National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and Legislature Base Budget, the official text

National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and Legislature Base Budget
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Jerry W Stevenson
House Sponsor: Val L. Peterson

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026 and appropriates funds for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill: provides appropriations for the use and support of certain state agencies;
provides appropriations for other purposes as described;
provides intent language.

Money Appropriated in this Bill: This bill appropriates $4,951,300 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026, all of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $100 in expendable funds and accounts for fiscal year 2026, all of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $148,443,400 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, including: $76,045,800 from General Fund; and $1,850,300 from Income Tax Fund; and $70,547,300 from various sources as detailed in this bill. This bill appropriates $53,517,800 in expendable funds and accounts for fiscal year 2027, all of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill. Other Special Clauses: This bill provides a special effective date. Uncodified Material Affected: ENACTS UNCODIFIED MATERIAL

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. FY 2026 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2026. Subsection 1(a). Operating and Capital Budgets Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah. EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS CAPITOL PRESERVATION BOARD ITEM 1 Capitol Preservation Board - Operations From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 435,500 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (621,500) Capitol Preservation Board (186,000) LEGISLATURE ITEM 2 Legislature - Senate From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 923,400 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (923,400) ITEM 3 Legislature - House of Representatives From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 193,500 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (193,500) ITEM 4 Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances (332,700) From Closing Nonlapsing Balances 332,700 ITEM 5 Legislature - Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 241,200 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (241,200) ITEM 6 Legislature - Office of the Legislative Auditor General From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 478,100 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (478,100) ITEM 7 Legislature - Office of Legislative Services From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 351,200 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (351,200) UTAH NATIONAL GUARD ITEM 8 Utah National Guard - Utah National Guard Operations From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 4,685,400 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (1,731,700) Administration 91,900 Tuition Assistance 3,038,300 West Traverse Sentinel Landscape (176,500) DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS ITEM 9 Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Veterans and Military Affairs From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 2,042,900 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances 140,700 Northern Utah Cemetery 34,300 State Approving Agency 27,700 Outreach Services 21,700 Military Affairs 2,099,900 Under terms of Section 63J-1-603 Utah Code Annotated, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Veterans and Military Affairs in this item and Items 9 and 16, Chapter 5, Laws of Utah 2025, not lapse at the close of fiscal year 2026. Use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to: up to $1,992,000 for Military Installation Sentinel Landscape; up to $750,000 for one-time cemetery acquisition costs; and up to $28,000 for one-time operations costs. Subsection 1(b). Expendable Funds and Accounts The Legislature has reviewed the following expendable funds. The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer amounts between funds and accounts as indicated. Outlays and expenditures from the funds or accounts to which the money is transferred may be made without further legislative action, in accordance with statutory provisions relating to the funds or accounts. EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS UTAH NATIONAL GUARD ITEM 10 Utah National Guard - National Guard MWR Fund From Beginning Fund Balance (108,100) From Closing Fund Balance 108,100 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS ITEM 11 Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Utah Veterans Nursing Home Fund From Beginning Fund Balance 7,529,600 From Closing Fund Balance (7,529,500) Veterans Nursing Home Fund 100 Subsection 1(c). Restricted Fund and Account Transfers The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer the following amounts between the following funds or accounts as indicated. Expenditures and outlays from the funds to which the money is transferred must be authorized by an appropriation. EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS ITEM 12 General Fund Restricted - National Guard Death Benefit Account From Beginning Fund Balance 19,800 From Closing Fund Balance (19,800)

Section 2. FY 2027 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2027. Subsection 2(a). Operating and Capital Budgets Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah. EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS CAPITOL PRESERVATION BOARD ITEM 13 Capitol Preservation Board - Operations From General Fund 7,185,300 From Expendable Receipts 11,800 From Dedicated Credits Revenue 762,000 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 3,360,200 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (3,353,500) Capitol Preservation Board 7,965,800 In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Capitol Preservation Board report on the following Operations line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. Curation and Collection Management - Number of Exhibits Annually (Target = 19); 2. Events and Scheduling on Capitol Hill (Target = 2,268); and 3. Visitor Services: Student and Public Engagement (Target = 2,000). LEGISLATURE ITEM 14 Legislature - Senate From General Fund 4,774,700 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 2,071,300 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (2,071,300) Administration 4,774,700 ITEM 15 Legislature - House of Representatives From General Fund 7,598,300 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 4,756,500 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (4,756,500) Administration 7,598,300 ITEM 16 Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel From General Fund 16,179,300 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 10,826,700 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (10,826,700) Administration 16,179,300 In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Legislature report on the following Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. Assignment of Subject Codes to Bills and Substitutes Within Three Business Days (Target = 80%); 2. Bills numbered before the annual general session convenes (Target = 300); 3. During the annual general session, bills numbered within two business days after receiving approval from the sponsor (Target = 95%); 4. Live priority bills completed or abandoned by the 4th Friday of the annual general session (Target = 90%); 5. Relevant Policy Briefs (Target = 6); and 6. Timely Distribution of "Interim Highlights" to the Legislature (within Four Business Days After Interim) (Target = 100%). ITEM 17 Legislature - Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst From General Fund 6,016,600 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 2,078,200 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (2,078,200) Administration and Research 6,016,600 In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Legislature report on the following Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. Correct Appropriations Bills (Target = 99%); 2. On-target revenue estimates (18 months out) (Target = 92%); 3. On-target revenue estimates (4 months out) (Target = 98%); 4. Timely fiscal notes (Target = 95%); and 5. Unrevised fiscal notes (Target = 99.5%). ITEM 18 Legislature - Office of the Legislative Auditor General From General Fund 8,634,200 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 2,601,100 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (2,601,100) Administration 8,634,200 In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Legislature report on the following Office of the Legislative Auditor General line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. Agency Recommendation Implementation Status (Implemented, in Process, Partial Implementation, or Not Implemented) (Target = 95%); 2. Legislative Recommendations and Implementation Status (Implemented, in Process, Partial Implementation, or Not Implemented) (Target = 80%); and 3. Total Audits Completed Each Year (Target = 25). UTAH NATIONAL GUARD ITEM 19 Utah National Guard - Utah National Guard Operations From General Fund 9,615,000 From Income Tax Fund 1,650,300 From Federal Funds 66,623,500 From Dedicated Credits Revenue 48,800 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 1,731,700 Administration 1,675,000 Operations and Maintenance 74,969,400 Tuition Assistance 3,024,900 The Legislature intends that the Utah National Guard may purchase three additional fleet vehicles within funding from existing appropriations. In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Utah National Guard report on the following Utah National Guard Operations line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. Facility Maintenance Cost per Square Foot (Target = $3); 2. Facility project federal share (Target = 75%); 3. Individual Training Completion (Target = 90%); 4. Installation Readiness (Target = 2); 5. National Guard Mission Fulfillment (Target = 100%); 6. Percent of Acres Preserved Under the West Traverse Sentinel Landscape Program (Target = 57%); 7. Percentage of tuition assistance applications fulfilled (Target = 75%); 8. Personnel Readiness (Target = 100%); 9. Tuition Assistance Applications Fulfilled (Target = 800); and 10. Utility Cost per Square Foot (Target = $2). DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS ITEM 20 Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Veterans and Military Affairs From General Fund 4,275,200 From Federal Funds 789,400 From Dedicated Credits Revenue 370,900 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 586,700 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (552,500) Administration 834,200 Cemetery 1,164,100 Northern Utah Cemetery 34,200 State Approving Agency 296,600 Outreach Services 2,556,100 Military Affairs 584,500 In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs report on the following Veterans and Military Affairs line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. OUTREACH: Annual Growth in Compensation, Pension, and Educational Benefits Assistance to Veterans (Target = 5%); 2. OUTREACH: Annual Increase in the Number of Current Conflict Veterans Who Are Connected to Appropriate Services (Target = 10%); 3. OUTREACH: Veterans Benefits Received (in $ Millions) (Target = $900); and 4. OUTREACH: Veterans Unemployment Rate Equal to or Lower Than the Statewide Unemployment Rate (Target = 3%). ITEM 21 Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - DVMA Pass Through From General Fund 2,132,500 From Income Tax Fund 200,000 DVMA Pass Through 2,332,500 Under the provisions of Utah Code Annotated Title 63G Chapter 6b, the Legislature intends that the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs use ongoing appropriations in this item to provide a direct award grant of $400,000 to Utah Defense Alliance in fiscal year 2027 for advancing Utah's interest in military affairs. Subsection 2(b). Expendable Funds and Accounts The Legislature has reviewed the following expendable funds. The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer amounts between funds and accounts as indicated. Outlays and expenditures from the funds or accounts to which the money is transferred may be made without further legislative action, in accordance with statutory provisions relating to the funds or accounts. EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS UTAH NATIONAL GUARD ITEM 22 Utah National Guard - National Guard MWR Fund From Dedicated Credits Revenue 3,775,100 From Beginning Fund Balance 246,400 From Closing Fund Balance (246,400) National Guard MWR Fund 3,775,100 In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Utah National Guard report on the following National Guard MWR Fund line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. Enhanced Morale (percent Positive Feedback) (Target = 70%) and 2. Financial Sustainability (ratio of Income to Expenses) (Target = 100%). DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS ITEM 23 Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Utah Veterans Nursing Home Fund From Federal Funds 49,510,000 From Dedicated Credits Revenue 232,700 From Beginning Fund Balance 24,771,600 From Closing Fund Balance (24,771,600) Veterans Nursing Home Fund 49,742,700 In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs report on the following Utah Veterans Nursing Home Fund line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. HOMES: Home Performance Ratings (Target = 4.75); 2. HOMES: Nursing Home Occupancy Rate (Target = 95%); and 3. HOMES: Veterans Homes Customer Satisfaction (Target = 4.5). Subsection 2(c). Restricted Fund and Account Transfers The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer the following amounts between the following funds or accounts as indicated. Expenditures and outlays from the funds to which the money is transferred must be authorized by an appropriation. EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS ITEM 24 General Fund Restricted - National Guard Death Benefit Account From Beginning Fund Balance 421,000 From Closing Fund Balance (421,000)

Section 3. FY 2027 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2027. Subsection 3(a). Operating and Capital Budgets Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah. EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS LEGISLATURE ITEM 25 Legislature - Office of Legislative Services From General Fund 9,634,700 From Dedicated Credits Revenue 42,700 From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances 3,905,300 From Closing Nonlapsing Balances (3,779,700) Administration 2,218,400 Pass Through 825,200 Legislative Interns 420,900 Information Technology 6,338,500 In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the Legislature intends that the Legislature report on the following Office of Legislative Services line item performance measures for FY 2027: 1. File Server Up-time (Target = 95%); 2. Legislative committee rooms opened, tested, and ready for meetings no later than one hour before any scheduled meetings (Target = 100%); 3. Maintain High Annual Employee Retention Rate (Target = 90%); and 4. Vendor Invoices Paid Within Four Business Days After All Required Documentation Submitted (Target = 95%).

Section 4. Effective Date.
(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
(2) The actions affecting Section 1 (Effective upon governor's approval) take effect: (a) except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), May 6, 2026; or
(b) if approved by two-thirds of all members elected to each house: (i) upon approval by the governor;
(ii) without the governor's signature, the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah Constitution, Article VII, Section 8; or
(iii) in the case of a veto, the date of veto override.

1-16-26 11:10 AM