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HB 547

Transnational Repression Amendments

2026 General Session Introduced by Tyler Clancy and 1 co-sponsor

Utah law defines transnational repression, requires higher-ed institutions to inform international students and report incidents, and imposes escalating penalties for acts by forei

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Bill Summary · HB 547

Summary of HB 547 (Transnational Repression Amendments) – Utah, 2026 Session

Purpose and intent

  • Address transnational repression by foreign governments and foreign terrorist organizations targeting individuals in Utah.
  • Enhance reporting, awareness, and penalties to deter acts of transnational repression and protect individuals within the state.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section 53H-1-201, amended)

    • Clarifies “transnational repression” as conduct by an agent of a foreign government or a foreign terrorist organization directed at an individual located in the United States.
    • Activities covered include harassment, intimidation, threats, physical force, surveillance, financial coercion, abuse of administrative/immigration processes, selective prosecution, and using social/telecom platforms to carry out these acts.
    • Requires the conduct to be intended to influence, control, or impose preferences on the individual while the individual is outside the foreign entity’s area of control.

  • Higher education governance and duties (Section 53H-1-203, amended)

    • Utah Board of Higher Education remains the governance body for public higher education; the University of Utah provides administrative support.
    • Adds a specific duty: require institutions to provide information to international students about transnational repression and how to report incidents to law enforcement (Section 53H-10-1103 referenced in the duties).
    • The Board has an extensive set of duties and metrics related to system-wide priorities (quality, affordability, access/equity, completion, workforce alignment, economic growth, etc.), governance of budgets, tuition, articulation/transfer, and shared administrative services.
    • The Board must annually report on activities and performance to key bodies (Education Interim Committee, Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, governor, and each institution).
    • Requires annual workforce-related reporting and a public-facing plan, including pathways for articulation/transfer and career/tech education priorities.
    • Establishes shared administrative services and a reporting timeline for implementation milestones (evidence of implementing shared services by Oct 1 of 2024, 2025, and 2026). Noncompliance triggers targeted funding deductions.

  • Criminal penalties enhancement (Section 76-3-203.21 enacted)

    • Creates an enhanced penalty framework for offenses committed by an actor who is an agent of a foreign government or foreign terrorist organization, or who acts under their influence, with intent to:
    • cause the victim to act on behalf of the foreign entity,
    • cause the victim to leave the United States, or
    • compel the victim to do or refrain from acts against their will.
    • Enhancement applies based on the offense type, with a tiered progression:
    • Class C misdemeanor to Class B misdemeanor
    • Class B misdemeanor to Class A misdemeanor
    • Class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony
    • Third-degree felony to a second-degree felony
    • Second-degree felony to a first-degree felony

  • Effective date

    • The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.

Who/what would be affected

  • Individuals located in Utah, including international students and other residents, who could be targeted by agents of foreign governments or foreign terrorist organizations.
  • Institutions of higher education in Utah and the Utah Board of Higher Education (including University of Utah) due to new reporting/education obligations for international students and system-wide governance requirements.
  • Criminal justice system and related agencies (courts, DPS, Board of Pardons and Parole) due to new enhanced penalties and potential increases in case handling.
  • Local governments and the broader public, insofar as penalties, fines, and enforcement impact local prosecutions and administrative proceedings.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Legislative actions and sponsorship

    • Primary sponsor: Representative Tyler Clancy; Senate sponsor: Senator Michael K. McKell.
    • The bill underwent committee substitutions and received favorable committee votes in both House and Senate, with expedited processing (consent calendar steps noted in committee actions).

  • Fiscal impact (highlights from the fiscal note)

    • Net impact: negative $137,200 in FY2026, then negative $3,000 ongoing in subsequent years (all funds) as per the LFA.
    • Potential revenue changes from enhanced penalties (small per-case amounts) could occur if more offenses are charged and fines collected.
    • Estimated costs to state agencies:
    • Department of Public Safety: one-time and ongoing costs for a transnational repression training program and a hotline; one-time publicity campaign costs.
    • Courts: minor per-case cost estimates.
    • Department of Corrections: per-bed/day costs if incarceration is involved; supervision costs.
    • Board of Pardons and Parole: per-hearing costs.
    • Local governments and individuals could face expense shifts related to fines, public defender costs, prosecutor costs, and defense costs per case, though aggregate amounts are not specified.

Practical impact and interpretation

  • Strengthens Utah’s approach to transnational repression by:

    • Explicitly defining the term and its scope.
    • Requiring institutions to inform international students and provide reporting avenues.
    • Providing a clear framework for enhanced criminal penalties when acts are committed under the direction or influence of foreign governments or terrorist organizations.
    • Integrating these provisions with higher education governance, system-wide performance metrics, and shared administrative services.

  • The bill balances new enforcement provisions with education/outreach and system-wide governance improvements, while outlining anticipated fiscal implications and reporting obligations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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