UtahH.B. 4312026 General SessionHouseWALLET

Wildlife Crossing Amendments

Sponsored By: Scott H. Chew (Republican)

Signed by Governor

LivestockAnimalsNatural ResourcesWildlifeMotor VehiclesTransportationDepartment of TransportationTransportation CommissionVehicle RegistrationAgriculture & FoodFishingHuntingTransportation FundingTransportation Investment Fund of 2005

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

15 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Utah roads receive major project funding

The transportation fund can provide $705 million for listed road projects and $13 million for Spanish Fork’s Fingerhut Road connection. Another $28 million supports four listed local projects, with payments based on cash-flow statements showing funding needs. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, up to $300 million supports land purchases and construction on SR-89 in a first-class county. That fiscal year also allows $3 million for an environmental study of the I-15 Salem and Benjamin project. Kane County can receive another $2 million that year for Coral Pink Sand Dunes Road.

Active transportation gets yearly state funding

Utah deposits $45 million each fiscal year into the Active Transportation Investment Fund. This provision does not select projects or provide direct payments to residents.

Search and rescue receives yearly funding

Utah sets aside $200,000 yearly in the General Fund solely for the Search and Rescue Financial Assistance Program. This provision does not set individual eligibility rules or assistance amounts.

Utah funds watershed and water-rights work

Yearly deposits provide $525,000 to the Division of Conservation for water programs and $150,000 for legally authorized cloud-seeding projects. The Department of Natural Resources receives $500,000 yearly for watershed repair or restoration. Unspent watershed money goes to the Water Resources Conservation and Development Fund at year-end. Another $175,000 yearly pays legal and technical staff working on water-rights cases. Unspent staffing money goes 50% to that conservation fund and 25% each to the wastewater and drinking-water loan subaccounts.

Water systems receive dedicated yearly funding

Utah directs $7.175 million yearly to the Water Resources Conservation and Development Fund. Allowed uses include water and ground studies, required dam safety improvements, and staff protecting Utah’s interstate water allocations. The wastewater loan program receives $3,587,500 yearly for wastewater projects. The drinking-water loan program receives another $3,587,500 yearly for public systems, including water sources, collection, treatment, storage, and distribution. These provisions do not name loan recipients or set loan terms.

Emergency food agencies receive yearly funding

Utah deposits $533,750 yearly into the Qualified Emergency Food Agencies Fund. Spending must follow the law governing that fund. This supports food agencies but does not set household eligibility rules or individual assistance amounts.

Transit projects gain dedicated tax funding

The law creates a transit investment fund within Utah’s transportation fund for transit construction and other capital projects. It accepts specified tax transfers, appropriations, private contributions, donations, and grants, and keeps its interest. Qualifying housing and transit zones send it 15% of the specified 4.7% sales-tax increment at least yearly. Transfers start on the first day of a calendar quarter one year after the zone’s tax boundary is established. Statutory exceptions apply to those transfers, and transit spending follows project-priority rules.

Sales-tax revenue supports Utah Medicaid funding

For fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2019, specified sales-tax revenue goes to the Medicaid ACA Fund. The transfer covers revenue collected from the specified 0.15% sales and use tax rate component. This provision does not change who qualifies for Medicaid or their benefit amounts.

Convention projects receive dedicated tax revenue

Beginning no sooner than January 1, 2026, a qualifying capital-city convention zone directs 50% of specified sales-tax growth to infrastructure. The recipient must be the legally created public infrastructure district named in the zone proposal. Transfers begin on the first day of a calendar quarter after the year named in that proposal. Statutory exceptions apply. Separately, specified state sales-tax revenue goes into the Convention Incentive Fund.

Fairpark district receives local sales-tax revenue

Beginning October 1, 2024, specified sales-tax revenue from the Fairpark district’s defined tax area goes to the district. The recipient is the Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District, and statutory exceptions apply. This transfer does not change the sales-tax rate households pay.

Point authority receives sales-tax revenue share

The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority receives 50% of specified sales-tax revenue from transactions on its state land. Transfers begin in a calendar quarter at least 90 days after the authority submits a certified accurate map. Added land requires an updated certified map. Transfers stop in the quarter at least 90 days after written notice that the secured bonds are fully paid. Statutory exceptions apply.

Ineligible communities face transportation funding limits

Utah’s transportation department cannot schedule certain transportation funding after receiving a municipality’s or county’s statutory ineligibility notice. For counties, the restriction covers only unincorporated areas. It lasts until the Housing and Community Development Division sends notice that the ineligibility has ended. Projects scheduled before July 1, 2022, are exempt. Special exceptions cover some limited-access roads and multi-community rail projects, with restrictions on certain interchanges and stations.

Species protection gets funding with limits

The Division of Wildlife Resources receives $2.45 million yearly for specified measures protecting sensitive plants and animals. It can also fund local-government grants for those measures, limited to amounts authorized by the Legislature. Division money cannot help anyone seek federal threatened or endangered status for a species. At year-end, unspent money goes 50% to the Water Resources Conservation and Development Fund. The wastewater and drinking-water loan subaccounts each receive 25%.

Wildlife crossings gain dedicated transportation money

Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah establishes a Wildlife Crossing Account, keeping its interest and accepting appropriations, donations, and contributions. It receives $2 million yearly that otherwise goes into the broader transportation fund. Permit applicants under Utah Code Chapter 4 and vehicle registration applicants can donate voluntarily; actual collection costs are deducted. Transportation officials consult wildlife officials and stakeholders, recommend connectivity and livestock projects, and the Transportation Commission sets priorities. Money supports crossings, fencing, habitat and aquatic connections, and planning; 10% must support livestock safety, and commissioners can save across years for larger, more impactful projects.

Development-zone sales face special revenue rules

Specified shares of qualifying development-zone sales go to the General Fund when reported on Schedule J or its designated replacement. Covered areas include housing and transit zones, Fairpark, Point of the Mountain, and qualifying capital-city convention zones; applicable percentages vary. Qualifying convention-zone construction-material sales instead direct the sale price times the applicable percentage to the zone. Materials must be delivered to an outlet in the zone for permanent attachment to property there. Sellers must establish that outlet with the Tax Commission and report sales there, without using a simplified electronic return.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Scott H. Chew
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Carl R. Albrecht
Republican • House
Tiara Auxier
Republican • House
Burton, J.
Affiliation unavailable
Jill Koford
Republican • House
Derrin R. Owens
Republican • Senate
David Shallenberger
Republican • House
Rex P. Shipp
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 115 • No: 16

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Yes: 25 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 3 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/2/2026

Senate Comm - Held

Yes: 5 • No: 2

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Senate Comm - Motion to Recommend Failed

Yes: 3 • No: 3

House vote • 2/19/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 61 • No: 5

House vote • 2/11/2026

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 7 • No: 4