Social media Parental permission: If a minor wants to open a social media account, the parents or guardian needs to sign off on it first. SB152 not only requires parental permission before an account is opened but requires social media companies to verify the age of a user. If a minor is able to open an account, it prohibits the company from allowing certain accounts to direct message a minor, and the profile will not show up on the search bar. Social media addiction: HB311 attempts to curb minors from becoming addicted to social media. It bans social media companies from designing a platform that could entice a minor to develop an addiction. It also sets aside more than $400,000 to aid investigations and enforcement. Homelessness Winter shelters: The Legislature is bolstering the state’s response to Utahns experiencing homelessness. SB499 requires cities across the Wasatch Front to establish shelter plans during the winter months to keep people off the streets during freezing temperatures. Additionally, if temperatures drop below 15 degrees (including wind chill), shelters can increase capacity. However, it prohibits cities from taking state funds for homelessness services if it doesn’t have or won’t enforce a no-camping ordinance. Environmental Bromine air quality: Utah will be studying what's exactly in our infamous pollution-ridden inversions after HB220 was passed. The state Division of Air Quality will also come up with a plan to reduce those emissions by the end of next year. The bill was scaled back from its original goal of reducing emissions along the Wasatch Front by half in the next seven years, but sponsor Rep. Andrew Stoddard said his only nonnegotiable was doing nothing. Taxes Another tax cut: Utah lawmakers gave the green light to a $400 million tax cut — about $600 million short of the governor’s $1 billion proposal. HB54 slashed the state income tax from 4.85% to 4.65%. It also expands eligibility for Social Security tax credits, adds a tax benefit for pregnant people through the first year of their child’s life and increases the earned-income tax credit from 15% to 20% of the federal level. Additionally, it would remove the state portion of the food sales tax if Utah voters pass a constitutional amendment in 2024. Gas goes down, EVs go up: The state gas tax will be reduced, but a tax on charging an electric vehicle will increase. That’s after lawmakers approved HB301. The increased revenue will go to the state’s Transportation Fund. The cost of registering a vehicle with the DMV also went up by $7. Income tax amendment: An amendment to change Utah’s Constitution, SJR10, passed on the last day would loosen the restrictions on how lawmakers spend income tax. Currently, the state constitution outlines that income tax revenue can only be used to fund public and higher education, along with a few other services. House and Senate leaders said if the educational earmark goes away, so will the state portion of the food sales tax. But Utah voters get the ultimate say on the issue since it’s an alteration to the Utah Constitution. The amendment will be on the 2024 general election ballot. Firearms Firearms amendments: HB219 declares that Utah will not enforce federal firearms regulations that restrict or ban certain firearms, ammunition or firearms accessories. Senate sponsor Sen. Evan Vickers admitted it’s a “message bill” that effectively makes Utah a Second Amendment sanctuary state. Water Emergency water shortage: Utah now has a general idea of what needs to happen in the case of an emergency water shortage not caused by drought. HB150 outlines what water use should be prioritized if a main source is compromised due to something like a natural disaster contaminating a city’s drinking water supply. Great Salt Lake commissioner: Many different state agencies preside over Great Salt Lake. HB491 creates the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to oversee and enact a plan to help save the lake. Water-wise landscaping: HB450 pushes back against Homeowner Association regulations when it comes to landscaping. It states HOAs and other subdivisions cannot prohibit a homeowner from installing water-wise landscaping, like tearing out the grass for a more resource-efficient material. Turf removal: SB110 gives more dollars to a turf buyback program. The state will help a homeowner pay to rip out their grass for a more water-wise option like rock or bark. This bill partners with water districts throughout the state that have similar initiatives. 15 UPDATE
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