2026 Utah Legislative Session

After Justice Diana Hagan’s resignation, fresh faces will reshape the Utah Supreme Court. Critics still see the changes as “politically motivated and a form of court packing.”

Outside of the Beehive State, many might gawk at the idea of students opting out of coursework that makes them feel uncomfortable. Among Utahns, there seem to be wider-ranging and more nuanced perspectives.

When the next state budget starts in July, new State Homeless Coordinator Tyler Clancy will be in charge of $40 million in spending on priorities like high utilizers and mental and behavioral health.

The new law, which took effect May 6, says adult content websites must verify the age of any users physically located in Utah, regardless of whether they’re using a VPN that says they’re in another state.

Psychedelic drug treatment could ease or even cure post-traumatic stress disorder in a matter of sessions, according to a University of Utah researcher. Now, President Donald Trump’s executive order to expedite research and psychedelic drug approval could impact plans for such therapy for Utah’s veterans.

When Utah’s Brighter Adoptions unexpectedly closed its doors, it left more than a dozen families in the lurch and without answers. Those families say negligence sank the agency and blocked their way to parenthood.

Speaking to the Utah State Bar, Justice Petersen reviewed the just-finished 2026 legislative session and defended judicial independence.

Estoy especialmente orgulloso de los habitantes de Utah que son conservadores y religiosos y que están dispuestos a sentarse a conversar y realmente ayudarnos a encontrar puntos en común, dijo Troy Williams, el director ejecutivo saliente de Equality Utah.

"I'm most proud of Utahns who are conservative and religious and who are willing to come to the table and actually help us find common ground," said Troy Williams, the outgoing executive director of Equality Utah.

Utah is at the forefront of a states' rights battle with prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. It's over the definition of gambling and whether states can keep these smartphone apps out.

Schools don’t need as many new English learners to qualify, and the Utah State Board of Education now has the discretion to award emergency funding to schools that demonstrate need.

The session is done. 540 bills were passed out of 1,020 pitched. But instead of ending on a bang, as it had in the past, the session ended with a polite "here, here" and a golf clap.