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Votes at a glance: key bills the Utah House acted on Jan. 20
Summary
On the first full day of the 2026 session the Utah House passed multiple bills and took procedural actions, including adopting House rules changes (HR 1) and approving measures on behavior analyst licensing, senior‑care protections, voting equipment, and corrections standards. Several bills were circled for later work.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on Jan. 20 addressed a range of bills on its third‑reading calendar. The following summarizes the principal floor actions and outcomes recorded on the first day.
- First substitute HR 1 (House rules amendments): Adopted 72‑1; eliminates the requirement for the Rules Committee to keep minutes when meeting in a "sifting" capacity and clarifies some committee workflow and party‑definition language.
- HB 14 (Behavior Analyst Licensing Act): Amendment 1 (technical fix reinstating an omitted line) adopted; bill extends the sunset for the licensing act to May 6, 2036; passed 73‑0 and transmitted to the Senate.
- HB 19 (Drinking water utilities cybersecurity): Passed 75‑0; sponsor said the bill targets cybersecurity gaps among drinking water entities and was developed with the Division of Drinking Water and Utah Cyber Center.
- HB 21 (Senior care facility amendments): Amendment 2 (clarity on notification for vulnerable residents) adopted as friendly; bill clarifies notice and continuity obligations on sale or shutdown and passed 74‑1.
- HB 26 (Voting equipment amendments): First substitute adopted to correct code references and require certified non‑wireless equipment; passed 74‑1.
- HB 28 (Health & Human Services sunset extensions): Passed 73‑1; extends repeal dates for several behavioral‑health and related advisory councils and grant programs.
- HB 31 (Local Education Agency Financial Reporting): Motion to circle passed to allow additional work.
- HB 34 (Victims rights amendments): Clarifies victim rights committee processes and coordinator role; passed 72‑0.
- HB 35 (Bears Ears Visitor Center advisory committee): Two‑year extension of committee work; passed 72‑0.
- HB 38 (County government amendments): Motion to circle passed.
- HB 39 (Prison and jail standards): Establishes baseline standards and requires periodic independent assessment; passed on the floor with recorded passage noted in the session.
Also of note: the House authorized the speaker to sign a citation recognizing the 10th anniversary of SafeUT and welcomed SafeUT commission members to the gallery. The chamber adjourned until Jan. 21 at 11 a.m.
Ending: The day's actions placed numerous bills on the legislative path to committee or to the Senate; several items were circled for additional work.
