The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Utah has identified six legislative initiatives that will be the focus of its advocacy efforts during the 2026 session of the state Legislature, which is set to conclude on March 6.
Casey Hill, NFIB’s Utah state director, stated, “We will be tracking more bills, but these six have drawn our immediate attention and efforts to either lobby for or against their passage. Our overarching goal is to guard Utah’s reputation as a pro-small-business state that offers the best opportunities to find and keep a job or start and maintain a small business.”
According to Hill, two proposed Senate bills are viewed by NFIB as potentially harmful to small businesses in Utah. Senate Bill 178 seeks to repeal Utah’s Right to Work Law entirely, while Senate Bill 179 would increase the minimum wage in the state to $20 an hour.
“Why would you want to repeal one of the bigger policy-positives Utah has as a right-to-work state? That can only be explained by a desire by a small group of people to score political points with another small group of people. The bill should be stopped dead in its tracks early and decisively. As for the minimum wage, it always has been and always will be an entry-level wage, earned mostly by teens and young adults setting out on their working lives. Raising it only closes the door on employment opportunities for future young job-seekers,” said Hill.
NFIB is supporting three other bills along with an additional measure expected soon. These include House Bill 235, which proposes lowering individual income tax rates from 4.5% to 4.45%; House Bill 280 concerning third-party litigation funding; Senate Bill 74 addressing seat belt civil action amendments; and an upcoming bill aimed at reducing insurance premiums for seasonal vehicles.
NFIB has also issued Action Alerts encouraging its members in Utah to contact legislators about three issues: preventing phantom damages awards in civil lawsuits, opposing the $20 minimum wage proposal, and maintaining Utah’s status as a Right to Work state.
Updates on developments affecting small businesses in Utah are available at www.nfib.com or via X @nfib_ut.
NFIB describes itself as a nonprofit association dedicated exclusively to representing America’s small and independent business owners since its founding in 1943.
