HB 586 amends Utah's tax code to direct a portion of new sales tax revenue growth into transportation funding. Starting in fiscal year 2028, the State Tax Commission must annually deposit additional revenue from state sales and use taxes into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund. This bill does not appropriate new money but reallocates existing tax growth to support transit projects. The change affects how sales tax revenue is managed for transportation infrastructure, directly impacting the state's transportation funding stream.
HB 484 limits how much additional property tax revenue Utah school districts and local taxing entities can collect without voter approval, capping increases at 20% of their previous year's revenue. It requires voter approval for tax hikes exceeding this limit and eliminates a protection period that previously shielded school districts from losing state funding when lowering tax rates. The bill also phases out excess state funding over three years if a school district reduces its certified tax rate, ensuring funding aligns with current property valuations. This directly affects school districts' budgets and local tax collection processes under Utah law.
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.
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.
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.
SB 116 modifies Utah's individual income tax rates based on actual state revenue performance. It directly affects Utah taxpayers by setting a formula that lowers the tax rate by 0.01% for every $22.2 million (or more) the state collects in revenue above its forecasted amount. The bill requires the State Tax Commission to annually calculate and publish the adjusted rate, using specific revenue thresholds and cost-per-0.01% figures for fiscal years 2027-2036. This mechanism applies to tax years beginning in 2027 through 2038, with rates initially set at 4.5% for 2027-2028 and then adjusted annually based on revenue outcomes.
SB 118 creates a $1.5 million grant for Utah public universities to improve student mental health services. It requires institutions to either establish peer coaching programs - where trained student volunteers provide non-clinical support - or use funds for other mental health services. Peer coaches, defined as student volunteers (not licensed professionals), can offer support like mentoring or resource referrals but cannot diagnose or provide clinical therapy. The grant, funded by reallocating existing income tax revenue, takes effect July 2026 and exempts peer coaches from liability for their non-clinical support.
HB 247 redirects $125,000 annually from brine shrimp tax revenue to the Sovereign Lands Management Account instead of the Species Protection Account. This change affects how funds from brine shrimp harvesting are allocated, specifically directing a portion toward Great Salt Lake management projects under the Sovereign Lands Account. The bill does not create new funding but modifies existing revenue streams, with the remainder of brine shrimp tax revenue continuing to fund species protection efforts as before. It makes technical adjustments to Utah code sections governing these accounts.
HB 282 amends Utah's tax code to redirect sales and use tax revenue previously earmarked for the Transportation Investment Fund of 2005 back into the state's General Fund. The bill changes Section 59-12-103 to ensure that specific tax revenues - originally designated for transportation projects - remain available for general state spending instead. This policy shift affects how the state allocates existing sales tax revenue, without creating new taxes or appropriations. The change applies to the tax base described in the amended statute, moving funds from a dedicated transportation fund to the broader General Fund.
SB 180 redirects 10% of Utah's liquor sales revenue to the Uniform School Fund to support school meal programs. It expands eligibility for free school lunches to include students from families earning at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, even if they don't qualify for the National School Lunch Program. The bill requires the State Board of Education to use at least 20% of these funds specifically for free lunches for these eligible students. This policy change uses existing liquor tax revenue without new appropriations to increase access to school meals for low-income Utah students in grades K-12.
