What’s Next for Bills That Didn’t Pass the Legislature

Salt Lake County cities will not be able to break off and form their own separate county, after a bill up on Capitol Hill that originally passed right as the session ended was taken back. 

This bill was one of hundreds that didn’t make it through this session, so here’s a quick look at a few that failed—and what’s next for them. 

Election ID Law

A controversial bill called for requiring Utah voters to show their ID to drop off their ballot. HB 479 Election Code Modifications sponsor, Representative Steve Burton (R-Spanish Fork) told PBS Utah in an interview, “a large segment of our population that wants to show ID.”

“This is another option for people who like to vote in person,” Burton said, adding that it, “in no way impinges on somebody's ability to vote by mail if that's what they want to do.”

County and city leaders, and residents across the state voiced strong opinions on the bill, both for and against.

Supporters said the law change would instill voter confidence, provide another option to cast ballots, and make elections more secure.

Those who criticized the bill argued it would cost counties too much money to implement, and would disenfranchise voters, especially in rural communities.

Ultimately the bill died in a Senate committee hearing, and lawmakers decided to gather more information.

Rep. Burton subsequently sponsored an elections study bill that directs Utah Valley University to carry out a study to look at the security of in-person voting versus vote by mail, and best practices for a process to show ID.

House Majority Leader Casey Snider expressed that they’ll keep focusing on tweaking election law.

“I think at the heart of this, we want our citizens to believe that with full confidence that their vote counts, and only those people that can vote are the ones that are voting,” he said.

‘Protect kids’ AI bills

A couple of AI regulation related bills circulated up on Capitol Hill that also did not make the cut, because of concerns over some of the provisions. 

WATCH: What bills didn't pass?| Utah Insight: 2026 Legislative Session

HB 286 would have mandated AI developers create child protection and public safety plans, but faced national scrutiny and opposition from the White House. It failed to make it out of the House and never crossed over to the Senate.

HB 438 would have established safety requirements for companion chatbots. That bill nearly made it through but ultimately failed by 3 votes on the Senate floor.

Governor Spencer Cox has been a huge supporter of AI regulation on a state level, but in an interview with PBS Utah said he broadly agreed with the federal government, and that they need to ensure a secure balance between state and federal regulation.

“We should not be regulating AI in a way that prevents its development to solve some of our biggest problems, to protect our national security. And too many states and some bills even here have tried to stifle that innovation,” Gov. Cox said.

However, when it comes to AI regulation with children, the governor said the White House wants states, “to do everything [they] can to protect kids.”

Gov. Cox listed HB 438’s failing as one of his frustrations during the session, but he expressed hope it’ll make a comeback.

“There was a chatbot bill, worried about AI and the way it impacts our kids. That didn't pass, but that's okay,” he said. “We can work on that over the over the interim and get it through next session.”

A Salt Lake County split, a few seconds too late

The bill that could have split up Salt Lake County appeared to be last official bill to clear the 2026 Utah Legislative Session but ultimately didn’t make the cut by mere seconds.

HB 212 County Formation Amendments would allow cities to band together to form their own county. The lawmakers who sponsored it, Representative Jordan Teuscher and Senator Dan McCay, collectively represent South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, and Bluffdale. 

During the Senate’s final floor time, a vote on the bill initially failed to clear past the final hurdle. However, about 3 minutes before the clock struck midnight, the bill was suddenly resurrected for a last-ditch effort vote.

PBS Utah noted the clock hit midnight before the votes finished—with the final one coming in four seconds later. Lawmakers on the floor briefly argued on whether it passed too late.

Senate President Stuart Adams later announced the bill indeed did not pass in time. It could be resurrected during the session next year.
 

Follow PBS Utah as we continue following developments on Capitol Hill beyond the 2026 Utah Legislative Session.