The 2026 General Session of the Utah Legislature concluded Friday, March 6, ending seven weeks of debate and voting at the Capitol. In total, lawmakers passed 541 measures during the session. Several bills sponsored by legislators representing Murray moved through both chambers, addressing topics ranging from school safety and criminal justice to local government procedures and water conservation.

Under Utah law, bills passed by the Legislature are sent to the governor for review. Gov. Spencer Cox has until March 26 to sign, veto or allow the legislation to become law without his signature. Most bills that become law are scheduled to take effect roughly 60 days after the session’s adjournment, which would place the typical effective date in early May.

Among the Murray-area delegation, Sen. Stephanie Pitcher advanced the largest number of measures that passed the Legislature, while Reps. Andrew Stoddard, Carol Spackman Moss, John Arthur and Rosalba Dominguez each sponsored legislation that cleared both chambers. Sen. Nate Blouin introduced several proposals this year but did not have a bill pass as chief sponsor.

Pitcher advances four measures

Pitcher sponsored four Senate bills that passed the Legislature during the session.

One of the measures, SB 183, addresses the use of surveillance cameras on private property. The bill prohibits law enforcement officers or individuals acting on their behalf from tampering with, redirecting or disabling a privately owned surveillance camera without authorization, with certain exceptions written into the law.

Murray legislators wrapped up session in March. (Photo courtesy of Utah State Senate)

Another bill, SB 184, modifies procedures within the criminal justice system. The legislation expands the ability of city attorneys to employ deputy prosecutors and allows courts, under certain conditions, to enter a judgment for a lower degree of offense when specified criteria are met. The measure also outlines procedural safeguards, including opportunities for prosecutors and victims to provide input.

Pitcher also sponsored SB 208, which targets attempts to avoid vehicle emissions inspections. The bill allows the Utah Motor Vehicle Division to revoke a vehicle registration if a person provides a false address to avoid emissions testing requirements. It also prevents registration when penalties remain unpaid.

A fourth bill, SB 252, focuses on water conservation at state-owned facilities. The legislation directs state agencies to evaluate irrigation practices, consider low-water landscaping approaches and undergo audits of irrigation systems managed by the Division of Facilities Construction and Management.

Stoddard focuses on municipal processes

Rep. Stoddard sponsored two bills that passed during the session, both addressing local government administration.

HB 420 modifies the process used when a vacancy occurs in a municipal office. The bill clarifies how appointments are made and establishes procedures for resolving tie votes among members of a city council or similar governing body.

Another bill sponsored by Stoddard, HB 565, deals with property tax notices for city library funding. The legislation requires counties in certain cases to separately identify city-library levies on property tax notices sent to homeowners. The measure also includes provisions that apply to notices beginning in the 2026 tax year.

Spackman Moss addresses school-zone speeding

Rep. Spackman Moss sponsored HB 178, which focuses on speeding violations in school zones.

The legislation revises aspects of the penalty structure associated with those violations, including provisions related to compensatory service that may be used instead of paying fines. During the legislative process, amendments removed language that specifically described observing a crossing guard as a potential form of compensatory service while retaining broader options for service alternatives.

Arthur proposes licensing update

Rep. Arthur sponsored HB 313, a bill that updates provisions related to landscaper certification and contractor licensing.

The legislation directs the Utah Division of Professional Licensing to identify a specialty contractor classification that may perform landscape work. It also modifies rules surrounding continuing education programs recognized for contractor license requirements.

Dominguez sponsors technical education resolution

Rep. Dominguez sponsored HCR 13, a concurrent resolution encouraging expanded technical education opportunities in Utah schools.

The resolution calls on the Utah State Board of Education and local education agencies to strengthen career-focused instruction and expand opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials. As a resolution, the measure does not change state law but expresses the Legislature’s support for expanding career and technical education programs.

Blouin proposals did not advance

Sen. Blouin introduced several pieces of legislation during the session addressing topics such as labor policy, housing and environmental issues. None of the measures he sponsored as chief sponsor advanced through both chambers before the session concluded.

The completed session marks another step in Utah’s annual legislative cycle, with lawmakers expected to revisit many policy topics when they reconvene for the 2027 General Session.

The Utah’s legislature session ended March 6. (Photo courtesy of Utah State Senate)