Rep. Doug Owens

Maddy summaryHB 46 amends Utah's water rights application process to clarify procedures for reinstating lapsed applications. It requires applicants to submit a reinstatement request within 60 days of receiving notice of lapse, using a state-provided form, and includes a request for an extension under separate law. If reinstated, the application's priority date changes to the reinstatement request date - not the original filing date - unless the original date was lost due to a state engineer's mistake or fraud. This directly affects water rights applicants whose applications lapse for non-compliance, streamlining their path to reactivating applications while maintaining priority rules.

Maddy summaryHB 559 requires Utah cities and counties to create or update local ordinances governing agritourism activities on farms. It defines specific activities (like petting zoos, pumpkin patches, farmers' markets, and event rentals) and mandates that all municipalities list which are permitted, restricted, or conditional on agricultural properties of at least one acre. The bill ensures existing agritourism uses can continue under current rules while requiring new ordinances to allow all listed activities (e.g., farm tours, on-site produce stores) on properties meeting the acreage threshold. Local governments may still enforce zoning, safety, and licensing rules but cannot impose stricter limits than existing regulations for current operations. This affects farmers hosting agritourism activities and local governments responsible for creating compliant ordinances.

Maddy summaryHB 564 requires Utah health insurance plans to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices that enable physical and recreational activities, such as sports, beyond standard daily living coverage. It mandates plans to include all necessary services (e.g., fitting, training, repairs) for these devices, with a $30,000 limit every three years for advanced microprocessor components. The bill sets an 80% insurer coverage rate for prosthetics and ensures access to prosthetic care through managed care networks. This coverage applies to health plans renewed after July 1, 2026, directly affecting policyholders needing such devices and insurers offering health benefits in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 556 requires contractors working on public construction projects costing $100,000 or more to pay workers the local "prevailing wage" for their occupation in the county where work is performed. The Utah Labor Commission must set these wage rates by county and occupation, and contractors must pay at least this amount, maintain payroll records for three years, and face fines or misdemeanor charges for noncompliance. This affects contractors building or renovating public facilities like schools or roads, but excludes routine maintenance and prisoners. The bill establishes clear wage standards without new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 136 amends alternative incarceration programs to expand eligibility for non-violent offenders. It adds community service and electronic monitoring as formal sentencing options instead of jail time, while requiring regular check-ins with probation officers. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of non-violent crimes who would otherwise face incarceration. These changes modify eligibility criteria and supervision requirements for sentencing alternatives.

Maddy summaryHB 330 requires that new spray sprinkler bodies sold or installed in Utah after July 1, 2026, must include an integral pressure regulator or meet U.S. EPA’s WaterSense efficiency standards. It directly affects commercial entities that sell, distribute, or install sprinkler equipment in the state. The bill exempts sprinklers used on agricultural land, existing inventory, and products shipped outside Utah. Enforcement is limited to the Utah Attorney General, who may issue fines up to $1,000 for repeated violations but cannot be sued by private citizens. The law takes effect May 7, 2025, with no state funding allocated.

Maddy summaryHB 427 requires dealers and private sellers to disclose specific battery information to buyers before selling used electric vehicles. This includes the battery's current condition (measured within 30 days), warranty status, and service history. Sellers who fail to provide these disclosures must pay buyers for actual damages, legal costs, and may face up to $2,500 in fines. The law takes effect on May 7, 2025, directly affecting consumers purchasing used EVs in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 349 requires healthcare facilities to ask patients about organ donation during intake and provide registry information. It mandates that Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources website, tax forms, and tax commission websites include donation registration details and links to the donor registry. The bill also directs the Department of Health to create a communication plan using state channels to promote life-saving programs. These changes apply to all Utah residents interacting with these state services and take effect in May 2025. The bill makes no funding changes and focuses solely on increasing public awareness of donation registration options.

Maddy summaryHB 319 requires Utah's Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to annually identify at least 10 priority outdoor recreation infrastructure projects for inclusion in the state's resource management plan. This is done in consultation with state agencies like the Division of Outdoor Recreation, State Parks, and the Office of Tourism. The bill updates existing law to formalize this process, ensuring projects align with the statewide plan without appropriating new funds. It directly affects state agencies responsible for managing public lands and recreation planning, not individual citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 318 requires municipalities in Utah's Great Salt Lake basin to limit lawn or turf on newly constructed single-family homes. It sets specific rules: turf cannot exceed 600 square feet on lots under 4,000 sq ft, or 15% of the lot size (max 2,500 sq ft) on larger lots. The bill also prohibits turf in areas less than 8 feet wide, park strips, and slopes over 25%. Local governments may adopt stricter requirements, and sellers must inform new home buyers about these landscaping rules.