Housing (Homelessness)

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 239: State Homeless Campus Amendments

SB 239 establishes rules for Utah's "homeless services campus," a single facility providing emergency shelter, mental health treatment, and support services to people experiencing homelessness. It requires the state coordinator and Homeless Services Board to create a comprehensive plan covering safety, transportation, services offered, and staff requirements within a set timeframe after selecting a campus location. The bill also creates an ombudsman role to investigate campus violations, recommend remediation, and potentially halt operations, while mandating reporting and coordination with public safety entities. These changes directly affect the Office of Homeless Services, the Utah Homeless Services Board, campus operators, and the people using these facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health treatment services within homeless campus plan, directly supporting mental health care access under Health and Human Services subjects.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates homeless services campus with shelter, mental health treatment, and oversight to address homelessness, aligning with housing policy goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness Land Use

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 279: State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit

SB 279 creates a 50% nonrefundable tax credit for property owners within one mile of designated "homeless services campuses" (facilities offering emergency shelter, mental health services, and support in one location, excluding correctional centers or microshelters). It directly affects qualifying property owners who receive annual tax notices for their land near these campuses. The credit equals half the property taxes paid in the year the tax notice is issued, applied to the owner’s state tax return. This policy aims to offset costs for neighbors of these facilities through a direct tax reduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 50% property tax credit for nearby owners, reducing tax burden - direct tax relief under tax credits subject95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates tax credit for properties near campuses offering mental health services, directly advancing access to mental health care through facility incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for property owners near homeless services campuses, incentivizing development of facilities addressing homelessness (directly aligns with housing policy indicators).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Mental Health Affordable Housing Homelessness Property Taxes

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failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 255: Homelessness in Vulnerable Populations Amendments

SB 255 creates the Homelessness in Vulnerable Populations Task Force to assess housing needs for specific vulnerable groups in five Utah counties (Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, and Weber) ahead of the 2034 Olympics. The task force, composed of 17 members including housing authorities, nonprofits, and Olympic organizers, must evaluate gaps in shelters, supportive housing, and affordable options while analyzing displacement risks from Olympic-related housing demands. It will identify potential funding sources like grants or public-private partnerships and report findings to a legislative committee by November 2026. The bill directly affects individuals facing barriers like disabilities, domestic violence, mental illness, or homelessness in the specified counties, with no new funding provided. The task force will sunset on December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates task force to assess housing gaps, affordable options, and displacement risks for vulnerable populations, directly addressing homelessness and housing needs ahead of Olympics.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 246: Utah Homeless Services Board Amendments

SB 246 amends Utah's Homeless Services Board membership requirements to ensure local community representation when a new homeless services campus location is announced. Specifically, it requires the board to appoint a member who either lives within five miles of the campus (chosen by a community organization) or represents the west side of Salt Lake City (appointed by the Westside Coalition) within 30 days of the campus location being announced. This change directly affects the board's composition and communities near proposed campus sites. The bill makes technical adjustments to the board's structure but does not appropriate funding or alter service delivery. It focuses on procedural updates to governance rather than substantive policy changes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirectly addresses homelessness by requiring community representation in homeless services campus planning, strengthening local input for housing solutions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 596: Homelessness Amendments

HB 596 revises definitions and organizational structures related to Utah's homelessness services. It creates the Mitigation Fund Task Force and reorganizes advisory boards (renaming "Shelter Cities Advisory Board" to "Shelter Cities Coordinating Council" and similarly for counties). The bill establishes a Homeless Services Restricted Account to assist counties with homelessness programs and allows funds from leased property to cover operational costs. It makes no new funding appropriations but clarifies how existing resources can be used for homelessness services, primarily affecting counties, homeless service providers, and local governments managing shelters.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Homeless Services Restricted Account and reorganizes homelessness advisory boards to improve program coordination, directly addressing housing-related homelessness services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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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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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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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