We have now completed the fourth week of the 2026 legislative session, as the pace at the Capitol continues to pick up speed. After a break for Presidents Day on Monday, we will have just 14 days left in the session. What’s going to make it? What will come up short? That’s all to be determined.
In the meantime, here’s your recap of what happened this week.
As always, you can follow the bills we’re tracking in real time and contact your lawmakers through the Libertas Legislative Tracker.
- House Bill 261, sponsored by Rep. Jason Kyle, cleared the House Judiciary Committee this week. It will strengthen existing laws regarding warrant requirements for government to access your personal information from another entity. Our Director of Public Policy, Jason Chipman, testified in support of this legislation.
- The Senate advanced legislation that will lower Utah’s personal and corporate income tax rate from 4.5% to 4.45%. Senate Bill 60 is sponsored by Sen. Daniel McCay.
- Another bill dealing with taxes passed the House this week. HB 236, sponsored by Rep. Karen Peterson, will require local taxing entities to make preliminary public statements about proposed property tax increases and present alternative budgets showing operations with and without the proposed tax increase.
- Legislation to expand public oversight of decisions made by local school boards has passed the House. HB 170 is sponsored by Rep. Rex Shipp.
- HB 24, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Wilcox, would reduce penalties for several minor traffic violations. After passing the House, it is awaiting action on the Senate floor.
- HB 55, sponsored by Tiara Auxier, will prevent companies contracted with schools from selling student information. It passed the Senate this week after clearing the House the prior week. It will now head to the Governor.
- A bill that expands access to raw milk by allowing raw milk producers who do not own any percentage of a store to sell raw milk and for 3rd-party pick up and delivery has passed the House. HB 179 is sponsored by Rep. Kristen Chevrier.
- Legislation that allows property owners in higher wildfire-risk areas to clear vegetation on their property, even when local landscaping rules would otherwise prohibit it, has passed the House. HB 215 is sponsored by Rep. Thomas Peterson.
- A bill that will help former inmates reintegrate into society by requiring county jails to assist inmates in obtaining identification documents passed the House last week and is moving in the Senate. HB 230 is sponsored by Rep. Melissa Ballard.
