Rep. Matt MacPherson

Maddy summaryHB 302 limits local government flag displays in Utah by requiring cities, counties, and other local entities to adopt only one official flag for government property. It allows additional ceremonial flags but mandates review by the Rules Review Committee for compliance. The bill specifies that only "exempt" flags (like the U.S. flag, state flag, or military flags) may be displayed in courthouses, airports, or transit facilities, while other locations may use official or ceremonial flags. Violations incur $500 daily fines, enforceable by the state auditor, with school districts exempt from certain restrictions.

Maddy summaryHR 4 requires legislative sponsors to verbally disclose when they introduced a bill at the request of a state agency head (like a cabinet officer or agency director) during committee presentations or floor debates. It amends existing House rules to add this disclosure requirement specifically when legislation is presented by a sponsor acting on an agency's request. The bill does not create new policies or appropriate funds; it only changes procedural disclosure rules for sponsors. This affects any legislator introducing bills at the direction of state agencies, ensuring transparency about agency involvement. The resolution passed the House rules committee but failed its first committee vote on February 4, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 392 creates a "three-judge panel" process for specific civil cases in Utah district courts involving state entities or officials. It requires that when the attorney general, governor, or Legislature is a party, a panel of three randomly selected district judges (each from a different judicial district) must hear the case instead of a single judge. The Utah Supreme Court gains exclusive authority to review decisions from these panels, and standard venue rules no longer apply to such cases. This applies only to civil actions where state entities or officials are involved, with no new funding or policy changes for the public.

Maddy summaryHB 508 requires Utah's State Board of Education to study how local school districts (LEAs) collect, store, and report student data. It creates a Data Systems and Reporting Advisory Committee with input from school superintendents, technology staff, charter schools, and vendors to examine data retention practices, student information system costs, and reporting requirements. The study will analyze current data collection methods, security measures, system expenses, and whether reporting obligations remain necessary, with findings due to the Education Interim Committee by September 2025. This bill does not change current policies but mandates a review to identify potential efficiencies or reforms.

Maddy summaryHB 477 clarifies that public comments at school board meetings following reasonable restrictions (like relevance to school board duties) cannot be used as grounds for criminal trespass charges. It also narrows the definition of "school property" under trespass laws to exclude school district offices and other non-school facilities owned by school districts. The bill requires school boards to adopt written policies by July 2023 allowing public comment on relevant topics during open meetings, while ensuring comments complying with these rules won’t trigger trespass penalties. These changes directly affect school boards (which must create comment policies) and attendees at school meetings (whose comments gain legal protection). The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025, with no funding impact.

Maddy summarySB 102 requires Utah's Education Interim Committee to regularly review specific public education programs, including STEM initiatives, higher education reports, campus safety activities, and scholarship programs. The bill mandates that certain state education agencies and boards submit annual or periodic reports to this legislative committee, covering topics like workforce training, student outcomes, mental health screenings, and dual-language immersion programs. These reviews will occur every five years for designated programs starting in 2027, ensuring ongoing evaluation of key education efforts. The bill makes no new funding changes and focuses solely on streamlining reporting requirements for legislative oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 195 requires law enforcement to return firearms seized during criminal cases to owners who can legally possess them, unless the owner faces charges that would make them a restricted person. It prohibits courts from conditioning plea deals on the forfeiture of firearms in certain circumstances. The bill also clarifies procedures for temporary firearm custody at airports, ensuring lawful owners can retrieve confiscated weapons within three business days. These changes apply to defendants whose firearms were seized as part of a criminal case, directly affecting their ability to regain possession. The bill amends Utah Code sections related to firearm possession and legal procedures without changing firearm ownership laws.

Maddy summaryHB 294 amends Utah's infectious disease procedures to clarify face covering requirements and public health orders. It requires businesses, restaurants, and other public accommodations to provide reasonable alternatives for people with medical, mental health, or disability conditions that cause distress when wearing face coverings (defined as "qualified individuals"). The bill prohibits broad "orders of constraint" that apply to groups or public spaces and limits public health restrictions to individual cases only. These changes update existing health code definitions without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summaryHB 539 updates Utah's domestic violence laws to better protect victims and children. It modifies definitions of domestic violence and "cohabitant," amends sentencing guidelines for domestic violence offenses, and adds specific protections for children involved in cases. Crucially, it prohibits jail release agreements from blocking communication between a parent arrested for domestic violence (with a child present) and their minor child, and bars parents from waiving release conditions when the child is the alleged victim. These changes directly affect domestic violence victims (especially those with children), law enforcement officers investigating such cases, and courts handling related sentencing.

Maddy summaryHB 271 amends Utah's law against disrupting lawful meetings or processions, directly affecting individuals who intentionally obstruct such gatherings. The bill clarifies that disrupting a meeting or procession by using force, threatening language that causes fear, or creating excessive noise to deny facility access constitutes a crime. Violations are classified as a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail or a $100 fine. The changes take effect on May 7, 2025, and coordinate with another bill (H.B. 21) to ensure consistent legal language.