Rep. Karianne Lisonbee

Maddy summarySB 318 creates a Prosecutor Conduct Commission within Utah's State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to address misconduct by prosecuting attorneys. The commission investigates complaints, makes findings of professional misconduct, and reports annually to the legislature. It establishes procedures for handling investigations, protects certain records related to the process, and allows prospective employers to inquire about pending investigations involving prosecutors. The bill directly affects Utah prosecuting attorneys and aims to improve accountability through formalized oversight and transparency.

Maddy summaryHB 390 protects religious, political, and ideological student organizations at Utah public colleges and universities from discrimination. It prohibits institutions from denying campus recognition, facility access, funding, or other benefits to these groups based on their beliefs or members’ protected speech. The bill requires schools to publish clear free expression policies in student handbooks and on websites, and allows students or the attorney general to sue for violations, with minimum damages of $500 for initial violations. It directly affects all student organizations seeking institutional benefits and public higher education institutions in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 228 amends Utah's public school immunization rules to simplify exemption handling. It removes expiration dates for medical or personal vaccination exemption forms, meaning these forms remain valid for the student's entire time in Utah public schools. The bill also requires schools to automatically share a student's immunization record with their new school when they transfer, rather than requiring re-submission. These changes directly affect all public school students and their families in Utah, streamlining record-keeping and reducing administrative burdens for schools.

Maddy summaryHB 112 prohibits peace officers from requesting the suspension of a driver's license or vehicle registration for window tinting violations related to windshields (allowing less than 70% light transmittance) or front side windows (allowing less than 35% light transmittance). The bill does not change Utah's existing window tinting standards but removes the penalty of license or registration suspension for these specific violations. This directly affects drivers with such tinting violations and peace officers during traffic enforcement. The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025, and has no financial impact or additional requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 73 clarifies procedures for challenging agency decisions under Utah's Administrative Procedures Act. It defines when a permit order or financial assurance determination becomes a "final agency action" that can be legally challenged, and specifies that only issues raised during public comment periods can be argued in subsequent proceedings. This bill directly affects permit applicants, agencies (like the Division of Waste Management), and administrative law judges handling these disputes. It makes technical adjustments to existing law without creating new policies or requiring funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Center for Civic Excellence as a pilot program at Utah State University (USU) to reform the university's general education curriculum for all students. It replaces USU's current general education distribution model with a cohesive curriculum focused on core civic values, foundational texts, critical thinking, and civil discourse. The center will be administered by a vice-provost who appoints faculty to develop courses, assess programs, and oversee instructors teaching general education. The program operates as a temporary pilot with a sunset provision, requiring a report to the Utah Board of Higher Education on potential system-wide curriculum changes.

Maddy summaryHB 252 amends Utah laws governing medical care for individuals in state custody, directly affecting inmates in county jails and correctional facilities. It prohibits sheriffs from initiating cross-sex hormone treatments or specific gender-affirming surgeries (like hysterectomies or orchiectomies) for inmates, while allowing psychotherapy for gender dysphoria. The bill defines key terms like "cross-sex hormone treatment" and "primary sex characteristic surgical procedure" to clarify these restrictions. It also updates provisions related to contraception access, medication-assisted treatment, and housing standards for youth detention facilities. The law makes no new funding commitments and applies to all individuals held in state custody under the Department of Corrections or county jails.

Maddy summaryHB 126 creates a new process for property owners to request sheriff assistance in removing unauthorized occupants from residential dwellings, requiring a verified complaint meeting specific conditions (e.g., trespasser not a tenant or family member, no pending litigation). It also establishes criminal penalties, including second-degree felonies for fraudulently selling, renting, or advertising residential property without legal title, and for causing $1,000+ in damage while trespassing. The bill directly affects property owners, sheriffs, and individuals committing these offenses, with no new state funding required. It provides a limited civil remedy for owners while imposing penalties for fraud and trespass-related damage.

Maddy summaryHCR 3 is a symbolic resolution recognizing all U.S. military personnel who served during the Vietnam War (November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975), regardless of location or role. It expresses the Utah Legislature's gratitude for their service and sacrifices but does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any specific group. The resolution is non-binding and purely commemorative, honoring veterans' contributions without policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 512 modifies Utah's judicial retention process by requiring the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission to provide judges with their evaluation reports 45 days before retention elections and make those reports publicly available online after the election filing deadline. Judges facing retention elections can respond in writing to unfavorable evaluations within 15 days, and the commission must include a judge's brief written statement (max 100 words) if it doesn't change its evaluation. The bill also mandates a public education campaign to inform voters about the evaluation process and how to access judicial performance reports. This directly affects judges running for retention, the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, and Utah voters who receive the reports in voter pamphlets. The bill appropriates $14,400 for the commission's FY2026 budget to support these changes.