Sen. Mike McKell

Maddy summaryHB 218 amends Utah’s requirements for digital literacy education in grades 7 and 8, directly affecting public school students in those grades starting the 2027-2028 school year. The bill defines specific digital skills concepts (such as online ethics, AI literacy, cybersecurity, social media impact, and misinformation evaluation) that must be covered in the course. It also establishes an advisory tech council to guide curriculum development, recommend resources, and advise on emerging technologies. The changes update existing education codes without new funding, focusing on standardizing digital literacy instruction across Utah schools.

Maddy summaryHB 394 amends Utah's Veterinary Practice Act by updating definitions and clarifying rules related to veterinary services. It specifically revises terms like "veterinary services," "volunteer health practitioner," and "emergency" to better define how these concepts apply during disasters or public health events. These changes directly affect veterinarians, animal health facilities, and emergency response organizations that provide veterinary care during crises, ensuring consistent application of existing laws without creating new requirements or costs.

Maddy summarySB 204 requires Utah health insurers to apply the same cost-sharing rules (like copays and deductibles) for physical therapy services as they do for primary care visits. This directly affects patients seeking physical therapy and insurers, ensuring they pay no more out-of-pocket for PT than for a primary care visit. The bill amends Utah law to prohibit insurers from charging higher fees or imposing extra costs for physical therapy compared to primary care, while clarifying that physical therapists must still practice within existing scope-of-practice laws. It takes effect January 1, 2027, with no new funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 38 amends Utah county government procedures to clarify administrative processes and update election requirements. It requires counties to seek voter approval for moving county seats, mandates elections on optional government structure changes at least 180 days after a legal report, and modifies county recorder fees and record-keeping rules. The bill removes a bonding requirement for county financial officers, updates election notification rules for disqualified candidates, and repeals outdated provisions like criminal penalties for personnel management violations. These changes directly affect all Utah counties and their residents by streamlining county operations and voter engagement processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum balance allowed in Utah's Securities Investor Education, Training, and Enforcement Fund from $500,000 to $1,000,000. The Securities Division directly affects this fund, as it now holds excess money longer before transferring it to the General Fund. The fund supports investor education materials, training for licensees, and enforcement activities like investigations. This change allows the division to retain more funds for these purposes without immediate transfer, effective May 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 171 clarifies that insurance plans must allow patients to select physician assistants (PAs) as primary care providers without higher costs or barriers. It amends Utah law to explicitly include PAs in insurance coverage requirements for primary care, ensuring they are recognized alongside physicians, obstetricians, gynecologists, and pediatricians. The bill requires insurers to cover PA services as primary care under the same terms as other providers, preventing higher premiums or copays for choosing a PA. This affects patients seeking primary care and insurance companies operating in Utah, with the changes taking effect May 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 248 modifies Utah's family law system, primarily affecting individuals receiving or paying spousal and child support, as well as the Office of Recovery Services (ORS). It requires the ORS to hold meetings for support recipients and payers (with a sunset date), allows up to $35,000 in arrears to trigger driver license suspension, and mandates that a portion of child support payments after July 1, 2028, flow to families on public assistance. The bill also sets interest accrual on overdue child support starting July 1, 2027, and updates ORS reporting requirements with temporary sunset provisions. These changes aim to clarify support collection processes without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summarySB 263 removes an exception that allowed commercial drivers to use chemical bonding agents to secure loose loads like gravel, sand, or construction debris instead of physical covers. This change affects trucking companies and haulers transporting such materials, requiring them to use physical covers for all loads previously eligible for chemical bonding. The bill does not alter existing penalties for unsecured loads or other safety requirements. It directly eliminates one compliance method under Utah’s vehicle load regulations without introducing new costs or provisions.

Maddy summarySB 253 requires school districts (LEAs) to create and adopt a public library collection policy developed under a teacher librarian or certified language arts teacher. The policy must comply with existing law (Section 53G-10-103) and be posted online for public access. This bill directly affects school libraries by mandating transparent, staff-guided collection standards. It does not restrict specific materials but sets procedural requirements for how libraries build their collections. The bill is currently pending review by the Senate Rules Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 479 modifies Utah's election code to change how mail ballots are handled and accessed. Starting in 2029, voters must actively request mail ballot delivery and return by mail every eight years - otherwise, they will not automatically receive mail ballots. The bill also requires two poll workers to be present at ballot drop boxes, mandates ID verification at drop boxes, and extends emergency ballot access to voters with disabilities who cannot travel. These changes affect all Utah voters who use mail ballots or drop boxes, with the key policy shift being the requirement for periodic voter confirmation of mail ballot preferences.