Sen. Lincoln Fillmore

Maddy summaryHB 113 amends Utah's criminal code to strengthen penalties for falsely reporting emergencies to 911 or emergency services. It increases punishments for making false reports - ranging from misdemeanors for basic false calls to felonies if the report causes serious harm, death, or involves weapons of mass destruction. The bill also adds new penalties for repeated false reports about sex-designated changing rooms and requires offenders to reimburse costs for emergency responses they triggered. If passed, it would take effect on May 6, 2026, and coordinates with a related bill (S.B. 99) to align penalty structures.

Maddy summaryHB 312 requires Utah public schools to implement "spiral instruction" on foundational U.S. civics documents (including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Federalist Papers) for all K-12 students. Starting in the 2028-2029 school year, schools must teach these documents repeatedly through the grades, with content growing more complex each year to build deeper understanding of their historical context, principles, and relevance to current events. The State Board of Education must develop core standards ensuring this instruction aligns with students' developmental levels and integrates with existing social studies curricula. This policy directly affects all Utah public school districts and their K-12 students, with no new state funding allocated.

Maddy summarySB 130 modifies how Utah's Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands funds Jordan River projects, requiring consultation with the Jordan River Commission before spending and allowing funds for improvements along the river's entire length. It creates a matching grant program where counties or municipalities can receive state funds (up to $2 million for FY 2027) if they provide equal matching funds for projects that increase recreational access or improve public safety along the river. The bill also updates rules for partnerships with organizations for river maintenance, invasive species removal, and law enforcement patrols. These changes directly affect local governments and river management groups seeking to enhance public access and safety on the Jordan River.

Maddy summaryHB 68 creates a new Division of Housing within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, replacing the previous Housing and Community Development Division. It renames that division to the Community Development Division, repeals the Commission on Housing Affordability, and requires the new Division's deputy director to coordinate with the Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) under specific circumstances. The bill also reorganizes housing-related code sections, defines key terms, and makes technical changes to existing laws, all without appropriating new state funds. This restructuring directly affects state housing agencies, the UHC, and the oversight of affordable housing programs in Utah. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 229 modifies Utah state employee benefits by replacing separate annual and sick leave with a single paid time off (PTO) system. It requires agencies to convert accrued leave hours to PTO at a 1:1 ratio, grants the Division of Human Resources authority to set PTO rules, and expands postpartum recovery leave for eligible employees. The bill also adds parental leave eligibility for State Board of Education employees and adjusts 401(k) match rates and maximum employer contributions for specified employees. These changes directly affect all Utah state employees covered under the modified benefit provisions, with no new funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 290 expands Utah's child tax credit by raising income thresholds where the credit begins to phase out. It increases the phaseout limits to $30,500 for married filing separately, $49,000 for single/head of household, and $61,000 for joint filers (up from $27,000, $43,000, and $54,000, respectively). This change directly affects Utah taxpayers with qualifying children who previously saw their credit reduced due to higher income. The bill maintains the $1,000-per-child credit amount but allows more families to claim the full credit, with retrospective effect for 2026 tax years. The change takes effect May 6, 2026, and requires no new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 228 amends Utah's vehicle title branding rules to clarify how damaged or salvaged vehicles are labeled. It defines terms like "rebuilt and restored" for salvaged vehicles that have been properly repaired and restored to safety standards. The bill requires Utah's Motor Vehicle Division to check a national database before issuing new titles, helping prevent fraud with vehicles from other states. These changes directly affect vehicle owners, dealers, and the state's title processing system by standardizing branding and improving title verification.

Maddy summaryThis Utah bill (SB 59) amends alimony laws to require courts to explicitly consider the tax impact of alimony payments on both parties when determining or modifying support. It also clarifies that alimony payments automatically end if a recipient cohabits with another person, even if cohabitation began before a termination motion is filed. The changes apply to divorce cases where the petition was filed after May 1, 2024, and require courts to document findings if rebutting the presumption of equalizing living standards in long-term marriages. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, affecting divorce proceedings involving alimony in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 219, the Higher Education Civics Amendments, requires Utah's public and private colleges and universities to incorporate foundational American documents - such as the Constitution, Federalist Papers, and key Supreme Court decisions - into writing courses when appropriate for the course's learning goals, starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The Utah Board of Higher Education must establish a policy directing institutions to use these "seminal documents" in analytical writing assignments to build skills like close reading, historical context analysis, and evidence-based argumentation. Institutions may voluntarily adopt structured requirements (e.g., three analytical writing assignments using these documents), but the bill does not mandate adoption for all schools. Faculty retain full discretion to select specific documents, design assignments, and integrate them without overriding course objectives. The policy aims to strengthen students' ability to analyze primary sources while preserving flexibility in teaching diverse writing genres.

Maddy summarySB 52 removes the requirement for a teaching license for long-term substitute teachers in Utah school districts. This change directly affects school districts hiring substitutes and non-licensed individuals seeking long-term substitute roles. The bill eliminates the previous restriction limiting non-licensed substitutes to 20 days per school year, while maintaining background checks and requiring districts to prioritize licensed educators when available. It amends Utah Code Section 53E-6-901 and takes effect May 6, 2026.