Rep. Andrew Stoddard

Maddy summaryHB 565 requires counties in Utah to separately list city library taxes on property tax notices sent to owners of real property in first-class counties. This change affects property owners who pay city library taxes, ensuring these levies are clearly itemized alongside other taxes. The bill amends existing property tax notice requirements (Utah Code 59-2-919.1) to mandate this separate listing in the "itemized tax information" section of notices. It does not create new taxes or appropriates funds, but updates how current library levies are presented to taxpayers.

Maddy summaryHB 420 modifies Utah's process for filling vacant municipal positions, such as mayors or city council seats, affecting local city councils. It requires councils to appoint a qualified resident within 30 days of a vacancy, provide 14 days of public notice, and interview candidates before voting. If no candidate wins a majority in the initial vote, the two top candidates face a second vote, with ties broken by a coin toss conducted by the municipal clerk. If councils fail to act, the lieutenant governor then directs them to comply, and the governor may step in after 45 days if still unresolved. The bill makes no policy changes but streamlines procedural steps for filling vacancies.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the automatic expiration date for Utah's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036. It directly affects the legal framework governing non-court dispute resolution methods like mediation and arbitration, which are currently part of Utah Code §78B-22-805. The bill amends the code to update the repeal date for the ADR Act section without changing how ADR processes operate. This is a procedural adjustment to maintain existing ADR procedures for another decade, with no new funding or substantive policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 307 modifies the fee charged to garnishees (like banks or employers) for processing writs of garnishment in Utah. It adjusts the fee structure under Utah Code Sections 63A-3-507 and 78A-2-216, directly affecting businesses and entities that handle wage or asset garnishments for debt collection. The bill makes this change without appropriating new funds or altering core procedures for issuing garnishment orders. This is a technical adjustment to existing fee rates, not a substantive policy change to debt collection rules.

Maddy summarySB 156 amends Utah Code Section 17-78-603 to allow constables to offer individuals a payment schedule instead of seizing their property for unpaid debts. This directly affects constables (county-appointed officers enforcing warrants and collecting debts) and individuals who owe money to a county or court. The key change permits constables to establish agreed-upon payment plans as an alternative to immediate property seizure, as specified in the updated code section. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and makes only technical adjustments to existing law without appropriating funds.

Maddy summaryHB 460 amends Utah's candidate nomination rules by creating two distinct types of registered political parties. Primary nominating parties use signature-gathering to select candidates and appear on general election ballots with their party name, while convention nominating parties use internal conventions without signatures and their candidates appear without party identification. The bill repeals outdated provisions about "qualified political parties" and adjusts signature-gathering requirements for nominations. These changes directly affect political parties and candidates seeking office in Utah state elections.

Maddy summaryHB 550 requires Utah's commuter rail system to transition to hybrid-electric operation by 2031. It mandates the Department of Transportation to convert or replace all existing commuter rail vehicles with hybrid-electric models and install necessary electrification infrastructure (like overhead power lines) before January 1, 2031. Starting July 1, 2027, new commuter rail vehicles must be hybrid-electric, directly affecting transit districts operating these systems. The bill defines key terms and sets a clear timeline for this shift to reduce diesel reliance without specifying funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 564 sets annual emissions limits for industrial facilities in four Utah counties (Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber) that are designated as "major nonattainment areas" for air pollution. The bill establishes specific yearly caps: 1,418 tons of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) and 8,870 tons of nitrogen oxides. These limits apply directly to point sources like factories and power plants in those counties. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 577 creates a new state-law remedy in Utah for residents injured by government employees (federal, state, or local) who violate federal constitutional rights while acting under official authority. It allows victims to sue for compensatory damages, equitable relief, and attorney fees, but prohibits punitive damages and requires individuals to first pursue existing federal remedies like 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The law does not apply to lawsuits against government entities themselves and only takes effect for claims accruing after May 6, 2026. This bill directly affects Utah residents facing constitutional violations by public officials, providing an additional legal avenue when federal remedies are unavailable or insufficient.

Maddy summarySB 316 modifies Utah law to clarify when public employees (like police officers or government workers) can recover attorney fees and court costs after being charged criminally for actions related to their job. It requires prosecutors' offices (municipal, county, district, or state) to pay 50% of these fees if the employee is acquitted or charges are dismissed, with one key change: the exception for dismissals by prosecutors now only applies if the dismissal happens more than 45 days after a preliminary hearing. The bill specifically limits this exception to charges filed as "information" (not indictments) and ensures employees aren’t barred from recovery if charges are dismissed within that 45-day window. This affects public employees facing criminal charges tied to their official duties, making it easier to recover legal costs in certain cases.