diff --git a/doc/ref/states/all/index.rst b/doc/ref/states/all/index.rst
index fb9ac25953a0..f96f3c89bb29 100644
--- a/doc/ref/states/all/index.rst
+++ b/doc/ref/states/all/index.rst
@@ -255,6 +255,7 @@ state modules
     rvm
     salt_proxy
     saltmod
+    saltutil
     schedule
     selinux
     serverdensity_device
diff --git a/doc/ref/states/all/salt.states.saltutil.rst b/doc/ref/states/all/salt.states.saltutil.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..f9e0360eb832
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/ref/states/all/salt.states.saltutil.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+====================
+salt.states.saltutil
+====================
+
+.. automodule:: salt.states.saltutil
+    :members:
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/doc/topics/development/modules/index.rst b/doc/topics/development/modules/index.rst
index e95a485759c3..8c2771109f78 100644
--- a/doc/topics/development/modules/index.rst
+++ b/doc/topics/development/modules/index.rst
@@ -69,6 +69,16 @@ dynamic modules when states are run. To disable this behavior set
 When dynamic modules are autoloaded via states, only the modules defined in the
 same saltenvs as the states currently being run.
 
+Also it is possible to use the explicit ``saltutil.sync_*`` :py:mod:`state functions <salt.states.saltutil>`
+to sync the modules (previously it was necessary to use the ``module.run`` state):
+
+.. code-block::yaml
+
+   synchronize_modules:
+     saltutil.sync_modules:
+       - refresh: True
+
+
 Sync Via the saltutil Module
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
diff --git a/salt/states/saltutil.py b/salt/states/saltutil.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..bb6f8cd493d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/salt/states/saltutil.py
@@ -0,0 +1,339 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+'''
+Saltutil State
+==============
+
+This state wraps the saltutil execution modules to make them easier to run
+from a states. Rather than needing to to use ``module.run`` this state allows for
+improved change detection.
+
+    .. versionadded: Neon
+'''
+from __future__ import absolute_import, unicode_literals, print_function
+
+import logging
+
+# Define the module's virtual name
+__virtualname__ = 'saltutil'
+
+log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def __virtual__():
+    '''
+    Named saltutil
+    '''
+    return __virtualname__
+
+
+def _sync_single(name, module, **kwargs):
+    ret = {'name': name, 'changes': {}, 'result': True, 'comment': ''}
+
+    if __opts__['test']:
+        ret['result'] = None
+        ret['comment'] = "saltutil.sync_{0} would have been run".format(module)
+        return ret
+
+    try:
+        sync_status = __salt__['saltutil.sync_{0}'.format(module)](**kwargs)
+        if sync_status:
+            ret['changes'][module] = sync_status
+            ret['comment'] = "Updated {0}.".format(module)
+    except Exception as e:
+        log.error("Failed to run saltutil.sync_%s: %s", module, e)
+        ret['result'] = False
+        ret['comment'] = "Failed to run sync_{0}: {1}".format(module, e)
+        return ret
+
+    if not ret['changes']:
+        ret['comment'] = "No updates to sync"
+
+    return ret
+
+
+def sync_all(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_all module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_all:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    ret = {'name': name, 'changes': {}, 'result': True, 'comment': ''}
+
+    if __opts__['test']:
+        ret['result'] = None
+        ret['comment'] = "saltutil.sync_all would have been run"
+        return ret
+
+    try:
+        sync_status = __salt__['saltutil.sync_all'](**kwargs)
+        for key, value in sync_status.items():
+            if value:
+                ret['changes'][key] = value
+                ret['comment'] = "Sync performed"
+    except Exception as e:
+        log.error("Failed to run saltutil.sync_all: %s", e)
+        ret['result'] = False
+        ret['comment'] = "Failed to run sync_all: {0}".format(e)
+        return ret
+
+    if not ret['changes']:
+        ret['comment'] = "No updates to sync"
+
+    return ret
+
+
+def sync_beacons(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_beacons module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_beacons:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "beacons", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_clouds(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_clouds module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_clouds:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "clouds", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_engines(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_engines module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_engines:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "engines", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_grains(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_grains module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_grains:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "grains", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_log_handlers(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_log_handlers module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_log_handlers:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "log_handlers", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_modules(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_modules module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_modules:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "modules", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_output(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_output module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_output:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "output", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_outputters(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_outputters module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_outputters:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "outputters", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_pillar(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_pillar module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_pillar:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "pillar", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_proxymodules(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_proxymodules module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_proxymodules:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "proxymodules", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_matchers(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_matchers module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_matchers:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "matchers", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_renderers(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_renderers module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_renderers:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "renderers", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_returners(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_returners module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_returners:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "returners", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_sdb(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_sdb module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_sdb:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "sdb", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_states(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_states module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_states:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "states", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_thorium(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_thorium module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_thorium:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "thorium", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_utils(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_utils module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_utils:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "utils", **kwargs)
+
+
+def sync_serializers(name, **kwargs):
+    '''
+    Performs the same task as saltutil.sync_serializers module
+    See :mod:`saltutil module for full list of options <salt.modules.saltutil>`
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        sync_everything:
+          saltutil.sync_serializers:
+            - refresh: True
+    '''
+    return _sync_single(name, "serializers", **kwargs)
diff --git a/tests/unit/states/test_saltutil.py b/tests/unit/states/test_saltutil.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..598f18734eb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/unit/states/test_saltutil.py
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+'''
+    Tests for the saltutil state
+'''
+# Import Python libs
+from __future__ import absolute_import, print_function, unicode_literals
+
+import inspect
+
+# Import Salt Testing Libs
+from tests.support.mixins import LoaderModuleMockMixin
+from tests.support.unit import skipIf, TestCase
+from tests.support.mock import (
+    NO_MOCK,
+    NO_MOCK_REASON,
+    MagicMock,
+    patch
+)
+
+# Import Salt Libs
+import salt.states.saltutil as saltutil_state
+import salt.modules.saltutil as saltutil_module
+
+
+@skipIf(NO_MOCK, NO_MOCK_REASON)
+class Saltutil(TestCase, LoaderModuleMockMixin):
+    '''
+    Test cases for salt.states.saltutil
+    '''
+    def setup_loader_modules(self):
+        return {saltutil_state: {'__opts__': {'test': False}}}
+
+    def test_saltutil_sync_all_nochange(self):
+        sync_output = {
+            'clouds': [],
+            'engines': [],
+            'executors': [],
+            'grains': [],
+            'beacons': [],
+            'utils': [],
+            'returners': [],
+            'modules': [],
+            'renderers': [],
+            'log_handlers': [],
+            'thorium': [],
+            'states': [],
+            'sdb': [],
+            'proxymodules': [],
+            'output': [],
+            'pillar': [],
+            'matchers': [],
+            'serializers': [],
+        }
+        state_id = 'somename'
+        state_result = {'changes': {},
+                        'comment': 'No updates to sync',
+                        'name': 'somename',
+                        'result': True
+                       }
+
+        mock_moduleout = MagicMock(return_value=sync_output)
+        with patch.dict(saltutil_state.__salt__, {'saltutil.sync_all': mock_moduleout}):
+            result = saltutil_state.sync_all(state_id, refresh=True)
+            self.assertEqual(result, state_result)
+
+    def test_saltutil_sync_all_test(self):
+        sync_output = {
+            'clouds': [],
+            'engines': [],
+            'executors': [],
+            'grains': [],
+            'beacons': [],
+            'utils': [],
+            'returners': [],
+            'modules': [],
+            'renderers': [],
+            'log_handlers': [],
+            'thorium': [],
+            'states': [],
+            'sdb': [],
+            'proxymodules': [],
+            'output': [],
+            'pillar': [],
+            'matchers': [],
+            'serializers': [],
+        }
+        state_id = 'somename'
+        state_result = {'changes': {},
+                        'comment': 'saltutil.sync_all would have been run',
+                        'name': 'somename',
+                        'result': None
+                       }
+
+        mock_moduleout = MagicMock(return_value=sync_output)
+        with patch.dict(saltutil_state.__salt__, {'saltutil.sync_all': mock_moduleout}):
+            with patch.dict(saltutil_state.__opts__, {'test': True}):
+                result = saltutil_state.sync_all(state_id, refresh=True)
+                self.assertEqual(result, state_result)
+
+    def test_saltutil_sync_all_change(self):
+        sync_output = {
+            'clouds': [],
+            'engines': [],
+            'executors': [],
+            'grains': [],
+            'beacons': [],
+            'utils': [],
+            'returners': [],
+            'modules': ['modules.file'],
+            'renderers': [],
+            'log_handlers': [],
+            'thorium': [],
+            'states': ['states.saltutil', 'states.ssh_auth'],
+            'sdb': [],
+            'proxymodules': [],
+            'output': [],
+            'pillar': [],
+            'matchers': [],
+            'serializers': [],
+        }
+        state_id = 'somename'
+        state_result = {'changes': {'modules': ['modules.file'],
+                                    'states': ['states.saltutil', 'states.ssh_auth']},
+                        'comment': 'Sync performed',
+                        'name': 'somename',
+                        'result': True
+                       }
+
+        mock_moduleout = MagicMock(return_value=sync_output)
+        with patch.dict(saltutil_state.__salt__, {'saltutil.sync_all': mock_moduleout}):
+            result = saltutil_state.sync_all(state_id, refresh=True)
+            self.assertEqual(result, state_result)
+
+    def test_saltutil_sync_states_should_match_saltutil_module(self):
+        module_functions = [
+            f[0] for f in inspect.getmembers(saltutil_module, inspect.isfunction)
+            if f[0].startswith('sync_')
+        ]
+        state_functions = [
+            f[0] for f in inspect.getmembers(saltutil_state, inspect.isfunction)
+            if f[0].startswith('sync_')
+        ]
+        for fn in module_functions:
+            self.assertIn(
+                fn,
+                state_functions,
+                msg='modules.saltutil.{} has no matching state in states.saltutil'.format(fn)
+            )