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

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 327: License Plate Reader Amendments

HB 327 amends Utah's laws governing automatic license plate readers (LPRs) used by government and law enforcement. It directly affects police departments, state agencies, and other public entities that collect license plate data. The bill replaces outdated rules with new requirements, including mandatory data security measures, limits on how long data can be stored, and restrictions on sharing data with other agencies. It also requires agencies to report how they use LPRs, ensuring transparency in their deployment. The law makes no changes to funding or creates new surveillance powers, focusing solely on standardizing existing LPR data handling practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeImposes data security, storage limits, and transparency requirements on law enforcement LPR use, enhancing oversight and civil rights protections in criminal justice data collection.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data security, limits storage duration, restricts data sharing, and requires transparency for license plate data - directly enhancing privacy and cybersecurity protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HJR 16: Joint Resolution Supporting New Methods to Combat Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence

This resolution expresses Utah's support for developing new technologies to help victims of human trafficking and domestic violence discreetly request assistance, particularly at transportation hubs like bus and train stations. It specifically highlights how traffickers often operate in such locations and suggests innovations like alert systems in public restrooms could allow victims to safely contact help without detection. The resolution does not create new programs or allocate funding but formally declares the state's backing for these technological solutions. It aims to encourage the development of tools addressing these critical safety issues without imposing new legal requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes victim safety tech for trafficking/domestic violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals through law enforcement collaboration without new funding.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyResolution explicitly supports developing new technologies for victim safety at transportation hubs, aligning with tech advancement in critical areas like discreet assistance systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking

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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

Sub-Topics Curriculum Artificial Intelligence

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 407: Public Education Information System

HB 407 requires Utah's State Board of Education to establish a statewide student information system for public schools, while allowing local school districts to maintain their own systems under specific conditions. The bill sets strict requirements for local systems - including data security, compliance with state standards, and mandatory audits for noncompliance - and mandates implementation timelines. It also specifies that all school districts must collect and manage student data through this system or approved local alternatives, ensuring data accessibility for parents and educators via the "Student Achievement Backpack" feature. The bill makes no new funding appropriations and updates multiple Utah Code sections related to education data management.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates strict data security, compliance, and audits for student information systems, directly strengthening data privacy and cybersecurity in educational technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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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

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

signed · Utah · Senate Feb 1, 2026

SB 5: General Government Base Budget

SB 5 is the General Government Base Budget bill for Utah's fiscal years 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026) and 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It appropriates a total of $538.3 million for state agency operations in FY2026, including $387.1 million for FY2027, primarily from the General Fund and Income Tax Fund. The bill allocates specific funds to agencies like the Department of Commerce (for business licensing and AI policy development), Insurance Department (for autism coverage and fraud programs), and Tax Commission (for license plates and tax administration). These funds cover ongoing operations, system upgrades, and program activities without specifying new policy changes or eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllocates funds to Department of Commerce for AI policy development, a direct support indicator for technology policy advancement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 84: Department of Commerce Amendments

SB 84 creates the Department of Commerce Technology, Education, and Training Fund to support specific technology and training activities within Utah's Department of Commerce. The fund will be financed by existing fees collected by the Division of Corporations (for business filings) and the Division of Professional Licensing (for public licensee lists), with all interest earned also deposited into the fund. This money will directly pay for employee training, technology maintenance for business registrations, public education materials about licensing and filings, and subscription services for business data. The bill does not appropriate new state funds but redirects existing fee revenue toward these defined purposes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly funds employee training via the Commerce Technology Fund, directly supporting workforce development and employment standards.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates dedicated fund for technology training/maintenance within Commerce Dept using existing fees, explicitly advancing tech infrastructure for business services.95% confidence

failed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 223: Electronic Signature Collection Amendments

HB 223 updates Utah's process for collecting signatures on petitions by requiring all electronic signature devices to scan voter ID data (like driver's licenses) and operate offline by 2028. Starting January 1, 2030, petition sponsors and circulators must use electronic signatures exclusively, banning manual signature collection entirely. The bill also clarifies security standards for devices and mandates annual reports from the lieutenant governor to the Government Operations Committee. These changes directly affect initiative/referendum petition sponsors and candidate nomination circulators, streamlining the verification process while phasing out manual methods.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates security standards for electronic signature devices and annual reports, enhancing cybersecurity protocols in digital signature collection.95% confidence

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