All Roll Calls
Yes: 176 • No: 11
UtahH.B. 4572026 General SessionHouseWALLET
County Governance Modifications
Sponsored By: James A. Dunnigan (Republican)
Signed by Governor
CountiesLocal Government BoundariesMunicipalitiesPolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)AnnexationCounty OfficersForm of Local GovernmentIncorporation
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
No new city taxes until recorded
Beginning May 6, 2026, if your property is in an annexed area, the city cannot bill new property taxes, assessments, or service fees until required documents are recorded in every county where the property sits. The city may keep charging only a fee it was already charging in that area before annexation.
Annexation timing and city filing steps
Beginning May 6, 2026, in a first‑class county an annexation takes effect July 1 when the lieutenant governor’s certificate is issued Nov 1–Apr 30, and January 1 when the certificate is issued May 1–Oct 31. In other counties, annexations take effect on the certificate date. Within 60 days of an annexation action, the city must file a notice and an approved final local‑entity plat with the lieutenant governor. After the certificate issues, the city must record originals or certified copies with the county recorder(s), notify each affected entity, and file documents with the state EMS bureau. This law takes effect May 6, 2026.
Unincorporated islands annexed to nearby cities
On July 1, 2027, in first‑class counties, any unincorporated island is annexed to the most populous bordering city, unless both that city and another bordering city pass resolutions to send it to the other city. On July 1, 2027, in second‑class counties, an island 55 acres or less that is fully surrounded by one city is annexed to that city if it gets city sewer or water, has no public infrastructure, or its public infrastructure meets that city’s code. By May 1, 2027, the county must mail each owner a notice with a map, the effective date, and the city’s services and contacts, and post the notice online, after consulting the city. Second‑class counties under 600,000 people may exempt islands or parts by county resolution by May 1, 2027; in counties of 600,000 or more, a city may adopt the exemption by that date.
Standard plats and possible surveyor fees
Starting May 6, 2026, the county surveyor, after consulting the county recorder, must approve a final local‑entity plat when it meets set standards. The plat must include a clear boundary map, correct page size and scale, a unique name, required identifying data and signature blocks, and certification by a licensed land surveyor. The approving authority’s signature must be on the face of the plat. The county surveyor may charge a reasonable fee to review and approve the plat.
Counties can reassign accounting duties
Effective May 6, 2026, the county auditor stays the default for county accounting. A county council may, by ordinance, delegate accounting to the county executive or an office head in executive–council counties, or to the county manager or an office head in council–manager counties. The delegation must follow good management practices, consider checks and balances, and the chosen office prepares the tentative budget.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
James A. Dunnigan
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Ronald M. Winterton
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 25 • No: 1
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 61 • No: 6
House vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 62 • No: 2
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/27/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/11/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/11/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/11/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ comm rpt/ substituted
3/4/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/3/2026Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
3/3/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #5
3/3/2026
Substitute #4
2/27/2026
Substitute #3
2/26/2026
Substitute #1
2/23/2026
Substitute #2
2/23/2026
Introduced
2/2/2026
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