Rep. Matt Gwynn

Maddy summaryHB 6 is a state budget bill that allocates funding for Utah's criminal justice system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It appropriates $1.35 billion for 2027 (including $949 million from the General Fund) and $27.8 million for 2026 to support agencies like the Governor's Office, Attorney General's Office, and Board of Pardons and Parole. Key provisions include funding for factual innocence payments ($95,000), jail reimbursements ($412,900), indigent defense services ($283,400), and non-lapsing funds for casework acceleration ($5 million) and children's justice centers ($1 million). The bill specifies how funds may be used and includes intent language to prevent certain appropriations from expiring at year-end.

Maddy summaryHB 128 reorganizes Utah's existing dangerous weapons laws into a clearer, standardized structure within the Utah Code, primarily moving certain firearm regulations from Title 76 to Title 53 (Public Safety Code). It makes technical updates to improve consistency across statutes without changing current legal requirements for firearm possession or concealed carry permits. The bill coordinates these changes with related legislation (like HB 183 and HB 227) but does not alter who may carry weapons or create new restrictions. This procedural update simplifies legal references for courts, law enforcement, and attorneys handling weapon-related cases.

Maddy summaryHB 339 exempts law enforcement officers in narcotics units, task forces, or undercover operations from certain body-worn camera activation and use requirements. This means these officers are not required to activate their cameras during specific operations, such as undercover work, without violating the law. The bill also includes technical adjustments to Utah's existing body-worn camera regulations to reflect this exemption. The change applies only to the specified units and does not alter the standard requirements for other officers.

Maddy summarySB 41 is a technical recodification bill that updates the structure of Utah's Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry statutes without changing registration requirements or who must register. It consolidates and reorganizes existing code sections (affecting over 30 Utah Code provisions) to align with recent legislative changes, including coordination with related bills (H.B. 21 and S.B. 24). The bill makes no substantive policy changes to the registry's operation or scope - only administrative updates to the legal code. It was signed into law by the governor on March 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 78 amends Utah sentencing laws to increase penalties for aggravated child abuse and restrict judicial leniency for certain serious offenses. It requires prosecutors to explain on the record when reducing charges in plea deals or information, and mandates indeterminate prison terms for some attempt convictions (like aggravated child abuse or child sexual offenses). The bill also prohibits probation or suspended sentences for specific violent crimes against children, including rape of a child, sodomy on a child, and aggravated sexual abuse, unless courts document specific safety and justice considerations. These changes directly affect prosecutors, judges, defendants convicted of the listed offenses, and child abuse victims by strengthening sentencing consistency and accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 105 modifies Utah's criminal code by amending penalties for attempted murder and interference with public servants, and creating new offenses. Specifically, it establishes a new crime for school staff in trusted positions engaging in certain sexual conduct with adult students and prohibits non-consensual clothing removal in specific situations. The bill repeals outdated sabotage prevention provisions (Sections 76-8-802 through 76-8-811) and coordinates technical changes with another bill (HB 21). These changes directly affect individuals convicted of these offenses, law enforcement, and school personnel in defined roles. The bill makes no new funding appropriations and focuses on clarifying and updating existing criminal classifications.

Maddy summaryHB 22 reorganizes Utah's prostitution and related offense laws to improve clarity and protect minors. It explicitly prohibits prosecuting children for engaging in sexual solicitation or prostitution, separates offenses based on the age of involved individuals (including new age-based penalties for child offenders), and revises provisions related to HIV-positive offenders. The bill also adds certain prostitution-related offenses to the list where minors cannot receive nonjudicial diversion. These changes aim to modernize the legal framework while prioritizing child welfare in prostitution-related cases.

Maddy summaryHB 82 requires Utah prosecution agencies to follow specific due process steps before adding peace officers to a system tracking misconduct that must be disclosed to defendants. This includes providing written notice, copies of evidence, and an opportunity to dispute the placement, with exceptions for criminal convictions or finalized POST decisions. The bill also mandates that agencies create a public policy explaining placement criteria and rights, and notify the officer’s employer of the placement. These changes directly affect peace officers, their law enforcement employers, and prosecution agencies in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 87 creates a new criminal offense specifically for trafficking fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances in Utah, directly affecting individuals involved in such drug distribution. The bill establishes tiered penalties: second-degree felony for trafficking Schedule I/II drugs (up to 15 years), third-degree felony for Schedule III/IV drugs, and misdemeanors for Schedule V drugs, with harsher penalties if weapons were used or if minors were involved. It also mandates courts to report trafficking convictions to the Division of Professional Licensing and clarifies sentencing rules for repeat offenders. The law amends Utah’s existing drug trafficking statutes to address the fentanyl crisis without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summaryHB 21 reorganizes Utah's criminal code (Title 76) into a clearer, standardized structure without changing existing criminal laws. It reorders offenses like animal cruelty, electronic harassment, gang activities, and tobacco sales into new statutory sections, clarifies definitions (e.g., defining "minor" for public intoxication), and moves specific provisions to more appropriate legal sections (e.g., libel to Title 45). The bill removes outdated references (like the defunct Utah Trade Commission) and corrects minor technical errors from prior recodification efforts. It directly affects Utah courts, law enforcement, and legal professionals who reference the criminal code, ensuring the statutes are more logically organized and easier to navigate. The bill contains no new funding or substantive policy changes, only structural and clarifying updates.