Sen. David Hinkins

Maddy summaryHB 530 creates a "permitting coordinator" position within Utah's Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to streamline state permitting processes. The coordinator will serve as a central contact for businesses and project developers seeking multiple state permits, helping them navigate requirements, connect with relevant agencies, and identify coordination improvements. Crucially, the coordinator cannot issue, deny, or modify permits - authority remains with existing permitting agencies. The role also requires annual reporting on coordination efforts and recommendations for administrative or legislative changes to improve permitting efficiency, with no new funding allocated.

Maddy summaryHCR 13 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) encouraging Utah schools to expand technical education programs focused on high-demand careers in nuclear technology, mining, and fiber optics. It urges the State Board of Education and local schools to create courses leading to industry certifications (like electric lineworker training) and collaborate with employers to align curriculum with workforce needs. The resolution does not appropriate funding or mandate changes but recommends specific actions to strengthen Utah’s workforce pipeline in key industries. It directly affects public schools, career and technical education programs, and industry partners through voluntary program development. The resolution passed the legislature in March 2026 and is now sent to the State Board of Education for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 468 requires health insurance plans in Utah to cover mobile mammography screenings when provided by an approved mobile unit (like a bus or vehicle with FDA-accredited equipment) in rural areas. It defines "rural area" as specific county classifications and mandates that coverage must reimburse mobile units at the same rate as in-network facility screenings. The bill also requires mobile units to accept the reimbursement amount plus any patient cost-sharing as full payment and to follow U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for screenings. This law takes effect January 1, 2027, directly affecting insurers, mobile mammography providers, and patients in rural Utah.

Maddy summaryHJR 8 is a joint resolution urging the Utah State Board of Education to develop systems for tracking and sharing real-time fiscal impacts of legislation on school districts (LEAs). It calls for the State Board to collaborate with school business administrators and stakeholders to create standardized methods for analyzing how bills affect local education budgets, including enrollment size, location, and infrastructure costs. The resolution requests specific tools like online tracking systems and rotating committees of school finance experts to provide timely data to lawmakers during legislative sessions. It does not appropriate funds or create new legal requirements, but instead seeks to improve communication between state and local education entities about budgetary effects.

Maddy summarySB 249 establishes a Labor Relations Board to oversee collective bargaining for public employees in Utah. The bill creates a board with five members (the Labor Commission commissioner plus four governor-appointed members representing employers and employees) and sets rules for representation elections, mandatory bargaining between public employers and unions, and dispute resolution through mediation or arbitration. It prohibits police officers from striking and requires unions to represent all employees without discrimination. The bill also outlines procedures for investigating unfair labor practices and administering collective bargaining agreements, affecting all state and local government employees covered by the new rules.

Maddy summaryHB 588 requires Utah's Office of American Indian-Alaska Native Health and Family Services to create mandatory training for peace officers investigating missing or murdered Indigenous individuals. The training curriculum must cover tribal sovereignty principles, relevant federal/state/tribal laws, methods for gathering accurate tribal affiliation information, coordination with family members, and best practices for interviewing families. This bill directly affects law enforcement officers conducting such investigations and aims to improve investigative approaches through culturally informed practices. The training must be reviewed and updated at least every three years, with the bill taking effect on May 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 534 adds legal immunity for property owners, tenants, and government entities when accidental firearm discharges occur on their property under lawful conditions. It expands immunity to include businesses and legal entities (not just individuals) who allow lawful firearm possession on their property, and grants similar immunity to government properties where firearm use complies with policy. The bill explicitly excludes immunity if the property owner or government official actively encouraged or aided a discharge for an unlawful purpose. This changes liability rules for accidental shootings but does not alter firearm laws or require new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 35 extends the expiration date of the Bears Ears Visitor Center Advisory Committee from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2028. This procedural bill makes no changes to the committee's responsibilities or funding, as it only adjusts the committee's sunset date. The committee, which advises on the Bears Ears Visitor Center operations, will now continue functioning for two additional years. No new policy or financial provisions are introduced.

Maddy summaryHCR 1 is a non-binding resolution expressing Utah's support for the advanced nuclear manufacturing industry and declaring the state's desire to host such manufacturing. It commits Utah to helping technology companies address safety challenges in nuclear manufacturing, transportation, and waste management, while welcoming innovative nuclear firms to the state. The resolution does not create new laws, appropriate funds, or directly affect specific entities, but signals legislative backing for the industry's development.

Maddy summaryHB 5 is a funding bill that allocates $1.3 billion in state funds for Utah's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality agencies for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly affects the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, providing specific appropriations for its programs like Animal Industry, Invasive Species Mitigation, Plant Industry, and Marketing. The bill details funding sources (including General Fund and Income Tax Fund) and includes limited provisions for non-lapsing funds to cover specific operational needs like equipment, training, and projects. It does not create new policies but authorizes spending for existing agency operations.