Libertas Legislation Tracker
The following bills are included in this year's Legislative Tracker. Below each bill's title and number is our summary and explanation of why we support or oppose the bill.
Denying contact into to Teacher's Unions (HB 124) Support
This bill prohibits school districts from selling teachers' contact information to third parties, including organizations like teacher unions.
Libertas supports this bill. Government groups like public schools should not aid public school unions in their efforts to gain membership. It is a conflict of interest.
Exempting More Tangilble Personal Property From Taxation (HB 155) Support
This bill increases the tangible personal property tax exemption from $25,000 to $100,000.
Libertas supports this bill. The tangible personal property tax is one of the most burdensome and tedious taxes for businesses, particularly small businesses and entrepreneurs. Raising the exemption to $100,000 would reduce the number of businesses subject to this tax, providing relief and allowing them to focus on growth and innovation instead of compliance with complex tax requirements.
Removing Accreditation Requirements (HB 160) Support
This bill removes the requirement for bachelor's degrees to be accredited for non-medical licenses that include a licensure exam as part of the process.
Libertas supports this bill. The accreditation process does not improve the quality of education and creates unnecessary redundancy when a licensure exam is already required. Removing this requirement promotes efficiency and encourages competition and innovation in higher education.
Lower Priced Triplexes and Quadplexes (HB 175) Support
This bill would allow triplexes and quadplexes to be regulated under the International Residential Code (IRC) rather than the more stringent International Building Code (IBC).
Libertas supports this bill. This bill would lower construction costs for triplexes and quadplexes, making them more affordable for families seeking entry-level housing without relying on subsidies or additional government programs.
Limiting the Utah Fits All (HB 192) Oppose
This bill puts unreasonable restrictions on Utah Fits All scholarship recipients, including prohibiting any service that can also be provided by the local district.
Libertas opposes this bill. Many of the restrictions in this bill are overly stringent, placing so many limitations on the scholarship that it becomes practically unusable for anything other than the most traditional education options.
Improved Notification for Property Tax Relief Eligibility (SB 16) Support
This bill requires annual property tax notices to include a statement informing property owners aged 75 and older about potential eligibility for property tax deferral, along with a telephone number for further information.
Libertas supports this bill. It ensures seniors facing difficulties with property tax payments are informed about a program that allows them to defer taxes and maintain ownership of their homes.
Less Eminent Domain Usage for Utilities (SB 61) Support
This bill mandates that when the government seeks to use eminent domain to acquire land for certain utility infrastructure, it must prioritize utilizing federal public lands over private property.
Libertas supports this bill. Government projects should use existing public lands whenever possible, minimizing the need to seize private property and protecting individual property rights.
Automatic Income Tax Reductions for Revenue Windfalls (SB 85) Support
This bill proposes an automatic state income tax reduction when the state receives a windfall.
Libertas supports this bill. This change promotes fiscal responsibility and ensures that surplus funds are not treated as an opportunity for increased spending.
Higher Threshold for New Taxes Enacted by Initiative (SJR 2) Support
This resolution proposes requiring a 60% supermajority vote from Utahns to pass any statewide initiative that imposes a new tax, increases an existing tax rate, or expands an existing tax to cover additional items or transactions.
Libertas supports this resolution. New taxes, especially those being attempted via the statewide initiative process, deserve a higher threshold to be enacted.