January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for businesses paying tariffs, reducing their tax burden and aligning with tax relief provisions under state taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 161: Property Tax Modifications

HB 161 increases Utah's residential property tax exemption from 45% to 60% of a home's fair market value for primary residences, directly affecting homeowners who qualify for this exemption. The bill modifies Utah Code Section 59-2-103 to implement this change, contingent on voters approving a related constitutional amendment (H.J.R. 7) in the 2026 election. If approved, the exemption rate would take effect on January 1, 2027, reducing the taxable value of qualifying primary residences. This change applies only to properties used as primary residences for at least 183 days annually and limits exemptions to one primary residence per household.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax exemption from 45% to 60% for primary residences, directly reducing tax burden on homeowners - classic tax relief provision.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases property tax exemption for primary residences, reducing housing costs for homeowners, directly advancing affordable housing affordability through tax relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 162: Online Sales Tax Amendments

SB 162 adds a sales tax to online digital content, including subscription-based streaming services like Netflix or Spotify. It affects companies providing digital video/audio services and their customers who purchase these subscriptions. The bill clarifies that transactions already subject to a multi-channel video service tax remain exempt from this new tax. These changes update Utah's sales tax rules for digital services without requiring new state spending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds sales tax on digital services, generating new state revenue without new spending, aligning with fiscal responsibility and revenue generation.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyAdds sales tax to digital services like streaming, increasing costs for tech companies and consumers, restricting market activity without advancing tech innovation or protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Digital Government

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 405: State Purchasing Reserve Funding

HB 405 creates a new "State Purchasing Reserve Restricted Account" by imposing a 0.5% administrative fee on state cooperative contracts. Revenue from this fee is deposited into the account and must be invested in precious metals by the state treasurer. The funds can later be used to offset procurement costs for public entities (like local governments or schools) if specific inflation metrics are met, ensuring continuity in purchasing goods and services. This bill directly affects state cooperative contracts and public entities that rely on them for procurement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 0.5% fee (new revenue source) to fund a reserve for procurement cost stability during inflation, promoting fiscal responsibility and managing state spending within Budget & Taxes framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 75: Educator Salary Adjustment Eligibility

SB 75 defines eligibility for annual educator salary adjustments by requiring a license from the Division of Professional Licensing and a position as a social worker or registered nurse in an educational setting. The bill mandates that the Legislature annually appropriate funds for these adjustments, though actual funding remains subject to budget constraints. It directly affects licensed social workers and registered nurses employed in educational roles by establishing their eligibility for potential salary increases. The bill does not guarantee specific raises but creates a framework for future budget allocations to address retention and recruitment. (Note: This bill is procedural in nature, defining eligibility criteria rather than implementing new policy.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual appropriations for educator salary adjustments, directly funding specific education roles within budget constraints.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual appropriations for educator salary adjustments, establishing eligibility for licensed school social workers/nurses, directly supporting educator compensation in K-12 settings.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates annual appropriations for salary adjustments for licensed social workers and RNs in schools, directly advancing wage standards for specific educational workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Student Health Teachers

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signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 337: Nicotine Product Tax Amendments

HB 337 increases taxes on cigarettes and changes how taxes are calculated for other nicotine products. It raises the cigarette tax rate and shifts taxation for moist snuff and alternative nicotine products from a weight-based system to a percentage of the manufacturer's sales price. The bill also repeals tax reductions previously available for certain modified-risk tobacco products. These changes directly affect tobacco manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who purchase these products in Utah.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tobacco product taxes and changes tax calculation methods to generate state revenue, directly strengthening tax revenue streams under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 5: Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Base Budget

HB 5 is a funding bill that allocates $1.3 billion in state funds for Utah's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality agencies for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly affects the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, providing specific appropriations for its programs like Animal Industry, Invasive Species Mitigation, Plant Industry, and Marketing. The bill details funding sources (including General Fund and Income Tax Fund) and includes limited provisions for non-lapsing funds to cover specific operational needs like equipment, training, and projects. It does not create new policies but authorizes spending for existing agency operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.3B for state agencies' programs via General/Income Tax funds, directly funding essential services without cuts or tax increases.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $1.3B to Utah Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Quality agencies, directly funding air quality, natural resources, and conservation programs per bill title and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget