Rep. Ryan Wilcox

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes January as National Blood Donor Month in Utah through a symbolic legislative gesture. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but urges Utah citizens to support blood donation by acknowledging voluntary donors and encouraging regular donations. The resolution highlights the importance of blood donations - citing that only 3% of eligible people donate - while emphasizing the need for diverse blood types, especially type O, to support patients like trauma victims and cancer patients. It specifically encourages businesses and organizations to sponsor blood drives with groups like the American Red Cross. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect on policy or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 538 sets specific start dates for Utah's legislative sessions, contingent on a related constitutional amendment passing. It establishes that the annual budget session begins on the fourth Monday in February, the first general session on the first Monday in May, and the second general session on the second Monday in September. The bill amends Utah Code Section 36-3-201 and takes effect January 1, 2028, if the proposed constitutional amendment (H.J.R. 22) is approved by voters. This procedural bill directly affects the Utah Legislature's scheduling but does not involve new funding or substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHJR 22 proposes amending the Utah Constitution to change the structure of legislative sessions. It would replace the current annual session with one February budget session (focused solely on budget/appropriations) and two general sessions (in May and September), each limited to 15 days. The amendment also sets strict duration limits for special sessions (10 days for legislature-convened, 30 days for governor-convened) and requires voter approval before taking effect on January 1, 2028. This directly affects how Utah's Legislature organizes its work and schedules meetings.

Maddy summaryHB 558 requires Utah county and municipal election officers to post candidate information online within three business days of accepting a candidacy. The required details include the candidate's name, campaign contact information, office sought, and political party affiliation (even for nonpartisan offices). It exempts judges running in retention elections and applies to all candidate filings without additional costs. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026, and aims to standardize candidate information availability for voters.

Maddy summaryHB 605 requires peace officers to disclose specific information about their credibility and conduct to prosecutors before testifying in criminal cases. This includes details about employment history, disciplinary actions, evidence handling, personal biases (like social media statements), and case-specific relationships that could affect testimony. Prosecutors must then share these disclosures with defense counsel as soon as practicable. The bill directly affects peace officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys in Utah criminal trials, aiming to ensure transparency about potential Brady material (evidence that could exonerate a defendant). It does not appropriate funds or create new penalties.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requires Utah legislators sponsoring bills to clearly state the specific problem they aim to solve and define measurable goals to assess the bill's success. It mandates legislative staff to assist sponsors in developing these policy details and ensures drafting instructions include this information. The bill affects all bill sponsors and legislative staff, while also allowing auditors to request this policy information during reviews of state laws.

Maddy summaryHB 606 regulates how Utah law enforcement agencies use surveillance and investigatory technology. It requires agencies to annually report technology usage to a state commission, prohibits unauthorized surveillance, and allows individuals to sue police departments for illegal tech use. Evidence obtained in violation of the law cannot be used in court. The bill directly affects all Utah law enforcement agencies and mandates new transparency and accountability measures.

Maddy summarySB 322 creates a regulatory sandbox in Utah public schools to safely test educational AI tools under new safety standards. It directly affects public schools, educators, students, and edtech vendors by requiring safety testing, parental opt-out rights, and prohibitions against AI simulating personal relationships with students. Key provisions include mandatory evidence-based evaluations, transparency requirements for vendors, integration with existing student data privacy laws (Title 53E), and a five-year sunset. The bill establishes new oversight through an Education Technology Advisory Council and limits the State Board of Education’s role in approving pilot programs.

Maddy summarySB 67 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requiring peace officers to meet arrest or citation quotas and bans retaliation against officers for refusing such quotas. It requires the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to collect and annually report alleged violations to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. The bill directly affects peace officers and local law enforcement agencies by preventing quota-based pressure and disciplinary actions. Key provisions include defining "impermissible quotas," mandating violation reporting, and amending existing statutes to align with this prohibition. The bill makes no financial changes and focuses solely on policy reforms to address alleged quota practices.

Maddy summaryHB 338 requires all Utah first responder agencies to provide mental health services to current first responders, their spouses and children, surviving spouses of line-of-duty deaths, and retired or separated first responders (and their spouses) for three years after separation. It creates a Mental Health Resources Reserve Account funded by agency contributions to provide grants for mental health plans, prioritizing small agencies, and mandates the Department of Public Safety to submit annual compliance reports to specific committees and a public safety portal. The bill also updates grant application requirements to ensure providers have first responder-specific experience and outlines detailed plan criteria for agencies seeking funding. No new state funds are appropriated; existing resources will support these expanded services.