All Roll Calls
Yes: 172 • No: 3
UtahS.B. 1512026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Public Safety Funding Amendments
Sponsored By: Wayne A. Harper (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Public Funds and AccountsPublic Retirement and InsuranceLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeUtah Highway PatrolDepartment of Public SafetyGovernment Operations (State Issues)Revenue and TaxationRoads/HighwaysTransportationAppropriationsTransportation Fund
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Major one-time money for Utah roads
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law provides $705 million from the road fund for named highway projects. For the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2025, it also authorizes up to $300 million for SR‑89 right‑of‑way and construction in a county of the first class. These appropriations do not lapse at year‑end, so the money stays available until used.
More money for Highway Patrol and safety
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Restricted Account can fund motor‑vehicle safety work, including hiring new Highway Patrol troopers, overtime, and equipment, when the Legislature appropriates the money. The Legislature adds appropriations as a source for this account and authorizes a $3 million transfer from the General Fund into it. For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $2 million from the road fund and $3 million from the safety account (total $5 million) for Highway Patrol field operations to hire troopers. Transfers and spending still require an appropriation.
New transit fund, grants, and match rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law creates the Transit Transportation Investment Fund with deposits from sales tax, appropriations, local transfers, tax‑increment from housing and transit zones, and private grants. The commission may prioritize innovation grants for local transit capital projects and use a new Commuter Rail Subaccount for safety and capacity projects like grade‑separated crossings. To be prioritized, most transit or connecting pedestrian projects need local money equal to at least 30% of project cost; approved state loans can count. That 30% match does not apply to specific county‑transferred revenues, which the commission can direct to projects, operations, or maintenance in that county. A large transit district must also pay $5 million per year for 15 years under an earlier agreement to help buy zero‑ or low‑emission rail engines and trainsets.
Dedicated funding for Cottonwood Canyons travel
On July 1, 2026, the state creates the Cottonwood Canyons Transportation Investment Fund for transit and transportation projects in the canyons. The department may use up to 2% of certain sales‑tax deposits in the fund to pay local governments for canyon public safety enforcement. Starting with the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2025, growth in sales and use tax above fiscal year 2025 collections funds access projects for a Big Cottonwood Canyon transit hub.
New fund for regional trails
Starting July 1, 2026, the Active Transportation Investment Fund pays to plan, design, build, maintain, and improve prioritized paved pedestrian and nonmotorized trails that serve a regional purpose. Projects must be in an approved plan or the statewide network plan and be prioritized by the commission. The fund can also support a statewide active transportation plan and basic administration.
One-time funds for local road projects
Starting July 1, 2026, the state sets aside $28 million for four local projects: $5 million for Payson Main Street, $8 million for a Bluffdale 14600 South railroad bypass, $5 million for 4700 South in Taylorsville, and $10 million for U.S. 40 frontage roads. Payments follow each local cash‑flow plan. The state also provides $13 million to Spanish Fork to connect Fingerhut Road to U.S. 6. For the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2025 only, it funds $3 million for the I‑15 Salem/Benjamin environmental study and $2 million for Kane County’s Coral Pink Sand Dunes Road.
Road fund can pay operations and patrol
Beginning July 1, 2026, the road fund can also pay to operate state highways and enforce traffic laws on highways built or improved with that fund. Spending requires a legislative appropriation and applies only to those highways.
Swap state road funds for federal dollars
The law lets the executive director exchange state road‑fund money for an equal or larger amount of federal transportation money, to use on approved projects. This starts July 1, 2026 and can stretch state dollars by leveraging federal funds.
Stricter limits on corridor buys and U-111
Starting July 1, 2026, corridor preservation money can be used only for projects the commission prioritized, or for others only if the commission approves and finds no delay to prioritized projects. For the U‑111 realignment, if required non‑federal right‑of‑way was not dedicated by October 1, 2024, the project may proceed but only with two lanes from Herriman Parkway to 11800 South.
Limits road funds in housing-ineligible areas
Beginning July 1, 2026, if a city or a county’s unincorporated area is ruled housing‑ineligible under state law, the department may not program road‑fund money for projects inside that area until eligibility is restored. Exceptions allow work on limited‑access facilities and interchanges that connect limited‑access facilities, but not for building a new interchange. Transit‑fund money may support certain multi‑community fixed‑guideway projects, but not build or renovate a station inside an ineligible city.
Cut to UVU fire training funds
For fiscal year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the law reduces General Fund support for Utah Valley University’s Fire and Rescue Training program by $3 million.
More review and debt payments for bonds
Starting July 1, 2026, before issuing certain transportation bonds, the department and the Transportation Commission must brief the Executive Appropriations Committee on the needed bond proceeds. Also, the Division of Finance must transfer from the road fund each year what is needed to pay bond principal, interest, and issuance costs into the debt service funds. This improves oversight but leaves less money available for other projects.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wayne A. Harper
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Candice B. Pierucci
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 22 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 72 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 2/23/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/27/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 1/27/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/4/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ uncircled
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ circled
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
2/23/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #5
2/24/2026
Substitute #4
2/22/2026
Substitute #3
2/17/2026
Substitute #2
2/13/2026
Substitute #1
1/26/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026