What Utah lawmakers are drafting, debating and passing that changes the law for people in the state.
The Legislature's 2027 general session opens Jan. 19 and ends March 5. Bill files opened during this year's interim deal with data centers, the Military Installation Development Authority, license plate readers and sentencing. They are covered below and in our Surveillance and Data Centers sections.
Sources: Utah Legislature, 2027 General Session.
The Military Installation Development Authority's new executive director, Dan Hemmert, took questions from the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee about the agency's role in the Stratos data center in Box Elder County. Hemmert said MIDA does not pressure local officials and that he expects to explain Stratos' military connection at MIDA's December board meeting. He confirmed the state auditor's office has asked for MIDA documents.
Rep. Jason Thompson, R-River Heights, has opened a bill file that would limit MIDA to supporting troops and base security and bar it from data center projects. Hemmert said he expects numerous bills aimed at the agency in January. In August, Gov. Spencer Cox called the Stratos process "not good" and asked for MIDA reforms.
Sources: Fox 13, Oct. 21, 2026; Salt Lake Tribune, Aug. 20, 2026.
Senate Republicans chose Sen. Evan Vickers as Senate president for the 67th Legislature, with Sen. Chris Wilson as majority leader and Sen. Michael McKell as majority whip. House Republicans kept Mike Schultz as speaker, with Rep. Casey Snider as majority leader and Rep. Candice Pierucci as majority whip. Senate Democrats chose Sen. Luz Escamilla as minority leader.
Sources: KUTV, Nov. 6, 2026.
In June the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee voted unanimously to open a bill file defining a large-scale data center, the first step toward regulating them. Since then several interim committees have taken testimony on water, power, air quality and taxes. The Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee, chaired by Sen. Daniel McCay, is studying the tax incentives data centers receive. Any bill waits for the January session unless the governor calls a special session.
Sources: Fox 13; KPCW, June 18, 2026; KUTV.
A bipartisan coalition wants a warrant before police search plate reader data in an investigation, and Sen. Calvin Musselman has opened a bill file. The Utah Privacy Commission sent lawmakers its recommendations in October. Details are in our Surveillance and Privacy section.
Sources: KSL, Nov. 11, 2026.
The Utah Sentencing Commission voted to recommend prison instead of jail for enticement of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor and forcible sexual abuse. The change needs a resolution passed by both the House and the Senate.
Sources: KUTV, Oct. 6, 2026.
The Utah Docket covers the cases in the news and the changes in the law that matter to people in Utah. It is edited by Jim Tily, a Salt Lake City criminal defense attorney, and is independent of his law practice. Nothing published here is legal advice.
tips@utahdocket.com