Rep. Steve Eliason

Maddy summaryHCR 11 is a non-binding resolution directing Utah's Division of State Parks to pursue transfers of federal land for state park management. It specifically requests the division petition the Bureau of Land Management to transfer land for Little Sahara State Park and negotiate with the U.S. Forest Service for Antelope Flat Campground to become Flaming Gorge State Park. The resolution also encourages exploring other federal lands suitable for state parks or campgrounds and studying a potential Davis County Skyline Drive park. It requires the division to submit annual progress reports to a legislative committee by 2025. This resolution does not appropriate funds or create new parks - it only directs state agencies to seek land transfers from federal partners.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 13) urges Utah's Division of State Parks to evaluate two specific areas - Monte Cristo in Cache, Rich, and Weber counties, and trust lands in the San Rafael Swell - for potential designation as state parks, monuments, or campgrounds. It does not create new parks or allocate funding but asks the agency to assess these locations for future recreational use. The resolution highlights Utah's need to expand outdoor recreation opportunities amid population growth and tourism demand, while noting trust lands could serve both public access and generate revenue for beneficiaries. It is a non-binding recommendation, not a legislative mandate.

Maddy summaryHB 398 amends Utah law to streamline approvals for small living units built inside primary homes (such as basement apartments or converted garages), requiring municipalities to process these applications within 14 days. The bill mandates that local governments provide a completeness notice within 7 days, allow 10 days for applicants to fix issues, and approve within 10 days of corrections, with applicants able to bypass delays by submitting to the state Division of Facilities and Construction Management. This directly affects homeowners seeking to create such units and local governments handling land use approvals, without changing existing restrictions like parking requirements or lot size limits. The bill makes no new funding appropriations and focuses solely on expediting the application process.

Maddy summaryHCR 12 is a non-binding Utah House Concurrent Resolution urging federal agencies and Congress to establish a framework for state management of federal public lands. It specifically requests the Utah Division of State Parks to petition the Bureau of Land Management for the Little Sahara Recreation Area and negotiate with the U.S. Forest Service for the Antelope Flat Campground to become state-managed parks. The resolution also directs the division to evaluate other sites like Monte Cristo and Farmington Canyon for potential state parks, while requiring annual progress reports to the Natural Resources Committee. It does not appropriate funds or create new laws, but outlines a process for Utah to potentially assume operational control of federal lands to address maintenance backlogs and enhance recreation access.

Maddy summarySB 176 increases the maximum payout for victims of dog attacks from $50,000 to $75,000 in both arbitration and court cases, covering bodily injury claims (excluding certain costs). It also allows families to file wrongful death claims in dog attack cases. The bill makes technical updates to Utah's existing law on arbitration for dog injury cases (Section 18-1-4) but does not appropriate new funds. This directly affects victims seeking compensation and the insurance companies or owners liable for dog attacks.

Maddy summaryHB 519 prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers from restricting 340B entities (like community health centers and safety-net hospitals) or pharmacies from accessing the 340B drug discount program. It bars manufacturers from denying drug access, imposing unnecessary data requirements, or interfering with contracts between pharmacies and 340B entities. The bill explicitly allows the Public Employees' Benefit Program to adjust practices to address financial impacts from these changes. This law directly affects providers relying on 340B discounts and ensures manufacturers cannot block their participation in the federal program.

Maddy summaryHB 18 updates Utah's regulations for petroleum storage tanks, directly affecting tank owners, operators, and installation companies. It modifies key definitions (like "underground" and "petroleum"), adjusts fees based on fund balances, and ensures interest earned by the Petroleum Storage Tank Restricted Account stays in that fund. The bill also clarifies registration requirements for both underground and aboveground tanks, directs funds to the Petroleum Storage Tank Cleanup Fund, and updates fee structures for tank compliance. It appropriates $4 million for fiscal year 2026 to support these regulatory changes.