- Ron Winterton
- Mar 24
- 17 min read
Friends and Neighbors,
During the 2025 General Session, our focus was on building a blueprint for Utah’s future—ensuring long-term success, smart growth and prosperity. Like our pioneering ancestors, who transformed this land into a thriving state through careful planning and bold action, we have worked to power Utah’s future with strategic investments in energy, education and tax relief—creating a Utah that remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Powering Utah’s future was a top priority. With increasing demand for reliable, affordable power, we are embracing the next chapter in energy by investing in nuclear power—an essential step in powering Utah’s future. These investments will help secure long-term energy independence, protect ratepayers and establish a resilient, sustainable power grid. Utah is on track to become a powerhouse in energy production.
For the second time, we directly increased teacher salaries by providing a direct salary increase of $1,446 to teachers and a $1,000 bonus for education support staff, in addition to a 4% WPU funding increase to ensure students and educators have the support they need.
We passed legislation to improve firefighter health and safety, providing medical support, cancer screenings and essential training for those protecting our communities.
For the fifth consecutive year, we are reducing taxes across the state. This year’s cuts are designed to benefit Utahns at every stage of life.
Lowering the income tax rate to 4.5%, promoting upward mobility for all Utahns.
Eliminating Social Security tax for households earning up to $90,000, strengthening financial security for Utah’s retirees.
Expanding the child tax credit by two years to help young families thrive.
Encouraging businesses to invest in the future of Utah’s children by providing tax credits for businesses that build and operate a childcare facility for their employees.
Overview: Powering Utah’s Future
Utah’s future is shaped by foresight, innovation and resilience. As we build on the state's legacy of boldness, we are focused on powering our future. This isn’t just about meeting today’s needs—it’s about building on past successes, preparing for tomorrow’s challenges and embracing bold opportunities ahead.
During the 2025 General Session, we enacted policies that strengthen Utah’s future in every area—from energy to education to innovation and beyond—ensuring our state remains the best place to live, work and raise a family for generations to come.
Utah doesn’t wait for the future to happen—we shape it. By working together and embracing opportunities for growth, we can ensure that our future remains bright.
Balanced Budget: Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility
Fiscal responsibility is the core of Utah’s success, ensuring state resources are managed wisely while keeping the tax burden low. A responsible, balanced budget strengthens our economy, sustains essential public services and positions our state for long-term prosperity. This approach has made Utah the nation’s leader in economic outlook for 17 consecutive years and the best state overall for two years running.
The Legislature balanced the $30.8 billion budget, making strategic, forward-looking investments in key areas such as energy, education, infrastructure, social services and economic development. Our approach is rooted in sustainability at every level, with a strong commitment to putting Utahns first. We are focused on tackling the state's most pressing challenges by finding innovative, long-term solutions that benefit every corner of the state.
Budget Highlights
$30.8 billion budget
$8.65 billion in education, up from $8.44 billion the previous year
$145 million in rainy-day funds
$127 million in tax cuts
2.5% raise and a 1% bonus for public employees
Fully funded Medicaid
Tax Cuts: Relief for Utahns at All Stages of Life
Utahns deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money throughout every stage of life—whether it's retirees on fixed incomes, young families or hardworking individuals. Over the past five years, the Legislature has reduced taxes by more than $1.4 billion. This session, we delivered an additional $127 million in tax relief to Utahns at every stage of life, promoting financial stability and fostering upward mobility. These efforts help create a brighter future for everyone. Read more here.
2025 Tax Relief for All Utahns
Income Tax: Reduced the income tax rate to 4.5%. Providing financial relief to all Utahns, promotes upward mobility and helps Utah remain competitive.
Social Security Tax: Eliminated social security tax for households earning up to $90,000, strengthening financial security for Utah’s retirees.
Child Tax Credit: Expanded the child tax credit by two years, providing support for young families with children aged 6 and under, helping them thrive and build a brighter future.
Child Tax Credit for Businesses: Encouraged businesses to invest in the future of children by offering tax credits for companies that build and operate childcare facilities for their employees.
S.B. 52 Vehicle Registration Modifications authorizes the State Tax Commission to verify the locations of vehicles insured in Utah to address improper registrations and enforce tax laws. Vehicles are supposed to be registered where they are garaged, yet an estimated 20,000 are improperly registered in other states to avoid registration or sales tax. This isn't tax avoidance—it's tax evasion. This results in revenue loss, which ultimately drives up costs for law-abiding Utahns.
S.B. 202 Property Tax Revisions aims to improve transparency and accessibility in Utah’s property tax system. It enhances truth in taxation laws by requiring taxing entities proposing rate increases to publish notices online and as Class A Notices, broadening public awareness. The bill also requires that taxation hearings be available both in-person and virtually for increased accessibility. It directs the Multicounty Appraisal Trust to create a statewide web portal for property valuation information and appeals. Lastly, it grants the Tax Commission more authority to ensure fair property assessments and prevent undue tax burdens on property owners.
Energy: Ensuring Reliable, Safe and Affordable Around-the-Clock Energy
Ensuring that energy remains reliable and affordable is crucial to Utah’s economic growth and high quality of life. Building on last year’s progress with an all-of-the-above approach, we are combining traditional resources with innovative solutions to at least triple our current energy production by 2050 to meet growing demands. Utah already boasts the lowest electricity rates in the nation, and we will continue to lead by developing solutions that address the diverse energy needs of both our state and the nation. By prioritizing safe, reliable and affordable energy, Utah is well-positioned to provide sustainable power for generations. Fostering energy independence and keeping costs low supports families and businesses while positioning Utah as a global leader in energy innovation and strengthening America's energy security. Utilizing our state's rich resources, Utah is on track to become a powerhouse in energy production.
H.B. 249 Nuclear Power Amendments paves the way for Utah to emerge as a leading energy innovation hub by utilizing cutting-edge energy technologies to fuel economic growth, create jobs and ensure that Utahns continue to have access to safe, reliable and affordable power. The bill builds three key pillars for future energy production—the Utah Energy Council, Energy Development Zones and the Nuclear Energy Consortium—which will work together to develop new energy generation projects, devise policy recommendations, promote nuclear energy collaborations, support workforce development initiatives and advance nuclear research.
S.B. 132 Electric Utility Amendments modernizes Utah’s energy framework by allowing large load energy consumers—those needing 100+ megawatts —to enter into flexible contracts with existing utilities or alternative energy providers. These contracts allow providers to meet growing demands outside of normal regulatory processes while ensuring large load consumers bear full costs and existing ratepayers are not negatively impacted. Expanding provider participation to serve large-load consumers supports the growth of emerging technologies like AI. This bill promotes a more flexible, competitive energy market, which can lower costs and increase efficiency.
S.C.R. 3 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Utah’s Authority to Determine its Energy Future affirms the vital balance between state and federal authority over energy policy, emphasizing Utah's constitutional right to independently shape and implement its own energy production and regulation, recognizing our state as the best-equipped to develop solutions for our energy needs.
S.B. 61 Energy Corridor Amendments ensures high-voltage power lines are planned carefully and responsibly by prioritizing placing energy corridors through public land. The bill protects property rights by requiring a comprehensive evaluation and coordination with federal land agencies before a utility resorts to taking private land. It also updates filing requirements for eminent domain complaints and requires public utilities to report to state lawmakers every year on the private lands they take.
S.B. 192 Commercial Wind and Solar Incentive Amendments requires large wind and solar energy systems (660+ kilowatts) to include a minimum six hours of energy storage to qualify for tax credits. This encourages providers to develop reliable renewable energy that provides baseload power and stabilizes the electrical grid.
H.B. 57 Residential Solar Panel Consumer Protection Amendments safeguards consumers by requiring solar companies to provide accurate energy production estimates when marketing and repair underperforming panels. Additionally, customers won’t have to start paying until their solar system is fully operational.
H.B. 157 Energy Education Amendments enhances energy education by requiring the Office of Energy Development to create a K-12 energy curriculum, provide professional development training for educators and establish energy-related workforce development programs between K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. It also forms an advisory group to guide these efforts. This bill helps prepare the next generation for high-demand careers in Utah’s energy sector and fosters informed decision-making about Utah’s energy future.
H.B. 201 Energy Resource Amendment enhances the way the Public Service Commission evaluates integrated resource plans (IRPs) in Utah. This bill aims to improve the accuracy and transparency of energy planning by preventing the double-counting of energy sources, requiring the disclosure of firming costs, addressing the impact of imported energy price fluctuations and prohibiting unserved load from being counted as a resource. These measures help ensure that energy planning decisions are grounded in reliable, real-world data. Specifically, IRPs are designed to reflect the true costs of various generation resources. For example, the costs associated with battery backup needed for a solar plant to function effectively must be attributed to the solar energy source. Similarly, transmission upgrades required to accommodate intermittent wind energy surges must be accounted for as part of the variability of wind generation. By increasing transparency and accurately attributing the true costs of different energy resources, H.B. 201 strengthens Utah’s energy planning and fosters more informed, data-driven decisions.
Public Education: Investing in Students and Teachers
A strong education system is key to a brighter future for Utah’s families, equipping students with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed while strengthening our communities. We are dedicated to valuing, supporting and empowering teachers to provide the best education possible for Utah’s students. From 2015 to 2025, we have increased public education funding by $3.1 billion—a 112% increase—demonstrating our commitment to education and its role in shaping a prosperous future for all.
This year, we reinforced our commitment to educators and students even further with a $1,446 direct salary increase for teachers, a $1,000 bonus for support staff and a 4% funding boost for all school districts—a combined $278 million investment. Additionally, expanding high school workforce development programs, reducing classroom distractions and ensuring school choice will enhance opportunities and foster continued student success.
In 2020, the starting teacher salary was about $44,000. In 2024, it was nearly $60,000. This year’s direct salary increase will raise this even more—a testament to Utah’s dedication to valuing and supporting teachers, ensuring they have the resources and recognition they deserve to provide the best education for our students.
Investments have propelled Utah to the No. 2 spot in education and among the highest starting salaries for teachers in the West, underscoring the state’s dedication to supporting teachers and fostering top-tier learning environments.
Over the past five years, we have strengthened this commitment to educators and students by improving and investing in public education:
$7,400 direct compensation raises for teachers
$1,000 bonus for education support professionals
Four additional teacher preparation days each year
Up to $500 stipend for classroom supplies
Expanded paid maternity leave
$6,000 stipend for student teachers
Funding for two cohorts of new teachers through the Grow Your Own Educator program
Additional compensation for high-performing teachers
Simplified teacher evaluations
Salary bonuses for teachers in high-poverty schools
$80 million for educators to help at-risk students
Funding for optional full-day Kindergarten statewide
MASTER teacher program, allowing teachers to earn more while staying in the classroom.
Ensuring teachers aren’t penalized for chronically absent students
Helping families facing food insecurity by providing free lunch for eligible students
Limiting cell phone use in the classroom
These investments and improvements have led to Utah leading the nation in education outcomes, ranking:
#1 in ACT scores
#8 in reading scores for eighth graders
#4 in math scores for eighth graders
Utah has one of the highest starting salaries for teachers in the West.
Budget Highlights for Public Education
$8.65 billion – Education (up from $8.44 billion)
$50 million – $1,446 salary increase for teachers
$50 million – $1,000 bonus for educator support staff
$178 million – 4% funding increase to raise salaries for all school district employees
$77.7 million – Educator professional time
$65 million – Career and Technical Education Catalyst Grant Program (H.B. 447)
$40 million – Utah Fits All Scholarship
$14.3 million – Teachers' supplies and materials
$12.4 million – Stipends for Future Educators grants for student teachers
$7.3 million – Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Grant Program
$4.4 million – Rural School Funding (H.B. 462)
$795,700 – Support for professional liability insurance premiums for Utah educators
S.B. 37 Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments: Some school districts generate significantly more tax revenue than others, creating disparities in funding. S.B. 37 establishes a framework to provide additional resources to expanding school districts by redirecting revenue from districts with declining student enrollment. The state uses a process called “recapture” to redistribute funds from wealthier districts, such as Park City, to districts with lower tax revenue, like Granite, Alpine and Kane, which cannot generate as much money from taxes paid in that district. S.B. 37 levels the playing field by creating a fairer funding structure, ensuring that every school district—regardless of size—is treated equally in terms of state funding, ultimately providing better support for all of Utah’s students. S.B. 37 does not take away local control, change how districts can spend their money or reduce per-student funding (WPU). Schools will continue receiving the same amount of money on the same schedule with flexibility in how to use it.
S.B. 223 Public Education Bullying Amendments more clearly defines “staff bullying” and “student bullying,” expanding the scope to include behavior with the “intent to cause harm.” This aims to enhance transparency, promote consistency in reporting and ensure a more effective response to incidents of bullying while also clarifying reporting requirements.
H.B. 455 Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Amendments improves the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program by adding safeguards and key adjustments to help more families access scholarships. It adjusts scholarship amounts based on a student’s age and school choice: private school students can receive up to $8,000 per year, home-based students ages 13-18 can receive up to $6,000 per year and home-based students ages 5-12 can receive up to $4,000 per year. The amendments also clarify spending regulations to ensure proper fund usage, allowing families to carry over up to $2,000 in unused funds for the following school year. Additionally, it limits the use of scholarship funds for extracurricular activities like sports and clubs to 20% while exempting music and art classes. A financial administrator, independent of the program administrator, will handle payment distribution and program financing. The program has been a pivotal step toward addressing the diverse educational needs of all students in Utah. By increasing accountability and adjusting scholarship allocations, more students on the waiting list will be able to receive assistance.
S.B. 178 Devices in Public Schools increase classroom learning by establishing a new baseline of prohibiting students from using a cell phone, smartwatch or other technology during classroom hours. LEAs still have the autonomy and flexibility to create policies tailored to fit their schools' needs. Requires school districts to establish a policy that creates exceptions for using a device to respond to a school-wide emergency, to address medical necessity, to respond to an imminent health or safety threat or as a part of an individual education plan. Enables the State Board of Education to create model policies for LEA’s to follow. Studies show that 97% of students with phones use them during school hours, with teens receiving an average of 237 notifications daily. Additionally, 72% of high school teachers report cell phone distraction as a major issue. In classrooms where smartphone use was limited, students saw an improvement of a full letter grade and a half higher on multiple-choice tests, while bullying incidents dropped by 43% among boys and 46% among girls. The goal of this legislation is to empower school districts, teachers and students to create a more focused and productive learning environment.
S.B. 98 Parental Education on Student Use of Technology Amendments directs the Utah State Board of Education to create a brief video for parents outlining the safety and legal risks students may face when using technology. This video aims to bridge the knowledge gap between parents and students, ensuring families are better equipped to navigate the dangers that come with digital communication, specifically the danger of sexting.
H.B. 100 Food Security Amendments provides low-income students with access to free or reduced-cost school breakfast and lunch through the National School Lunch Program, ensuring they have the nutrition needed to focus, learn and succeed in the classroom. The State Board of Education will reimburse each Local Education Agency (LEA) for the cost of providing meals and encourages LEA’s to reduce food waste. Additionally, the bill prohibits LEAs from publicly identifying or stigmatizing students who cannot afford meals and requires that any communication about a student’s meal debt be directed only to their parent or guardian.
H.B. 204 Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program Amendments make sure the Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program, which offers a $6,000 stipend to student teachers during their semester of full-time student teaching, is available to all student teachers, regardless of the institution they are enrolled in. This includes student teachers who live in Utah but attend out-of-state universities, provided they agree to work in Utah and pursue a professional-level educator license. The bill also places a limit on funding if the student teacher is receiving support from another state program. By supporting Utah’s aspiring teachers, this bill aims to attract and retain qualified educators, addressing the teacher shortage and strengthening the state's education system.
H.B. 447 Statewide Catalyst Campus Model expands hands-on, career-focused learning opportunities for students across Utah. The bill establishes a $65 million grant program to help schools create their own catalyst programs, increasing access to work-based learning throughout the state. Through these programs, students gain valuable real-world skills via advanced training, industry partnerships and hands-on learning experiences. By aligning programs with high-skill, high-demand career pathways and collaborating with local businesses and community organizations, it enhances workforce development, meets industry demands and drives benefits for both students and the economy.
H.B. 104 Firearm Safety in Schools Amendments requires that schools provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction to students at least three times in elementary school (K-5), once in middle school and once in high school. With nearly 50% of Utah households owning firearms, it's crucial that all children—especially those who don’t have firearms at home—understand what to do if they encounter one. Educating students on firearm safety could prevent future accidental shootings by teaching students safe and responsible firearm practices.
H.B. 462 Rural School Funding Amendments creates a grant program to help rural public schools build or upgrade sports facilities used for athletic activities, physical education or school-sponsored sports programs. The $4.4 million will be prioritized for schools with the greatest need for improvements, those with limited access to quality spaces and other factors to ensure fairness in distribution. This grant program is a game changer for rural students, helping students in every community stay active, develop teamwork skills and improve overall health.
Elections: Easy to Vote, Hard to Cheat
Utah has long been recognized for its secure and well-managed elections, balancing transparency and accountability to uphold public trust. With robust verification and auditing procedures in place, our election process ensures accuracy and fairness. This year, when reviewing our elections, the goal was simple: make it easy to vote and hard to cheat, ensuring every vote is verifiable and counted correctly. By strengthening security measures and streamlining processes, we are working to ensure it is easy to vote and hard to cheat.
S.B. 54 Appearance of Candidate Name on Ballot increases ballot clarity by prohibiting candidates from using their middle name, nickname or initials on the ballot except for in limited, legitimate circumstances. It also prohibits campaign slogans from appearing on ballots.
H.B. 300 Amendments to Elections Law enhances election security while preserving the convenience of vote-by-mail by focusing on tailored solutions to specific problems. Starting January 1, 2026, Utah voters must include the last four digits of their driver’s license or state ID when returning a ballot through the mail or in a drop box, although alternative ID methods can be used under rare and limited circumstances. It also requires voters to opt in to receive ballots in the mail every eight years to ensure ballots are only mailed to those who are eligible and want to receive them, ensuring voter rolls remain accurate. Additionally, it ensures more timely election results by requiring ballots to be turned in to the county clerk by 8 p.m. on election night. Enhances communications between voters and election officials through text messaging. This bill also enhances the lieutenant governor’s ability to investigate voter registration roll inaccuracies.
Water: Securing Water for Our Future
Ensuring a reliable water supply is critical to our state’s long-term prosperity. Through strategic management, conservation measures, improved infrastructure and innovative policy solutions, we are helping to ensure Utah can keep up with increased growth.
In the past few years, progress made includes:
Investing over $1 billion into water conservation and infrastructure efforts and continuing to build on those investments with smart water policies.
Establishing a Water Agent and Water Council to guide statewide efforts, bringing enhanced coordination and planning to water management.
Passing legislation that paved the way for Compass Minerals, a private company, to donate 200,000 acre-feet of water rights annually to the state, equivalent to the combined volume of Causey, Echo, Pineview, Lost Creek and Rockport reservoirs.
Thanks to a combination of strong policy efforts, public conservation and two plentiful water years, we are seeing improvement. These efforts help address Utah’s water challenges head-on, laying the groundwork to sustain our quality of life and support growth for the next 100 years and beyond.
S.B. 80 Water Fee Amendments addresses Utah’s growing need for safe and reliable drinking water by allowing the Department of Environmental Quality to impose a consumption-based fee. With federal funding decreasing and unable to keep pace with the state’s growth, this bill creates a pathway for a sustainable funding source while incentivizing water conservation. It ensures a thorough review process, requiring approval through public hearings and the Legislature before any fee is implemented.
H.B. 89 Water Transfer Amendments enhances oversight of water share transfers by prohibiting the use of small estate affidavit procedures, which allow an estate handler to collect personal property without a court-appointed representative when the estate is considered “small.” Currently, some individuals exploit this process to transfer high-value water shares without proper appraisal or oversight. By requiring all water shares to go through probate—the legal process where a court appoints a representative to oversee estate distribution—this bill prevents misuse, enhances legal clarity and simplifies estate transfers.
H.B. 243 Agricultural Water Optimization Amendments gives the Agricultural Water Optimization Committee the ability to use specific funds for research, driving advancements in water conservation techniques and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Infrastructure & Transportation: Preparing for the Future
As Utah prepares to host the 2034 Olympics, modernizing and enhancing our transportation and infrastructure is vital. During the session, we focused on improving efficiency and collaboration to upgrade transportation systems and elevate the quality of life for Utahns and those who visit our great state.
S.B. 174 Transit and Transportation Governance Amendments streamlines UTA decision-making by shifting certain duties to the executive director, clarifies board responsibilities and increases oversight from the Department of Transportation for train and light rail projects. It also boosts local coordination with annual meetings between transit districts and local governments, strengthens the Local Advisory Council’s role in planning and improves transparency with an annual report on transit fares and reduced-fare programs. These changes all help to make Utah’s transit system more efficient, accountable and responsive to the needs of riders and communities.
S.B. 195 Transportation Amendments establishes a framework for enhanced collaboration and coordination between the Utah Department of Transportation and Salt Lake City, providing them with the time to work together to develop the best solutions to meet the growing demands of the city. A comprehensive mobility study will be conducted to guide decision-making, addressing the needs of Utah's capital city as it continues to grow, welcomes more visitors and hosts both national and international events. The study will focus on assessing travel efficiency, optimizing travel times, improving safety, and reducing congestion to ensure that future infrastructure changes are effective and sustainable. It will also examine the impacts on state highways, collector roads and arterial routes, providing valuable insights to guide future planning. Projects will undergo a coordinated review process to ensure a thorough evaluation and alignment, ensuring that the plan is the best fit for both today and the future. Additionally, this bill helps preserve roads by increasing funding for road maintenance and highway litter control. This bill does not affect temporary events hosted in the state.
Public Lands: Protecting and Preserving Our Land
S.B. 158 Sale or Lease of Federally Managed Public Land Amendments enhances Utah’s ability to manage and advocate for public land use. It directs the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office (PLPCO) to track and review purchase and lease requests from state government entities for federally managed public land in Utah, ensuring state agencies remain informed about land requests from state government entities. It requires PLPCO to annually review submitted land applications, ensuring updates are collected and monitored to prevent applications from being overlooked. Additionally, the bill requires PLPCO to report findings to the Legislature, enhancing transparency and coordination among state agencies.
H.B. 200 Outdoor Recreation Amendments supports Utah’s outdoor and tourism industries by allowing the state to collaborate with federal agencies to keep U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed lands open during federal fiscal emergencies. This bill also directs the Division of Outdoor Recreation to establish guidelines for prioritizing these lands based on their economic impact and recreational value, helping ensure continued access to Utah’s natural treasures.
Media Mentions
Is Utah turning a new page to embrace nuclear energy? Poll shows many Utahns would support the move
Opinion: Fairness for all – the Utah Compromise in laws across a decade
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… the future of air transit in the Beehive State
This all-electric aircraft will help Utah chase its air taxi ambitions
Condo construction keeps declining in Utah. How state lawmakers are trying to change that.
Utah breaks ground with bill requiring app stores to verify user ages
As always, our focus is on policies that put Utahns first––today and for generations to come. With these strategic investments in energy, education and economic relief, the Beehive State is poised to lead the way into the future with strength and resilience.
Best,
Ron Winterton
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