# Utah H.B. 68: Housing and Community Development Amendments Utah H.B. 68, Housing and Community Development Amendments, is a 2026 General Session House bill sponsored by Calvin Roberts (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-03-25 (Governor Signed); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-14). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB68-2026GS - As of: 2026-10-14 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Utah H.B. 68 - State: Utah - Session: 2026 General Session - Title: Housing and Community Development Amendments - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2025-12-22 - Last action: 2026-03-25, Governor Signed - Sponsor: Calvin Roberts (Republican) - Cosponsors: 1 - Subjects: Economic Development, Housing, Department of Workforce Services, Workforce Services, Homelessness, Independent Entities, Community Development, Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, Grant Programs and Incentives, Utah Housing Corporation, Affordable Housing - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 11 (162 yes, 29 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 38 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Manufacturers get reserved financing and help: benefit, medium. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah reserves at least 50% of the Small Issue Bond Account for manufacturing from January 1 through June 30. It also reserves at least 50% of the Pool Account from July 1 through August 15; the specified unused carryover capacity is exempt. The state can help qualified small… - Development-affected communities get state funding priority: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, specified mineral lease revenues and bonus funds must prioritize communities designated as affected by resource development. Mineral lease revenue in the Permanent Community Impact Fund supports loans, grants, or both to affected Utah public agencies and subdivisions. Uses m… - Medicaid housing coordination supports community living: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah's Medicaid long-term support services housing coordinator must work with state agencies and other listed partners. Partners include the Division of Community Services and the Division of Housing and Community Development. They must identify and promote community-based s… - State agencies coordinate affordable housing help: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, state agencies must work together on affordable housing services and funding. Workforce Services must help applicants qualify, and application services may include information about special housing programs. The housing division coordinates state programs with the Utah Housi… - Utah creates a central housing division: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah creates a housing division in the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, led by the state housing coordinator. It develops the state housing plan, helps local governments and housing authorities, and assists with accessible housing when requested locally. It sets st… - Utah requires yearly homeless services planning: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah's homelessness coordinator must maintain and update a statewide homeless services budget and plan each year. The plan must set measurable goals, identify service gaps and improvements, and coordinate providers. The Utah Homeless Services Board must give final approval.… - Dedicated money supports commuter rail improvements: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah creates a commuter rail account within its transit transportation investment fund. It receives specified contributions, appropriations, private contributions, donations, and grants, and keeps its investment earnings. Money can pay only for Utah commuter rail improvement… - Dedicated transportation funding for Cottonwood Canyons: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, a dedicated fund supports transportation and public transit projects in Salt Lake County's Cottonwood Canyons. It receives specified deposits, legislative funding, private contributions, donations, and grants, and keeps its interest. The Legislature can appropriate money for… - New state fund supports regional trails: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah creates the Active Transportation Investment Fund for regional paved trails, statewide trail planning, and administration. It receives specified deposits, appropriations, donations, and grants, and keeps its investment earnings. Trail projects must serve a regional purp… - Special districts can save for projects: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, special district boards can reserve expected revenue or existing balances for named future capital projects. Projects must appear in a formally adopted long-range capital plan. The reserve can grow across several years. Spending still requires a budget appropriation and comp… - Special districts can use excess reserves: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah special districts can use general-fund balances above 5% of total general-fund revenues for budgeting. This gives districts more flexibility over money above that threshold. Any effect on households depends on district budget choices. - Tax growth funds Big Cottonwood transit: benefit, low. The transportation department must use sales and use tax growth above fiscal year 2025 collections for a Big Cottonwood Canyon transit hub. The money pays for hub construction and projects providing access into and out of the hub. The funding direction starts with the fiscal year beginning July 1,… - Utah establishes permanent community impact funding: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah establishes the Permanent Community Impact Fund as an enterprise fund. It holds specified appropriations, federal mineral lease bonus payments, loan repayments, and other money provided by the Legislature. Investment earnings stay in the fund. Money available for loans,… - Utah sets yearly bond financing shares: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah sets rules for dividing its annual bond-financing limit each January 1. Single-family housing receives 42%, student loans 33%, exempt facilities 1%, and small-issue bonds 24%. The review board can move unallocated, unused, or uncollected capacity among accounts, includi… - County housing plans can boost transportation priority: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, transportation projects in qualifying counties' unincorporated areas can receive priority consideration. A county must file a compliant report showing plans to carry out at least five moderate-income housing strategies. Covered counties are first- through third-class countie… - Housing needs guide bond financing allocations: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, the review board can direct up to 50% of each bond financing limit increase to quality growth areas. It must weigh those areas' needs against other account allotments. Allocation criteria must consider financing need, project effects, and jobs. For rental projects, the board… - Housing strategies can boost transportation priority: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, covered municipalities can receive priority consideration for transportation projects through compliant housing reports. Reports must show plans for at least five housing strategies, or six with a fixed guideway transit station. Priority continues until the transportation de… - State funds support moderate-income housing projects: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, the housing coordinator can fund approved projects that include moderate-income homes. Money comes from the Economic Revitalization and Investment Fund and Rural Housing Fund. Eligible work includes buying, repairing, or constructing buildings, buying land, and related work… - Station-area housing gets priority review: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, municipalities must give first priority to certain residential applications, including building permits, near transit stations. This applies where station-area planning requirements remain unmet and approval requires a zoning change. Regional planning organizations using the… - Supportive housing owners gain tax relief: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, more supportive housing owners can qualify for a property tax exemption. This includes qualifying housing organizations owned by a nonprofit or housing authority. Jointly owned properties need Utah Housing Corporation certification and a qualifying nonprofit or housing autho… - Athlete training organizations gain tax eligibility: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, qualifying national sports governing bodies can count competitive-athlete teaching, training, and conditioning as educational uses for property tax exemption. Supporting or related activities also qualify. The governing body must be recognized by the United States Olympic an… - Housing enforcement lawsuits cannot award damages: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, plaintiffs cannot recover money damages in lawsuits enforcing or alleging violations of two specified housing provisions. These are Sections 17-80-202 and 17-79-404(5)(c). Courts can still issue injunctions or other equitable relief, such as orders requiring action. - Two housing loan programs end: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, the law repeals the low-income accessory dwelling unit loan guarantee pilot. It also repeals the subordinate shared appreciation mortgage loan program. The housing fund loses authority to provide these guarantees or distribute these mortgage funds. The law states no replacem… - Community Services loses housing support powers: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Division of Community Services loses two stated assistance powers. It can no longer use that authority to offer nonprofit and government groups loans or grants for domestic violence shelter development. That includes building or improving shelters. It also loses the stat… - Mineral bonus assistance requires loan repayment: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, bonus-payment money in the Permanent Community Impact Fund can support authorized assistance only through interest-bearing loans. The restriction also covers repayments and interest from that money. Recipient agencies, local governments, or interlocal agencies must repay the… - Bond issuers face deadlines and penalties: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, bond-allocation certificates last 90 days after approval; unused capacity then returns for reassignment. Issuers must report bond issuance within 15 days using Form 8038 or a board-prepared copy. They must also report non-issuance within 15 days of the earlier final decision… - Cities must plan housing near transit: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, municipalities with fixed guideway transit stations must adopt station-area plans and land-use rules. Plans address affordable housing, sustainability, access to opportunities, and transportation choices, with stakeholder input and regional planning review. New-station plans… - Housing reporting failures block transportation funds: cost, low. Noncompliant municipalities and covered counties lose access to specified state transportation project funds, including transit investment funds. Triggers include missing reports, failing to fix deficiencies within 90 days, missing applicable 10-day appeal deadlines, or losing an appeal. The depart… - Local governments must report housing progress: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, covered municipalities and counties must submit initial housing reports and annual progress reports. A newly covered government must file its initial plan by August 1 of its first qualifying calendar year. Annual reports are due August 1 in later years. Reports must cover ho… - Local housing-report failures trigger financial penalties: cost, low. Municipalities and covered counties owe $250 daily for missed housing-report or correction deadlines, beginning with reports submitted in 2024. For consecutive-year failures, the fee rises to $500 daily beginning with reports submitted in 2025. Fees go to the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund, and all… - School projects face impact funding limits: cost, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, the impact board cannot fund education projects a school district could reasonably fund itself. District funding methods include annual budgets, capital budgets, bonds, and special assessments. These projects must rely on funding outside this impact fund assistance. - Housing workers face different job protections: mixed, low. For covered housing-division transfers on or after July 1, 2026, job protections depend on the worker's status and position. Career-service workers moving to exempt positions keep those protections while staying in the same position, unless they voluntarily switch. Exempt workers transferring to th… - Homeless funding favors results, requires data: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, homeless-services funding must favor providers with documented success reducing homelessness or moving people into lasting housing. Providers must sign agreements to collect and share Homeless Management Information System data before funding approval. Providers serving dome… - Oil charges affect Uintah Basin deposits: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, specified Uintah Basin Revitalization Fund deposits depend on county and tribal oil and gas charges. Deposits occur only when neither a county nor the Tribe imposes business or activity fees or gross-receipts taxes on those activities. Counties and the Tribe retain authority… - Temporary coverage changes for public borrowing: mixed, low. From July 1, 2026, through July 1, 2027, state public-borrowing rules expressly cover two additional entities or accounts. The Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District counts as a bonding political subdivision. Water Development Security Fund subaccounts count as revolving loan funds.… - Transit district pays for cleaner trains: mixed, low. A large public transit district must pay the transportation department $5 million annually for 15 years, totaling $75 million. The agreement supports purchases of zero- or low-emission rail engines and trainsets for regional rail systems. The statutory deadline to enter the agreement was before Jul… - Transit funding comes with local match: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, a transit investment fund within the state's transportation fund supports prioritized transit projects and innovation grants. It receives public and private funding, specified tax transfers, and interest; transit studies are capped at $500,000 yearly. Transit districts and l… - Local governments get housing planning options: mixed, low. Beginning July 1, 2026, covered municipalities must plan realistically for housing needs over five years, with timelines and benchmarks. They need at least three strategies, or five with a fixed guideway transit station, subject to required strategy combinations. Without such a station, one qualify… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Calvin Roberts (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Lincoln Fillmore (Republican), Senate ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-05 | Senate | Senate/ uncircled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-05 | House | House/ concurs with Senate amendment | pass | 54 | 10 | | | 2026-03-05 | Senate | Senate/ substituted | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-05 | Senate | Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension | pass | 25 | 3 | | | 2026-03-05 | Senate | Senate/ circled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-25 | Senate | Senate/ substituted | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-25 | Senate | Senate/ passed 2nd reading | pass | 19 | 2 | | | 2026-02-23 | Senate | Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 3 | 0 | | | 2026-02-13 | House | House/ substituted | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-13 | House | House/ passed 3rd reading | pass | 55 | 13 | | | 2026-02-04 | House | House Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 6 | 1 | | ## Actions (46) - 2026-03-25: Governor Signed - 2026-03-12: House/ to Governor (House) - 2026-03-12: House/ received enrolled bill from Printing (House) - 2026-03-11: House/ enrolled bill to Printing (House) - 2026-03-11: Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate - 2026-03-06: Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared - 2026-03-06: Bill Received from House for Enrolling - 2026-03-05: House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling (House) - 2026-03-05: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-05: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-03-05: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-05: House/ concurs with Senate amendment (House) - 2026-03-05: House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar (House) - 2026-03-05: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-05: Senate/ to House with amendments (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Senate/ uncircled (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Senate/ circled (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Senate/ substituted (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Senate/ returned to Rules (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ 3rd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ passed 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ substituted (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-23: Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar (Senate) - 2026-02-23: Senate/ committee report favorable (Senate) - 2026-02-23: Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-02-18: Senate/ to standing committee (Senate) - 2026-02-17: Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced) (Senate) - 2026-02-13: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-02-13: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-02-13: House/ passed 3rd reading (House) - 2026-02-13: House/ substituted (House) - 2026-02-13: House/ 3rd reading (House) - 2026-02-05: House/ 2nd reading (House) - 2026-02-05: House/ committee report favorable (House) - 2026-02-04: House Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-02-03: House/ to standing committee (House) - 2026-02-03: Bill Substituted by Sponsor in House Rules Comm - 2026-01-20: House/ 1st reading (Introduced) (House) - 2026-01-14: House/ received bill from Legislative Research (House) - 2025-12-22: Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed ## Bill text - Enrolled, 2026-03-11: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/HB0068.pdf) - Substitute #6, 2026-03-03: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S06.pdf) - Substitute #5, 2026-02-26: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S05.pdf) - Substitute #4, 2026-02-25: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S04.pdf) - Substitute #3, 2026-02-11: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S03.pdf) - Substitute #2, 2026-02-06: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S02.pdf) - Substitute #1, 2026-01-30: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S01.pdf) - Introduced, 2025-12-22: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068.pdf) ## Related bills - H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments (signed) - H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments (signed) - H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments (signed) - H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments (signed) - H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments (signed) - H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments (signed) ## Sources - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/HB0068.pdf) - [Substitute #6 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S06.pdf) - [Substitute #5 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S05.pdf) - [Substitute #4 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S04.pdf) - [Substitute #3 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S03.pdf) - [Substitute #2 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S02.pdf) - [Substitute #1 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068S01.pdf) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0068.pdf) ## Related - [H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB94-2026GS) - [H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB101-2026GS) - [H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB178-2026GS) - [H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB134-2026GS) - [H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB136-2026GS) - [H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB220-2026GS) - [Utah bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah/bills) - [Utah state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB68-2026GS (as of 2026-10-14).