As of May 2025, only 5,100 starter homes have been built and sold, placing the initiative far behind pace. Cox launched the goal in December 2023, and when the 2024 Legislature rejected his requested $150 million for subsidies, he shifted to free-market policy approaches including $300 million in state savings available for low-interest loans to developers. In May 2025, Cox announced a 'Housing Dashboard' to track progress and convened a housing summit with mayors. Despite legislative reforms and initiatives, housing affordability remains critical—median home prices increased 50% since 2019 and home ownership rates hit decades-low in 2026.

Announced October 2024, Operation Gigawatt aims to add four gigawatts of energy capacity by 2034 using an 'all-of-the-above' approach focusing on nuclear, geothermal, natural gas, and storage. Progress includes: (1) 2025 legislation establishing nuclear consortium (HB249), energy zones, and energy council; (2) February 2026 Rocky Mountain Power agreement for large-load legislation (SB132); (3) November 2025 announcement of Brigham City nuclear manufacturing hub with Holtec International for small modular reactors; (4) Memoranda of understanding with TerraPower and Idaho National Laboratory. However, contradictory evidence shows Cox signed legislation in 2025 that made solar development more expensive and difficult despite the 'any of the above' pledge—ending solar tax credits and imposing new taxes on solar generation, causing 51 planned solar projects to withdraw applications.

In his 2026 State of the State address, Cox prioritized early literacy as a key legislative goal. The 2026 legislative session included multiple education bills signed into law, including HB36 (Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program), HB44 (School Security Personnel Standards), HB467 (Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Modifications), S.B. 34 (Public Education Revisions), and S.B. 62 (School Finance Amendments). By March 26, 2026, Cox had signed 54 bills from the 2026 session, with additional bills signed in April. However, specific metrics on literacy improvements and grade-level reading progress are not documented in available sources.

Cox announced in his 2026 State of the State that he would push for a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in schools to address mental health and focus issues. This is part of his broader social media regulation agenda. Regarding housing, he has actively pushed the 35,000 starter homes initiative (see separate entry). He stated in his 2024 campaign that Utah should 'not become a state of renters' and launched the 'abundance agenda' focused on housing, energy, and family size. However, the cellphone ban has not yet been fully implemented as legislation.

Cox prioritized continued homelessness funding in his 2026 State of the State address, stating 'Our mission is to make Utah the worst place in the country to camp on the street — and the best place to get help.' The 2026 legislative session included passage of multiple bills related to social services and public assistance. HB471 (Social Services Amendments) and related legislation were signed into law. However, specific metrics on homelessness reduction or services expansion are not documented in available sources.

Executive Order 2025-01: Expanding and Improving Permitting Efficiency at DEQ and DOGM

Cox signed executive order to streamline permitting processes at the Department of Environmental Quality and Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. Orders agencies to examine successful frameworks from other states and assess opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce redundancies. Interim reports due July 1, 2025; final reports due October 1, 2025.

Executive Order 2025-02: Enhancing Utah's Criminal Justice Strategy

Cox signed executive order focused on enhancing the state's criminal justice approach and strategy.

Water Fluoridation Ban

Cox signed HB introducing by Republican state lawmaker Stephanie Gricius banning fluoride addition to Utah's public water. The law takes effect May 7, 2025, making Utah the first U.S. state to ban water fluoridation. Critics argued the ban lacked scientific basis; supporters cited concerns about cognitive effects in children.

Executive Order 2025-03: Strengthening Wildfire Preparedness

Cox signed executive order focused on strengthening the state's wildfire preparedness efforts.

Executive Order Creating BUILD Coordinating Council

Cox signed executive order creating a BUILD Coordinating Council at the state level to streamline efforts, align long-range planning, and coordinate housing, transportation, water, energy, open space, and recreation initiatives.

Senate Bill 132: Large Load Energy Agreement

Cox signed Senate Bill 132, landmark 2025 large-load legislation enabling Rocky Mountain Power to deliver first major energy agreement under Operation Gigawatt. Agreement protects existing customers from additional costs and facilitates responsible data center expansion.

54 Bills Signed in 2026 General Legislative Session

Cox signed 54 bills from 2026 General Legislative Session covering public education budget amendments, capital appropriations, energy amendments, pest control, medical cannabis, public safety funding, transportation, water usage, and resource extraction. Also issued two vetoes and two line-item vetoes.

74 Additional Bills Signed in 2026 General Legislative Session

Cox signed 74 additional bills from 2026 session, bringing total to 128+ signed bills. Record number of combined bills and resolutions during 2026 session (concluded March 6). Bills included education programs, school security, scholarship modifications, attorney general funding, pharmacy amendments, and other legislation.