Sen. Heidi Balderree

Maddy summaryHB 402 prohibits public schools in Utah from selling, donating, offering, or serving food containing nine specific additives (including certain dyes like FD&C Red No. 40 and preservatives like potassium bromate) during school days starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The ban applies to school food service but includes exceptions: parents may provide these foods, teachers may serve them with parental permission, and they may be sold at school events or in vending machines. Charter and district schools with 5,500 or fewer students are exempt. The law takes effect May 7, 2025, and does not appropriate funding.

Maddy summaryHB 477 clarifies that public comments at school board meetings following reasonable restrictions (like relevance to school board duties) cannot be used as grounds for criminal trespass charges. It also narrows the definition of "school property" under trespass laws to exclude school district offices and other non-school facilities owned by school districts. The bill requires school boards to adopt written policies by July 2023 allowing public comment on relevant topics during open meetings, while ensuring comments complying with these rules won’t trigger trespass penalties. These changes directly affect school boards (which must create comment policies) and attendees at school meetings (whose comments gain legal protection). The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025, with no funding impact.

Maddy summaryHB 234 increases the fine for operating a motorcycle without a required motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. It requires courts to waive the increased fine if the rider obtains the endorsement within 30 days of court proceedings, and allows courts to extend this period for good cause. The bill directly affects motorcycle riders who operate without the endorsement, changing their financial liability for this violation. It amends Utah Code Section 53-3-202 without adding new funding or altering other licensing requirements. The key change is making the penalty stricter while providing a clear path to avoid the fine through timely endorsement compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 405 increases criminal penalties for human trafficking in Utah by amending specific sections of state law. It elevates trafficking for sexual exploitation to a first-degree felony (with a minimum 10-year sentence), strengthens penalties for trafficking children (10-15 years minimum), and clarifies that trafficking vulnerable adults is a first-degree felony. The bill directly affects traffickers and those who benefit from trafficking by making these offenses separate crimes with harsher punishments. It modifies Utah Code sections 76-5-308.1, 76-5-308.5, 76-5-309, 76-5-310, and 76-5-311 to increase felony classifications and sentencing ranges. The law does not appropriate new funding or create new victim services.

Maddy summarySB 55 creates a new process for property owners to request immediate law enforcement assistance to remove trespassers who unlawfully occupy real property under specific conditions (e.g., after being directed to leave, not being a tenant or family member). It establishes a criminal penalty for trespassers causing $1,500 or more in property damage (a second-degree felony) and imposes felony charges for fraudulent activities like selling property without legal title, falsely advertising rentals, or presenting fake lease agreements. Property owners gain civil remedies, including triple damages or $500, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees. The law directly affects property owners seeking to regain control of their property, trespassers causing significant damage, and individuals committing fraud in real estate transactions. It amends Utah Code sections 76-6-206, 76-6-106.2, and adds new sections 76-6-525 and 78B-6-817, with no funding required.

Maddy summarySB 95 clarifies that local governments (like counties and cities) must hold public hearings with a quorum when seeking to raise property taxes above approved rates. It requires them to publicly state the exact tax increase amount, purpose, and estimated revenue impact at least 14 days before elections, with proper notice. This applies to all taxing entities making such rate changes and takes effect retroactively from January 1, 2025. The bill makes technical updates to ensure public hearing requirements align with Utah's Open Meetings Act.

Maddy summaryHB 363 requires Utah correctional facilities to test all female inmates for pregnancy upon admission and expands mandatory newborn hearing screenings to apply to all infants, regardless of hospital birth volume. The bill also mandates that parents or guardians receive a privacy consent form before newborn heelstick testing and can opt to consent to or decline the retention of biological samples or genetic data collected during testing. If consent is not given, the Department of Health and Human Services must destroy all collected samples and data. This bill directly affects incarcerated women, newborn infants, and their parents or guardians, with implementation requiring changes to existing testing protocols and consent procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 42 creates emergency funding for Utah school districts facing sudden increases in English learner enrollment. Schools qualify if English learner enrollment rises 75% above their three-year average or by 30+ students compared to that average. The state board will distribute funds from existing nonlapsing funds (capped at $500,000 annually) to cover teacher training, reducing class sizes for English learners, or hiring classroom aides - prohibiting administrative costs. Districts must demonstrate financial need and report annually on how funds improve student outcomes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 76 amends Utah's public education system to streamline operations and adjust funding mechanisms. It allows local school districts to use leftover funds from teacher salary programs to increase payments under specific circumstances, adds Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind to the eligible programs, and removes redundant language about college readiness plans. The bill also changes kindergarten enrollment rules (permitting students moving from other states to enroll without age adjustments) and eliminates requirements for toilet-training assessments and digital communication platforms for early learning plans. These changes reduce administrative burdens on schools while maintaining existing funding levels, with no new money appropriated.

Maddy summaryHB 361 requires Utah's Department of Health and Human Services to create educational materials on recognizing drug overdoses. These materials must be included in alcohol training seminars for specific participants, such as those in hospitality or healthcare roles. The bill also clarifies that receiving this training does not create or increase legal liability for the individual. This policy change affects state agencies and training providers, aiming to improve public awareness of overdose recognition without adding legal risk.