Rep. Scott Chew

Maddy summaryHB 439 revises Utah's Off-highway Vehicle Account rules to clarify definitions and expand grant opportunities. It defines "off-highway vehicle facility" (including trails, storage, and infrastructure) and allows the Division of Outdoor Recreation to provide upfront cash grants from the account to counties of the third through sixth class for projects improving off-highway vehicle access. The bill makes technical updates to existing code without appropriating new funds, focusing on how existing account money can be used for facility construction, maintenance, and user education. This directly affects smaller counties seeking funding for off-highway vehicle infrastructure projects.

Maddy summaryHB 255 allows owners of at least 50 contiguous acres of agricultural land in Utah counties of the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class to create new parcels without full subdivision approval. It exempts these parcels (minimum 1 acre, at least 500 feet from other such parcels) from standard plat requirements if the owner records a notice stating the parcel will remain exclusively for agricultural use. The bill requires the new parcel to qualify as agricultural land under existing law and prohibits non-agricultural use without triggering county subdivision rules. If used non-agriculturally, the exemption ends, and the parcel must comply with full subdivision ordinances. This directly affects agricultural landowners seeking to divide parcels while maintaining agricultural zoning.

Maddy summaryHB 386 amends Utah's Public Waters Access Act to clarify recreational access rights on private property near public waterways. It establishes that public recreational access (for activities like fishing and floating) can be created through 10 consecutive years of continuous, open, and unobstructed public use starting after 1982, requiring proof of "adverse" use. The bill clarifies that stream beds are presumed private property unless proven otherwise through evidence of navigability or government ownership. It also excludes impounded wetlands, private hunting areas, and manmade irrigation features from public access rights. These changes primarily affect landowners and recreational users of Utah's rivers, lakes, and streams.

Maddy summarySB 63 modifies Utah's Waste Tire Recycling Act to make it easier for landfills to manage waste tires. It exempts landfills from certain restrictions if they use mobile equipment to size-reduce tires on-site, allows specific shredded tires to be disposed of in landfills, and lets landfill operators in smaller counties (third through sixth class) seek reimbursement for tires they dispose of. The bill clarifies key terms like "mobile facility" and "shredded waste tires" but makes no new funding commitments. These changes directly affect landfill operators and waste tire management practices across Utah, with no new state costs.

Maddy summaryHB 304 creates a new certificate program for small-scale livestock watering on private land in Utah. It establishes an application process requiring livestock owners to prove their watering site was created under historical homestead requirements, used for livestock since 1976, and currently serves livestock. The certificate, issued by the state engineer, recognizes uses under 20 acre-feet annually for direct livestock consumption or related care, excluding water from wells or public systems. This program streamlines recognition of existing practices without requiring new water rights. The bill amends Utah water code to add this specific certification process under Section 73-3-8.5.