Rep. Stewart Barlow

Maddy summaryHB 536 amends Utah laws to protect public lands and cultural sites by increasing penalties for damaging them. It specifically targets graffiti on natural and archaeological features and alters penalties for harming antiquities. The bill creates a "Public Lands Restoration and Protection Fund" managed by the State Historic Preservation Office, requiring courts to direct restitution from offenders to this fund for violations like graffiti damage or antiquities destruction on state lands. Funds will be used for site restoration, public education about protection laws, and anti-vandalism efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Utah's Public Employees' Benefit Insurance Program (PEHP) to create a new "Weight Management and Obesity Pilot Program" starting in 2026. It combines PEHP's existing bariatric surgery pilot with an alternative option for covered state employees to receive GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) instead of surgery, while staying within the existing $1.05 million annual budget. Key provisions include requiring 50% member cost-sharing, capping monthly pharmacy expenses at $300, limiting coverage to 24 months, and applying the same health coaching requirements to both options. The program allows eligible members (with BMI over 40 or 35+ with health conditions) to choose once between surgery or GLP-1 treatment, with annual reports to lawmakers.

Maddy summaryHB 5 is a funding bill that allocates $1.3 billion in state funds for Utah's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality agencies for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly affects the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, providing specific appropriations for its programs like Animal Industry, Invasive Species Mitigation, Plant Industry, and Marketing. The bill details funding sources (including General Fund and Income Tax Fund) and includes limited provisions for non-lapsing funds to cover specific operational needs like equipment, training, and projects. It does not create new policies but authorizes spending for existing agency operations.

Maddy summaryHB 388 amends Utah’s historic preservation law (Section 9-8a-203) to strengthen public education and training about cultural site protection. The bill requires the State Historic Preservation Office to launch a statewide media campaign educating the public on cultural site significance, legal protections under Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 9, and how to report violations. It also mandates free seminars and training for state agencies, local governments, and individuals on preserving cultural sites. These changes directly affect Utah residents, land managers, and cultural site users by clarifying legal responsibilities and promoting proactive site protection, with no new state funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 365 requires Utah's Department of Health and Human Services to commission a study on pediatric mental health care access. The study will measure wait times for children to see therapists, identify barriers (like location, insurance, or provider availability), compare regional differences, and survey parents. It mandates specific data collection methods, strict privacy protections, and requires two reports: a preliminary update by May 2026 and a final report with recommendations by May 2027. This bill directly affects children and families seeking pediatric mental health services in Utah by focusing on systemic access issues. The study itself, not new funding or services, is the key policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 282 repeals 49 specific health and human services programs and related committees in Utah, ending their legal authority on set dates ranging from 2024 to 2035. The bill directly affects programs like the Medicaid ACA Fund (repealed 2034), Behavioral Health Crisis Response Committee (repealed 2026), and Utah Health Data Authority (repealed 2026), among others. Key provisions establish fixed repeal dates for each program, removing their funding mechanisms and administrative structures without creating new policies. The changes take effect May 7, 2025, and apply to all programs listed in Utah Code Sections 26B-1-204 through 26B-7-123. This is a procedural sunset of existing programs, not a new legislative action.

Maddy summarySB 5 is a base budget bill for Utah's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality agencies, appropriating $235.7 million for fiscal year 2025 and $926 million for fiscal year 2026. It primarily affects the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, funding its Administration, Animal Industry, and Invasive Species Mitigation programs through operating budgets, expendable funds, and restricted transfers. The bill allocates specific sums from General Fund and other sources to support agency operations, including non-lapsing funds for employee training, equipment, and special projects as outlined in the appropriations schedule. This is a procedural funding measure with no policy changes, solely authorizing state spending for the specified agencies and fiscal years.