Rep. Kristen Chevrier

Maddy summaryHB 179 removes the permit requirement for producers of raw milk or raw milk products, directly affecting small-scale dairy producers, farm-based operations, and participants in cow-share programs. It modifies existing exemptions for farm-produced milk, mandates notification to Utah's Department of Agriculture, and establishes new operational rules including strict temperature controls (cooling to 50°F within 1 hour and 41°F within 2 hours), labeling standards, and testing requirements. The bill also defines key terms like "producer," "raw milk," and "foodborne illness outbreak," while adding provisions for outbreak response and penalties for noncompliance. These changes streamline regulations for raw milk sales but maintain oversight through departmental notification and safety protocols.

Maddy summarySB 217 simplifies regulations for local food producers by redefining raw milk and raw milk products as "homemade food" under Utah's Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act. It removes signage requirements for direct-to-sale farmers markets, clarifies when producers can sell homemade foods at such locations, and exempts these sales from state sales tax. The bill also ensures producers retain ownership of their products sold through representatives and repeals previous Department of Agriculture regulations governing raw milk. These changes primarily affect small-scale food producers, farmers markets, and local direct-to-consumer food businesses.

Maddy summarySB 63 modifies Utah's assault and aggravated assault laws to clarify that chokeholds used during training for or participation in martial arts, wrestling, or mixed martial arts do not constitute assault. It defines "chokehold" as a neck restraint using an arm and explicitly excludes such sports-related chokeholds from assault charges when both parties are engaged in the same approved activity. The bill does not change penalties for actual assault or aggravated assault offenses outside of this specific sports training context. This policy change affects athletes, trainers, and participants in these sports by removing potential criminal liability for standard technique practice.

Maddy summaryHB 357 updates Utah's privacy law to cover data collected by motor vehicles. It requires car manufacturers to add privacy controls in vehicles, exempts safety data (like speed or braking) from needing driver consent, and mandates the Motor Vehicle Division to inform drivers about their privacy rights. The law directly affects car manufacturers and applies to personal data collected from drivers through their vehicles. This creates new transparency requirements for vehicle data while allowing safety-related information to be used without explicit permission.

Maddy summaryHB 569 defines "ultra-processed food" (pending a federal definition by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) and directs Utah's Department of Workforce Services (DWS) to seek a federal waiver from the USDA to restrict SNAP benefits for these foods. It requires DWS to submit this waiver request within three months of the federal definition, include public health and cost-saving justification, and outline implementation plans for retailers and recipient education. The bill also mandates annual reports to the legislature on SNAP spending patterns, waiver status, and challenges. This legislation affects Utah SNAP recipients who purchase ultra-processed foods, but the restriction would only take effect if the federal waiver is approved.

Maddy summaryHB 544 requires Utah counties to accept and process plan review applications for single-family dwellings on "qualifying parcels" (land created before county land use ordinances or meeting specific zoning and development criteria) that are not part of a subdivision. The bill mandates counties to review such applications if the proposed building meets setback requirements, utility approvals, health department reviews (where required), and street frontage dedication. It directly affects landowners seeking to build single-family homes on qualifying parcels and counties that must now follow these standardized review procedures. The bill does not require counties to provide infrastructure or alter existing land use authority, focusing solely on streamlining the application process for eligible parcels.

Maddy summaryHB 304 requires businesses and government offices that accept digital or card payments at physical locations to also accept cash payments. It mandates that businesses with multiple checkout areas must maintain at least one cash-accepting terminal per location. The bill preserves the right for businesses to require exact change but does not apply to online transactions. If enacted, this would create Utah’s "Supplier Cash Act" under new sections of state law, adding specific requirements to the existing consumer protection framework.

Maddy summaryHB 202 amends Utah's Acupuncture Licensing Act to create a new pathway for becoming a licensed acupuncturist. It allows applicants to either provide current NCCAOM certification or complete a specific 2-year curriculum meeting detailed hour requirements (including 450 hours of theory, 500 clinical hours, and 225 biomedical hours). The bill directly affects individuals seeking acupuncture licensure in Utah by offering an alternative to the existing exam-based process. These changes take effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 156 allows patients to use their own blood or blood from a designated donor (like a family member) for transfusions, unless it's an emergency, there's insufficient time to arrange it, or the healthcare facility already has a process for patient-provided blood. It prohibits healthcare facilities from blocking this option and provides liability protection for providers if injuries occur from using such blood, unless the provider was grossly negligent. The bill directly affects patients needing transfusions and Utah healthcare facilities, taking effect in May 2026. It defines key terms and aligns with federal blood collection laws, with no funding impact.

Maddy summaryHB 350 amends Utah school food regulations by updating the list of prohibited additives in foods sold, donated, offered, or served during school hours. It bans items containing potassium bromate, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, and specific FD&C dyes (like Blue No. 1 and Yellow No. 5), directly affecting public schools. Key exceptions include parents providing these foods to students, teachers offering them with parental permission, and donated foods going to school pantries. The bill also removes a prior exception for small schools (under 5,500 students) and allows these foods to be sold at school events or in vending machines. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with no new funding required.