Housing

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 221: Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Amendments

SB 221 amends definitions and administrative procedures for Utah's Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones, directly affecting municipalities and planning authorities managing these zones. It redefines "base year" for property tax calculations, introduces the term "extraterritorial affordable housing," and adjusts requirements for boundary changes and project approvals. Key provisions include clarifying terms like "developable area" and modifying processes for reviewing investment zone proposals. The bill makes technical updates to Utah Code sections without adding new funding or creating new zones, focusing solely on refining existing framework language.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIntroduces 'extraterritorial affordable housing' and adjusts project approval processes, enabling expanded housing development within transit zones per bill's focus on Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning Tags Economic Development

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 103: Driver License Amendments for Unhoused Individuals

SB 103 creates a fee waiver for individuals experiencing homelessness who apply for a Utah driver license or renew/extend their license. It directly affects unhoused residents seeking to obtain or maintain a driver license by removing the standard $52 application or renewal fee. The bill requires applicants to submit written verification of homelessness from approved sources like homeless shelters, housing facilities, or the Department of Workforce Services. This change amends Utah's driver license fee structure to align with existing identification card fee waivers for unhoused individuals. The policy makes no new funding requests and applies to both new licenses and renewals/extensions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly addresses homelessness by waiving driver license fees for unhoused individuals, removing a barrier to accessing housing-related services and stability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves financial barrier to driver's license for unhoused individuals, enabling transportation access critical for employment. Aligns with 'Workforce Services' subject and facilitates job access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 224: Vital Records Access Amendments

SB 224 amends Utah's vital records access law to allow a designated liaison for homeless youth or children (as defined under the federal McKinney-Vento Act) to obtain a minor's vital records on their behalf. This change adds homeless youth liaisons to the list of individuals permitted to access vital records, alongside immediate family members, guardians, and designated legal representatives. The bill directly affects homeless youth and children without stable housing, enabling their school or social service liaisons to help them access critical documents like birth certificates. The amendment does not alter existing rules about public access to records after specific time periods (e.g., 100 years for birth records) or other access categories.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barrier to healthcare access by allowing liaisons to obtain vital records for homeless youth, enabling enrollment in health services and insurance per 'improves patient access' indicator.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly addresses homelessness by enabling liaisons for homeless youth to access vital records, aligning with McKinney-Vento Act and housing-related homelessness indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 215: Eviction Record Amendments

SB 215 would allow eviction records to be removed from public databases under two specific conditions: (1) if a case was fully dismissed with no pending appeal and at least one year has passed since dismissal, or (2) if both the tenant and landlord agreed to expunge the record and formally filed a stipulation with the court. The bill directly affects tenants whose eviction cases meet these criteria, enabling them to have the records removed from their history. Key provisions require either a court dismissal with a waiting period or a written agreement between parties filed with the court. This change aims to provide relief for individuals with dismissed cases or resolved disputes, without altering eviction procedures themselves.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes eviction records for tenants meeting criteria, aiding housing access and protecting tenant rights, directly supporting housing topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 184: Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments

HB 184 allows property owners to request that municipalities accept "preferred land use regulations" for building starter homes or smaller residential lots, even if current zoning would normally prohibit it. The bill defines a "starter home" as a single-family home sold at or below the local average home price (with two parking spots), and sets a minimum lot size of 5,400 square feet for certain developments. Municipalities must review these requests within five business days, either approving them or denying them with written reasoning; if not denied within 30 days, the request becomes permitted. This process aims to increase housing affordability by streamlining approvals for smaller, more affordable homes without requiring additional engineering plans or design documents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables zoning changes for affordable starter homes (at or below local average price), facilitating development that addresses housing affordability constraints.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning Tags Local Government

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signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 436: Moderate Income Housing Infrastructure Amendments

HB 436 modifies reporting requirements for municipalities implementing moderate income housing strategies and adds a new transportation priority. It requires municipalities to submit detailed annual reports tracking housing strategies, new home construction, and zoning changes, with stricter compliance standards for those without public transit stations. Crucially, it grants priority consideration for transportation projects if a municipality adds 2.5% or more new residential units annually. The bill affects all "specified municipalities" defined under Utah law, with no new state funding required. It takes effect May 6, 2026, and makes technical updates to existing housing reporting codes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes 2.5% annual residential unit growth for transportation priority, directly advancing moderate income housing development through mandatory reporting and funding incentives.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill grants priority for transportation projects when municipalities add 2.5%+ new residential units annually, directly linking housing growth to transportation project funding and approval.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Public Transit

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 137: Homeless Services Board Amendments

SB 137 amends Utah's Homeless Services Board by requiring two new members with health care expertise: one appointed by University of Utah Health and one by Utah's largest non-profit hospital system with multiple hospitals. This changes the board's composition to ensure direct representation from health care providers specializing in physical or mental health. The bill makes no new services or funding changes - it only adjusts membership requirements. The board's existing structure and responsibilities remain unchanged.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds healthcare expertise to homeless services board, ensuring health provider input on services impacting health outcomes per bill's explicit membership requirement.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill amends homeless services board to include health care expertise, strengthening governance for homelessness (a core housing policy area) without new funding or services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Homelessness

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in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 76: Residential Rental Payment Reporting Amendments

SB 76 creates an optional system for landlords with 16 or more rental units to report rent payments to credit bureaus at a renter’s request. Landlords may charge a fee up to their actual reporting cost, and renters can join or leave the program anytime during their lease. However, renters who miss a fee payment or voluntarily leave the program cannot rejoin for six months. The law applies only to large landlords (entities or individuals owning 16+ units), not small-scale property owners.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables rent reporting to credit bureaus at renter's request, aiding tenant credit building and housing access - tenant protection measure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Utah · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 308: Homeless Services Amendments

HB 308 amends Utah's homeless services administrative framework by updating the Office of Homeless Services' structure and operations. It repeals outdated code sections, clarifies the governor's authority to appoint and remove the state homeless services coordinator, and revises duties for the office and coordinator. The bill also adjusts staffing requirements for related boards, updates reporting obligations, and modifies the composition of the Commission on Housing Affordability. These changes streamline existing processes without creating new programs or appropriating funds. The amendments primarily affect state agencies and officials managing homeless services under Utah Code.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends homeless services framework and revises Commission on Housing Affordability composition, directly addressing homelessness and housing policy implementation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 124: Veteran Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption Amendments

This bill simplifies property tax exemption applications for Utah veterans who are disabled or killed in action, and their surviving spouses or minor children. It requires counties to accept a single application for the exemption unless a veteran's disability rating changes or the claimant changes. Counties can no longer demand repeated proof of disability beyond the initial filing, and the exemption covers 100% of property value for eligible veterans (with 10%+ disability) or survivors of veterans killed in action. The changes apply retroactively with no new state funding required.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing their tax burden and aligning with tax relief indicators for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax exemption for veterans, reducing housing costs for eligible individuals, supporting affordable housing access.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransSimplifies property tax exemption for veterans (10%+ disability) and survivors, eliminating repeated proof and ensuring 100% coverage, directly expanding access to benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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