Rep. Candice Pierucci

Maddy summaryHJR 28 amends Utah court rules to create a new procedure for remanding non-capital felony appeals (cases without a death sentence) to trial courts. It allows defendants to request the appellate court send their case back for factual findings about claims of ineffective legal counsel, requiring specific evidence and limiting the process to 90 days. The bill explicitly excludes capital felony cases (with death sentences) from this remand process. This affects defendants in non-capital felony appeals challenging their attorneys' performance, providing a structured way to address incomplete records without changing the death penalty process.

Maddy summaryHB 452 requires private businesses, organizations, or venues receiving $1 million or more in public funds (e.g., city grants or contracts) to provide free, secure storage for handguns owned by concealed carry permit holders on their publicly accessible property. This applies to specific locations like fairgrounds, housing zones, or revitalization areas, and entities must use Utah’s existing Bureau of Criminal Identification online system to verify permits. If a permit holder leaves a handgun unclaimed for over 24 hours, the entity must notify local law enforcement, who then take possession within five business days. The bill affects only large publicly funded entities, not standard service providers, and includes no new funding or fees.

Maddy summaryHB 576 requires Utah juvenile courts to report on compliance with key child welfare case timelines (like shelter hearings, reunification services, and permanency hearings) and implement procedures for timely resolution of appeals. It directs courts to consider statutory timelines when deciding whether to extend reunification services and mandates annual reports identifying cases missing deadlines. The bill affects juvenile courts, child welfare agencies, and families involved in custody cases by adding specific reporting obligations and clarifying court procedures. These changes aim to improve system accountability without altering funding or creating new financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 241 updates Utah's charter school laws by replacing the "Charter School Revolving Account" with the "Charter School Revolving Fund," administered by the Utah Charter Finance Authority starting July 1, 2026. It gives charter schools equal access to purchase decommissioned school property (with resale restrictions), clarifies they are public schools, and requires governing board members to take an oath of office. The bill also adjusts loan limits ($1 million for facility expansions, 25% for acquisition/construction) and repayment terms, while making technical changes to related statutes. No new state funds are appropriated for these changes.

Maddy summarySB 140 adjusts Utah election procedures by modifying the lieutenant governor's deadline for creating the master ballot position list and aligning the signature submission deadline for U.S. Representative candidates with other similar candidates. It updates two code sections: one specifying how election officials order candidates on ballots using a randomized alphabet system, and another clarifying the timeline for candidates to gather signatures to qualify for the primary ballot. The bill directly affects candidates running for U.S. Representative and election officials managing ballot ordering. These changes ensure consistency with prior election law (S.B. 2001) and streamline the qualification process for federal candidates.

Maddy summarySB 1012 establishes Utah's temporary U.S. Congressional district boundaries while the 2021 map is legally blocked. It uses a specific electronic file ("SB1012_BEF.txt" with hash code 00c65d65ecbe52d5d4b89f5daa3449a2) to define the four districts, replacing the previous map for election purposes. The bill affects Utah voters and congressional candidates by setting the legal voting boundaries for elections starting in 2026. The boundaries are accessible online at le.utah.gov/Session/2025S1/documents/SB1012_BEF.txt, and no funding is provided. This is a procedural measure to maintain district lines during a legal dispute over redistricting.

Maddy summaryHB 537 changes the governance structure of Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, converting it from a public corporation to a direct unit of the State Board of Education. The bill requires the State Board to oversee operations, manage finances, and ensure the schools continue serving deaf, blind, and deafblind students statewide under existing IEP and Section 504 plans. It repeals outdated language (Section 53E-8-101) and takes effect July 1, 2025, with no new funding. The policy change affects how the schools are managed but does not alter student services or eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 405 increases criminal penalties for human trafficking in Utah by amending specific sections of state law. It elevates trafficking for sexual exploitation to a first-degree felony (with a minimum 10-year sentence), strengthens penalties for trafficking children (10-15 years minimum), and clarifies that trafficking vulnerable adults is a first-degree felony. The bill directly affects traffickers and those who benefit from trafficking by making these offenses separate crimes with harsher punishments. It modifies Utah Code sections 76-5-308.1, 76-5-308.5, 76-5-309, 76-5-310, and 76-5-311 to increase felony classifications and sentencing ranges. The law does not appropriate new funding or create new victim services.

Maddy summaryHB 430 establishes "food delivery dead zones" around military land, requiring food delivery companies to mark these areas and prohibiting deliveries there. It allows delivery drivers and military staff to report violations to the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, which can impose $1,000 fines on noncompliant companies. The bill also prohibits restricted foreign entities from purchasing land in Utah, requiring individuals buying land to disclose military ties to foreign entities via county recorders, with failure to disclose constituting a third-degree felony. County recorders must provide disclosure forms and forward them to the Department of Public Safety for enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 226 requires Utah county sheriffs and the Department of Corrections to verify the immigration status of individuals being released after serving sentences for certain class A misdemeanors or felonies if they are unlawfully present in the U.S. It mandates coordination with federal immigration authorities before release and adds a rebuttable presumption that non-lawfully present individuals are flight risks for pretrial release decisions. The bill also amends sentencing for specific class A misdemeanors and makes technical changes to related statutes. This directly affects non-lawfully present individuals convicted of qualifying offenses who are nearing release from jail or prison. The bill does not appropriate new funds or change sentencing for most offenses.