Rep. Rex Shipp

Maddy summaryHB 125 updates Utah's rules for preventing invasive mussels (like zebra or quagga mussels) from spreading via watercraft. It directly affects boat owners, renters, boat livery operators, and government agencies managing waterways. Key changes include clarifying definitions of "invasive mussel," exempting boat renters from fees and decals (with livery operators handling decontamination), updating fee collection processes, and modifying education requirements. These provisions aim to improve enforcement and reduce invasive species spread through clearer vessel operation rules.

Maddy summarySB 185 amends Utah's Child Welfare Parental Representation Program to expand support for attorneys representing parents in child welfare cases. The bill directly affects parental representation attorneys, particularly those serving indigent parents, by removing the requirement that they must be contracted with the program and allowing the program to provide education, support, and grants for indigent defense services. Key provisions include enabling the program to administer existing interdisciplinary representation services, manage its budget based on prior-year spending (instead of estimated needs), and provide guidance on attorneys' professional duties. The changes aim to streamline program operations without new state funding, effective May 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 174 prohibits health care providers in Utah from administering cross-sex hormones or puberty blockers to minors after January 28, 2027, unless the minor was diagnosed with gender dysphoria before January 28, 2023. The bill amends Utah Code Section 58-1-603.1 to establish this ban, directly affecting minors seeking these treatments who do not meet the pre-2023 diagnosis requirement. It repeals a prior requirement for medical evidence reviews (Section 26B-1-239) and takes effect on May 6, 2026. The law applies to all minors under Utah's definition, with violations classified as unprofessional conduct for providers.

Maddy summarySB 55 requires health care providers who offer stem cell therapies not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide patients with a specific written notice. This notice, written in 40-point type on standard paper, must state that the therapy is unapproved and encourage patients to consult their primary care provider. The bill also mandates that providers display this notice prominently in their offices, include it in advertisements, and obtain a signed consent form detailing the therapy's FDA status, risks, and alternatives. It directly affects providers using placental-derived or other unapproved stem cell therapies, excluding those with FDA investigational approval or working under specific accredited institutions. The law takes effect in May 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 168 creates the Poaching Mitigation Fund to use restitution from poaching violations for anti-poaching efforts like education programs, wildlife crime detection equipment, and law enforcement training. It modifies the Guide and Outfitter Fund to allow the Division of Law Enforcement to use its money for wildlife enforcement, removes outdated references to "spotters," and updates definitions for guides and outfitters. The bill also clarifies rules about the number of people allowed to provide guide services, addresses unlawful aircraft activity during hunting/fishing, and requires reimbursement for investigatory expenses related to violations. These changes directly affect wildlife law enforcement, licensed guides/outfitters, and individuals violating hunting/fishing regulations. The bill makes technical updates to Utah code sections without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summaryHB 157 amends various Utah laws related to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It changes how the DNR handles employee work periods, allows water rights records to be kept electronically or physically, and adjusts rules for water rights after contract issues. The bill removes a cap on low-interest loans for water metering, ends the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, and repeals funding rules for a watershed program. It appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for DNR operations in fiscal year 2027. The changes primarily affect DNR staff, water rights holders, and entities managing water resources in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 432, titled "Egg Amendments," updates Utah's egg regulations by requiring most egg distributors to obtain a state license and banning small egg producers from selling eggs outside Utah. It clarifies that large egg producers (with 3,000+ hens) must register as food establishments, while small producers (under 3,000 hens) remain exempt from most department oversight but cannot sell eggs across state lines. The bill also defines key terms like "small producer," "large producer," and "shell eggs," and specifies prohibited egg conditions (e.g., moldy or rotten eggs). These changes aim to standardize egg safety and distribution rules under the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

Maddy summaryHB 326 allows ranchers and farmers to obtain aerial hunting permits for coyotes to protect livestock and crops, directly affecting agricultural producers. The bill establishes that permit holders assume full liability for accidents during aerial hunts, modifies annual predator control fees for livestock owners, and updates definitions related to wildlife damage. It also increases penalties for feral swine violations and adds provisions for seizing vehicles used in such crimes. The changes aim to streamline wildlife damage prevention without new state funding, updating existing Utah Code sections.

Maddy summaryHB 170 amends Utah's laws to establish a clearer process for school district residents to hold referendums on certain school board decisions. Specifically, it allows voters who live within a school district to petition for a vote on laws passed by their local school board that increase taxes or create new taxes, subject to limited exceptions. The bill defines key terms related to referendums and makes technical updates to existing statutes, but does not appropriate new funding or create new financial obligations. This directly affects school district residents seeking to challenge tax-related decisions through a voter referendum.

Maddy summaryHB 104 requires Utah public schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction to students, mandating at least three sessions in K-6 and two sessions (once in middle school, once in high school). Schools may use existing curricula like hunter safety courses or health/PE classes, but must ensure all content is politically neutral and emphasizes safe handling and storage practices. Parents must be notified in advance and can opt their child out, with schools offering alternative activities for those students. The bill also requires instructors using actual firearms to hold legal exemptions under state weapons laws, and takes effect July 1, 2025.