Sen. Wayne Harper

Maddy summaryHB 25 amends Utah's retirement system to update record-keeping rules for participating employers and clarify withdrawal procedures for certain entities. It extends the required record retention period from 3 to 4 years after employee retirement or death, modifies eligibility for entities withdrawing from the retirement system (including nonprofits and mental health providers), and repeals a provision about opioid prescribing policies (unrelated to retirement administration). These changes affect public employers, retirement systems, and entities seeking to withdraw from participation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and was signed into law on March 20, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 25 modifies Utah's retirement law to allow retired emergency services workers (such as police officers and firefighters) to return to work within one year of retirement without losing their retirement benefits, provided they earn no more than $15,000 or half their final average salary (whichever is less) annually. The bill excludes certain payments like small stipends, expense reimbursements, and insurance premiums from counting toward this earnings limit. It also requires retirees to be at least 50 years old (for public safety roles) or 55 (for firefighters) to qualify and adjusts the earnings limit annually for inflation. These changes apply specifically to those reemployed by a different participating employer in an "affiliated emergency services worker" role.

Maddy summaryHB 283 amends Utah's child welfare laws to protect foster children and parents' rights. It prohibits the child welfare agency from withholding parent information, changing records without consent, or initiating medical care without consent. The bill specifically restricts opposite-sex bedroom sharing in foster homes (except for children under two or with written approval and family relationships) and bans using a parent's disagreement with a child's sexual orientation or gender identity to remove a child from custody or deny reunification services. These changes directly affect foster children, parents/guardians, foster parents, and the Division of Child and Family Services.

Maddy summaryUtah's SCR 3 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) reaffirming the state's right to control its own energy policies under federalism principles. It asserts that energy decisions affecting Utah residents fall under state authority per the Tenth Amendment, citing the recent *Loper Bright* Supreme Court decision as support. The resolution urges the federal government to limit energy regulation to interstate commerce and national security, and to consult states before implementing energy policies. It requests formal mechanisms for state input in federal energy decisions but contains no funding or binding requirements. This resolution expresses Utah's position but does not change existing energy regulations or federal authority.

Maddy summarySB 22 modifies Utah state employee benefits for those covered under the Public Employees' Long-Term Disability Act. It updates the definition of "gainful employment" for disability claims, includes overtime pay in salary calculations, adds a death benefit for disability recipients, and expands life counseling services. The bill also increases state-paid life insurance benefits for exempt employees through new tiers. These changes are funded using savings from reduced long-term disability premium rates, with no new state money appropriated.

Maddy summaryHB 414 amends Utah's raw milk regulations to enhance safety protocols and clarify outbreak response procedures. It directly affects raw milk producers and the Utah Department of Agriculture, requiring specific testing (e.g., bacterial counts under 20,000 CFU/mL), strict temperature controls (50°F within 1 hour, 41°F within 2 hours), and mandatory labeling stating "raw milk may be unsafe." Key provisions include directing third-party lab testing during outbreaks, defining "foodborne illness outbreak" (2+ cases from different households), and setting standards for reissuing suspended permits or lifting cease-and-desist orders. The bill also mandates retail store labeling, sales databases for health investigations, and maintains existing requirements for raw milk production and handling. No new funding is appropriated.

Maddy summarySB 269 modifies Utah's telecommunications regulations to increase pricing flexibility for both current major telephone companies and new competitors. It allows these companies to set prices for public services using price lists or contracts, with current major providers required to have over 30,000 phone lines and follow commission rules to qualify. The bill also ends certain "carrier of last resort" obligations (requiring service in remote areas) after July 1, 2025, and updates eligibility for a fund supporting telecommunications services. Additionally, it mandates that providers continue offering basic residential service in existing locations under specific conditions.

Maddy summarySB 21 modifies Utah's Public Employees' Long-Term Disability Act to clarify eligibility and benefit processes for public employees. It updates the definition of "objective medical impairment" to require documented medical evidence (not just subjective complaints) for mental health claims, extending this clarification through June 2026. The bill also revises application procedures, adjusts benefit exclusions, and directs the program to cover volunteer emergency medical personnel under existing benefits. These changes directly affect Utah public employees seeking disability benefits, particularly those with mental health conditions or who serve in emergency response roles. The bill makes technical adjustments without new funding or major cost shifts.

Maddy summaryHB 55, "County Office Amendments," allows Utah county legislative bodies to authorize elected county officers to maintain additional office space outside the county seat and to hold regular meetings at locations within the county other than the county seat, as approved by ordinance. This replaces the previous requirement that county offices and meetings must be held at the county seat. The bill makes these changes without new funding or altering other duties, such as the requirement for county offices to remain open for business. It affects counties currently required to have offices at the county seat (typically those with a population of 8,000 or more).

Maddy summarySJR 6 is a Utah legislative resolution reaffirming state sovereignty under the 10th Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government. It specifically references the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision (which overturned the Chevron doctrine) as a key moment for federalism. The resolution urges Utah state agencies to review federal regulations through this lens and calls on the federal government to respect state authority. It does not change laws or allocate funds but formally expresses Utah's position on federal-state power balance. The resolution directly affects Utah's state agencies and is addressed to federal lawmakers and Utah's congressional delegation.