UT HB0409

State employees and teachers who serve as state legislators are entitled to paid leave ("legislator leave") for authorized legislative days, including the 45-day annual general session, special sessions, veto override sessions, interim days, and authorized training days.

Legislators who use legislator leave may not receive their legislative salary for those days, and may not accrue retirement service credit or receive retirement contributions for their legislative service (though they continue accruing credit through their primary employment).

State employers and local education agencies (school districts/charter schools) may request partial reimbursement from the legislator's chamber for the cost of legislator leave granted during the annual general session, subject to legislative appropriation.

Total reimbursements to employers are capped at the savings generated from legislators forgoing their legislative salary and retirement contributions while using legislator leave.

The bill takes effect May 6, 2026, and prohibits employers from interfering with or retaliating against employees for using legislator leave.