Welcome to the 2026 Legislative Session. This weekly brief is a UTIA-member benefit. If there is interest in receiving this tracker please refer to becoming a member by clicking here. |
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| | | The 2026 Legislative Session is entering its final days and will officially adjourn at midnight on Friday, March 6th.
Since the session began 40 days ago, 1,007 bills have been introduced. The Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA), in coordination with our local tourism partners, is actively monitoring 80 industry-relevant bills as lawmakers work through the session’s final five days.
Below is a summary of the latest bill updates as of the end of Week 5 (February 27, 2026). For real-time updates, committee hearing schedules, and bill statuses over the next 5 days, continue to monitor our 2026 UTIA Bill Tracker. |
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| Key Terms to Know
Understanding the legislative process can help you follow bill movement more effectively. Here are some key terms used in this week’s update: Circle a Bill -- Temporarily postpone action on a measure without removing it from its place on the calendar. First Reading -- Required of all bills and resolutions. The bill receives a number and title, followed by consideration in the Rules Committee. Second Reading -- In the House, occurs when a bill is reported back with a committee recommendation; acceptance of the report completes the second reading. In the Senate, debate, amendments, substitutes, and a vote on the bill complete the second reading. Third Reading -- The final phase of consideration, including debate, possible amendments or substitutes, and the final vote. Hearing -- A legislative committee meeting where witnesses from the general public may participate.
For definitions of additional legislative terms, see our Legislative Glossary. |
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| | | | H.B. 597 Alcohol Amendments, Rep. Jefferson Burton This is the alcohol omnibus bill. Industry-relevant provisions in the bill include:
Identification Verification Includes coordinating clause with HB 59 S2 Identification Verification Amendments, Rep. Steve Eliason (100% ID Check Law), should both bills pass Allows international driver licenses to be accepted as a valid form of identification (previously only international passports were permitted).
Bar-to-Restaurant Portability
Modernizing the 70 / 30 Split for Restaurant Licensees Removes flavors, sweeteners, and other non-alcoholic drink additives from being counted toward the 30% alcohol revenue cap under the 70/30 split. Instead, gross alcohol revenue is to be calculated by strictly the alcohol purchased from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services.
Proximity Provides local government authority (through a public meeting process) to recommend issuance of a restaurant license in proximity to parks and libraries to the DABS Commission. Maintains existing proximity restrictions for churches and schools.
Event Permitting
Penalties
WHY THIS MATTERS: HB 597 was heard in the House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee on Friday, February 27. Despite numerous public comments expressing concern regarding proximity to parks, the bill passed with a favorable recommendation and will move to the House floor. The industry anticipates the bill will move quickly out of the House to the Senate during the final week of the legislative session.
Tourism Industry Goals for the Senate: Hotel Portability Permit hotel portability for all hotels that hold at least one license. Address existing portability challenges, including signage requirements for conveyance areas and opaque cup requirements.
Ski Resort Licenses
Bar-to-Restaurant Portability
H.B. 59 S2 Identification Verification Amendments, Rep. Steve Eliason HB 59 S2 is a clean up bill for the 100% ID Check Law enacted under last year’s HB 437, amended on the last day of the 2025 Legislative Session.
There is a coordinating clause with HB597 Alcohol Amendments, should both bills pass.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the House (68-0-7) and will be heard in the Senate Business and Labor Committee on Monday, March 2nd, at 4:00 pm (Watch Here). |
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❌ HB 231 S1, Restaurant Tax Repeal Amendments, Rep. Norman Thurston The 1st substitute fully repeals the restaurant tax. However, counties with outstanding bond or debt obligations may continue collecting the tax until those bonds/debts are satisfied. Once those obligations are met, the tax would be eliminated. Unlike the original bill, the 1st substitute does not include an alternative funding source (such as the general sales tax we saw in the original bill) to replace the revenue generated by the restaurant tax.
CURRENT STATUS: Has left the House Rules Committee will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, March 2nd, at 8:40 AM (Watch Here).
This is an unusual committee assignment for a taxation bill. Both the Revenue and Tax Committee and the Judiciary Committee have many bills still in their Chairs’ possession. But there are quite a few Utah County legislators and conservatives serving on the House Judiciary Committee. Because of that, Rep. Thurston likely believes he can advance the bill out of committee - either in its current form, by reverting to the original version, or by creating a new substitute.
The repeal of the restaurant tax is not a uniquely tourism issue. Our focus is on ensuring that visitors who dine in a county help contribute to the tax needs that benefit all residents. |
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| | H.B. 294 - Employer Verification Amendments, Rep. Tiara Auxier This bill amends provisions related to the Private Employer Verification Act, impacting a private employer who employs 100 or more employees.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the House (55-14-6) and will be heard in the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee on Monday, March 2nd, at 8:10 AM (Watch Here).
S.B. 280 Damages Amendments, Sen. Ron Winterton S.B. 280 seeks to standardize how medical damages are calculated and proven in civil injury and wrongful-death cases. It ties recoverable damages to the actual or necessarily owed costs rather than billed charges and improves transparency through mandatory disclosure requirements.
CURRENT STATUS: Held in Committee, not considered.
❌ S.B. 211 S1 Tort Amendments, Sen. Kirk Cullimore This bill: Limits what juries can hear about insurance and paid medical bills. Prevents settlement decisions based on discounted medical costs. Increases potential liability exposure and insurance costs.
CURRENT STATUS: Circled on the Senate 3rd Reading Calendar.
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax, Sen. Mike McKell This bill proposes a 4.7% sales tax on gross revenue from targeted internet advertising services. The tax applies only to "Targeted Advertising Entities" that meet two specific annual revenue thresholds:
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the Senate (18-7-4) and sent to the House. |
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S.B. 273 S1 License Plate Amendments, Sen. Dan McCay This bill introduces a structured rotation for Utah's standard license plates. The state will maintain a selection of three primary standard designs (currently In God We Trust, Life Elevated Skier, and Life Elevated Arches). Under the new system, specific plates will be designated as the "active" standard options available at the base registration rate. While "off-cycle" standard plates remain available, they will require an additional fee during those years. This rotation is scheduled to occur every five years.
CURRENT STATUS: On the Senate 3rd Reading Calendar.
S.B. 275 S1 State-Endorsed Digital Identity Program Amendments, Sen. Kirk Cullimore This bill creates the State-Endorsed Digital Identity Program and establishes a Digital Identity Bill of Rights for Utahns. It legally codifies that an individual's identity is innate and independent of the state, ensuring user ownership, privacy, and protection against government overreach. Additionally, it mandates that the use of digital IDs remain voluntary and establishes a 'duty of loyalty' for entities managing digital identity data.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the Senate (25-0-4) and the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee with a favorable recommendation. To be heard on the House floor.
H.B. 537 S1 Olympic Ticket Sales Tax Exemption, Rep. Jon Hawkins This bill exempts the sale of 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games tickets from state sales and use tax.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the House (65-4-6) and will be heard in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday, March 2nd, at 7:30 am (Watch Here).
H.B. 507 S2 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments, Rep. Calvin Roberts This bill restructures four of Utah’s economic development tools by sunsetting the existing programs and consolidating them into a single, more limited tool with a shorter duration and reduced incentives. The second substitute of the bill also establishes a legislative interim working group to explore ways to better protect the state’s property tax base. The impacted programs are the Capital City Convention Center Reinvestment Zone (CCRZ), Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zones (HTRZ), First Home Investment Zone (FHIZ), and Home Ownership Promotion Zion (HOPZ).
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the House (69-1-5) and will be heard in the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee on Monday, March 2nd, at 8:10 AM (Watch Here). |
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Public Lands & Outdoor Recreation |
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| H.B. 536 S2 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments, Rep. Stewart Barlow This bill would strengthen Utah’s criminal laws around damaging or defacing features on public lands. By expanding the definition of unlawful destructive conduct (i.e., graffiti, defacement, cutting out rock features) the damaging of natural or historical features can be prosecuted more clearly. Additionally it increases the penalties to a class B misdemeanor on first offense, and a class A misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. Fines and restitution would be directed to the Public Lands Restoration and Protection Fund to be used for restoration efforts and public education on preservation.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the House (68-0-7) and will be heard in the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee.
H.B. 375 S1 Outdoor Recreation Modifications, Rep. Jason Kyle This bill modifies the name of the Outdoor Adventure Infrastructure Restricted Account to be the Outdoor Adventure Restricted Account to provide needed clarity. Additionally, the bill expands the allowable uses of funds in the Outdoor Adventure Restricted Account to include the Every Kid Outdoors Initiative, outdoor recreation grants administered by the Division of Outdoor Recreation, and staffing/administrative costs.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the House (64-2-9) and the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee. To be heard on the Senate floor this week.
H.B. 567 Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program Amendments This bill clarifies for the outdoor recreation infrastructure grant an eligible project may include the restoration of a natural feature, like a waterbody, for greater public access to the state's outdoors.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the House (62-0-13) and will be heard in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday, March 2nd, at 7:30 AM (Watch Here)
H.B. 546 Public Lands Duty of Care Amendments, Rep. Ken Ivory H.B. 546 seeks to further clarify Utah’s role in overseeing public lands within the state. The bill emphasizes monitoring land health, productivity, and public access, formalizes procedures for Class D roads (including mapping, abandonment, and permitted uses) and protects existing utility and water infrastructure easements. It also preserves the Division of Wildlife Resources’ authority over wildlife-related road closures. Overall, the bill reflects ongoing legislative efforts to define and strengthen the state’s responsibility for public land management.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the House (51-15-9) and will be heard in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday, March 2nd, at 7:30 AM (Watch Here).
H.C.R. 5 House Concurrent Resolution on State Management of Federal Public Lands, Rep. Steve Eliason This concurrent resolution was originally introduced in the 2025 Utah Legislative Session but did not pass.
H.C.R. 5 is a non‑binding resolution encouraging cooperation between Utah and federal agencies to identify federal public lands that the state could potentially manage for outdoor recreation and related uses. It highlights the need to develop and maintain additional state parks, monuments, and campgrounds, urges work with federal partners to acquire or lease suitable lands, and suggests Congress establish a framework for joint state‑federal management agreements. The concurrent-resolution encourages the Division of State Parks to work with federal agencies to acquire, lease, or manage properties considered suitable for a state park, monument, or campground. Including: Transferring Antelope Flat Campground from the U.S. Forest Service to Utah for the creation of Flaming Gorge State Park. Negotiate with the Bureau of Land Management to transfer the title of Little Sahara Recreation Area to Utah for the creation of Little Sahara State Park under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act Study the feasibility of a potential state park or state campground near Skyline Drive in Davis County, including the Buckland Flats Campground, the Bountiful Peak Campground, and the former Farmington Canyon Sunset Campground areas
CURRENT STATUS: To be heard in the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee on Monday, March 2nd, at 8:10 AM (Watch Here).
S.B. 209 S3 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study, Sen. Derrin Owens This bill directs the Division of State Parks to conduct a feasibility and cost-benefit study for the development of a new state park and dam in the Gooseberry Narrows area. The division is tasked with providing recommendations to the Legislature regarding potential funding for the park's creation.
CURRENT STATUS: Passed the Senate (21-3-5) and the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee. On the House 3rd Reading Calendar for Senate bills. |
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