Rep. Mike Kohler

Maddy summarySB 15 removes two restrictions on how Utah counties can structure their local government. It repeals a rule preventing counties with 225,000+ residents from adopting a full-time county commission under an expanded government plan, and eliminates the requirement for voter approval when changing whether a county executive or legislative body operates full-time or part-time. This bill directly affects counties seeking to modify their government structure, giving them more flexibility without needing voter approval for those specific changes. The law takes effect in May 2026 and does not involve any new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 533 requires land use authorities (like counties or municipalities) to consider groundwater preservation when reviewing development projects on agricultural land that would change its use. It mandates that authorities factor in methods to maintain historical groundwater levels, such as irrigation, flood basins, or injection wells, before approving permits. The bill also requires the Utah Geological Survey or local irrigation companies to provide groundwater data to authorities upon request. This law directly affects agricultural landowners, developers, and local governments managing land use decisions, while explicitly stating it does not override existing water rights or the state engineer’s authority.

Maddy summaryHB 592 sets a deadline of February 1, 2026, for new applications to create preliminary municipalities (areas seeking to become towns). It allows existing applications filed by that date to continue processing, but prohibits new filings after the cutoff. The bill requires landowners to fully compensate counties for infrastructure damage before transitioning to a town, mandates compliance with prior development agreements between landowners and counties, and requires petitions to certify all county damages have been paid. This affects developers and landowners seeking to form new municipalities in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 133 requires individuals who use deadly force to report the incident to 911 or law enforcement within 24 hours to qualify for a pretrial hearing on whether their force was justified. If reported within that timeframe, the defendant automatically meets the initial requirement to argue justification at the hearing, shifting the burden to the state to prove the force was unjustified. The bill amends Utah Code Section 76-2-309 to establish this reporting rule and applies to most cases, with exceptions for law enforcement officers acting lawfully, minor offenses, or cases where force caused death without a timely report. The law will take effect on May 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 167 modifies Utah's election procedures for verifying signatures on candidate nomination petitions. It requires election officials to post verified signers' names and dates on the lieutenant governor's website within five business days of verification, for 90 days after the primary election. The bill also mandates officials to notify prosecutors if someone claims they didn't sign a petition and clarifies deadlines for voters to request signature removal. These changes directly affect voters who sign nomination petitions and election officials handling signature verification. The bill makes technical updates to Utah Code sections governing primary elections but does not change eligibility rules or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 283 amends Utah's dairy regulations to establish new rules for raw milk production and sales. It requires all producers and markets selling raw milk or raw milk products to register annually with the state department, submit detailed operational plans, and comply with veterinary care and labeling standards. The bill prohibits raw milk sales through restaurants or commercial kitchens, mandates regular herd health checks, and outlines procedures for handling foodborne illness outbreaks. It directly affects raw milk producers, small markets, and consumers purchasing raw milk for personal use within Utah. The law repeals outdated sections and adds new requirements without appropriating funds.

Maddy summaryHB 397 requires Utah courts to provide free public livestreams of most open court proceedings through the Administrative Office of the Courts, making them accessible via court websites. It includes exceptions for cases involving safety risks, victim rights, minors, or privacy concerns, and mandates courts to find no "less restrictive alternative" before blocking a livestream. The bill also requires creating and preserving audiovisual recordings of all livestreams for public access on court websites for at least one year. These recordings must exclude protected content like juror identities, confidential communications, or sensitive exhibits. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 435 exempts high tunnels used for agriculture from county and municipal building codes in Utah, removing the need for building permits. It directly affects agricultural producers who use these structures to grow, store, or sell crops. The bill defines a "high tunnel" as a non-permanent structure with specific materials (like plastic covering and soil floors) and specifies that county codes no longer apply to such structures. This change simplifies construction for farmers while maintaining the structures' agricultural purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Utah's waste management law to exclude specific farm and ranch operations from being classified as commercial waste facilities. It removes farms that compost animal mortality or offal waste from their own operations (e.g., dead animals or byproducts from processing) from the definition of "commercial nonhazardous solid waste facility." The change applies only to operations composting waste generated from animals they process themselves, not to general composting services. This clarifies that such farm-based composting activities are not subject to commercial facility regulations, without creating new requirements or costs.

Maddy summarySB 172 requires the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and local health departments to enter formal cooperative agreements for environmental health services. It creates a governance committee - comprised of DEQ and local health department representatives - to review funding allocations, ensure contracts meet performance standards, and streamline federal funding applications. The bill also mandates DEQ to reimburse local health departments for costs incurred when collecting civil penalties under environmental laws. These changes aim to improve coordination, clarify responsibilities, and ensure efficient use of resources between state and local agencies. The bill affects all local health departments and the DEQ in their environmental health program operations.