The Utah Legislature has allocated more than $1.4 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds toward state priorities including water infrastructure, housing, and public safety. These funds, provided through three major federal stimulus packages, were distributed across various legislative sessions to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Origins of Federal Relief
The total relief funding received by Utah originated from three distinct federal actions. According to the Utah Legislature's budget records, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act provided approximately $13.6 billion to the state in March 2020. This was followed by roughly $4.3 billion from the Consolidated Appropriations Act in December 2020.
The third major round of aid, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, provided Utah with approximately $9.2 billion. This included $1.38 billion in discretionary grants through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) and $136 million specifically designated for the Capital Projects Fund (CPF). The American Rescue .Rescue Plan Act itself became federal law on March 11, 2021, after passing the House on February 27, 2021, and the Senate on March 6, 2021.
Major Legislative Allocations
During the 2021 First Special Session, Utah legislators appropriated $571.2 million, representing about 41 percent of the total flexible funds allocated under ARPA. In the 202 overlap General Session, further authorizations were made, bringing the total appropriations for certain items to significant levels.
One of the largest single allocations was $200 million for secondary water metering conservation, authorized via H.B. 3. Other major investments included $50 million for agricultural water optimization through S.B. 3 and $55 million for deeply affordable housing via S.B. 238. The state also directed $332,773,900 toward revenue replacement to cover regularly occurring state services where 'own source' revenue fell below established baselines.
Infrastructure and Public Services
The legislature used funds to address a wide array of community needs, including public enough safety and education. Specific appropriations included $8.3 million for criminal justice data integration, $10 million for teacher bonuses for extra assignments, and $3 million for managing court caseloads.
Infrastructure projects also received substantial backing. The state allocated $25 million for rural drinking water projects through S.B. 3 and $30 million toward Utah Lake preservation. Additionally, the legislature funded $13.45 million for UETN network infrastructure and over $4.4 million for K-12 telehealth equipment. For healthcare-related capital projects, the state proposed allocating $90 million to Huntsman Mental Health.
Fund Usage Categories
The use of SLFRF funds is permitted for several specific categories, such as COVID-19 mitigation, replenishment of state unemployment trust funds, and assistance to small businesses and non-profits. The funds can also support water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, as well as populations disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
As of the end of the 2022 General Session, the legislature's final allocations across various 'buckets' showed shifts from original proposals. For example, while $280 million was originally proposed for water infrastructure, the final allocation reached $430,150,000. Conversely, public health response and remediation funding was finalized at $121,500,000, down from an initial proposal of $205,000,000.
Legislative Oversight and Advocacy
The legislative process for managing these funds involved significant debate and specific bill tracking. During the 2021 First Special Session, the House debated several bills related to pandemic response, including HB1004, which addressed COVID-19 grant program amendments, and SJR101, a joint resolution approving the acceptance of federal funds.
While much of the focus has been on managing these historic sums, other community groups are simultaneously addressing different economic pressures. The Utah Affordability Campaign, for instance, is actively organizing around issues such as housing affordability, healthcare accessibility, and wage stability to address rising living costs across both rural and urban areas of the state.
Remaining Federal Funds
As of mid-2026, just under $100 million in discretionary ARPA funding remains available for legislative appropriation. The future use of these remaining funds—whether through the flexible SLFRF or the more restricted CPF—will depend on how the U.S. Treasury rules on Utah’s proposed capital projects.
