Maddy summaryHB 508 streamlines how Utah's higher education institutions request funding for capital facility projects. It establishes the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee to review these requests and sets new rules, including raising the maximum project cost for direct state entity supervision from $100,000 to $1.5 million. The bill requires institutions to complete architectural programming before design/construction funding requests and mandates memorandums of understanding with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management for self-supervised projects. It also prohibits using the division's contingency reserves for such projects and gives the division authority to take over deficient projects. The bill makes no new money appropriations but clarifies existing funding processes and requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 118 requires CDL applicants to certify their English language ability by signing a form, directly affecting individuals applying for commercial driver licenses. It also mandates that driver training schools report specific data to the state, creating new administrative requirements for these schools. The bill amends Utah's licensing code sections related to CDL applicant qualifications and school reporting, with no new funding required. These changes aim to standardize language proficiency verification and improve oversight of CDL training programs.
Maddy summaryHB 536 amends Utah laws to protect public lands and cultural sites by increasing penalties for damaging them. It specifically targets graffiti on natural and archaeological features and alters penalties for harming antiquities. The bill creates a "Public Lands Restoration and Protection Fund" managed by the State Historic Preservation Office, requiring courts to direct restitution from offenders to this fund for violations like graffiti damage or antiquities destruction on state lands. Funds will be used for site restoration, public education about protection laws, and anti-vandalism efforts.
Maddy summaryHB 187 modifies Utah water law to protect water rights in the Colorado River's lower basin. It exempts water conservancy districts from losing rights after seven years of nonuse (a standard rule), prohibits certain changes to instream flow applications in the lower basin, and aligns with another bill (H.B. 348) on dedicated water. The bill directly affects water conservancy districts managing water resources in the lower basin, ensuring they retain rights during planning or drought. It makes technical adjustments to existing statutes without new funding or broad policy shifts.
Maddy summaryHB 369 updates Utah's agricultural regulations by revising the composition of the Agricultural Advisory Board and clarifying funding rules for disaster relief from the Agriculture Resource Development Fund. It creates a new special revenue account for the Department of Agriculture and Food's weights and measures program, removes outdated requirements like farm name registration, and modifies branding definitions to exclude tattoos and specify locations. The bill also streamlines water optimization grant processes by allowing applicants to consult with the Division of Water Rights about water change applications. These changes primarily affect the Department of Agriculture and Food, livestock producers, and agricultural industry stakeholders.
Maddy summaryHB 354 creates a new criminal offense for damaging or interfering with public emergency alert devices designed to notify law enforcement during emergencies and help locate individuals needing assistance. The bill defines "rescue tracking equipment" as public devices that alert authorities and track locations for emergency response, and prohibits destroying, disabling, or tampering with them if it hinders their function. Violations are classified as class B misdemeanors, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or fines. This law directly affects anyone who intentionally damages or disrupts these emergency devices, ensuring they remain functional for life-saving assistance. The bill amends Utah Code Section 76-6-106.4 and takes effect May 6, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 196 amends Utah's Wrongful Lien Act to clarify and strengthen protections for property owners. It expands the definition of "wrongful lien" to include improper notices about reinvestment or transfer fees, making such notices invalid if recorded incorrectly. The bill also adds new filing requirements for homeowner associations recording liens and clarifies that county recorders do not need to determine if a notice qualifies as a wrongful lien in specific situations. These changes primarily affect homeowners, homeowners associations, and county recorders by reducing improper lien claims on property. The law makes technical updates to existing Utah Code sections without appropriating new funds.
Maddy summarySB 191 codifies Utah's existing rules for impound lots and introduces a new requirement: towing operators removed from a county's towing rotation in first or second-class counties must wait 180 days before rejoining. The bill affects towing companies operating in these counties by creating a mandatory waiting period for re-joining rotations after removal. Key provisions include standardizing impound lot signage, storage requirements, and procedures for retrieving items from impounded vehicles, while also clarifying when vehicles can be seized without a warrant. The bill makes technical updates to Utah Code sections governing impound lot standards but does not appropriate new funds.
Maddy summarySB 27 amends Utah law to expand protections for peace officers and military service members against assault or threats of violence. It separates offenses into two distinct categories: one for peace officers (including off-duty officers and their families if the attack was due to their status) and another for military members (including off-duty members, those not in uniform, and their families under similar circumstances). The bill clarifies definitions, such as "family member" and "peace officer," and updates related code sections to reflect these changes. These amendments aim to strengthen legal safeguards for these groups without altering existing penalty structures.
Maddy summarySB 32 corrects a technical error in Utah's child abuse homicide statute by removing an erroneous reference to "child torture" (Section 76-5-109.4), which was already covered under the separate murder offense. The bill does not change penalties or affect new cases but ensures legal clarity by aligning the statute with existing law. It makes this correction effective immediately upon enactment, without appropriating funds. The bill directly affects legal interpretations of child abuse homicide cases where the duplicate reference previously caused confusion. This is a procedural fix to the Utah Code, not a policy change.