All Roll Calls
Yes: 205 • No: 2
UtahH.B. 4162026 General SessionHouseWALLET
First Responder Health Modifications
Sponsored By: Jordan D. Teuscher (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Workers' CompensationLabor and EmploymentPublic Retirement and InsuranceFirefighters' RetirementOccupational Disease
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Volunteer Medical Responders Gain Insurance Eligibility Options
From May 6, 2026, the temporary volunteer emergency medical insurance program counts participation in 20% of operations over a rolling 12 months. This replaces the test based on responding to 20% of calls. Utah residents must be licensed EMTs, advanced EMTs, or paramedics able to perform their licensed duties. They must serve as volunteers or part-time workers without benefits under local government direction in a qualifying community or third- through sixth-class county. Health and dental coverage also depends on separate employer, government-coverage, or alternative-premium-cost criteria; the program ends July 1, 2027.
Former Responders Face New Care Eligibility Rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, leaving a first responder job after a critical incident no longer blocks separated-worker eligibility. Instead, workers whose separation results from misconduct or disciplinary action do not qualify under this definition. Eligible former responders and their spouses fall under the law's mental health access rule for at least three years from a request. The definition change alone does not guarantee services.
Mental Health Funding for Small Responder Agencies
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah creates a restricted account for first responder mental health services and administration. It receives state funding, agency contributions, gifts, grants, specified existing funds, and interest. Small agencies qualify with 10 or fewer employees, mostly volunteer staff, or a fifth- or sixth-class county or city location, or a town location. Public Safety may serve qualifying agencies that contribute, using up to 25% of remaining grant funds and account money. Account spending needs legislative approval, and services can stop when funds run short. Participating agencies must name a representative to promptly report critical incidents.
Funding Supports Firefighter Cancer Screenings and Records
Utah transfers $3.7 million to Utah Valley University's firefighter cancer screening program in each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028. Beginning in fiscal year 2027, it also transfers $250,000 for the program's record-keeping system. Beginning July 1, 2026, the university's statewide fire and rescue training program must obtain and use that system. These transfers use revenue from the covered taxes and fund programs, not individual cash payments.
Insurance Taxes Support Firefighter Retirement and Disability
Starting in fiscal year 2027, Utah's retirement office receives the first $4 million annually from specified fire-related property insurance taxes. It also receives the first $1 million annually from life insurance premium taxes. The money supports firefighter long-term disability until fully funded, and retirement until the system reaches and can maintain 110% funding, as determined by its actuary. The law also repeals earlier premium-tax formula and deposit rules, state funding-offset and share rules, and related reporting requirements. This allocation does not change household tax rates.
New Trust Supports Firefighter Cancer Benefits
Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah creates a trust fund for cancer benefits for covered firefighters and their beneficiaries. It can receive state funding, donations, grants, and other revenue, and pay reasonable administrative costs. Its assets are protected from creditors of the board and employers liable for benefits under the program. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the trust receives annual net revenue from the covered taxes, excluding specified General Fund diversions. The law sets no individual benefit amount.
First Responder Agency Grant Authority Ends
Starting July 1, 2027, Utah repeals the covered grant authority for first responder agencies and the related grant-funding provision. Agencies lose access to grants authorized by those rules. The supplied provisions do not specify grant amounts or identify all affected programs.
Participating Responder Agencies Pay Annual Contributions
For fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026, contributing small responder agencies pay $25 per employed first responder annually. This payment goes to the Mental Health Resources for First Responders Restricted Account. The charge applies only to agencies that choose to contribute, not to individual responders.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jordan D. Teuscher
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Nelson T. Abbott
Republican • House
Cheryl K. Acton
Republican • House
John Arthur
Democratic • House
Emily Buss
Forward Party • Senate
Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Democratic • House
James A. Dunnigan
Republican • House
Jake Fitisemanu
Democratic • House
Jill Koford
Republican • House
Jason B. Kyle
Republican • House
Lee, T.
Affiliation unavailable
Calvin Roberts
Republican • House
Scott D. Sandall
Republican • Senate
Mike Schultz
Republican • House
Casey Snider
Republican • House
Stephen L. Whyte
Republican • House
Ryan D. Wilcox
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 29 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 58 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/26/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 70 • No: 1
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 1
House vote • 2/9/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
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
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ circled
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ motion to reconsider
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ recalled by Senate
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ recalled by House
3/6/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #3
3/6/2026
Substitute #4
3/6/2026
Substitute #5
3/6/2026
Substitute #2
2/9/2026
Substitute #1
2/3/2026
Introduced
1/28/2026