HB 431 creates a dedicated Wildlife Crossing Account funded through voluntary $1 contributions when Utah residents apply for vehicle registration or purchase hunting, fishing, or other licenses. The bill directs the Department of Transportation, with input from wildlife officials, to prioritize projects that improve wildlife safety (like animal crossings over roads) and protect livestock. It does not appropriate new state funds but instead uses existing voluntary contributions and allocates a portion of sales tax revenue to the account. The account will support projects designed to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and enhance habitat connectivity across Utah.
SB 144 increases the maximum direct financial assistance available to displaced farms, nonprofits, and businesses under Utah's Relocation Assistance Act from $50,000 to $75,000. It requires the Utah Department of Transportation to annually adjust this $75,000 cap for inflation starting July 1, 2027, calculating and publishing the updated amount each year. The bill mandates the Department of Transportation to share this inflation-adjusted figure with the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman. These changes apply to individuals or entities displaced by state agency property acquisitions, ensuring assistance levels keep pace with rising costs.
HB 375 modifies Utah's Outdoor Adventure Infrastructure Restricted Account to allow up to 2% of funds to cover administrative costs, which were previously restricted. The bill does not appropriate new money but clarifies that existing funds - collected from specific deposits - can now support account management. It maintains the existing distribution rules, requiring at least 15% to state parks, 22% to competitive recreation grants, 53% to larger infrastructure projects, and 10% to the Utah Fairpark district. This change directly affects state agencies managing recreation infrastructure funds, such as the Division of State Parks and Division of Outdoor Recreation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 47 requires all vehicle owners to maintain liability insurance *while operating* a vehicle on Utah highways (not just when registered). This directly affects all drivers, including nonresidents who stay in Utah over 90 days, who must meet Utah's insurance requirements during their stay. The bill amends Utah Code Section 41-12a-301 to clarify that insurance must be active whenever a vehicle is driven on public roads, with exceptions for off-highway vehicles, e-bikes, scooters, and school buses under specific conditions. It does not appropriate funds or change existing registration fees. The key change shifts the requirement from registration to active operation.
SB 6 is a state budget bill allocating $333.6 million for Utah's transportation and infrastructure operations in fiscal year 2026, and $3.8 billion for fiscal year 2027. It specifies funding sources including $54 million from the General Fund for 2026 and $165 million from the General Fund for 2027, covering agency operations, capital projects, and infrastructure needs. The bill directs funds to state agencies like the Department of Transportation and specifies allocations for projects such as the Ogden office building and capital improvements, without changing policy or directly affecting citizens.
