Rep. Colin Jack

Maddy summarySB 234 amends Utah's rulemaking laws to require state agencies to base environmental health and waste management rules on scientific evidence and prevent them from creating rules stricter than federal standards. It defines key terms like "best available science" and "weight of scientific evidence," and specifies that rules affecting drinking water, air quality, hazardous waste, or solid waste handling must align with federal regulations. The bill directly affects Utah state agencies responsible for drafting and implementing environmental regulations, such as the Department of Environmental Quality. It does not appropriate funds or create new taxes, focusing solely on procedural requirements for rulemaking.

Maddy summaryHB 591 reorganizes Utah's nuisance laws by ending the ability to sue for nuisances under common law (except for the Attorney General) and creating new statutory procedures. It affects anyone who might file a nuisance lawsuit (e.g., property owners or neighbors) by replacing common law claims with specific legal processes. The bill renumbers existing statutes, clarifies definitions for public/private nuisances, and establishes new rights of action under Title 78B, Chapter 6a. No new funding is involved, and the changes focus solely on restructuring how nuisance cases are handled legally.

Maddy summaryHB 323 creates a new program to manage solar panel waste in Utah, directly affecting solar installers, panel owners, and waste facilities. It requires installers to register with the Waste Management Division and pay fees, mandates panel owners to test for hazards and dispose of panels at approved sites starting July 2027, and authorizes the Waste Management Board to set testing and disposal rules. The bill also establishes a dedicated waste account, requires detailed disclosures from solar retailers about disposal, and mandates annual reports to lawmakers. No new funding is appropriated for this program.

Maddy summaryHB 187 modifies Utah water law to protect water rights in the Colorado River's lower basin. It exempts water conservancy districts from losing rights after seven years of nonuse (a standard rule), prohibits certain changes to instream flow applications in the lower basin, and aligns with another bill (H.B. 348) on dedicated water. The bill directly affects water conservancy districts managing water resources in the lower basin, ensuring they retain rights during planning or drought. It makes technical adjustments to existing statutes without new funding or broad policy shifts.

Maddy summaryHB 419 expands the definition of "environmental action" to include judicial reviews of permits issued by Utah's Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (previously excluded), affecting environmental groups or individuals suing over such permits. It requires plaintiffs seeking preliminary injunctions or administrative stays in these cases to post a surety bond to cover potential damages to defendants if they lose. The bond must be sufficient to compensate opponents of the injunction for harms caused, payable to those defendants if the plaintiff doesn't win on the merits. This changes the financial risk for plaintiffs in oil/gas mining permit disputes while maintaining existing bond requirements for other environmental cases. The bill takes effect May 6, 2026, with no new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 16 establishes new rules for utility-scale solar power plants in Utah, affecting developers planning projects permitted after May 6, 2026. It ties state financial incentives to land characteristics: projects on protected farmland (prime, irrigated, or high-capacity cropland) lose full incentives, while those on less productive land may qualify for partial support. The bill also requires wildlife impact consultations, mandates decommissioning plans with financial assurance (like bonds or letters of credit), and sets site restoration standards. Existing projects with pre-2026 agreements or permits are exempt from these new rules.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses Utah's intent to pursue state-level regulation of nuclear energy processes (like waste handling or reactor operations) not prohibited by federal law, and asks the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to clarify which parts of the nuclear fuel cycle are federally reserved versus subject to state control. It does not create new laws but formally states the legislature's position on regulatory jurisdiction. The resolution was referred to a committee for review in January 2026 and is currently pending further action. It directly addresses the NRC and Utah's future regulatory approach to nuclear energy.

Maddy summarySB 227 limits punitive damages in personal injury cases involving motor vehicles. It caps punitive damages at either twice the economic damages or $200,000, whichever is lower, and sets a maximum of $750,000 for non-economic damages. The bill also restricts attorney fees related to punitive damages to 25% of the total award. This directly affects plaintiffs suing for injuries in motor vehicle accidents and defendants facing such claims, changing how damages are calculated and recovered.

Maddy summaryHB 330 creates a legal defense for people sued in civil cases when their actions followed government authorizations like permits, regulations, or written orders. This defense applies if the conduct was legally authorized at the time, but it does not protect against claims of non-compliance, exceeding authorization scope, or product defects. The law ensures this defense works for any liability claim (including negligence or strict liability) and replaces conflicting common law rules. It directly affects defendants in civil lawsuits involving government-authorized activities.

Maddy summaryHB 119 requires auto insurance policies to cover the difference in a vehicle's market value before and after an accident if the policyholder purchases this coverage. It prohibits insurers from reducing coverage when the policyholder or a permitted driver causes an accident. The bill mandates repair shops use parts equivalent to original equipment manufacturer parts and grants vehicle owners the right to sue if substandard parts are used. The Insurance Department will establish rules to calculate market value differences, with no new state funding required.