According to a recent poll by the Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics, housing affordability emerged as the top concern for Utah voters ahead of the 2026 legislative session. In response, Utah lawmakers introduced several bills aimed at addressing this pressing issue, alongside other critical matters such as child care. While not all proposed legislation advanced, significant measures were enacted to alleviate costs for residents.
During discussions about the potential impact of these legislative actions, Speaker of the House Mike Schultz, a Republican from Hooper, estimated that the measures could save the average Utah family a few hundred dollars. “There’s not a lot we can do, but we are focused on it. The policies we implement, or choose not to implement, are key drivers of affordability issues,” Schultz stated, emphasizing the need for thoughtful regulatory approaches.
Child Care Initiatives and Tax Credits
Among the notable bills passed this session were two focused on enhancing financial support for families with children. HB190, sponsored by Rep. Susan Thompson, introduces a child care tax credit designed to mirror the existing federal model. This initiative aims to provide tax credits to employers who assist in covering child care costs for their employees. According to Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, a Democrat from Salt Lake City, child care remains a critical issue for families, and this bill represents an ongoing effort to address it.
At the federal level, small businesses currently qualify for a 50% tax credit, while larger businesses receive a 40% credit. Under HB190, small businesses in Utah would receive a 30% tax credit, while large businesses would receive 10%. Additionally, HB290, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Miller, a Republican from South Jordan, expands the income eligibility for the state’s child tax credit, aiming to assist a larger segment of the population.
Despite these advancements, Escamilla faced setbacks with two of her proposals intended to expand child care accessibility. Both bills—one proposing grants for home-based child care centers and another aimed at establishing child care facilities for state employees—failed to pass. She reiterated the importance of affordable child care, stating, “We want our families to feel that child care is not the reason why they’re not growing their family.”
In a positive development, legislation to extend paid maternity leave for state employees from three weeks to 12 weeks passed successfully. HB329, introduced by Rep. Ariel Defay from Kaysville, also strengthens protections for breastfeeding in public. Moreover, SB258, introduced by Sen. Stephanie Pitcher, a Democrat from Millcreek, expands a pilot program allowing state employees to bring infants to work, broadening access to family-friendly policies.
Strategic Housing Developments
In a concerted effort to address the housing crisis, a coalition of stakeholders—including members from both the legislative and executive branches—developed the Utah Housing Strategic Plan. This comprehensive strategy aims to ensure every resident has access to safe, affordable, and stable housing options. With three primary goals—improving housing availability, affordability, and stability—the plan outlines over 50 actionable tactics to enhance the housing landscape in Utah.
To formalize this initiative, Rep. Stephen Whyte introduced HCR6, a resolution recognizing the strategic housing plan, which successfully passed. Steve Waldrip, the governor’s senior adviser for housing strategy and innovation, emphasized the importance of legislative and executive alignment in pursuing housing solutions.
Another significant legislative measure, HB68, aims to reorganize housing policy within the state. This bill establishes the Division of Housing and Community Development, which will operate under the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. The division will be led by an appointed state housing coordinator, streamlining accountability and communication regarding housing initiatives.
Infrastructure Investments to Boost Housing Supply
A major highlight of the session was HB492, sponsored by Rep. Calvin Roberts from Draper. This legislation is designed to facilitate the construction of essential infrastructure needed to support housing development across the state. Governor Spencer Cox remarked on the necessity of building more housing, noting that many towns lack the financial resources to develop the needed infrastructure, such as sewer systems and water treatment facilities.
Currently, over 100,000 housing units in Utah remain unbuilt due to inadequate infrastructure. HB492 aims to unlock these units by allowing the state to collaborate with local governments to address infrastructure needs through the State Housing Infrastructure Partnership Fund. The funding for this initiative will come from existing state resources. Schultz highlighted the frustrations citizens face regarding growth, linking it directly to a lack of infrastructure funding.
Lastly, lawmakers are also addressing retirement savings for residents. Many Utahns lack access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, creating a potential future burden on the state as older citizens increasingly rely on Social Security. HB250 proposes the creation of the Utah Retirement Plan Exchange, which would serve as a state-facilitated marketplace for private retirement providers to offer plans to employers.
Through these legislative efforts, Utah lawmakers are taking steps to address both housing affordability and child care challenges, striving to create a more supportive environment for families across the state.
