Rep. Val Peterson

Maddy summaryHB 3 is a supplemental appropriations bill for Utah's fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025), allocating $1.22 billion in operating, capital, and restricted funds to support state government operations. It directly affects state agencies, higher education institutions, and specific programs like criminal justice services and indigent defense. Key provisions include authorizing non-lapsing funds for the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (up to $6.1 million for grants and operations) and the Attorney General's office (up to $3 million for administration). The bill supplements existing budgets rather than creating new policies, with funding drawn from multiple state funds including the General Fund and Income Tax Fund.

Maddy summarySB 62 creates Utah's Spaceport Exploration Committee to study the feasibility of establishing a state spaceport. The committee, composed of 12 members including legislators, state agency directors, military liaisons, and aerospace industry representatives, must conduct a feasibility study and siting assessment to evaluate potential locations, economic impacts, and regulatory requirements. The bill appropriates $1 million for the committee's operations in fiscal year 2026 to fund this analysis. The committee will report findings and recommendations to the legislature on whether building a spaceport aligns with Utah's interests, without authorizing construction. The bill was signed into law by the governor on March 27, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 316 clarifies how sales tax revenue from construction materials sold within designated "qualified development zones" near military installations is distributed. It allows eligible basic special districts (created before 2011 and issuing bonds in 2024) to use this tax revenue for approved projects, such as infrastructure, after local municipality or county approval. The bill also updates rules for distributing resort tax revenue and permits the Military Installation Development Authority to partner with state agencies. These changes affect local governments and development authorities managing zones around military sites, with no new funding appropriated. The law takes effect in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 324 amends Utah's special group license plate program to allow individuals to purchase two plates for an additional fee and introduces a new white classic plate design. It permits corporate-sponsored plates, major league sports team plates, and changes how revenue from historical support plates is allocated - splitting funds between sponsoring agencies and the Transportation Investment Fund. The bill also exempts vintage vehicles from voluntary contributions for historical plates and allows college athletic program fees from license plate sales to fund student-athlete name/image/likeness compensation. These changes affect license plate buyers, sponsoring organizations, and state agencies managing plate revenue, with $3.5 million appropriated for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 350 amends Utah's high-cost infrastructure tax credit program to include district energy systems, which are centralized networks providing heating and cooling to multiple buildings (like apartment complexes or business districts) from a single source. The bill sets minimum investment thresholds that these systems must meet to qualify for the tax credit and updates definitions to explicitly cover cooling plants under existing heat corporation rules. This change directly affects developers and operators of district energy projects by making them eligible for the tax credit, potentially reducing their project costs. The bill makes these adjustments without appropriating new state funds.

Maddy summarySB 219 modifies Utah's tax rules for financial institutions by changing how their business income is apportioned for taxation. It specifically excludes sales from investment activities (like interest, dividends, and trading gains) and trading activities from Utah's tax base, meaning these out-of-state transactions won't increase a financial institution's Utah tax liability. This directly affects banks, credit unions, and other financial entities operating in Utah, as it reduces the portion of their income subject to state taxation. The bill amends Utah Code Section 59-7-317 and takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 323 creates Utah's Asset and Investment Review Task Force to study how state and local government entities manage public funds. The task force, composed of appointed members including state auditors, treasurers, and industry representatives, will identify cash and near-cash assets held by government entities (especially those with $1 million+ in such funds), analyze investment strategies, and recommend changes by November 30, 2025. It may contract experts to conduct the study under Utah Procurement Code and will report findings to the legislature. The task force expires on January 1, 2026, with no funding allocated for the study.

Maddy summaryHB 341 revises Utah's higher education laws to exempt private colleges and universities from most state system rules unless specifically included. It allows the University of Utah to enroll out-of-state medical students in its programs and updates definitions for terms like "private postsecondary institution" and "eligible postsecondary institution." The bill also modifies requirements for education loan notifications to borrowers and adjusts scholarship eligibility criteria. These changes take effect on May 7, 2025, with no new state funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 260 replaces Utah's PRIME program with the "First Credential Program," directly affecting high school students, technical colleges, and employers by creating a new system for industry-recognized credentials. The bill establishes a master list of approved credentials, ensures credits earned through the program transfer to colleges, and requires annual updates based on labor market needs. It mandates partnerships between schools, employers, and apprenticeship programs, offers scholarships for program completers, and provides $3 million in funding for implementation. The program aims to create stackable credentials that support career advancement while aligning education with workforce demands.

Maddy summaryHB 198 amends Utah law to clarify relocation options for billboards affected by highway expansions, widening, or other improvements. It directly affects billboard owners whose signs become obstructed or noncompliant due to highway projects. Key provisions require governments to pay relocation costs and allow owners to move signs within commercial/industrial zones, adjust height, or relocate within specific distances (e.g., 1 mile for state highways) while maintaining visibility and compliance. The bill does not appropriate new funds and updates existing codes to streamline the relocation process without requiring new compensation for the government.