Rep. Stephen Whyte

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts state funding for Utah's public education system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, allocating money to school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies while modifying several existing programs. It eliminates two grant programs - the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant Program and the Personalized, Competency-based Learning Grants Program - while creating new reporting requirements for how the state superintendent transfers funds and how student data is managed for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The legislation also establishes a new College and Career Counseling program, increases funding for at-risk students, and sets standards for mental health screening fund distribution and educator salary adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 448 amends the governance, operations, and relationships of Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind (USDB). It clarifies USDB's mission, requires standardized student counting, mandates data reporting to the State Board of Education, and establishes procedures for when USDB replaces a student's local school district as their primary education provider. The bill affects USDB students, local education agencies (LEAs), the State Board of Education, and USDB's advisory council by defining operational responsibilities and data transparency requirements. It makes no new funding commitments but updates administrative processes for USDB's educational and financial coordination with school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 171 clarifies that insurance plans must allow patients to select physician assistants (PAs) as primary care providers without higher costs or barriers. It amends Utah law to explicitly include PAs in insurance coverage requirements for primary care, ensuring they are recognized alongside physicians, obstetricians, gynecologists, and pediatricians. The bill requires insurers to cover PA services as primary care under the same terms as other providers, preventing higher premiums or copays for choosing a PA. This affects patients seeking primary care and insurance companies operating in Utah, with the changes taking effect May 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryHCR 6 is a non-binding concurrent resolution supporting Utah's Housing Strategic Plan. It recognizes the plan as a way to combine fragmented housing policies across state agencies to increase housing supply and improve affordability amid rapid population growth. The resolution commits the legislature and governor to track the plan's implementation and results. This resolution does not allocate funds or create new laws but formally endorses the existing strategic approach to housing challenges.

Maddy summarySB 39 reorganizes and updates Utah's existing investment zone designations, including convention center zones, housing and transit zones, and home ownership promotion zones. It specifically adds provisions allowing home ownership zones to include areas within school boundaries and removes outdated code sections. The bill primarily affects municipalities and counties that operate these zones by clarifying their boundaries and administrative rules. No new funding is allocated, and the changes focus on streamlining existing programs without creating new zones or financial obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1 amends Utah's public education budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, primarily adjusting funding formulas and allocations. It sets the weighted pupil unit (WPU) value at $4,870 for 2026-2027, revises eligibility for career and technical education funding, and modifies emergency funding for English learners. The bill appropriates over $8.7 billion for school operations and capital budgets in 2027, including $4.8 billion from the Uniform School Fund, and adjusts tax rate calculations to support school funding. These changes directly affect Utah school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies through updated budget allocations and funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 262 modifies Utah's home ownership promotion zone program to expand how local governments can use these funds. It allows counties and municipalities to apply zone funds toward water infrastructure, street lighting, and environmental cleanup costs, and requires counties to follow land use rules for all pending and new applications. The bill also directs Utah Housing Corporation to create new rules for mortgage loans to first-time homebuyers and establish an incentive program for home insurance. These changes directly affect local governments managing zone funds and first-time homebuyers seeking mortgage assistance, without appropriating new state money.

Maddy summaryHB 207 updates Utah's sexual offense laws to strengthen penalties and clarify definitions. It requires mandatory prison time for repeat sex offenders, expands the definition of "child sexual abuse material" to include minors observing or being filmed in sexual situations, and adds a new offense for accessing such material with intent to view. The bill also creates a safe harbor protecting employees (like school staff or child welfare workers) who must view child sexual abuse material for their job. These changes directly affect repeat sex offenders, law enforcement applying the new definitions, and workers handling such material in their employment.

Maddy summaryHB 360 amends Utah's affordable housing program to extend its deadline and clarify key rules. It allows cities of the first or second class to access state funds for rehabilitating affordable homes within their boundaries, extends the program's sunset date by one year, and permits using school surplus lands for affordable housing projects. The bill also specifies that Utah Housing Corporation trustees cannot have more than two from the same county and updates definitions for "attainable home" and "qualified project." These changes directly affect local governments, developers, and the Utah Housing Corporation without appropriating new state funds.

Maddy summaryHB 368 amends Utah's local land use laws, primarily affecting municipalities and counties in their regulation of development and property use. Key changes include eliminating mandatory public hearings for land use variances or appeals, preventing local governments from requiring private entities (like homeowners associations) to maintain public amenities or water utilities, and creating an expedited review process for identical building floor plans. The bill also modifies procedures for annexation, boundary adjustments, warranty work inspections, and landscaping regulations across multiple statutes. These changes aim to streamline local land use processes while clarifying responsibilities between governments and property owners.