Sen. Heidi Balderree

Maddy summarySB 272 allows charter schools in Utah to become eligible for state transportation funding starting on a specified date. It requires the State Board of Education to study charter school transportation funding needs and establishes new reporting requirements for this funding. The bill also includes a sunset provision (ending the policy after a set date) and makes technical changes to existing education codes. No new state funds are appropriated for this change, meaning it modifies eligibility rules without additional spending.

Maddy summaryHB 483 modifies Utah's regulations around cut flower sales by preventing local governments from banning such sales if a person grows flowers on their private property. It requires municipalities and counties to allow residents to sell cut flowers from home-grown plants (if permitted to grow flowers there), while permitting localities to require business licenses for these sales - though licenses cannot be denied solely because someone grows or sells cut flowers. The bill directly affects homeowners who grow flowers for personal use and want to sell cut flowers, as well as local governments that regulate business activities. It takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate funds or change existing flower-growing rights.

Maddy summarySB 293 creates Utah's Consumer Pricing Act, prohibiting most suppliers from using consumer data to increase prices for goods or services. It directly affects businesses selling products or services, requiring them to avoid using personal data for price hikes unless specific exceptions apply. Key provisions mandate that suppliers using automatic pricing systems must retain related data for at least one year and define terms like "automatic pricing system" and "biometric data." The Division of Consumer Protection will enforce these rules, adding Chapter 82 to Utah's consumer protection laws without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summaryHB 524 clarifies reporting structures for school district financial officers in Utah. It specifies that school district business administrators are at-will employees who report directly to the district superintendent (not the school board), and that the Deputy Superintendent of Operations reports directly to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill makes technical updates to existing education codes (53E-3-301, 53G-4-302, 53G-4-303) without appropriating new funds or creating new programs. This change directly affects school district business administrators and state-level education operations staff by altering their supervisory chains.

Maddy summaryHB 464 allows parents to serve as certified driver education instructors for their own children, eliminating the requirement for formal classroom instruction. Local schools must provide parents with materials to complete both classroom education and behind-the-wheel driving hours. This directly affects Utah parents of minor drivers seeking to fulfill state driver education requirements. The bill amends Utah Code sections governing learner permits and driver education to permit parent-led instruction under specific conditions.

Maddy summaryHJR 9 modifies the effective date for education-related bills in Utah. It defines "bill that addresses public education" as legislation primarily affecting Utah's public school system (including funding, administration, and state oversight), excluding pure budget bills. The resolution sets a default effective date of July 1st for such bills - instead of the standard 60 days after session adjournment - and requires legislative leadership approval for bills with alternative effective dates. This change applies only to bills directly impacting public education, with no new funding or substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 183 amends Utah state laws to replace the term "gender" with "sex" in all relevant statutes and removes protections based on gender identity. It repeals existing provisions covering gender identity in housing, employment, and crime, prohibits changes to sex designations on birth certificates, and restricts student access to privacy spaces based on biological sex. The bill also requires state agencies to use "sex" instead of "gender" in rulemaking, bars certain employees in child-related roles from having face-to-face contact with children if their work presents a different sex than their biological sex, and directs courts to consider parental opposition to a child's gender identity (conflicting with biological sex) as a factor in custody decisions. These changes directly affect transgender and gender-diverse individuals, schools, healthcare providers, and courts handling custody cases. The bill contains no funding impacts and is currently in early legislative stages.

Maddy summaryHB 304 requires businesses and government offices that accept digital or card payments at physical locations to also accept cash payments. It mandates that businesses with multiple checkout areas must maintain at least one cash-accepting terminal per location. The bill preserves the right for businesses to require exact change but does not apply to online transactions. If enacted, this would create Utah’s "Supplier Cash Act" under new sections of state law, adding specific requirements to the existing consumer protection framework.

Maddy summarySB 129 establishes Utah Civic Engagement and Service Day, observed annually on the first Friday in September. This new commemorative day aims to promote civic responsibility, community service, and constructive dialogue in response to political violence that occurred in Utah on September 10, 2025. The bill amends Utah Code Section 63G-1-401 to add this day to the state's list of recognized observances, with no funding or additional policy changes. As a procedural bill naming a commemorative day, it does not directly affect specific groups beyond encouraging statewide participation in civic activities.

Maddy summaryHB 334 creates the Legislative Education Support and Professional Development Commission to study gaps in educator support systems. The commission will examine issues like communication between schools and policymakers, professional development opportunities, teacher liability insurance models, and recognition programs, with a focus on educators not covered by professional organizations. It will hold its first meeting before October 1, 2026, and submit recommendations to the Education Interim Committee. The bill does not change existing laws or allocate funding, as it establishes a study body to inform future policy decisions.