Rep. Steve Eliason

Maddy summarySB 295 modifies Utah's Property Tax Act to simplify budget adjustments for local taxing entities (like cities and counties). It allows these entities to increase property tax budgets up to their previous year's base level for five years without requiring public hearings or truth-in-taxation notices, if they first reduced their budget below prior revenue. The bill also redirects funds previously set aside for county distributions through the Property Tax Valuation Fund to the Multicounty Appraisal Trust. These changes take effect January 1, 2025, with no new state funding allocated.

Maddy summaryHB 505 revises Utah's homeless services framework by updating rules for the Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Restricted Account and adding new requirements for municipalities seeking funds. It requires eligible cities to enforce camping ordinances and traffic laws (like blocking sidewalks) to qualify for funding, and mandates annual reporting on how funds were used to address shelter impacts. The bill also clarifies that domestic violence service providers cannot be forced to conflict with licensing or funding requirements when receiving state/federal funds. No new money is appropriated, and the changes primarily affect local governments managing shelter-related funds and service providers.

Maddy summaryHB 437 designates individuals convicted of extreme DUI (Driving Under the Influence) as "interdicted persons," prohibiting them from purchasing alcohol for a set period determined by the court. It requires courts to automatically apply this status for extreme DUI convictions, mandates the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services to train staff on verifying interdicted status (using ID or driver’s license), and requires interdicted persons to obtain a special license or ID card with security features. The bill does not create new penalties but adds administrative requirements to enforce existing DUI-related alcohol restrictions. This directly affects Utah residents convicted of extreme DUI offenses, impacting their ability to legally buy alcohol during the designated interdiction period.

Maddy summarySB 199 updates Utah's guardianship laws specifically for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities. It defines key terms, clarifies which court handles these cases, and creates a new process requiring in-person hearings, court-appointed attorneys, medical evaluations, and temporary guardianship during proceedings. The bill mandates that courts prefer full guardianship (granting broad decision-making authority) for these individuals and requires specific provisions in court orders. It also outlines guardian duties, removal procedures, and termination rules, while adding new rights for the individual under full guardianship. The law affects vulnerable adults, their families, and courts managing these cases, with no new funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 491 modifies Utah's behavioral health regulations by requiring behavioral health receiving centers (mental health crisis facilities) to comply with licensing standards set by the Department of Health and Human Services, which gains authority to establish rules and fees for these centers. The bill also directs the Department of Public Safety to create a public registry showing which law enforcement agencies accept voluntarily surrendered firearms under safe harbor provisions, and to develop public education campaigns about this option. Additionally, it adjusts Medicaid funding for Utah State Hospital and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. The bill appropriates $1.036 million in state funds for implementation during fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summarySB 69 prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers from restricting contracts between pharmacies and 340B entities (like hospitals serving low-income patients) or interfering with how 340B drugs are delivered. It specifically bans manufacturers from blocking pharmacies from working with 340B programs, requiring 340B entities to buy from specific suppliers, or demanding extra data sharing beyond federal requirements. The bill also allows Utah's Public Employees' Benefit Program to adjust its practices to address any financial changes from these rules. It takes effect on May 7, 2025, and explicitly states it won't conflict with federal 340B program rules.

Maddy summaryHB 436 requires law enforcement agencies to collect specific data about DUI crashes and arrests, including injuries, test results, and property damage. This data must be sent to the Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division, which then provides it to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. The Commission must include this information in an annual public report on DUI incidents, alongside court data. All collected data will be stored in Utah’s public safety data portal, with no new funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 259 clarifies that the motor vehicle enforcement administrator of the Utah State Tax Commission must report directly to the executive director, establishing a clear chain of command. It also modifies the executive director's compensation structure, setting the maximum salary at 90% of the annual salary for district judges as specified in the state budget. These changes directly affect the executive director and motor vehicle enforcement administrator, with the reporting change taking effect May 7, 2025, and the compensation adjustment effective July 1, 2025. The bill makes no new funding appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 516 amends Utah's automobile franchise law to clarify definitions and remove outdated provisions. It defines "affiliate," excludes dealerships from the "franchise holder" definition, and repeals rules about franchisors' permitted activities. The bill makes technical adjustments to Utah Code sections 13-14-201 and 41-3-102, which govern franchisor-franchisee relationships. These changes primarily affect automobile dealerships and manufacturers operating under franchise agreements in Utah, streamlining existing regulations without introducing new restrictions.

Maddy summarySB 40 clarifies rules for sellers and service providers who make tax collection errors based on incorrect state data, giving them a 90-day window after state notification to correct mistakes without liability. It also clarifies requirements for cities and towns to reauthorize local sales taxes. The bill includes a coordination clause to prevent conflicts if it passes alongside S.B. 67 (which amends similar tax rules). These changes modify existing tax code sections without adding new taxes or spending money.