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

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

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 320: Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy Amendments

HB 320 amends Utah's existing Artificial Intelligence Policy framework by clarifying definitions (like "artificial intelligence" and "regulatory mitigation agreement"), updating the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy's duties, and modifying the Artificial Intelligence Learning Laboratory Program. The bill establishes a structured process for AI companies to test new technologies under temporary regulatory flexibility (via "regulatory mitigation agreements") while requiring them to report findings and safeguard consumer data. It directly affects state agencies managing AI regulation, AI developers participating in the Learning Laboratory, and Utah consumers through future policy guidance. The Office must annually report program outcomes and policy recommendations to the legislature, with no new funding requested.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes structured testing process for AI with regulatory flexibility, enabling innovation while requiring reporting to ensure oversight within AI development framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 218: Digital Skills Amendments

HB 218 amends Utah’s requirements for digital literacy education in grades 7 and 8, directly affecting public school students in those grades starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines specific digital skills concepts (such as online ethics, AI literacy, cybersecurity, social media impact, and misinformation evaluation) that must be covered in the course. It also establishes an advisory tech council to guide curriculum development, recommend resources, and advise on emerging technologies. The changes update existing education codes without new funding, focusing on standardizing digital literacy instruction across Utah schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific digital literacy curriculum standards for grades 7-8, establishing advisory council to develop resources, enhancing K-12 educational standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity and AI literacy in K-12 curriculum, directly enhancing digital skills education per bill's defined requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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