The 2026 Utah State Legislature General Session is in full swing with over 800 bills being filed. As with previous legislative sessions, there has been much contention between state entities and municipal bodies. 

“There’s a deluge of bills behind a dam and we’re just waiting for it to break,” said Principal Lobbyist Brian Allen.  

Local cities and municipalities have been voicing their concerns over the state overreaching into their ability to control policy for their own communities. The Cottonwood Heights City Council has been meeting with their lobbyists weekly for updates about how their concerns are being addressed. 

“There are a dozen bills, at least, that the [Utah League of Cities and Towns] are working on that deal with local control,” Allen said.  

A majority of those bills deal with the big-ticket issues of property taxes, affordable housing and land use. 

“To make Utah more affordable, they are adding more fees,” Allen said.

Allen has noticed a host of property tax bills attempted to address Truth in Taxation requirements including, but not limited to, HJR 7: Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution, HB 565 City Library Property Tax Amendments, HB 485: Property Tax Revenue Increase Amendments, HB 484: Property Tax Changes,  HB 161: Property Tax Modifications, SB 238: Property Tax Adjustments SB 78: Property Tax Relief Amendments and SB 11: Property Rights Ombudsman Act. 

All of these proposed property tax regulations “would restrict the city’s ability to manage their revenue streams,” Allen said.

The Cottonwood Heights Community and Economic Development Department is worried about how the over 300 bills addressing land use will shake out.

HB 184: Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments sponsored by Rep. Ray Ward and Sen. Lincoln Fillmore proposes land use changes to conform with preferred zoning set by the state. 

HB 242: Transportation Amendments sponsored by Sen. Wayne Harper and Rep. Kay Christofferson amends appropriate usage for public roads and options for local sales tax. 

Allen synthesized a handful of bills attempting to regulate how water can be used across the state.   

HB 501: Water Modifications sponsored by Rep. Bolinder Bridger and Sen. Scott Sandall addresses the fee structures related to the regulation of water. 

Allen noted how this bill would have a direct impact on residents as it would require water and sewer utilities to impose a 1.5% fee on top of existing bills. The revenue gathered from those fees would go toward funding water infrastructure projects.  

“What I’ve been told is if the water or sewer system wants to participate in their funding program then they would have to impose a fee,” Allen said. 

Cottonwood Heights Councilmember Ellen Birrell has questions about the impacts of HB 60: Water Rights Amendment (which is likely to pass after a favorable Senate recommendation on Feb. 12). 

“It’s more of a fight between the state engineer and public water providers,” Allen said. 

There are some life-preservers in the flood of proposed bills, however. Allen mentioned some well-written bills on Feb. 12.

HB 295: Overdose Amendments sponsored by Rep. Carol Moss and Sen. Jen Plumb amends certain prosecution when reporting overdose events. 

“It would give prosecutors an affirmative defense for Good Samaritan in possession of drugs to not be prosecuted," Allen said. “It’s a very good bill.” 

HB 79: Governmental Immunity Amendments sponsored by Rep. Matthew Gwynn and Sen. Brady Brammer expands immunity for governmental employees and medical services when responding to emergencies. 

The Utah Legislature will conclude their General Session on March 6. Until then, Cottonwood Heights will continue to have weekly meetings on Thursdays at 9 a.m. Residents can request access to listen to those meetings through the city’s website at: https://www.cottonwoodheights.utah.gov/.