Sen. Nate Blouin

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that expresses support for the continued federal management of Utah's public lands. It highlights the natural, historical, and cultural significance of these lands and acknowledges their economic contributions through recreation, tourism, and resource use. The resolution states that Utah's public lands should remain in the public domain and managed by federal agencies to preserve them for future generations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or require funding but serves as an official statement of legislative sentiment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes state laws that currently prevent government agencies from entering into contracts with companies that participate in boycotts of Israel or engage in economic boycotts. By repealing specific sections of Utah's public contracting code, the legislation eliminates requirements for public entities to certify contractors regarding their boycott status and removes penalties for interfering with state programs related to these restrictions. The changes would allow state agencies to make contracting decisions without considering whether a company is involved in boycotts of Israel or related economic actions. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not allocate any new funding.

Maddy summarySB 260 authorizes Utah institutions of higher education to establish their own rules about firearms on campus, including dormitories. It specifically expands prohibited areas to include dormitories on campus grounds, making it an offense to carry or store dangerous weapons there. The bill does not ban firearms but clarifies that colleges can restrict them in dorms, consistent with existing state laws governing weapon possession. This affects students, faculty, and staff at Utah's colleges and universities by defining where firearms may be prohibited on campus property. The policy change focuses on clarifying campus safety rules without altering broader firearm rights.

Maddy summarySB 289 changes how Utah local sales tax revenue is distributed, shifting from a population-based formula to one based on where transactions occur. This means 100% of collected tax revenue (previously 50%) will be distributed to counties, cities, and towns based on transaction location, rather than population size. The bill also maintains specific distribution rules for military installations, the Utah Inland Port Authority, Utah Lake Authority, and future convention center zones. Additionally, it requires local governments to contribute to a homeless shelter mitigation fund from their tax distributions, with adjustments based on shelter bed availability.

Maddy summarySB 282 amends rules for large electricity contracts affecting major industrial users (defined as customers with 100+ megawatts demand). It requires these "large load customers" to prove their contracts won’t harm grid reliability or raise costs for other customers, include measurable benefits to the grid or other users, post financial security before construction starts, and submit annual reports on electricity and water use. The bill updates definitions for terms like "large load facilities" and "evaluation" to clarify these requirements. These changes apply to contracts between large customers and utilities or energy providers, with no new funding required.

Maddy summarySB 250 modifies how $198.5 million in state funds (transferred from the Water Infrastructure Restricted Account) can be used to acquire water rights for the Great Salt Lake, restricting it solely to managing lake water levels. It also allocates $1.5 million from the General Fund for the Great Salt Lake Commissioner's office operations. The bill ensures these funds cannot be used for any purpose other than water acquisition or lake management, as specified in Utah Code Section 73-32-304. This directly affects state agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources, responsible for Great Salt Lake water resource management.

Maddy summarySB 255 creates the Homelessness in Vulnerable Populations Task Force to assess housing needs for specific vulnerable groups in five Utah counties (Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, Utah, and Weber) ahead of the 2034 Olympics. The task force, composed of 17 members including housing authorities, nonprofits, and Olympic organizers, must evaluate gaps in shelters, supportive housing, and affordable options while analyzing displacement risks from Olympic-related housing demands. It will identify potential funding sources like grants or public-private partnerships and report findings to a legislative committee by November 2026. The bill directly affects individuals facing barriers like disabilities, domestic violence, mental illness, or homelessness in the specified counties, with no new funding provided. The task force will sunset on December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Utah bill prohibits state and local governments (cities, counties, and state agencies) from entering non-disclosure agreements with prospective data center developers - defined as facilities over 20 megawatts needing approvals or in negotiation. Any such agreement would be void, and governments must publicly post the full contract on their website within 30 days of signing (or court determination), keeping it online for five years. The law requires transparency by banning confidentiality clauses that prevent disclosure of data center negotiation terms. It applies to all government entities and ensures residents can seek court enforcement if agreements violate the law.

Maddy summarySB 300 would establish Utah's state-run health financing program, replacing Medicaid and public employee health plans for all residents and government employees. It creates the Utah Health Services Commission to manage the program, requires healthcare facilities to stop billing directly (with the state billing on their behalf), and transitions existing health programs into the new system. The program would be funded by a new tax, while certain outdated health programs would be repealed. This bill directly affects all Utah residents, government employees, and healthcare providers through these structural changes to the state's health coverage system.

Maddy summaryThis Utah bill restricts state and local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities in sensitive locations (like schools or hospitals) or houses of worship, with limited exceptions for emergencies or facility owner requests. It also prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing opaque face coverings during official duties, except for tactical units, undercover operations, or if their agency has a publicly posted facial covering policy. Violations could result in a class C misdemeanor penalty for officers, unless their agency had a compliant policy in place. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to create and publish such policies to avoid criminal liability for officers.