As The People’s House, we are committed to ensuring an efficient and responsive government for Utahns. By maintaining transparency and keeping all branches of government and agencies accountable at the state level, we can protect Utah from mismanagement and maintain an accountable state government for our citizens.
In recent years, the Legislature took steps to improve transparency across all levels of government. Lawmakers have expanded public access to government data and court records, reduced government spending, and maximized the return on investment for taxpayer dollars.
In addition, the Legislature has worked to streamline government operations to reduce inefficiencies and ensure agencies are focused on delivering results for Utahns. These efforts help ensure that state government remains responsive, responsible, and aligned with the priorities of Utah families.
Funding Highlights
In 2026 the Legislature reduced state spending by $298.9 M and reallocated the savings to tax cuts and higher priority programs.
Past Legislation
HB 540
2026
Judicial Transparency and Information Access Amendments
Established a single public website where Utahns can access court records free of charge, up to 50 searches per month and required judges and court commissioners to file annual financial and conflict-of-interest disclosures — the same standard that already applied to every other public official in Utah
HB 265
2026
Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment
Directed state colleges and universities to cut a combined $60M ongoing from administrative costs and underperforming programs and reinvest the savings to expand high-demand, high-impact student opportunities and research over three years
SB 134
2026
Court Amendments
Added significant judicial capacity to address a backlog that has left major cases unresolved for years and ensures Utah’s courts can keep pace with one of the fastest-growing states in the nation
HB 392
2026
District Court Amendments
Created a panel of three district court judges — randomly selected from different judicial districts across the state — to hear cases that involve constitutional challenges to state law
HB 274
2026
Sentencing Amendments
Increased the number of prosecutors and law enforcement officers serving on Utah’s Sentencing Commission, giving the criminal justice community a stronger voice in how sentencing guidelines are shaped
SB 270
2026
State Court Amendments
Allowed the Judicial Council to establish a specialized district court division for housing and debt collection cases and moved these cases to virtual hearings to improve efficiency and expand access to justice for low-income Utahns facing eviction or debt proceedings
HB 147
2026
Government Form Submission Amendments
Required an online sign and submission option for all government forms to make it easier for Utahns to complete necessary paperwork
HB 380
2025
Presumption of State Jurisdiction Amendments
Created a way to handle conflicts between state law and federal government directives, clarifying that the federal government has limited powers, while the state has general jurisdiction
SB 233
2026
Judicial Performance Evaluation Amendments
Established statutory timeliness standards for appellate judges and Supreme Court justices
SB 57
2024
Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act
Established a framework to prohibit state government officers from enforcing a federal directive that violates the principles of state sovereignty