Sen. Stephanie Pitcher

Maddy summaryHB 347 requires Utah school districts to notify nearby residents before installing new artificial turf on school athletic fields. Specifically, school boards must send written notice to properties within 200 feet of the installation site at least 30 days before a public meeting, including details like location, size, materials, and intended use. They must also post the notice online 60 days in advance and allow public comment at the meeting. This applies only to new installations - not repairs or replacements - and does not change environmental requirements or create new legal rights.

Maddy summarySB 176 requires Utah state agencies to purchase electric-powered landscape maintenance equipment when replacing old gasoline-powered equipment for routine outdoor care (like mowing or trimming) on state government grounds. It applies specifically to properties in counties classified as first or second class with less than 50,000 square feet of maintained grounds. Exceptions allow exemptions if electric equipment is impractical due to terrain features or during emergencies. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.

Maddy summarySB 187 requires public funds recipients (landlords receiving state housing funds who own 50+ rental units) to offer rent reporting to tenants at lease signing and annually. Tenants can enroll or unenroll in rent reporting at any time, but must pay a fee not exceeding the actual cost of the service. If a tenant fails to pay the fee or opts out, they cannot rejoin the program for six months. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and applies only to qualifying landlords, not all rental properties.

Maddy summarySB 163 allows city attorneys in Utah to employ permanent deputy attorneys to handle public prosecution or civil counsel duties, and to temporarily deputize licensed attorneys (in good standing with the Utah State Bar) for specific legal tasks. It directly affects cities with city attorneys who need to manage prosecutions of local ordinance violations, misdemeanors, or civil cases. The bill amends Utah Code Section 10-3-928 to clarify these staffing options without changing legal standards or requiring new funding.

Maddy summarySB 94 requires Utah's Department of Corrections to offer an optional financial literacy class to all inmates. The class must teach strategies for saving and managing money earned through employment, including income earned while incarcerated. This applies directly to every inmate in Utah state correctional facilities. The bill amends existing law (Utah Code 64-13-48) to add this specific requirement, building on current educational program mandates without additional funding.

Maddy summarySB 133 clarifies Utah's requirements for juvenile offenders on the sex, kidnap, and child abuse registry. It specifies that individuals under 18 who committed certain offenses (like sexual abuse or trafficking) without force or coercion and were under 21 at the time of the crime will only need to register for 10 years instead of for life. This amendment to Utah Code Section 53-29-203 directly affects young people convicted of specific crimes who would otherwise face lifetime registration. The change applies only to cases meeting all the specified criteria, not to all juvenile offenders.

Maddy summarySB 200 allows individuals to remove essential items like cell phones and work tools from vehicles that have been impounded. It updates the definition of "life essential item" to include these items and requires that removing them does not interfere with health or safety. The bill affects drivers whose vehicles are towed, making it easier to access critical personal or work-related items during the impoundment process. It makes no changes to towing procedures or fees, focusing solely on item removal rules.

Maddy summaryHB 442 requires manufacturers of menstrual products sold in Utah to list specific chemicals (like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and PFAS) and intentionally added ingredients on product packaging. It directly affects manufacturers of tampons, sanitary napkins, menstrual cups, and similar products sold in the state. The Division of Consumer Protection will enforce these labeling rules and create related regulations. This bill increases transparency about ingredients in feminine hygiene products without changing product safety standards or requiring new funding.

Maddy summarySB 215 would allow eviction records to be removed from public databases under two specific conditions: (1) if a case was fully dismissed with no pending appeal and at least one year has passed since dismissal, or (2) if both the tenant and landlord agreed to expunge the record and formally filed a stipulation with the court. The bill directly affects tenants whose eviction cases meet these criteria, enabling them to have the records removed from their history. Key provisions require either a court dismissal with a waiting period or a written agreement between parties filed with the court. This change aims to provide relief for individuals with dismissed cases or resolved disputes, without altering eviction procedures themselves.

Maddy summarySB 205 requires Utah law enforcement agencies to publicly share policies governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including which AI systems officers may use and how they must be configured. It mandates that any police report or record created partly using AI must include a clear disclaimer and a certification that the content was reviewed for accuracy. Agencies must post their full AI policies and detailed information about AI settings - such as transparency features or crime-specific restrictions - on their websites or the state public notice site. This law directly affects all Utah police departments and sheriff's offices, ensuring transparency about AI use in investigations. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.