Enrolled Copy H.B. 110 1 Combined Basic Tax Rate Reduction 2025 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Tiara Auxier Senate Sponsor: Daniel McCay Cosponsor: Stephanie Gricius Jefferson Moss Cheryl K. Acton Jason B. Kyle Candice B. Pierucci Tyler Clancy Trevor Lee Calvin Roberts Joseph Elison Karianne Lisonbee R. Neil Walter 2 3 LONG TITLE 4 General Description: 5 This bill repeals the weighted pupil unit (WPU) value rate from the combination of 6 property tax rates that fund public education. 7 Highlighted Provisions: 8 This bill: 9 ▸ repeals the WPU value rate from the combination of property tax rates that fund public 10 education; 11 ▸ provides that the repeal of the WPU value rate does not affect the amount of ongoing 12 appropriations to the Teacher and Student Success Program; 13 ▸ includes a clause to coordinate the effect of the repeal of the WPU value rate with 14 language that S.B. 37, Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments, enacts; and 15 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes. 16 Money Appropriated in this Bill: 17 None 18 Other Special Clauses: 19 This bill provides a special effective date. 20 This bill provides a coordination clause. 21 Utah Code Sections Affected: 22 AMENDS: H.B. 110 Enrolled Copy 23 53F-2-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 124, 460 24 59-2-919.1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 246 25 59-2-926, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 7 26 Utah Code Sections affected by Coordination Clause: 27 53F-2-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 124, 460 28 29 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: 30 The following section is affected by a coordination clause at the end of this bill. 31 Section 1. Section 53F-2-301 is amended to read: 32 53F-2-301 . Minimum basic tax rate for a fiscal year that begins after July 1, 33 2022. 34 (1) As used in this section: 35 (a) "Basic levy increment rate" means a tax rate that will generate an amount of revenue 36 equal to $75,000,000. 37 [(b) "Combined basic rate" means a rate that is the sum of:] 38 [(i) the minimum basic tax rate; and] 39 [(ii) the WPU value rate.] 40 [(c)] (b) "Commission" means the State Tax Commission. 41 [(d)] (c) "Minimum basic local amount" means an amount that is: 42 (i) equal to the sum of: 43 (A) the school districts' contribution to the basic school program the previous 44 fiscal year; 45 (B) the amount generated by the basic levy increment rate; and 46 (C) the eligible new growth, as defined in Section 59-2-924 and rules of the State 47 Tax Commission multiplied by the minimum basic rate; and 48 (ii) set annually by the Legislature in Subsection (2)(a). 49 [(e)] (d) "Minimum basic tax rate" means a tax rate certified by the commission that will 50 generate an amount of revenue equal to the minimum basic local amount described in 51 Subsection (2)(a). 52 [(f) "Weighted pupil unit value" or "WPU value" means the amount established each 53 year in the enacted public education budget that is multiplied by the number of 54 weighted pupil units to yield the funding level for the basic school program.] 55 [(g) "WPU value amount" means an amount:] 56 [(i) that is equal to the product of:] - 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 110 57 [(A) the WPU value increase limit; and] 58 [(B) the percentage share of local revenue to the cost of the basic school program 59 in the immediately preceding fiscal year; and] 60 [(ii) set annually by the Legislature in Subsection (3)(a).] 61 [(h) "WPU value increase limit" means the lesser of:] 62 [(i) the total cost to the basic school program to increase the WPU value over the 63 WPU value in the prior fiscal year; or] 64 [(ii) the total cost to the basic school program to increase the WPU value by 4% over 65 the WPU value in the prior fiscal year.] 66 [(i) "WPU value rate" means a tax rate certified by the commission that will generate an 67 amount of revenue equal to the WPU value amount described in Subsection (3)(a).] 68 (2)(a) The minimum basic local amount for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2024, is 69 $759,529,000 in revenue statewide. 70 (b) The preliminary estimate of the minimum basic tax rate for a fiscal year that begins 71 on July 1, 2024, is .001429. 72 [(3)(a) The WPU value amount for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2024, is 73 $29,240,600 in revenue statewide.] 74 [(b) The preliminary estimate of the WPU value rate for the fiscal year that begins on 75 July 1, 2024, is .000055.] 76 [(4)] (3)(a) On or before June 22, the commission shall certify [for the year:] the 77 minimum basic tax rate for the year. 78 [(i) the minimum basic tax rate; and] 79 [(ii) the WPU value rate.] 80 (b) The estimate of the minimum basic tax rate provided in Subsection (2)(b) [and the 81 estimate of the WPU value rate provided in Subsection (3)(b) are] is based on a 82 forecast for property values for the next calendar year. 83 (c) The certified minimum basic tax rate described in Subsection [(4)(a)(i) and the 84 certified WPU value rate described in Subsection (4)(a)(ii) are ] (3)(a) is based on 85 property values as of January 1 of the current calendar year, except personal property, 86 which is based on values from the previous calendar year. 87 [(5)] (4)(a) To qualify for receipt of the state contribution toward the basic school 88 program and as a school district's contribution toward the cost of the basic school 89 program for the school district, each local school board shall impose the [combined 90 basic] minimum basic tax rate. - 3 - H.B. 110 Enrolled Copy 91 (b)(i) The state is not subject to the notice requirements of Section 59-2-926 before 92 imposing the tax rates described in this Subsection [(5)] (4). 93 (ii) The state is subject to the notice requirements of Section 59-2-926 if the state 94 authorizes a tax rate that exceeds the tax rates described in this Subsection [(5)] (4). 95 [(6)] (5)(a) The state shall contribute to each school district toward the cost of the basic 96 school program in the school district an amount of money that is the difference 97 between the cost of the school district's basic school program and the sum of revenue 98 generated by the school district by the following: 99 (i) the [combined basic] minimum basic tax rate; and 100 (ii) the basic levy increment rate. 101 (b)(i) If the difference described in Subsection [(6)(a)] (5)(a) equals or exceeds the 102 cost of the basic school program in a school district, no state contribution shall be 103 made to the basic school program for the school district. 104 (ii) The proceeds of the difference described in Subsection [(6)(a)] (5)(a) that exceed 105 the cost of the basic school program shall be paid into the Uniform School Fund 106 as provided by law and by the close of the fiscal year in which the proceeds were 107 calculated. 108 [(7)] (6) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the Division of Finance shall deposit an 109 amount equal to the proceeds generated statewide[:] 110 [(a)] by the basic levy increment rate into the Minimum Basic Growth Account created 111 in Section 53F-9-302[; and] . 112 [(b)] (7) [by the WPU value rate into] Nothing in the repeal of the tax rate indexed to the 113 increase in the value of the WPU affects the ongoing appropriations to the Teacher and 114 Student Success Account created in Section 53F-9-306. 115 Section 2. Section 59-2-919.1 is amended to read: 116 59-2-919.1 . Notice of property valuation and tax changes. 117 (1) In addition to the notice requirements of Section 59-2-919, the county auditor, on or 118 before July 22 of each year, shall notify each owner of real estate who is listed on the 119 assessment roll. 120 (2) The notice described in Subsection (1) shall: 121 (a) except as provided in Subsection (4), be sent to all owners of real property by mail 122 10 or more days before the day on which: 123 (i) the county board of equalization meets; and 124 (ii) the taxing entity holds a public hearing on the proposed increase in the certified - 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 110 125 tax rate; 126 (b) be on a form that is: 127 (i) approved by the commission; and 128 (ii) uniform in content in all counties in the state; and 129 (c) contain for each property: 130 (i) the assessor's determination of the value of the property; 131 (ii) the taxable value of the property; 132 (iii)(A) the deadline for the taxpayer to make an application to appeal the 133 valuation or equalization of the property under Section 59-2-1004; or 134 (B) for property assessed by the commission, the deadline for the taxpayer to 135 apply to the commission for a hearing on an objection to the valuation or 136 equalization of the property under Section 59-2-1007; 137 (iv) for a property assessed by the commission, a statement that the taxpayer may not 138 appeal the valuation or equalization of the property to the county board of 139 equalization; 140 (v) itemized tax information for all applicable taxing entities, including: 141 (A) the dollar amount of the taxpayer's tax liability for the property in the prior 142 year; and 143 (B) the dollar amount of the taxpayer's tax liability under the current rate; 144 (vi) the following, stated separately: 145 (A) the charter school levy described in Section 53F-2-703; 146 (B) the multicounty assessing and collecting levy described in Subsection 147 59-2-1602(2); 148 (C) the county assessing and collecting levy described in Subsection 59-2-1602(4); 149 (D) levies for debt service voted on by the public; 150 (E) levies imposed for special purposes under Section 10-6-133.4; 151 (F) for a fiscal year that begins on or after July 1, 2023, the [combined basic] 152 minimum basic tax rate as defined in Section 53F-2-301; and 153 (G) if applicable, the annual payment described in Subsection 63H-1-501(4)(a); 154 (vii) the tax impact on the property; 155 (viii) the date, time, and place of the required public hearing for each entity; 156 (ix) property tax information pertaining to: 157 (A) taxpayer relief; 158 (B) options for payment of taxes; - 5 - H.B. 110 Enrolled Copy 159 (C) collection procedures; and 160 (D) the residential exemption described in Section 59-2-103; 161 (x) information specifically authorized to be included on the notice under this chapter; 162 (xi) the last property review date of the property as described in Subsection 163 59-2-303.1(1)(c); 164 (xii) instructions on how the taxpayer may obtain additional information regarding 165 the valuation of the property, including the characteristics and features of the 166 property, from at least one the following sources: 167 (A) a website maintained by the county; or 168 (B) the county assessor's office; and 169 (xiii) other information approved by the commission. 170 (3) If a taxing entity that is subject to the notice and hearing requirements of Subsection 171 59-2-919(4) proposes a tax increase, the notice described in Subsection (1) shall state, in 172 addition to the information required by Subsection (2): 173 (a) the dollar amount of the taxpayer's tax liability if the proposed increase is approved; 174 (b) the difference between the dollar amount of the taxpayer's tax liability if the 175 proposed increase is approved and the dollar amount of the taxpayer's tax liability 176 under the current rate, placed in close proximity to the information described in 177 Subsection (2)(c)(viii); 178 (c) the percentage increase that the dollar amount of the taxpayer's tax liability under the 179 proposed tax rate represents as compared to the dollar amount of the taxpayer's tax 180 liability under the current tax rate; and 181 (d) for each taxing entity proposing a tax increase, the dollar amount of additional ad 182 valorem tax revenue, as defined in Section 59-2-919, that would be generated each 183 year if the proposed tax increase is approved. 184 (4)(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Subsection (4), a county auditor may, at the 185 county auditor's discretion, provide the notice required by this section to a taxpayer 186 by electronic means if a taxpayer makes an election, according to procedures 187 determined by the county auditor, to receive the notice by electronic means. 188 (b)(i) If a notice required by this section is sent by electronic means, a county auditor 189 shall attempt to verify whether a taxpayer receives the notice. 190 (ii) If receipt of the notice sent by electronic means cannot be verified 14 days or 191 more before the county board of equalization meets and the taxing entity holds a 192 public hearing on a proposed increase in the certified tax rate, the notice required - 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 110 193 by this section shall also be sent by mail as provided in Subsection (2). 194 (c) A taxpayer may revoke an election to receive the notice required by this section by 195 electronic means if the taxpayer provides written notice to the county auditor on or 196 before April 30. 197 (d) An election or a revocation of an election under this Subsection (4): 198 (i) does not relieve a taxpayer of the duty to pay a tax due under this chapter on or 199 before the due date for paying the tax; or 200 (ii) does not alter the requirement that a taxpayer appealing the valuation or the 201 equalization of the taxpayer's real property submit the application for appeal 202 within the time period provided in Subsection 59-2-1004(3). 203 (e) A county auditor shall provide the notice required by this section as provided in 204 Subsection (2), until a taxpayer makes a new election in accordance with this 205 Subsection (4), if: 206 (i) the taxpayer revokes an election in accordance with Subsection (4)(c) to receive 207 the notice required by this section by electronic means; or 208 (ii) the county auditor finds that the taxpayer's electronic contact information is 209 invalid. 210 (f) A person is considered to be a taxpayer for purposes of this Subsection (4) regardless 211 of whether the property that is the subject of the notice required by this section is 212 exempt from taxation. 213 Section 3. Section 59-2-926 is amended to read: 214 59-2-926 . Proposed tax increase by state -- Notice -- Contents -- Dates. 215 If the state authorizes a tax rate that exceeds the [combined basic ] minimum basic tax 216 rate described in Section 53F-2-301, or authorizes a levy pursuant to Section 59-2-1602 that 217 exceeds the certified revenue levy as defined in Section 59-2-102, the state shall publish a 218 notice no later than 10 days after the last day of the annual legislative general session that 219 meets the following requirements: 220 (1)(a) The Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst shall advertise that the state 221 authorized a levy that generates revenue in excess of the previous year's ad valorem 222 tax revenue, plus eligible new growth as defined in Section 59-2-924, but exclusive 223 of revenue from collections from redemptions, interest, and penalties: 224 (i) in a newspaper of general circulation in the state; and 225 (ii) as required in Section 45-1-101. 226 (b) Except an advertisement published on a website, the advertisement described in - 7 - H.B. 110 Enrolled Copy 227 Subsection (1)(a): 228 (i) shall be no less than 1/4 page in size and the type used shall be no smaller than 18 229 point, and surrounded by a 1/4-inch border; 230 (ii) may not be placed in that portion of the newspaper where legal notices and 231 classified advertisements appear; and 232 (iii) shall be run once. 233 (2) The form and content of the notice shall be substantially as follows: 234 "NOTICE OF TAX INCREASE 235 The state has budgeted an increase in its property tax revenue from $__________ to 236 $__________ or ____%. The increase in property tax revenues will come from the following 237 sources (include all of the following provisions): 238 (a) $__________ of the increase will come from (provide an explanation of the cause of 239 adjustment or increased revenues, such as reappraisals or factoring orders); 240 (b) $__________ of the increase will come from natural increases in the value of the tax 241 base due to (explain cause of eligible new growth, such as new building activity, 242 annexation, etc.); and 243 (c) a home valued at $100,000 in the state of Utah which based on last year's (levy for 244 the basic state-supported school program, applicable tax rate for the Property Tax 245 Valuation Fund, or both) paid $____________ in property taxes would pay the 246 following: 247 (i) $__________ if the state of Utah did not budget an increase in property tax 248 revenue exclusive of eligible new growth; and 249 (ii) $__________ under the increased property tax revenues exclusive of eligible new 250 growth budgeted by the state of Utah." 251 Section 4. Effective Date. 252 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. 253 Section 5. Coordinating H.B. 110 with S.B. 37. 254 If H.B. 110, Minimum Basic Tax Rate Reduction, and S.B. 37, Minimum Basic Tax 255 Rate Amendments, both pass and become law, the Legislature intends that, on July 1, 2026, 256 the term "minimum basic tax rate" replace the term "combined basic rate" that S.B. 37 enacts 257 within Subsection 53F-2-301(5)(b). - 8 -