Sen. Kirk Cullimore

Maddy summaryHB 510 modifies Utah's process for creating new preliminary municipalities (areas seeking to become incorporated towns). It requires applicants to coordinate with counties for 18 months before filing a feasibility request, mandates independent consultants to use objective, area-specific data from the past decade, and extends the feasibility study timeline. Applicants must now include property improvement warranties, certify development plans align with feasibility studies, and meet updated bond or deposit requirements. The bill directly affects individuals or groups seeking to form new municipalities and their interactions with county governments, with no new funding or significant cost changes.

Maddy summaryHB 596 revises definitions and organizational structures related to Utah's homelessness services. It creates the Mitigation Fund Task Force and reorganizes advisory boards (renaming "Shelter Cities Advisory Board" to "Shelter Cities Coordinating Council" and similarly for counties). The bill establishes a Homeless Services Restricted Account to assist counties with homelessness programs and allows funds from leased property to cover operational costs. It makes no new funding appropriations but clarifies how existing resources can be used for homelessness services, primarily affecting counties, homeless service providers, and local governments managing shelters.

Maddy summarySB 306 modifies Utah's process for areas to withdraw from first responder special districts (those providing fire, paramedic, or emergency services). It specifically creates a new procedure for counties of the first class to initiate withdrawal, requiring the county's governing body to adopt a resolution approving the withdrawal within 180 days of municipal incorporation. The bill also updates requirements for feasibility studies on withdrawal and changes how district boards must file documents with the lieutenant governor after receiving withdrawal notice. These changes primarily affect counties seeking to leave first responder districts and the districts themselves, streamlining administrative steps without new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 581 requires large public transit districts in Utah to gather information about implementing self-driving bus networks by November 2026. It directs the state Department of Transportation to similarly collect data on autonomous vehicle technology, including costs, timelines, and potential benefits. The bill defines key terms like "driverless operation" and "automated driving systems" to clarify future regulations. These information requests aim to inform state decisions about self-driving transit systems without creating new funding or requirements.

Maddy summarySB 114 would automatically update Utah’s controlled substance schedule to align with federal rescheduling of a specific type of psilocybin. If the federal government reschedules this psilocybin, Utah’s law would automatically move it out of Schedule I without requiring new state legislation. The bill amends Utah Code Section 58-37-4, which lists controlled substances, to implement this automatic adjustment. It does not create new restrictions or funding but ensures Utah’s law follows federal changes for this substance.

Maddy summarySB 113 extends the validity period for prescriptions of Schedule V controlled substances (like certain cough medicines and anti-diarrheal medications) from one year to two years. This change directly affects healthcare providers who write these prescriptions and patients needing ongoing treatment for conditions like chronic pain or allergies. The bill amends Utah Code sections 58-17b-609 and 58-37-6 to allow prescriptions to remain valid for up to two years without requiring renewal, while maintaining existing rules for higher-schedule drugs (Schedules I-IV). The policy change has no associated funding and applies only to low-risk medications under Schedule V.

Maddy summaryHB 263 requires a registration fee for heavy duty vehicles (over 14,000 pounds gross weight) with a 2009 or older model year, excluding farm tractors and trucks. The fee revenue must be deposited into Utah's Environmental Mitigation and Response Fund. This bill updates vehicle registration codes to establish the fee and directs its funding source, with no new money appropriated. It directly affects owners of older heavy commercial vehicles registered in Utah.

Maddy summarySB 138 designates Apple iOS as Utah's official state mobile operating system, adding it to the state's list of symbolic emblems under Utah Code Section 63G-1-601. This procedural bill does not change any laws, impose costs, or affect residents or businesses - it simply adds a symbolic designation to Utah's existing collection of state symbols (like the elk or sego lily). The bill amends the state code to include "Utah's state mobile operating system is Apple iOS" as section (38). It takes effect on May 6, 2026, and has no practical policy impact beyond ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summarySB 211 prevents defendants in personal injury lawsuits from using evidence about third-party payments (like insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid) to reduce compensation. It makes inadmissible any information about collateral sources, reduced medical bills, health care provider liens, or the plaintiff’s personal financial obligations for treatment. This directly affects plaintiffs who received medical care covered by insurance and defendants who previously tried to lower settlements based on pre-paid medical costs. The law requires courts to instruct juries not to consider these factors during trials.

Maddy summaryHB 438, the AI Companion Chatbot Safety Act, regulates companies that create AI chatbots designed for emotional engagement. It requires suppliers to implement safety protocols for identifying risks, conduct independent safety evaluations, and publicly report on safety measures and user engagement. The bill specifically prohibits sharing minors' data, sending unsolicited messages to encourage use, exposing minors to harmful content, or hiding that the chatbot is AI (mandating clear disclosure). It grants enforcement authority to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection and establishes fines for violations. The law directly affects AI chatbot developers and users, particularly minors, by setting concrete safety and transparency standards.