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Rent‑reporting substitute stalled after landlords and advocates spar over costs and consumer benefit

Utah Senate Business and Labor Standing Committee · February 18, 2026

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Summary

Senators adopted a substitute to make rent reporting voluntary, but after extended debate and public testimony from landlord and credit‑industry representatives, the committee held the bill so the sponsor can work with members; the hold passed 6–1.

Senator Plumb introduced a substitute to Senate Bill 76 that changes a proposed rental payment‑reporting mandate into a voluntary program owners "may" offer. Plumb said the change was intended as a modest step to help renters build credit by reporting on‑time payments and noted the substitute allows landlords to charge a fee to cover service costs and sets limits on reenrollment.

Alejandro Pouille, a Salt Lake City council member, and other supporters argued that consistent rent reporting would help long‑term renters demonstrate creditworthiness and move toward homeownership. Pouille said neighborhood conversations repeatedly showed the problem of renters who pay reliably but lack credit records.

Opponents, including Nick Lloyd of the Utah Rental Housing Association and other landlord‑industry witnesses, warned the statutory guardrails in the substitute (caps on fees, reenrollment restrictions and reporting requirements) could disincentivize landlords from participating. Lloyd also flagged a provision in the draft that he read as requiring landlords to report "regardless of whether that payment complies with the terms of the lease," a phrase he said could undermine the purpose of credit reporting. Credit analyst Al Bingham told the committee that many mortgage lenders still use legacy FICO models that typically do not incorporate rent or utility payments for mortgage underwriting, meaning rent reporting may not move legacy mortgage scores for many borrowers.

Committee members debated whether statutory guardrails would protect tenants or chill an emerging private market for rent‑reporting services. After public testimony and member debate, the committee adopted the substitute but then voted to hold the bill (move to the next item while retaining the bill file) so the sponsor can continue work with stakeholders; that motion passed 6–1 with Senator Pitcher recorded in opposition.

Sponsor Senator Plumb said she welcomed further dialogue with landlords and tenant advocates to refine cost‑recovery and reenrollment provisions. The bill remains in committee for further drafting and stakeholder engagement.