Sen. Mike McKell

Maddy summaryHB 222 modifies Utah's traffic accident reporting rules to allow attorneys representing accident victims to access unredacted accident reports - including full witness statements, videos, and photos - instead of only redacted versions. The bill specifically permits attorneys (defined as "agents") to receive complete reports for civil cases, while adding penalties for unauthorized public sharing of protected records. It maintains existing restrictions on disclosing personal details like phone numbers or addresses when safety is at risk. The change aims to streamline access to evidence for victims' legal representation without altering insurance or statistical disclosure practices.

Maddy summaryHB 379 updates Utah's population data procedures to standardize how local governments and state entities use population estimates. It requires local governments to use the Utah Population Committee's annual sub-county population estimates for planning and legal purposes, only turning to U.S. Census data if the committee's estimate isn't available. The bill also mandates that government agencies share necessary data with the committee to support accurate population reporting. This affects all municipalities, counties, and state agencies that rely on population data for redistricting, funding, or legal decisions. The changes apply to multiple state codes governing local government operations and planning.

Maddy summaryHB 341 revises Utah's higher education laws to exempt private colleges and universities from most state system rules unless specifically included. It allows the University of Utah to enroll out-of-state medical students in its programs and updates definitions for terms like "private postsecondary institution" and "eligible postsecondary institution." The bill also modifies requirements for education loan notifications to borrowers and adjusts scholarship eligibility criteria. These changes take effect on May 7, 2025, with no new state funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 300 updates Utah's election procedures, primarily affecting voters and election officials. It requires voters with Utah driver's licenses or ID cards to include the last four digits of that card (or SSN) on mail ballot return envelopes, with signature verification allowed until 2029. Starting in 2029, voters without Utah ID or SSN must provide alternative ID copies or vote in person (with exceptions), and mail ballot requests will remain active for eight years unless canceled. The bill also directs the lieutenant governor to develop procedures for verifying voter registration records and investigating undeliverable ballots, while adding new duties related to federal jury list coordination.

Maddy summarySB 48 modifies Utah's licensing rules for mental health therapists by updating definitions and requirements for clinical supervision. It expands therapists' scopes of practice, clarifies standards for clinical supervisors (including training and oversight rules), and creates the Mental Health Professionals Education and Enforcement Fund. These changes directly affect licensed mental health therapists, their supervisors, and trainees by adjusting practice boundaries and supervision protocols. The bill makes technical corrections to existing code but does not appropriate new funding.

Maddy summarySB 134 enacts Utah’s adoption of the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act, standardizing how residents plan for future health care decisions. It creates a clear, optional form for advance directives (including mental health care preferences), defines who can make health care choices if a person cannot, and allows health care providers to act as temporary decision-makers in emergencies when no other options exist. The law replaces older, inconsistent rules with uniform guidelines for patients, families, and medical providers across Utah. It does not change existing costs or require new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 65 expands Utah's workers' compensation protections for firefighters diagnosed with specific cancers by creating a rebuttable presumption that the cancer was work-related. It adds 15 new cancers (including bladder, brain, leukemia, and lung) to the list covered under the presumption, while excluding respiratory cancers linked to tobacco or marijuana use. The bill requires fire departments to cover annual cancer screenings for firefighters with eight years of service, aligns screening with national standards, and mandates documentation of tobacco abstinence. It appropriates $3.7 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026 to implement these changes. This directly affects Utah firefighters who develop covered cancers, simplifying their claims process for benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 82 requires Utah prosecution agencies to follow specific due process steps before adding peace officers to a system tracking misconduct that must be disclosed to defendants. This includes providing written notice, copies of evidence, and an opportunity to dispute the placement, with exceptions for criminal convictions or finalized POST decisions. The bill also mandates that agencies create a public policy explaining placement criteria and rights, and notify the officer’s employer of the placement. These changes directly affect peace officers, their law enforcement employers, and prosecution agencies in Utah.

Maddy summarySB 216 modifies Utah's regulations for radioactive waste facilities. It creates a new tax for facilities applying to build or expand, requiring payment when submitting applications to the Division of Waste Management. The tax revenue must be deposited into an energy-related fund, and the tax expires after a set period. This bill directly affects radioactive waste facilities seeking expansion or new construction.

Maddy summaryHB 309 amends Utah's wildlife laws to clarify definitions and update regulations affecting hunters, wildlife board members, and land managers. Key changes include defining "night hunting" for nonprotected wildlife (banning light-enhancement devices during these hunts), requiring hunting licenses for Wildlife Board or advisory council members, and refining terms like "big game" and access to wildlife management areas. The bill also updates livestock depredation compensation rules and corrects technical errors in existing statutes. These changes directly impact hunters, wildlife managers, and residents dealing with wildlife conflicts, without adding new costs or programs.