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 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 · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 108: Online Marketplace Amendments

SB 108 prevents Utah cities and counties from creating rules for online marketplaces like Etsy or Airbnb. It specifically blocks local governments from regulating how these platforms operate or demanding user data without a court order. The law allows exceptions for short-term rental rules and for regulating people who use the platforms, not the platforms themselves.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingPrevents local regulation of platforms like Airbnb, weakening enforcement of short-term rental rules that affect housing availability and tenant protections.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires court orders for local data demands, directly protecting user privacy - a core technology policy concern in the topic description.95% 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 · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 38: Consumer Protection Modifications

SB 38 reorganizes Utah's consumer protection laws by renaming and renumbering existing chapters, such as moving the Health Spa Services Act to "Fitness Center Services," and adds a new Chapter 77 specifically requiring generative AI service providers to disclose certain information to consumers. It updates registration and reporting rules for businesses, clarifies the Division of Consumer Protection's enforcement authority, and specifies when the division may deny or revoke business registrations. The bill directly affects businesses operating in regulated sectors like credit services, charitable solicitations, fitness centers, and now AI service providers. Key changes include mandatory AI disclosures, updated surety bond requirements, and streamlined processes for maintaining registration with the division.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyNew Chapter 77 mandates generative AI providers to disclose information to consumers, enhancing transparency and data privacy protections under consumer law.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