Rep. Ryan Wilcox

Maddy summaryHB 220 amends reporting requirements for public safety data in Utah, shifting where certain reports are submitted. It removes mandated reports about domestic violence firearm restrictions, sexual assaults in detention facilities, and other crime data from being sent to a legislative committee, instead directing these reports to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice for inclusion in a public safety portal. The bill also adds new requirements for institutions of higher education, strike forces, and agencies like the Department of Corrections to submit specific crime and safety data to this portal. These changes streamline data collection for public access but do not alter underlying laws or create new funding.

Maddy summaryHCR 12 is a non-binding resolution celebrating Utah's role in the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. It declares the first week of July 2026 as "Independence Week" and directs Utah's public schools, charter schools, and universities to incorporate educational programming about the Declaration and founding principles during the 2026 school year. The resolution also encourages local governments, communities, and the America250 Commission to host events like the "Walk250 Utah" initiative and "The Pen is Mightier" exhibit. It does not appropriate funds or create new legal requirements, focusing instead on coordinating existing educational and community engagement efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 24 reduces penalties for several traffic violations in Utah. It changes school zone speeding (21-29 mph) from a class C misdemeanor to an infraction, and lowers careless driving penalties to an infraction. The bill also amends requirements for carrying proof of vehicle insurance (owner's or operator's security) when driving. These changes directly affect drivers convicted of these specific violations. The bill makes no new funding changes and focuses on adjusting penalty levels rather than creating new offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 72 requires Utah law enforcement to complete cryptocurrency investigation training and mandates prosecuting agencies to certify at least one digital asset specialist. It imposes licensing, registration, and consumer protection rules on virtual currency kiosk operators, including daily transaction limits of $1,000 per customer, a 3% fee cap, mandatory blockchain fraud analysis, and clear disclosure requirements. Kiosks must display multilingual fraud warnings and provide detailed transaction receipts in the customer’s chosen language. The bill also requires law enforcement agencies to report cryptocurrency investigation data to a state commission, which must publish annual legislative summaries.

Maddy summaryHB 454 creates a new criminal offense for individuals who knowingly help others submit inaccurate public assistance applications (e.g., by including false information or omitting required details). This directly affects people who assist applicants for programs like SNAP or Medicaid, making it a crime if they do so to help someone receive benefits they don’t qualify for. Penalties range from misdemeanors to felonies based on the value of the fraud (e.g., a second-degree felony for $5,000+ in benefits). The bill also adds this new offense to the list of crimes that can form part of a "pattern of unlawful activity" under Utah law. The changes amend existing Utah Code sections without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summaryHB 221 creates new criminal offenses for aiding or encouraging suicide (separating it from manslaughter) and splits sexual extortion into two distinct charges with added penalties. It adds sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion to the list of offenses considered domestic violence and requires mandatory fines for convictions of these specific crimes. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these coercive acts, altering how these offenses are charged, classified, and punished under Utah law. The changes modify multiple Utah Code sections related to criminal sentencing and sex offender registration.

Maddy summarySB 184 allows Utah courts to reduce a defendant's recorded conviction to a lower offense degree under specific conditions. It applies to defendants who meet criteria such as providing substantial assistance in criminal investigations within one year of sentencing, successfully completing probation/parole or a rehabilitation program, or waiting five years without new offenses. Key requirements include prosecutor consent for violent felonies, no pending charges, and no current incarceration. The bill modifies Utah Code Section 76-3-402 to establish these pathways while maintaining safeguards for serious offenses.

Maddy summarySB 125 amends Utah's theft of service law to clarify when prior convictions for theft, robbery, burglary, or fraud can increase penalties for stealing services like utilities, transportation, or accommodations. It specifically changes the rules for elevating theft of service to a third-degree felony (instead of a lesser charge) if the offender has two prior qualifying convictions within 10 years, or if the theft occurs on property where they were previously banned. The bill directly affects individuals committing service theft who have prior criminal records for specified offenses. It makes technical updates to the law without adding new funding or changing the core definition of theft of service. The changes take effect on May 6, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 19 requires cities (first/second class or third class with 40,000+ residents) and certain counties to ensure access to digital evidence examination by July 1, 2026. Jurisdictions must either establish their own digital forensics lab, form a partnership for shared access (excluding the Regional Computer Forensics Lab), have their law enforcement agency staff the regional lab for 2,000+ hours yearly, or pay annual fees to the Department of Public Safety. Fees range from $5,000 for smaller cities to $50,000 for large counties, based on population and classification, with proceeds funding the regional lab’s staffing and costs. The bill mandates annual fee collection, reporting of non-payers to a legislative committee, and defines key terms like "digital forensics laboratory" and "participating agency."

Maddy summarySB 13 removes outdated or expired reporting requirements for state agencies and commissions related to criminal justice data. It eliminates annual reports from entities like the Sentencing Commission, Board of Pardons and Parole, State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, and Department of Corrections on topics including recidivism metrics, inmate health, and justice initiatives. The bill adds one new requirement: the Sentencing Commission must publish the master offense list online annually. It does not create new policies or allocate funds, instead streamlining administrative processes for legislative committees.