Rep. Stephanie Gricius

Maddy summarySB 103 creates a fee waiver for individuals experiencing homelessness who apply for a Utah driver license or renew/extend their license. It directly affects unhoused residents seeking to obtain or maintain a driver license by removing the standard $52 application or renewal fee. The bill requires applicants to submit written verification of homelessness from approved sources like homeless shelters, housing facilities, or the Department of Workforce Services. This change amends Utah's driver license fee structure to align with existing identification card fee waivers for unhoused individuals. The policy makes no new funding requests and applies to both new licenses and renewals/extensions.

Maddy summarySB 99 amends Utah law to clarify and expand the offense of "emergency reporting abuse" by specifically prohibiting contacting 911 when someone knows or should know no actual emergency exists. It directly affects individuals who make repeated false 911 calls, including those who report non-existent emergencies after being previously warned by authorities. The bill adds a new provision (Section 76-9-105.5(2)(d)) making such conduct a class B misdemeanor, while false reports about weapons of mass destruction or sex-designated changing rooms remain second-degree felonies. It also requires courts to order convicted individuals to reimburse government or organizations for response costs incurred. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 141 imposes a 2% tax on international money transfers processed by licensed businesses (like Western Union or MoneyGram) starting January 1, 2027. Customers can avoid the tax by presenting valid ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license) at the time of transfer. Licensed transmitters must collect the tax separately on receipts, remit it quarterly to Utah’s State Tax Commission, and submit annual reports detailing transactions and tax collection. The bill also requires the Department of Financial Institutions to provide the Tax Commission with a list of all licensed transmitters each year.

Maddy summarySB 215 would allow eviction records to be removed from public databases under two specific conditions: (1) if a case was fully dismissed with no pending appeal and at least one year has passed since dismissal, or (2) if both the tenant and landlord agreed to expunge the record and formally filed a stipulation with the court. The bill directly affects tenants whose eviction cases meet these criteria, enabling them to have the records removed from their history. Key provisions require either a court dismissal with a waiting period or a written agreement between parties filed with the court. This change aims to provide relief for individuals with dismissed cases or resolved disputes, without altering eviction procedures themselves.

Maddy summarySB 29 extends the expiration date for Utah's Child Care Advisory Committee from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029, as specified in Utah Code Section 63I-1-235. This procedural bill directly affects the committee by allowing it to continue operating for an additional three years without needing reauthorization. The change modifies the existing sunset provision in the code, with no new funding or policy changes required. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and is now moving through the House.

Maddy summarySB 35 extends the expiration date of Utah's Interdisciplinary Parental Representation Pilot Program from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2031. It also prohibits individuals who previously worked for the Division of Child and Family Services from joining the program for one year after leaving that agency. The program provides parental representation liaisons (with specific educational backgrounds) to help parents navigate child welfare cases. These changes are limited to the program's timeline and employment rules, with no new funding appropriated.

Maddy summaryHB 11 amends Utah’s law regarding searches for dyed diesel fuel violations. It clarifies that government officials (including law enforcement) may only inspect a vehicle’s fuel for such violations if they have probable cause, the vehicle owner’s consent, or are conducting a search at a port-of-entry. Crucially, the bill states that simply observing a diesel-powered vehicle on a highway does not create sufficient probable cause for an inspection. This change directly affects law enforcement officers and vehicle owners by setting clear limits on when fuel inspections can occur. The amendment does not alter the underlying prohibition on using dyed diesel on highways or the associated penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 81 prohibits adding fluoride to public water systems in Utah, repealing prior provisions that allowed or required it. It also allows pharmacists to prescribe fluoride supplements and directs the Division of Professional Licensing to create prescribing guidelines for this purpose. The bill directly affects public water systems (which must stop fluoridation), pharmacists (who gain new prescribing authority), and patients seeking fluoride treatments. Key provisions include defining fluoride terms, banning water fluoridation, and establishing pharmacist prescribing rules for fluoride as part of public health initiatives. The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 160 modifies licensing requirements for several professions in Utah, directly affecting architects, environmental health scientists, land surveyors, substance use disorder counselors, and geologists. The bill requires licensing boards to maintain at least two pathways to licensure (e.g., for architects) and updates qualification standards, such as clarifying degree requirements and exam processes. It makes technical adjustments to existing law without adding new fees or funding. The changes aim to streamline licensing while ensuring multiple routes to professional certification for these regulated fields.

Maddy summaryHB 287 amends Utah's stalking statute (Sections 76-5-106.5 and 78B-7-701) to clarify that specific circumstances do not constitute stalking and makes technical adjustments to the legal code. The bill directly affects individuals accused of stalking, law enforcement, and courts by refining the definition of stalking to exclude certain actions. Key provisions include adding an explicit exception to the stalking definition and updating related code sections for consistency. The bill does not change penalties, funding, or existing legal standards.