Summit County monitors key State Bills impacting housing, land use, and elections

The 910 Ranch in Summit County. Photo: Summit County

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – As the 2025 Utah Legislative Session continues, Summit County officials are closely tracking proposed bills that could significantly impact housing, land use, transportation, public safety, and elections.

Summit County’s legislative working group, which includes county officials, planners, and attorneys, is monitoring numerous bills that could reshape local policies.

Key Bills on Summit County’s Radar

Housing & Land Use

• HB 37 – Utah Housing Amendments: Would require counties to adjust zoning to include affordable housing density overlays, increasing the county’s reporting and compliance burden.
• HB 256 – Municipal Zoning Amendments: Proposes new restrictions on local governments regulating short-term rentals, potentially limiting the county’s ability to enforce STR rules.
• HB 360 – Housing Attainability Amendments: Aims to make housing more affordable by modifying land-use regulations and repealing sunset dates on key housing programs.
• HB 368 – Local Land Use Amendments: Seeks to reduce local zoning restrictions, accelerate development approvals, and increase state oversight of municipal land-use decisions.

Public Lands & Environment

• HB 48 – Wildland Urban Interface Modifications: Requires counties to annually assess high-risk wildfire areas, enforce mitigation fees, and adopt stricter wildfire building codes.
• HB 355 – Critical Infrastructure Materials Amendments: Would override Salt Lake County’s ban on new mines in the Wasatch Mountains, which could set a precedent for mining projects near Summit County, including Parley’s Canyon.
• HB 241 – Solar Power Plant Amendments: Proposes restrictions on solar energy projects in Utah, potentially hampering Summit County’s renewable energy goals.

Elections & Voting

• HB 27 – Voting Precinct Amendments: Increases the maximum number of voters per precinct from 1,250 to 3,000, which could affect election logistics in Summit County.
• HB 205 – Ballot Count & Drop Box Modifications: Would require mail-in ballots to be received before Election Day, rather than postmarked, significantly changing how Utahns vote.
• HB 213 – Voting Revisions: Seeks to reduce universal vote-by-mail, requiring voters to request a mail-in ballot each election, raising concerns about voter accessibility.
• HB 300 – Amendments to Election Law: Proposes restricting ballot drop boxes by requiring them to be staffed with two election workers verifying IDs, a costly measure for counties.

What’s Next?

Summit County officials will continue advocating for local interests throughout the legislative session, which runs until March 7, 2025. Residents can track these bills and provide input via the Utah Legislature’s website at le.utah.gov.

The County Council will receive weekly legislative updates from council members Tonja Hanson and Chris Robinson, along with Deputy County Manager Janna Young.