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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInfographics - 2026 Legislative Session SynopsisSession Overview The key themes of the 2026 legislative session were tax reform, judicial realignment, economic development, transportation, public safety, water, immigration, energy, and homelessness. There were numerous tax reform proposals that could have had a profound impact on the city's general fund. Salt Lake City, in partnership with the Utah League of Cities and Towns, worked closely on the many tax bills to ensure the city's budget authority was preserved and critical municipal services were retained. Salt Lake City roads were of particular interest again this session. We are grateful to maintain control over the city's roads and appreciate the enhanced engagement process. The city is committed to ensuring we have a world-class transportation system that is safe and efficient for all users. There were numerous bills focused on judicial realignment and legislating on recent court rulings that would impact government immunity, causes of action, and local control. Legislation targeting pivotal court rulings won by the Salt Lake City litigation team, including by the late Dave Mull, were upheld. Homelessness and public safety continued to be a high priority. $23M was reappropriated from a low-barrier shelter concept and instead will be used for criminal justice high-utilizers, emergency shelter, tiny home program expansion, and mental and behavioral health. Bills Passed by Session City Impact 1,016 Bills Introduced - The legislature introduced 1,016 bills, setting an all time record. There were 540 bills passed. 351 Tracked Bills - The city tracked 351 bills with an additional 403 substitutions. Including subs, this is a 9% decrease over 2025. High Priority and FYI Bills - 53 bills, and 73 subs received a high priority city designation. 277 bills were determined to be FYI only. 78 Bills Introduced that Impacted the Public Safety Plan - 35 bills (and 43 subs) were introduced that impacted the Plan, with 14 bills ultimately passing. These bills address jail releases of habitual offenders, supportive services for those leaving jail, and shelter for the homeless. 2,296 Department Comments - Department feedback was used to determine city position, city priority, and the working list. 166 Bills with Fiscal Impact - the Finance Department reviewed all introduced bills. There were 78 bills that had an expense impact, 72 with a revenue impact, and 16 with both a revenue and expense impact. The Legislative Affairs Division expresses our deep gratitude to city departments for your tireless work and expertise during the session. Utah Legislative Session 2026 Synopsis Introduced Passed Legislature Passed House Passed Senate 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 20260 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 Failed Bills HB 88 – Public Assistance Amendments Prohibited individuals without documentation from receiving services and would have incriminated public employees if services were provided. HB 196 – Highway Designation Amendments Proposed to re-name 900 S from Harvey Milk Blvd to Charlie Kirk Blvd. This bill did not progress because of the strong advocacy of various cool beans in our community. HB 355 – Nuisance Modifications Would have exposed the city to legal risk as a result of nuisance actions that occur in public places. HB 452 – Firearm Storage Required firearm storage at the Delta Center. SB 211 – Tort Amendments Proposed to overturn a recent court ruling that would have required the city to pay medical costs beyond what is paid by the person injured. SB 245 – Impact Fee Amendments Restricted the City’s use of impact fees to designated areas in the city. SB 219 – Highway Signage Amendments Would have allowed outdoor advertisements to move with less city input as the result of a highway expansion. SB 277 – Utah Homes Investment Program Amendments The bill was subbed to include amendments to Legacy City funding, that would have allowed expanded use of those funds HB 302 – Government Speech Neutrality Limited the City to adopting one official flag, but would have allowed adoption of multiple ceremonial flags. HB 212 - County Formation Amendments Created a process by which a city could leave a county of the first class. This bill passed the Senate but didn’t meet the constitutional time requirements. SB 97 Tax Revenue Amendments Would have created a cap on property tax increases, change how new growth is calculated, and put a cap on fund balance. SB 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles Prohibited the utilization of unmarked vehicle usage by law enforcement. Passed Bills HB 79 – Governmental Immunity Reinstated government immunity for first responders providing medical care, overturning a recent court ruling. HB 238 – Utah Energy Generation and Transmission Planning Allows for the Utah Renewable Community program to move forward. HB 236 - Truth in Taxation Amendments Creates a more transparent truth and taxation process when a property tax increase is proposed. HB 492 - Transportation, Infrastructure and Housing Amendments Appropriates $100 M for the state infrastructure fund, allows for the utilization of the county sales and use tax for the convention center, rolls back ethics standards for public officials and legislators as it relates to the construction or operation of affordable housing. SB 242 – Transportation Amendments Transportation omnibus bill that requires the city to enter into an agreement with UDOT to partner on highway reduction strategy road projects. Requires the city to adopt a Critical Routes Capacity Map and ensure safety on for all modes of transportation. SB 197 Transportation Funding and Governance Amendments Changes the structure of the UTA board of trustees and adds funding to the Transit Transportation Investment Fund. HB 597 – Alcohol Amendments Provides a local consent process for alcohol licenses for restaurants and hotels near community locations except for schools and churches. HB 308 - Homeless Services Amendments Increases the amount that non-shelter cities pay in to the Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation account, and creates a pathway for existing shelters to flex bed space in agreement with the cities that host those shelters. HB 565 City Library Property Tax Amendments Allows for the library property tax levy to be listed individually on the Notice of Valuation. HB 296 - Water Commitment Amendments Allows for committing water to the Great Salt Lake to be included in water conservation plans. Bills Tracked by Department 2026 High Priority Bills Police had the highest number of bills assigned to their department. Of the 329 bills assigned, 176 bills actively affected department operations and 153 were FYI. PD assigned a high priority to 18 bills. CAN had the next highest number of bills assigned to them with 241. 116 of those directly affected department operations and 83 were FYI. CAN assigned a high priority to 31 bills.