Rep. Matt MacPherson

Maddy summaryHB 455 allows peace officer and dispatcher applicants in Utah with expunged or dismissed criminal convictions to enter training programs and take certification exams under specific conditions. It directly affects individuals seeking these public safety roles who previously faced automatic disqualification due to cleared records. Key conditions include: no violent felony or sexual offense convictions, a minimum 10-year waiting period since conviction, and meeting other standard requirements like background checks. The bill amends Utah Code sections 53-6-203 and 53-6-302 to update eligibility standards for these positions.

Maddy summaryHB 601 amends Utah's definition of "beer" for off-premise retailers (like liquor stores), directly affecting where and how such retailers can sell certain products. The key provision prohibits the use of artificial flavorings based on propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, or ethanol in beer, while allowing natural caffeine from added ingredients. It clarifies that products marketed as beer must not contain additives masking alcohol's effects (like kratom or CBD) or flavorings unrelated to fermentation. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no fiscal impact.

Maddy summaryHB 593 amends Utah's bail procedures to improve pretrial release decisions. It requires jail staff to collect detailed information - including residential address, financial circumstances, community ties, and lethality assessments - when individuals are arrested without a warrant and booked. The bill also establishes new criteria for jail officials to release people on their own recognizance (without bail), prohibiting release for certain offenses like violent felonies, domestic violence, or recent bookings. These changes apply directly to arrested individuals, courts, and jail staff, aiming to inform release decisions with more comprehensive data while maintaining court oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 600 creates a process allowing Utah voters to approve or reject the Utah Supreme Court's determination that a state law is unconstitutional. It directly affects Utah voters by enabling them to vote on such court rulings through a referendum. The bill defines key terms, establishes procedures for submitting these referendums to voters, and amends existing election codes to include this new mechanism. This bill does not change the Court's authority to rule on laws but adds a voter approval step for those specific rulings.

Maddy summaryHB 487 strengthens legislative independence by stating that Utah legislators may introduce or vote on bills according to their own judgment and conscience (Section 36-3-307). It also revises the role of the Legislative General Counsel, prohibiting corrections that alter the meaning of laws and requiring technical fixes only to statutory history, titles, or fund names (amending Sections 36-12-12 and enacting 36-3-307). The bill affects all Utah legislators and the Legislative General Counsel office by clarifying their responsibilities during the legislative process. No new funding or substantive policy changes are introduced; this is a procedural update to internal legislative operations.

Maddy summaryHB 604 prohibits certain local executive officials from serving on municipal or county legislative bodies in their own jurisdictions. It bans county executives, county managers, and mayors/managers (whether elected or appointed) from holding legislative seats in the same area they lead, directly affecting current and future officials in these roles. Existing violations (where officials were already serving in conflict as of May 6, 2026) are temporarily allowed until January 31, 2027, or a replacement is sworn in, whichever comes first. The bill takes effect May 6, 2026, with the exception clause set to expire July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 581 requires large public transit districts in Utah to gather information about implementing self-driving bus networks by November 2026. It directs the state Department of Transportation to similarly collect data on autonomous vehicle technology, including costs, timelines, and potential benefits. The bill defines key terms like "driverless operation" and "automated driving systems" to clarify future regulations. These information requests aim to inform state decisions about self-driving transit systems without creating new funding or requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 5 creates a new "Family and Social Services" standing committee in the Utah House of Representatives to review related legislation. This committee, now listed as item (4) in the amended committee structure, will directly affect how bills concerning family welfare, childcare, and social programs are processed. The resolution also makes minor technical adjustments to committee numbering and lists, aligning with other existing committees. The changes take effect on May 6, 2026, with no funding impact.

Maddy summarySB 64 amends Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act to update rules for public record requests. It directly affects Utah government agencies and employees by requiring them to provide staff summaries of record rules, modify response deadlines and fees for requests, and establish annual reviews of record retention. Key changes include adding federal employees to "at-risk" protections, making record destruction to avoid disclosure a crime, and clarifying appeal processes for denied requests. The bill makes no new funding commitments and focuses on streamlining access while strengthening record-keeping compliance for state and local entities.

Maddy summaryHB 407 requires Utah's State Board of Education to establish a statewide student information system for public schools, while allowing local school districts to maintain their own systems under specific conditions. The bill sets strict requirements for local systems - including data security, compliance with state standards, and mandatory audits for noncompliance - and mandates implementation timelines. It also specifies that all school districts must collect and manage student data through this system or approved local alternatives, ensuring data accessibility for parents and educators via the "Student Achievement Backpack" feature. The bill makes no new funding appropriations and updates multiple Utah Code sections related to education data management.