Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 267: Software in Education Amendments

SB 267 requires Utah's State Board of Education to study how software and digital services are used in public schools, focusing on educational effectiveness, design, and data practices. The bill mandates the board to review best practices, publish guidance for responsible software use, and report findings to the Education Interim Committee upon request. It directly affects public schools, educators, and software providers by establishing standards for evaluating educational technology. The bill defines key terms like "academically effective" software but does not fund new programs or change current classroom practices. (4 sentences)

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates review of data practices and requires responsible software use guidance, advancing data privacy protections in educational technology.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 498: Utah App Store Accountability Act Amendments

HB 498 amends Utah's App Store Accountability Act to strengthen protections for minors. It requires app stores to implement clearer age ratings, provide detailed content descriptions to parents, and obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing in-app purchases for users under 18. The bill adds new rules for pre-installed applications (excluding core device functions) and defines "minor accounts" requiring parent affiliation. These changes directly affect app store providers, developers, and parents managing children's mobile device usage, with enforcement handled by Utah's Division of Consumer Protection.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens minors' data privacy via mandatory age ratings, parental consent, and content disclosures for app stores, aligning with consumer protection and privacy indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 273: Classroom Technology Amendments

HB 273 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence use in public schools, directly affecting all Utah public schools, teachers, and students. Key provisions include adding artificial intelligence standards to core computer science curriculum, establishing grade-level technology use requirements, creating a model for balanced technology integration, and allowing high schools to offer AI-focused "sandbox" courses. The bill also mandates reporting on implementation and exempts certain student groups from grade-level tech requirements, with no new state funding allocated.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds AI curriculum standards, mandates tech integration models, enables AI-focused courses - advancing educational technology in K-12.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI curriculum standards, grade-level tech requirements, and AI 'sandbox' courses in schools, directly advancing technology integration in education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

passed both · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HJR 4: Resolution Regarding Prison Security and Successful Inmate Reentry

This is a non-binding resolution (HJR 4) from Utah's legislature urging Congress to take specific actions on prison security and inmate reentry. It requests Congress to support the 2025 Second Chance Reauthorization Act (to restore funding for reentry programs), expand affordable health care access for incarcerated individuals before release, pass the 2025 Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act, criminalize drone flights over prisons, and allow pilot programs to mitigate drone threats. The resolution does not appropriate funds or create new state laws, but highlights federal policy gaps using statistics on recidivism, contraband cell phones, and drone incidents. It directly addresses Congress, not Utah residents or state agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesResolution urges restoration of funding for reentry programs and healthcare access, aligning with funding essential services under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUrges funding for reentry programs (Second Chance Act), healthcare access pre-release, and drone security to reduce recidivism and improve inmate reentry outcomes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExplicitly urges expanding affordable healthcare access for incarcerated individuals before release, aligns with Medicaid support in subjects95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly requests passage of Cell Phone Jamming Reform Act and drone security measures to enhance prison cybersecurity, directly advancing technology regulation for security purposes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 147: Government Form Submission Amendments

HB 147 requires Utah state and local government entities (including counties, cities, school districts, and state agencies) to provide electronic options for submitting forms, records, and information instead of requiring in-person visits or physical copies. It mandates electronic submission methods like online entry, digital signing, or email uploads, with specific exceptions for cases where federal/state law requires in-person submission or fingerprints are needed for background checks. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2027, and does not appropriate funds.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates electronic submissions for government forms, advancing digital transactions and reducing physical requirements per bill's explicit requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 182: Genetic Information Amendments

HB 182 prohibits Utah medical and genomic research facilities from using genetic sequencers or software developed by foreign adversaries (as defined by federal law) or storing genetic data within foreign adversary countries. It requires facilities to certify compliance with these rules by December 2028 and every decade thereafter, while banning remote access to non-public genetic data by entities in foreign adversary nations without written approval. Violations carry $10,000 fines per instance, enforced by the attorney general, who may also pursue civil actions for damages. The bill protects employees who report suspected violations to the attorney general from workplace retaliation. It takes effect January 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts foreign tech use for genetic data storage/access, enhancing privacy protections per bill's data security mandates90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 123: Privacy and Cybersecurity Amendments

SB 123 amends Utah's cybersecurity law to expand the Utah Cyber Center's responsibilities and structure. It requires the Center to collaborate with the Department of Environmental Quality and include local education agencies in its cybersecurity efforts, while adding a representative from the Utah Education and Telehealth Network to the Cybersecurity Commission. The bill changes the deadline for the statewide cybersecurity plan to January 1, 2027, and creates a restricted account for nonlapsing funds to support cybersecurity tools, incident response, and strategic planning using existing and future funding sources without new legislative appropriations. These changes directly affect the Cyber Center, local education agencies, and the Cybersecurity Commission.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands Utah Cyber Center's responsibilities, mandates cybersecurity collaboration, and enhances data privacy protections through amended cybersecurity law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 165: Critical Infrastructure Amendments

HB 165 establishes security protocols for Utah's critical infrastructure (like power grids, water systems, and state data networks) by addressing risks from foreign adversary technology. It requires the Utah Cyber Center to create annual guidance for state agencies on assessing risks from foreign adversary tech, prohibits state contracts with such companies for critical infrastructure, and bans federally banned equipment. Agencies may request voluntary security assessments for existing or planned foreign adversary technology use, though recommendations are advisory only and don't mandate contract changes or technology transitions. The bill directly affects all state agencies operating critical infrastructure systems and takes effect May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits state contracts with foreign adversary tech for critical infrastructure, requiring enhanced cybersecurity protocols and risk assessments per bill's security focus.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 59: Identification Verification Amendments

HB 59 requires businesses serving alcohol (including restaurants, bars, taverns, and beer retailers) to verify the age of individuals appearing to be 35 years old or younger before serving them alcohol or admitting them to the premises. It mandates electronic verification of ID using state-approved technology, limits displayed information to basic details (name, age, ID number), and requires businesses to retain verification data for seven days. The bill also allows authorized personnel to confiscate suspected fake IDs and report them to law enforcement. This law takes effect May 6, 2026, and applies retroactively from January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates electronic ID verification with privacy protections (limits displayed info, 7-day retention), supporting data privacy within technology policy.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 581: Autonomous Vehicle Amendments

HB 581 requires large public transit districts in Utah to gather information about implementing self-driving bus networks by November 2026. It directs the state Department of Transportation to similarly collect data on autonomous vehicle technology, including costs, timelines, and potential benefits. The bill defines key terms like "driverless operation" and "automated driving systems" to clarify future regulations. These information requests aim to inform state decisions about self-driving transit systems without creating new funding or requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires data collection on autonomous vehicles for future regulation, clarifies terms, and prepares state for implementation, advancing tech policy development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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