All Roll Calls
Yes: 108 • No: 5
UtahH.B. 1762025 General SessionHouseWALLET
County Classification Amendments
Sponsored By: Walt Brooks (Republican)
Signed by Governor
CountiesPolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)Local Government Classification
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
More towns qualify for homelessness service tiers
Municipalities in third-class counties can now qualify for homelessness service tiers. Those with at least 100,000 people qualify for the first tier; smaller municipalities qualify for the second. Municipalities in fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-class counties remain in the second tier. A municipality must have an eligible shelter, or one proposed within the following fiscal year, that requires eligible services. It must also receive the required state certification.
Airport construction tax break reaches more counties
The law extends a construction-material sales tax exemption to qualifying new airports in third-class counties, alongside second-class counties. The airport must be owned or operated by a city where an airline is headquartered. Materials must be purchased on or after July 1, 2008, and clearly identified and kept separate. They must become real property at the airport as part of construction, owned or operated by the airport.
Some counties lose defense aid eligibility
Beginning July 1, 2025, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-class counties qualify for specified indigent defense grants and services. Third-class counties qualify only when no municipality has 100,000 or more people. Third-class counties with a municipality that large are excluded. This rule covers juvenile-court appeals, state prison defense contracts, appellate defense services, and related training.
Airport rule limits county road funding
Beginning July 1, 2025, a new airport rule limits Rural Transportation Infrastructure Fund eligibility. It excludes third-class counties with an airport serving commercial flights to at least three airports outside Utah. Counties must also have imposed a local sales tax under Section 59-12-2217, 59-12-2218, or 59-12-2219. They must not have imposed the tax under Section 59-12-2220 on or before January 1, 2023. The exclusion limits access to fund payments for affected counties and municipalities.
Tighter county limits for rural investment
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Rural Opportunity Program uses a narrower definition of rural county. Third-class counties qualify only when no municipality has 100,000 or more people. Third-class counties with a municipality that large lose eligibility. Fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-class counties remain eligible under this definition.
New population classes for Utah counties
The law sets six county classes by population: first, 1,150,000 or more; second, 260,000–1,149,999; and third, 40,000–259,999. Fourth class covers 12,000–39,999 people; fifth covers 5,000–11,999; and sixth covers fewer than 5,000. These classes help determine which county-based rules and programs apply. The classification change alone does not specify household payments or service changes.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Walt Brooks
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Don L. Ipson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 21 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/3/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 1
House vote • 2/26/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 2
House vote • 2/26/2025
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/20/2025
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2025
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2025House/ to Governor
3/17/2025HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2025HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/14/2025HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/14/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/7/2025Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/7/2025House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2025HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/6/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/5/2025SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/3/2025SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
3/3/2025SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/3/2025SenateSenate/ to standing committee
2/27/2025SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/27/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
2/26/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/26/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/26/2025HouseHouse/ uncircled
2/26/2025HouseHouse/ circled
2/20/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/14/2025
Substitute #2
2/10/2025
Substitute #1
1/27/2025
Introduced
1/10/2025