Rep. Lisa Shepherd

Maddy summaryHB 361 creates two new election oversight mechanisms in Utah. It establishes a "conflict of interest elections officer" to replace the lieutenant governor in handling election disputes involving the governor or lieutenant governor running for office, requiring appointment by the state election board before even-numbered election years. It also forms an Elections Oversight Task Force with legislative, executive, and county clerk members to review and recommend improvements to Utah's election system, including analyzing potential conflicts of interest and alternative oversight structures. The task force must submit a report by September 1, 2027, with recommendations for changes to state law if needed. The bill includes a repeal date of July 1, 2028, for the task force.

Maddy summaryHB 325 modifies Utah's government records law to make certain financial records public while keeping tax exemption details private. It requires all government entities to classify records showing fund receipts or expenditures - such as budgets, grant documents, vendor payments, and financial reports - as public information. Conversely, it classifies any record revealing whether a taxpayer receives property tax exemptions, deferrals, or abatements as private. These changes apply to all Utah government agencies without new funding requirements.

Maddy summarySB 321 requires municipal election candidates (like mayors, city council members, and school board members) to file annual campaign finance reports by January 10 each year until their campaign accounts are fully closed. The reports must show total contributions received and money spent, and candidates must continue filing yearly until they submit a final report confirming zero campaign funds. Municipalities may impose stricter reporting rules, and candidates who miss the deadline face a $250 fine. The bill modifies Utah’s existing campaign finance laws to standardize year-end reporting for local elections.

Maddy summaryHB 551 amends Utah's government records access laws to prevent individuals who are the subject of a record request from influencing how their own records are handled. The bill prohibits such individuals from classifying responsive records, participating in governmental reviews of their requests, or appealing decisions related to their requests. This applies directly to people seeking their own records from state or local government entities. The changes are technical amendments to existing code sections (63G-2-103, 204, 307, 401, 701) with no new funding or substantive policy shifts.

Maddy summaryHB 458 requires hospitals and birthing facilities to create and publish clear policies about caring for premature infants, including their specific capabilities for different gestational ages. It mandates that prenatal providers discuss preterm birth risks, care options, and facility capabilities with patients around 20 weeks of pregnancy, and ensures parents can request transfers or neonatology consultations before birth. The bill prohibits denying lifesaving care to infants based solely on gestational age and requires annual reporting to the health department on preterm birth outcomes, including survival rates. These changes directly affect birthing facilities, prenatal providers, and parents expecting preterm births in Utah, aiming to improve transparency and care coordination.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a Secretary of State position to Utah's constitution as an elected executive officer. It establishes the role's qualifications (25+ years old, 5-year state residency), sets a two-year initial term for the first elected official in 2028 (followed by four-year terms), and outlines procedures for filling vacancies (requiring same-party appointments by the Governor). The amendment would adjust multiple sections of Article VII to include the new office, its duties, compensation, and election process. This change would directly affect Utah's executive branch structure and future statewide elections.

Maddy summaryHB 529 proposes creating an elected Secretary of State position for the 2028 general election, transferring most duties currently held by Utah's Lieutenant Governor to this new office. Key provisions include moving election oversight, redistricting responsibilities, municipal administration, management of the state seal, and regulation of lobbyists and notaries to the Secretary of State. The bill requires a prior constitutional amendment to establish the office and includes technical updates to relevant Utah Code sections. It does not appropriate funds and is contingent on the constitutional amendment's passage.

Maddy summaryHB 244 protects employees and job applicants who voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement. It prohibits employers from asking employees not to cooperate, penalizing them for cooperating, or refusing to hire them based on this choice. Employees who face retaliation can sue for damages or court orders under the new law. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and applies to all employers in Utah.

Maddy summaryHJR 9 modifies the effective date for education-related bills in Utah. It defines "bill that addresses public education" as legislation primarily affecting Utah's public school system (including funding, administration, and state oversight), excluding pure budget bills. The resolution sets a default effective date of July 1st for such bills - instead of the standard 60 days after session adjournment - and requires legislative leadership approval for bills with alternative effective dates. This change applies only to bills directly impacting public education, with no new funding or substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 131 amends Utah’s labor code to clarify employer definitions and wage payment disclosure requirements. It requires employers to notify employees at hiring about paydays and wage rates, with posting as an acceptable alternative, and mandates advance notice for any changes to these details. The bill directly affects all Utah employers, including unincorporated businesses and franchise operations, by specifying when such entities are considered employers and how wage notices must be provided. Key provisions include defining "active manager" for ownership disputes and updating notice rules under Section 34-28-4, while maintaining existing misdemeanor penalties for violations under Section 34-28-12. This is a technical clarification with no new funding or substantive policy changes.