This bill modifies how a county is reclassified.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah counties are currently grouped into six classes based on population alone, and a county's class affects its governing structure and powers. This bill would change how counties get reclassified by requiring the Utah Population Commission and the State Tax Commission to jointly report to the lieutenant governor every five years, comparing each county's population and tax revenue (from property taxes and sales tax distributions) to the average population and revenue for its current class. Under this system, a county would move up to the next highest class if both its population and revenue exceed 200% of its class average, or move down to the next lowest class if both fall below 50% of that average; first-class counties can't move higher and sixth-class counties can't move lower. The bill also clarifies that counties existing before May 6, 2026, keep their current classification until reclassified under this new process, while newly created counties would still be classified based on population alone.
Introduction
Jan 20
Senate Rules
Mar 5
Senate Committee
Jan 23
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Governor
IntroductionJan 20
Senate RulesMar 5
Senate CommitteeJan 23
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Governor
This bill modifies how a county is reclassified.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah counties are currently grouped into six classes based on population alone, and a county's class affects its governing structure and powers. This bill would change how counties get reclassified by requiring the Utah Population Commission and the State Tax Commission to jointly report to the lieutenant governor every five years, comparing each county's population and tax revenue (from property taxes and sales tax distributions) to the average population and revenue for its current class. Under this system, a county would move up to the next highest class if both its population and revenue exceed 200% of its class average, or move down to the next lowest class if both fall below 50% of that average; first-class counties can't move higher and sixth-class counties can't move lower. The bill also clarifies that counties existing before May 6, 2026, keep their current classification until reclassified under this new process, while newly created counties would still be classified based on population alone.
Motion: Held in Committee
Senate/ filed
Senate file for bills not passed
Senate/ strike enacting clause
Senate Secretary
Senate/ comm rpt/ sent to Rules
Senate Rules Committee
Senate Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules
Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee
Senate Comm - Not Considered
Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM