Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 474: Uniform Commercial Code Modifications

HB 474 updates Utah's Uniform Commercial Code to modernize rules for digital transactions. It replaces "writing" with "record" to include electronic documents and creates new rules for controlling digital assets like bank accounts, electronic titles, and payment intangibles. The bill clarifies when a secured party (e.g., a bank or lender) has control over electronic records, affecting how security interests attach and are enforced in digital transactions. Businesses, financial institutions, and individuals using electronic contracts or digital assets in Utah will directly experience these changes, as the bill aligns Utah's commercial law with current electronic commerce practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyModernizes UCC for digital transactions, enabling electronic records and digital asset control, facilitating tech-driven commerce without restricting tech use.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 408: Data Sharing Amendments

HB 408 requires social media platforms to let users transfer portions of their personal data - including connections, content, and interactions - to other platforms within five business days. It mandates real-time data sharing when users switch services, requires explicit user consent before sharing comments or interactions during transfers, and protects platforms from penalties for temporary technical issues if they make good-faith fixes. The bill clarifies that platforms must provide data in a portable, usable format but exempts them from sharing internal algorithms, derived data, or proprietary formats that lack industry standards. This directly affects Utah social media users and platforms operating in the state, focusing on user control over their digital data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates user data portability, explicit consent for transfers, and strengthens privacy protections for social media users, aligning with consumer data control and privacy regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 183: Surveillance Camera Amendments

SB 183 prohibits law enforcement officers or their agents from tampering with, repositioning, or disabling privately or commercially owned surveillance cameras without specific authorization. The law allows exceptions when the camera owner consents, a court issues a warrant beforehand, or during urgent emergencies - requiring officers to notify owners within 24 hours or obtain a court order as soon as possible after the emergency ends. This directly affects camera owners (including businesses and residents) and law enforcement agencies operating in Utah. The bill creates two new Utah Code sections (53-25-1201 and 53-25-1202) and excludes trail cameras from its provisions. It takes effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects privacy rights by requiring warrants for law enforcement to interfere with private cameras, enhancing police accountability and aligning with civil rights in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized law enforcement interference with surveillance cameras, requiring warrants/consent to protect data privacy and digital rights as per technology policy indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 296: Student Consent Amendments

SB 296 requires Utah schools and colleges to obtain clear, informed consent from students before sharing their educational data (like transcripts, enrollment records, and course history). It mandates a secure digital consent system by July 2027, prohibits bundling unrelated terms with consent requests, and ensures students can revoke consent anytime. The bill directly affects students (including minors, where parents must consent) and educational institutions, while prohibiting schools from restricting consent rights or requiring waivers of unrelated privacy protections. It aligns with federal FERPA law but adds Utah-specific rules for data disclosure, including creating a private right of action if third parties violate these requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student data privacy in educational institutions, enhancing student rights and trust through mandatory consent requirements and secure systems.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure data handling and informed consent for student privacy, directly protecting educational data under technology-related privacy policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 298: Programmable Money Amendments

SB 298, the "Programmable Money Amendments," modifies Utah's Uniform Commercial Code to regulate digital payment methods (like digital tokens or programmable currency). It directly affects businesses that issue or accept programmable money by requiring them to offer free non-digital payment options and banning discrimination based on political views, religion, medical history, or lawful firearm ownership. The bill prohibits denying transactions due to environmental/social/governance compliance or diversity programming, mandates written explanations for denied transactions within 30 days, and allows affected parties to seek punitive damages or revoke an issuer’s license. It explicitly clarifies that the law does not restrict cryptocurrency purchases or sales by any party.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires free non-digital payment options and bans discrimination in digital transactions, promoting fair access and consumer protection in digital payments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 450: Data Privacy Amendments

HB 450 amends Utah's Government Data Privacy Act and Government Records Access and Management Act to strengthen state data privacy oversight. It restructures the Utah Privacy Commission to include state agencies, cities, counties, and education representatives, transfers oversight to a new Utah Office of Data Privacy, and creates a data privacy ombudsman to handle complaints. The bill requires joint studies on government use of passive data collection technology and removes duplicative rules while expanding correction procedures beyond personal data. These changes directly affect Utah state and local government entities that collect or manage public data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens data privacy oversight via new Office of Data Privacy and ombudsman, aligning with consumer protection indicators in tech policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 152: Public and Higher Education Collaboration

SB 152 clarifies how public school districts and higher education institutions handle student data by requiring clear explanations about what data is collected, how it will be used, and the right for families to opt out of data sharing. The bill specifically addresses transparency around data practices under existing law (Section 53E-9-402(1)), mandating that schools disclose collection methods, usage purposes, and opt-out options to parents or guardians. It directly affects school districts, colleges, and families by standardizing data privacy communication. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to improve transparency, not on new funding or program creation. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates transparency in student data practices, requiring schools to disclose collection methods and opt-out options to parents, strengthening student privacy protections in education.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires schools to disclose student data practices and opt-out options, directly protecting student privacy under data collection rules.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 319: Electronic Records Amendments

HB 319 allows Utah counties to accept digitally authenticated documents (like e-signatures) instead of traditional notarized documents for recording. It requires counties to get approval from the State Archives before implementation, ensuring digital records meet security, retention, and preservation standards. The bill establishes that digitally authenticated records have the same legal standing as notarized documents when all requirements are met. This directly affects county recorders, document creators (such as real estate agents), and anyone submitting records to county offices. The law makes no changes to funding or fees but updates state code to reflect electronic record standards.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnables digital records with security standards, granting legal equivalence to notarized documents, promoting electronic transactions in government processes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 51: School Safety Modifications

SB 51 creates a statewide system for Utah schools to share information about student threats. Local schools (LEAs) must report specific threat-related data to the State Board of Education, which can then share this information with other schools to improve safety coordination. The bill includes privacy protections for students, immunity for schools reporting in good faith, and clear rules for data collection and deletion. It takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates statewide safety data sharing for schools, directly addressing student health and safety (a core Education topic) with privacy protections and immunity for reporting.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyIncludes explicit privacy protections for student data in a statewide reporting system, aligning with data privacy focus of Technology topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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