Maddy summaryHB 352 requires Utah's public higher education institutions to organize into geographic regions containing at least one degree-granting institution and one technical college per region. It mandates the Utah Board of Higher Education to establish regional groupings, report to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee by August 2026, and ensure horizontal (collaboration between similar institutions) and vertical (integration across education levels) integration. Key provisions include creating clear transfer paths for credits, stackable programs that build sequentially, and shared services like admissions and student support. This affects all public higher education institutions in Utah, including research universities (e.g., University of Utah, Utah State), regional universities (e.g., Weber State, Utah Valley), community colleges (e.g., Salt Lake Community College), and technical colleges. The bill amends Utah Code Section 53H-3-602 to formalize these regional alignment requirements.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 216 proposes adjusting state funding for public colleges based on changes in student enrollment trends. It would calculate funding by comparing five-year average enrollment data (for resident students) between two consecutive five-year periods and adjusting support based on whether enrollment increased or decreased. This funding mechanism directly affects public higher education institutions in the state, tying their state appropriations to measurable enrollment performance. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Education Committee and has not yet become law.
Maddy summaryHB 143 requires Utah school districts to provide parents of students in special education with written notice at least 30 days before changing a student’s special education placement due to a boundary change (like moving to a new school). The notice must include details about the change’s reason, new location, timeline, contact information, and options for discussing it or scheduling an IEP meeting. It directly affects parents of students in special education programs whose school assignments are altered. The bill creates a clear process for districts to communicate these changes while giving parents time to provide input before decisions are finalized.
Maddy summarySB 324 establishes Utah's Outcome-based Investment Grant Pilot Framework, creating a system where state grant funding is tied to measurable project outcomes. It requires grant applicants to submit detailed pre-analysis plans outlining specific metrics and evaluation methods before receiving funds, mandates independent evaluations of funded projects, and sets up oversight by the Legislative Auditor General. The bill appropriates $9 million for fiscal year 2027 (split between the Income Tax Fund and other sources) and includes a sunset date of July 1, 2031, for the pilot program. This framework directly affects state agencies administering grants and organizations seeking funding for projects with defined, trackable results.
Maddy summarySB 241 establishes a statewide framework for early literacy in Utah public schools, directly affecting kindergarten through third-grade students, their schools, and educators. It sets a 2030 goal for 80% of third graders to read at grade level, requiring schools to provide individualized reading plans based on benchmark assessments and ban certain teaching methods like "three-cueing." The bill mandates science-of-reading training for teachers and school leaders, dedicates existing funding for literacy coaching (without new money), and ties school performance monitoring to third-grade reading outcomes. Key provisions include requiring retention in third grade for students not meeting benchmarks (with limited exemptions) and aligning teacher evaluations with literacy instruction standards.
Maddy summaryHB 373 creates a pilot grant program to fund higher education research at Utah public universities, administered by the Utah Board of Higher Education through the Nucleus Institute or other designated bodies. The bill allows the commissioner of higher education to take over certain duties previously handled by the board and requires annual reporting on the program's implementation. It does not appropriate new state funds, and the program would operate under existing funding mechanisms. The bill directly affects Utah public universities, research institutions, and faculty seeking competitive funding for innovative academic projects.
Maddy summarySB 202 limits local governments' ability to restrict mowing on private golf courses by prohibiting ordinances that ban maintenance between 5:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. It directly affects private golf courses within city or county boundaries, ensuring they can mow during those hours. The bill allows municipalities or counties to restrict mowing on their *own* publicly owned golf courses at any time. This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and amends Utah Code sections 10-8-85.11 and 17-60-509.
Maddy summaryHB 215 amends Utah laws to prevent counties, municipalities, and homeowner associations from prohibiting property owners from removing vegetation on land within designated wildland-urban interface areas. The bill specifically clarifies that local entities cannot block such removals, while still allowing them to enforce water-wise landscaping standards (like plant material restrictions or vegetative coverage rules) for other landscaping requirements. It directly affects property owners in these interface zones, ensuring they can clear vegetation without local regulatory barriers. The amendment updates existing codes (10-20-619, 17-79-615, and 57-8a-218) to explicitly permit vegetation removal in these areas, separate from broader water-wise landscaping rules.
Maddy summaryHB 65 updates Utah's State Construction Code to adopt newer editions of nationally recognized building standards, including the 2024 International Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, and Plumbing Code. It directly affects builders, architects, and local building officials by requiring compliance with these updated codes for new construction, renovations, and repairs starting July 1, 2026. Key changes include removing specific water heater regulations in certain areas and incorporating the 2024 code editions for safety, energy efficiency, and structural standards. The bill does not appropriate new funds and aligns Utah's code with current industry practices.
Maddy summaryHB 40 reorganizes Utah's construction trades licensing structure without creating new requirements. It moves alarm company and alarm agent licensing into a new chapter while restructuring licensing rules for other construction trades under the existing act. The bill primarily focuses on clarifying definitions, updating code references, and making technical adjustments to improve the organization of licensing provisions. This affects construction trades businesses, including alarm companies, by updating how their licensing is governed under Utah law. The changes are procedural and administrative, with no new funding or substantive policy shifts.