This bill addresses property tax increases through truth in taxation.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's "truth in taxation" law requires local governments to follow specific public notice and hearing steps before raising property tax rates above a set baseline. This bill adds new requirements for local governments—such as cities, counties, and special districts—that operate on a fiscal year running July 1 through June 30: before adopting a budget, these entities would need to publicly announce a proposed property tax increase at an early public meeting, later formally state at another public meeting (held between May 1 and June 13) that they're considering the increase and explain the estimated cost and purpose, and hold a public hearing where residents can comment before finalizing the budget. Entities proposing an increase would also have to prepare an "interim budget" showing a detailed breakdown—called a property tax impact schedule—of how the increase would affect an average home and business, which departments would be affected, and by how much, and they would need to set aside the additional expected tax revenue in a restricted account that can't be spent until the final budget is adopted. The bill clarifies that the State Tax Commission can refuse to certify a tax rate increase if a taxing entity fails to follow these rules, but it creates a one-year exception for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, during which the Commission would instead issue a warning rather than block the increase for a first-time failure to meet the new preliminary-statement requirements. The bill also updates notice rules for small towns without public websites, requiring them to post required information at their town hall instead, and includes technical changes to coordinate with a related bill on property tax adjustments (S.B. 238) if both become law.
Current version: HB0236S03 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Jan 29
House Floor Vote
Feb 10
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 17
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 6
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 6
House Concurrence
Mar 6
Governor Signed
Mar 23
IntroductionJan 20
House Rules
House CommitteeJan 29
House Floor VoteFeb 10
Senate RulesMar 4
Senate CommitteeFeb 17
Senate 2nd ReadingMar 6
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 6
House ConcurrenceMar 6
Governor SignedMar 23
This bill addresses property tax increases through truth in taxation.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's "truth in taxation" law requires local governments to follow specific public notice and hearing steps before raising property tax rates above a set baseline. This bill adds new requirements for local governments—such as cities, counties, and special districts—that operate on a fiscal year running July 1 through June 30: before adopting a budget, these entities would need to publicly announce a proposed property tax increase at an early public meeting, later formally state at another public meeting (held between May 1 and June 13) that they're considering the increase and explain the estimated cost and purpose, and hold a public hearing where residents can comment before finalizing the budget. Entities proposing an increase would also have to prepare an "interim budget" showing a detailed breakdown—called a property tax impact schedule—of how the increase would affect an average home and business, which departments would be affected, and by how much, and they would need to set aside the additional expected tax revenue in a restricted account that can't be spent until the final budget is adopted. The bill clarifies that the State Tax Commission can refuse to certify a tax rate increase if a taxing entity fails to follow these rules, but it creates a one-year exception for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, during which the Commission would instead issue a warning rather than block the increase for a first-time failure to meet the new preliminary-statement requirements. The bill also updates notice rules for small towns without public websites, requiring them to post required information at their town hall instead, and includes technical changes to coordinate with a related bill on property tax adjustments (S.B. 238) if both become law.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
House/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Clerk of the House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Clerk of the House
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM