Transportation

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 219: Highway Signage Amendments

SB 219 amends Utah's highway signage laws to help businesses relocate or remodel signs when roads are widened or rebuilt. It directly affects sign owners (like advertising companies) who must move signs due to highway projects. Key changes include allowing these relocated signs to exceed standard height limits for visibility and letting owners begin remodeling 30 days after notifying local government - without waiting for approval. The bill modifies existing Utah Code sections (72-7-510 and 72-7-510.5) to streamline this process, with no new funding required. This applies only to signs moved because of highway construction, not to new signs or general signage rules.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationStreamlines sign relocation during highway projects, facilitating infrastructure work without bureaucratic delays per Utah Code amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 275: Traffic Safety Amendments

HB 275 establishes a two-year red light camera pilot program (2027-2028) at up to 10 high-risk intersections in Utah, designated using crash, traffic, and injury data. The Department of Transportation manages camera installation and data collection, while local law enforcement agencies issue warnings (not fines) to drivers captured violating traffic signals during a public education phase. The program requires clear signage at intersections and prohibits using camera evidence for citations or penalty points on driving records. It mandates annual reports on the program’s implementation and results before its repeal in April 2028.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes red light camera pilot program to enhance traffic safety at high-risk intersections using crash data, directly aligning with transportation safety enhancement indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Feb 1, 2026

SB 6: Transportation and Infrastructure Base Budget

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $333.6M for transportation infrastructure via General Fund, directly funding public services under state budget management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $333.6M (2026) and $3.8B (2027) specifically for transportation infrastructure operations, capital projects, and agency funding per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 421: Hit and Run Amendments

HB 421, the "Hit and Run Amendments," increases penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident involving property damage or injury. It specifically targets repeat offenders - those previously convicted of the same hit-and-run offense or driving under the influence (DUI) - by imposing harsher punishments. The bill amends Utah's traffic code (sections 41-6a-401, 41-6a-401.3, and others) to clarify definitions, strengthen penalties, and add a new provision (41-6a-401.8) while repealing outdated language. This directly affects drivers convicted of hit-and-run incidents with prior related offenses, making penalties more severe for those with prior violations. The bill contains no new funding requirements or technical changes beyond the penalty adjustments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for repeat hit-and-run offenders, expanding criminalization and strengthening sentencing within traffic-related crimes, opposing reform efforts.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases penalties for hit-and-run offenses, strengthening traffic safety standards under transportation regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

Track

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 151: Public Safety Funding Amendments

SB 151 modifies how Utah allocates insurance premium tax revenue to fund public safety. It directs $5 million in FY 2027 toward firefighter retirement programs and creates a new Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Account to fund hiring new Highway Patrol troopers through annual transfers from insurance tax revenue. The bill clarifies funding priorities for firefighter retirement, requires the state to notify lawmakers if excess revenue is collected, and repeals outdated provisions. These changes directly affect firefighters' retirement benefits and Highway Patrol staffing levels.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects insurance tax revenue to fund firefighter retirement and Highway Patrol hiring, strengthening public safety funding through existing tax allocation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirects $5M to firefighter retirement programs and funds Highway Patrol hiring, supporting public safety workforce benefits and employment within Labor & Employment framework.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Account to fund Highway Patrol troopers, directly enhancing transportation safety through public safety funding allocation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Roads & Highways Tags Public Safety

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 336: Recovery Operations Amendments

HB 336 clarifies that "recovery operations" (specialized towing for disabled, overturned, or environmentally hazardous vehicles) are distinct from standard towing. It requires car insurance companies to pay recovery operators directly for services - before paying the vehicle owner - within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice. The bill also mandates insurers to verify that tow truck companies performing recovery operations are qualified and establishes a dispute resolution process through the Motor Carrier Advisory Board. This directly affects insurers, specialized towing services, and vehicle owners involved in complex recovery situations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies recovery operations, mandates timely insurer payments to operators, and verifies qualifications - improving road safety and infrastructure efficiency for vehicle recovery.95% confidence

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 189: School District Funding Amendments

SB 189 creates the High Growth District Grant Program to provide $15 million in state funding for school districts experiencing significant enrollment growth. It directly affects districts meeting a specific threshold: those with an average annual net enrollment increase equal to at least 10% of Utah’s total enrollment growth. The program funds land acquisition, facility construction/renovation, and transportation infrastructure expansion to address overcrowding. Eligibility is determined using a formula based on three years of enrollment data, with special rules for newly formed or reorganized districts. The State Board of Education will manage applications, distribution, and annual recalculations of qualifying districts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15M state funds for school infrastructure expansion, directly increasing public education budget allocation per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates $15M grant program specifically for school infrastructure (land, facilities, transportation) to address overcrowding in growing districts, directly advancing K-12 school funding and facilities.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds transportation infrastructure expansion for school facilities as part of grant program, directly supporting transportation needs within education context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 375: Outdoor Recreation Modifications

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies existing funds can cover administrative costs, promoting efficient fiscal management within current budget allocations without new appropriations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates 53% of funds to larger infrastructure projects, directly supporting transportation infrastructure under topic description.85% confidence

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 436: Moderate Income Housing Infrastructure Amendments

HB 436 modifies reporting requirements for municipalities implementing moderate income housing strategies and adds a new transportation priority. It requires municipalities to submit detailed annual reports tracking housing strategies, new home construction, and zoning changes, with stricter compliance standards for those without public transit stations. Crucially, it grants priority consideration for transportation projects if a municipality adds 2.5% or more new residential units annually. The bill affects all "specified municipalities" defined under Utah law, with no new state funding required. It takes effect May 6, 2026, and makes technical updates to existing housing reporting codes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes 2.5% annual residential unit growth for transportation priority, directly advancing moderate income housing development through mandatory reporting and funding incentives.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill grants priority for transportation projects when municipalities add 2.5%+ new residential units annually, directly linking housing growth to transportation project funding and approval.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Public Transit

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 431: Wildlife Crossing Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect animals and reduce roadkill, directly advancing wildlife conservation and habitat protection through transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs DOT to prioritize wildlife crossing projects improving road safety and infrastructure, funded through voluntary contributions without new state funds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife Vehicle Registration