Rep. Ryan Wilcox

Maddy summaryHB 560 establishes a framework for nonprofit foundations focused on school safety to be officially authorized by Utah's state security chief. To qualify, foundations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in Utah for at least three years with a dedicated school safety mission, including specific board composition and financial oversight. Approved foundations can use state cooperative contracts to purchase and distribute school safety products (like security equipment or technology) to schools, while submitting annual reports on their activities. The bill does not appropriate state funds and creates a clear process for approval, renewal, and potential revocation based on compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Election Day (the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November) as a state holiday in Utah. However, it specifically clarifies that state agencies are not required to close on Election Day, unlike other state holidays. The bill makes technical updates to multiple Utah statutes to align with this change in holiday designation. It does not appropriate funds or create new voter requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 369 establishes a "conflict of interest elections officer" to handle election disputes when the governor or lieutenant governor is a candidate. This officer, appointed by the state board of canvassers before even-year elections, replaces the lieutenant governor in such cases to avoid conflicts of interest. The bill also creates an Elections Oversight Task Force composed of legislative leaders, the governor, attorney general, and county clerks to review election administration and recommend improvements by September 2026. The task force will expire on July 1, 2027, with no funding provided for these changes.

Maddy summarySB 252 changes rules for law enforcement when seizing digital devices like phones or laptops. It prohibits police from demanding passwords or forcing owners to consent to searches before returning their data, directly protecting individuals whose devices are temporarily held during investigations. Prosecutors must also notify law enforcement when a device no longer needs to be kept as evidence. These changes apply to all law enforcement agencies and prosecutors handling seized digital devices under Utah law.

Maddy summarySB 243 bans law enforcement agencies from setting or enforcing unlawful quotas for officers and prohibits punishing officers for not meeting such quotas. It requires the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to collect reports of quota violations and submit annual data to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. The bill directly affects police officers and agencies by preventing quota-based pressure and retaliation, while ensuring transparency through mandatory reporting. This policy change clarifies existing law without new funding or complex implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 532 amends Utah housing authority laws to clarify operational boundaries. It prohibits county housing authorities from operating within any city without first obtaining approval from both the city government and any existing housing authorities operating in that city. Additionally, it prevents public or private entities from collaborating on projects with county housing authorities in cities where the county authority lacks formal operating rights. These changes directly affect county housing authorities and city governments by requiring formal coordination before county-led housing projects can proceed in municipal areas. The bill focuses on defining operational limits without appropriating funds or changing housing program eligibility.

Maddy summaryHCR 10 is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) declaring the first week of July 2025 and July 2026 as "Independence Week" to mark Utah's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It recognizes Utah's America250 Commission and encourages schools, universities, local communities, and state agencies to participate in educational programs, events, and service initiatives during 2025-2026. The resolution specifically urges schools to incorporate the anniversary into curricula and invites counties/cities to become "Utah250 Communities" for local celebrations. It has no financial impact and serves only to formally support existing commemorative planning.

Maddy summaryHB 13 amends Utah's sexual extortion law to specifically include threats about distributing "counterfeit intimate images" (fake nude photos or videos). This directly affects victims threatened with the spread of fabricated intimate images and individuals making such threats. The key change adds "counterfeit intimate image" to the list of prohibited threats under the law, updating definitions in Section 76-5b-204. The bill makes no changes to sentencing or other provisions beyond this clarification.