Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

HB 457 — County Governance Modifications

Last action — Governor Signed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 26, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

262 added · 252 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of HB 457 introduces a few key changes concerning county governance. It specifically requires unincorporated islands in second-class counties to automatically join nearby municipalities, but it also allows local legislative bodies the option to exempt these islands from this automatic annexation process. This flexibility is important as it gives local leaders more control over how their communities grow and develop, ensuring that annexation can be tailored to fit local needs. Additionally, minor technical adjustments were made throughout the bill for clarity and consistency.

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HB0457S05 compared with HB0457 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0457 but was omitted in HB0457S05 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0457 but was inserted into HB0457S05 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy H.B.
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457 County Governance Modifications GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
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This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
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{Municipal Annexation Amendments} County Governance Modifications GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Dunnigan Senate Sponsor:Ronald M.
Dunnigan Senate Sponsor:
Ronald M.
This bill modifies provisions relating to {annexation of unincorporated areas of a } county {of the second class} governance.
This bill modifies provisions relating to county governance.
{and } ▸ requires a county of the second class to provide notice of an automatic annexation;
▸ requires a county of the second class to provide notice of an automatic annexation;
▸ permits {a } certain local legislative {body of a county of the second class } bodies to exempt {certain } unincorporated islands from automatic annexation{.} ;
▸ permits certain local legislative bodies to exempt unincorporated islands from automatic annexation;
H ▸ modifies the authority of a county operating under the council-manager form of B government to delegate accounting services;
▸ modifies the authority of a county operating under the council-manager form of government to delegate accounting services;
and 4 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
and ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
5 HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
10-2-801 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 399 10-2-813 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 399 10-2-814 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 399 17-69-304 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 13 17-73-507 , as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 13 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
10-2-801, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 399 10-2-813, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 399 10-2-814, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 399 17-69-304, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, H.B.
457 Enrolled Copy Chapter 13 17-73-507, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 13 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
10-2-801.
10-2-801 .
- 2 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 (a) the enactment of an ordinance annexing an unincorporated area;
(a) the enactment of an ordinance annexing an unincorporated area;
or (c) an automatic annexation that occurs on July 1, 2027, under Subsection [10-2-814(2) (b)] 10-2-814(5).
or (c) an automatic annexation that occurs on July 1, 2027, under Subsection [ 10-2-814(2)(b)] 10-2-814(5).
(a) the municipality that annexes an unincorporated area;
- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
457 (a) the municipality that annexes an unincorporated area;
or (b) the lessee of military land, as defined in Section 63H-1-102, if the area proposed for annexation includes military land that is within a project area described in a project area plan adopted by - 3 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 the military installation development authority under Title 63H, Chapter 1, Military Installation Development Authority Act.
or (b) the lessee of military land, as defined in Section 63H-1-102, if the area proposed for annexation includes military land that is within a project area described in a project area plan adopted by the military installation development authority under Title 63H, Chapter 1, Military Installation Development Authority Act.
(f) a special district under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - Special Districts;
(f) a special district under Title 17B, Limited Purpose Local Government Entities - - 3 - H.B.
457 Enrolled Copy Special Districts;
(14) (a) "Rural real property" means a group of contiguous tax parcels, or a single tax parcel, that:
(14)(a) "Rural real property" means a group of contiguous tax parcels, or a single tax parcel, that:
- 4 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 (a) a housing development with more than 15 residential units and an average density greater than one residential unit per acre;
(a) a housing development with more than 15 residential units and an average density greater than one residential unit per acre;
10-2-813.
10-2-813 .
(i) a notice of an impending boundary action, as defined in Section 67-1a-6.5, that meets the requirements of Subsection 67-1a-6.5(3);
(i) a notice of an impending boundary action, as defined in Section 67-1a-6.5, that - 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
457 meets the requirements of Subsection 67-1a-6.5(3);
- 5 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 (A) a certified copy of the ordinance approving the annexation of an unincorporated area or the adjustment of a boundary, if applicable;
(A) a certified copy of the ordinance approving the annexation of an unincorporated area or the adjustment of a boundary, if applicable;
(2) If an annexation under this part or a boundary adjustment under Part 9, Municipal Boundary Adjustments, also causes an automatic annexation to a special district under Section 17B-1-416 or an automatic withdrawal from a special district under Subsection 17B-1-502(2), the municipal legislative body shall, as soon as practicable after the lieutenant governor issues a certificate of annexation or boundary adjustment under Section 67-1a-6.5, send notice of the annexation or boundary adjustment to the special district to which the annexed area is automatically annexed or from which the annexed area is automatically withdrawn.
(2) If an annexation under this part or a boundary adjustment under Part 9, Municipal Boundary Adjustments, also causes an automatic annexation to a special district under Section 17B-1-416 or an automatic withdrawal from a special district under Subsection 17B-1-502(2), the municipal legislative body shall, as soon as practicable after the lieutenant governor issues a certificate of annexation or boundary adjustment under Section 67-1a-6.5, send notice of the annexation or boundary adjustment to the special district to which the annexed area is automatically annexed or from which the annexed - 5 - H.B.
457 Enrolled Copy area is automatically withdrawn.
(5) (a) The effective date of an annexation or boundary adjustment for purposes of assessing property within an affected area is governed by Section 59-2-305.5.
(5)(a) The effective date of an annexation or boundary adjustment for purposes of assessing property within an affected area is governed by Section 59-2-305.5.
- 6 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 (b) Until the documents listed in Subsection (1)(b)(i) are recorded in the office of the recorder of each county in which the property is located, a municipality may not:
(b) Until the documents listed in Subsection (1)(b)(i) are recorded in the office of the recorder of each county in which the property is located, a municipality may not:
10-2-814.
10-2-814 .
Automatic annexations in counties of the first class and second class-- Notice.
Automatic annexations in counties of the first class and second class -- Notice.
(a) "Most populous bordering municipality" means the municipality with the highest population of any municipality that shares a common border with an unincorporated island.
(a) "Most populous bordering municipality" means the municipality with the highest - 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
Show all 65 changed rows (25 more)
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457 population of any municipality that shares a common border with an unincorporated island.
(i) {an area }within a county of the first class[;] , an area that is:
(i) within a county of the first class[;] , an area that is:
or (ii) {an area } within a county of the second class {that is} , an area:
or (ii) within a county of the second class, an area:
(A) {25 } that is 55 acres or smaller;
(A) that is 55 acres or smaller;
{and} (C) that is completely surrounded by land that is within one {or more municipalities } municipality within the county of the second class{.} ;
(C) that is completely surrounded by land that is within one municipality within the county of the second class;
and {(2)} {(a)} (I) to which the municipality that completely surrounds the area provides sanitary sewer service or culinary water service;
and (D)(I) to which the municipality that completely surrounds the area provides sanitary sewer service or culinary water service;
(2) [(a)] Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, on July 1, 2027, an unincorporated island within a county of the first class is automatically annexed to:
(2)[(a)] Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, on July 1, 2027, an unincorporated island within a county of the first class is automatically annexed to:
- 7 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 [(i)] (a) the most populous bordering municipality, except as provided in Subsection [(2)(a)(ii)]{ or (3)} (2)(b);
[(i)] (a) the most populous bordering municipality, except as provided in Subsection [ (2)(a)(ii)] (2)(b);
(4) (a) No later than May 1, 2027, a county of the second class in which an unincorporated island will be automatically annexed shall:
(4)(a) No later than May 1, 2027, a county of the second class in which an unincorporated island will be automatically annexed shall:
(i) mail written notice to each owner of real property located within the unincorporated island that includes:
(i) mail written notice to each owner of real property located within the - 7 - H.B.
457 Enrolled Copy unincorporated island that includes:
(3){(6)} A legislative body of a county of the second class with a population of less than 600,000 may exempt an unincorporated island or a portion of an unincorporated island from the requirements of this section by adopting a resolution on or before May 1, 2027, that includes a description or map of each exempted unincorporated island or portion of an unincorporated island.
(6) A legislative body of a county of the second class with a population of less than 600,000 may exempt an unincorporated island or a portion of an unincorporated island from the requirements of this section by adopting a resolution on or before May 1, 2027, that includes a description or map of each exempted unincorporated island or portion of an unincorporated island.
- 8 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 (7) In a county of the second class with a population of 600,000 or more, a legislative body of a municipality may exempt an unincorporated island or a portion of an unincorporated island from the requirements of this section by adopting a resolution on or before May 1, 2027, that includes a description or map of each exempted unincorporated island or portion of an unincorporated island.
(7) In a county of the second class with a population of 600,000 or more, a legislative body of a municipality may exempt an unincorporated island or a portion of an unincorporated island from the requirements of this section by adopting a resolution on or before May 1, 2027, that includes a description or map of each exempted unincorporated island or portion of an unincorporated island.
17-69-304.
17-69-304 .
(3) For a county operating under the council-manager form of county government as described in Section 17-62-204,[ if the county auditor provides preapproval or postpayment review for all payments by the county,] the county council may[ by ordinance passed on or before December 31, 2021,] delegate accounting services provided for or executed on behalf of the entire county:
(3) For a county operating under the council-manager form of county government as - 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
457 described in Section 17-62-204,[ if the county auditor provides preapproval or postpayment review for all payments by the county,] the county council may[ by ordinance passed on or before December 31, 2021,] delegate accounting services provided for or executed on behalf of the entire county:
- 9 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 17-73-507.
17-73-507 .
(2) (a) If a county surveyor determines that a plat meets the requirements of Subsection (3), the county surveyor shall approve the plat as a final local entity plat.
(2)(a) If a county surveyor determines that a plat meets the requirements of Subsection (3), the county surveyor shall approve the plat as a final local entity plat.
(iii) in the case of a proposed adjustment of a boundary between local entities, the boundary of the area that the boundary adjustment proposes to move from inside the boundary of one local entity to inside the boundary of another local entity;
- 9 - H.B.
457 Enrolled Copy (iii) in the case of a proposed adjustment of a boundary between local entities, the boundary of the area that the boundary adjustment proposes to move from inside the boundary of one local entity to inside the boundary of another local entity;
- 10 - HB0457 compared with HB0457S05 (i) the county surveyor to establish the boundary on the ground, in the event of a dispute about the accurate location of the boundary;
(i) the county surveyor to establish the boundary on the ground, in the event of a dispute about the accurate location of the boundary;
(g) has been certified and signed by a professional land surveyor licensed under Title 58, Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
(g) has been certified and signed by a professional land surveyor licensed under Title 58, - 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
457 Chapter 22, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Licensing Act;
Effective date.
3-3-26 2:44 PM - 11 -
- 11 -
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Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. House/ to Governor

  3. House/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. House/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from House for Enrolling

  8. House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

  9. House/ received from Senate

  10. Senate/ to House

  11. Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

  12. Senate/ received from House

  13. House/ to Senate

  14. House/ concurs with Senate amendment

  15. House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar

  16. House/ received from Senate

  17. Senate/ to House with amendments

  18. Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  19. Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  20. Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar

  21. Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

  22. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0457S05

  23. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0457S05

  24. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  25. Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]

  26. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]

  27. Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]

  28. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0457S05

  29. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0457S05

  30. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0457S03

  31. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0457S04

  32. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0457S03

  33. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]

  34. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  35. Senate/ received from House

  36. House/ to Senate

  37. House/ passed 3rd reading

  38. House/ substituted

  39. House/ uncircled

  40. House/ circled

  41. House/ 3rd reading

  42. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0457S04

  43. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0457S04

  44. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0457S03

  45. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0457S03

  46. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0457S01

  47. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0457S02

  48. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0457S01

  49. House/ 2nd reading

  50. House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Political Subdivisions Committee]

  51. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Political Subdivisions Committee]

  52. House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Political Subdivisions Committee]

  53. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0457S02

  54. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0457S02

  55. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0457S01

  56. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0457S01

  57. House/ to standing committee [House Political Subdivisions Committee]

  58. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  59. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0457

  60. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0457

  61. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  62. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  63. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0457

  64. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0457

  65. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  66. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety housing
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 457?
HB 457 is sponsored by Ronald M. Winterton (Republican) and James A. Dunnigan (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 457?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 02, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 457?
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