Sen. Wayne Harper

Maddy summarySB 106 created the Utah-Ireland Trade Commission within Utah's Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to advance trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Utah and Ireland. The commission, composed of 11 members (including legislative appointees and representatives from the World Trade Center and higher education), must issue annual reports to the governor and hold no more than four paid meetings yearly. It was allocated $10,000 for 2026 operations and would sunset on July 1, 2030. Governor vetoed the bill on March 27, 2025, preventing its implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 44 requires Utah municipalities and counties to formally notify residential property owners within 2,500 feet of a "significant private airport" about the nearby airport's name, location, and boundary. The law mandates that local governments record a specific notice (including the airport's name, address, and legal description of the affected area) with the county recorder for all residential parcels in that zone. This applies to properties near private airports that meet the definition established in Utah Code Section 72-10-102, directly affecting homeowners in those areas and requiring local governments to implement the notice system. The bill makes technical amendments to existing code but does not appropriate funds or create new financial obligations.

Maddy summarySB 174 amends governance rules for large public transit districts in Utah, which serve areas with over 65% of the state's population across two or more counties. It requires all fixed guideway projects (like light rail infrastructure) to be supervised by the Utah Department of Transportation, regardless of whether state funds are used. The bill also adjusts board of trustees roles, mandates annual reports on reduced fare contracts, and updates planning requirements for these districts. These changes apply specifically to large transit districts, not smaller ones, and do not appropriate new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 514 allows Utah vehicle owners to choose electronic notifications instead of mail for registration renewals. It creates a 24-month registration option for trailers, off-highway vehicles, street-legal all-terrain vehicles, and electric motor vehicles, requiring double the standard annual fees. The bill adjusts fee calculations to account for the extended registration period and coordinates with related bills (HB 277 and HB 272) to ensure technical compatibility. This directly affects owners of the specified vehicle types who may opt for the longer registration term, while providing notification flexibility to all registered vehicle owners.

Maddy summaryHB 340 creates a new category for small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) designed to plug into standard household outlets. It exempts these devices from utility interconnection fees, approval requirements, and net metering program rules, while requiring a safety feature that shuts off during power outages. Homeowners using such devices won’t need utility approval, pay installation fees, or install extra equipment. The bill also protects utilities from liability for damage caused by these portable systems. It takes effect May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 308 amends Utah's driver's license rules to allow minors under 18 with learner permits to be supervised by a non-parent adult in specific situations. It directly affects teenagers aged 15-17 who hold learner permits and need a licensed adult to ride beside them while driving. The key change adds a new option: a responsible adult aged 21+ who isn't a parent can supervise if the minor's parent/guardian isn't licensed, the adult has written authorization from the parent, and the adult is licensed. This update modifies existing Utah Code Section 53-3-210.5 and takes effect May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 272 changes Utah's vehicle registration fee structure by increasing the weight threshold from 12,000 to 14,000 pounds for vehicles eligible for a flat statewide fee instead of property tax. This directly affects owners of heavier vehicles (like trucks and commercial vehicles) by altering their registration costs and requirements. The bill updates registration rules for vehicles over 14,000 pounds, requiring clear display of registered weight on the vehicle and adjusting fee calculations for commercial fleets. It makes no new funding changes and affects existing vehicle registration and tax procedures under Utah law.

Maddy summaryHB 150 modifies Utah's public safety communications system rules, affecting 911 centers (PSAPs) and the Utah Communications Authority Board. The bill changes the strategic plan review cycle from annual to every three years, requires regular updates to the statewide CAD-to-CAD communication protocol, and removes a requirement that all PSAPs in a county must qualify for a proportionate share of remaining funds for any single PSAP to receive funding. It also prohibits nonvoting board members from attending closed board meetings. These changes streamline funding access for PSAPs and adjust governance procedures without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summarySB 47 amends Utah's sales and use tax rules by removing a requirement for businesses to collect and remit tax when selling goods or services for storage, use, or consumption in Utah through more than 200 separate transactions. This change primarily affects smaller online or remote sellers who previously had to comply if they hit the 200-transaction threshold but earned under $100,000 in annual revenue from Utah sales. The bill replaces the transaction count rule with a single revenue-based threshold ($100,000 annually), simplifying compliance for many small businesses. It makes no new funding changes and takes effect after the governor signed it on March 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 237 modifies Utah's emergency communications rules to improve 911 service coordination and efficiency. It requires the Department of Public Safety to implement a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system by July 1, 2029, and revises how counties without meeting transfer rate standards must be audited. The bill also changes the formula for distributing 911 service charge revenue to counties and removes outdated funding references. These changes directly affect county emergency services and public safety answering points that handle 911 calls. The bill contains no new funding but updates operational requirements for statewide emergency communications.