Rep. Colin Jack

Maddy summaryHB 169 repeals Utah’s statutory requirement for boat insurance, directly affecting boaters who previously had to carry coverage. The bill removes this mandate from multiple code sections and makes technical adjustments to related statutes. No funding is appropriated, and the changes take effect upon the governor’s approval. This policy shift simplifies regulatory requirements for boaters without introducing new obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 114 reorganizes Utah's laws on adult performances and materials by creating new standalone criminal offenses. It moves conduct like presenting pornographic performances in public places, aiding minors in such performances, and harmful performances near minors into separate charges, rather than grouping them under existing "distributing material" offenses. Penalties now vary by the actor's age (third-degree felony for adults, misdemeanors for minors), with specific fines and jail terms. The bill clarifies existing prohibitions - such as on school property or harmful material - without introducing new restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 19 requires community water systems serving 3,300 or more people to create and update emergency response plans by December 2026 (with annual updates), while smaller systems must do so by July 2027. It mandates that any security breach threatening water quality or supply must be reported to the Utah Cyber Center within two hours. The bill also requires the Division of Drinking Water to annually report on security practices to legislative committees and classifies emergency response plans as protected records. These provisions aim to strengthen cybersecurity and emergency preparedness at drinking water facilities across Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 157 requires Utah's Office of Energy Development to create and maintain energy education programs and curricula for K-12 schools, aligned with state science standards. It also mandates professional development training for educators (including licensure renewal opportunities) and energy-related workforce development programs for students. The bill establishes an advisory group with representatives from education, energy industries, and rural associations to guide these efforts. The office must report annually to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee, with no new state funding allocated for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 201 requires Utah utilities to include full costs of backup resources (like storage or grid adjustments) in their energy plans and report different energy types (baseload, variable, storage) with specific metrics like expected delivery. It prohibits mandatory demand management programs that reduce electricity use and bans counting such reductions as equivalent to power generation capacity. The bill affects utilities filing integrated resource plans with Utah's Public Service Commission, mandating clearer reporting on variable resources (e.g., solar/wind) and excluding voluntary conservation programs from capacity calculations. Key changes include new cost attribution rules and restrictions on how demand reductions can be factored into planning.

Maddy summarySB 90 mandates fixed jail terms for repeat drug and theft offenses in Utah, applying to individuals with prior convictions for similar crimes or for reentry of a removed alien (8 U.S.C. Sec. 1326). The bill requires 360 days for felonies/class A misdemeanors, 180 days for class B, and 90 days for class C offenses. It also blocks federal immigration authorities from deporting individuals until they complete their full mandatory jail sentence, with limited exceptions. This law affects those convicted under specific Utah drug and theft statutes with qualifying prior offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new rules for electricity service to large commercial or industrial customers with 100+ megawatt demand. It establishes two service pathways: direct contracts with qualified utilities or private power systems ("closed private generation"), while exempting these services from standard rate regulations (though safety and reliability standards still apply). The Public Service Commission must study a "large load flexible tariff" and conduct periodic program reviews. This affects major utility companies, large industrial customers, and new electricity providers serving these high-demand users.

Maddy summarySB 95 clarifies that local governments (like counties and cities) must hold public hearings with a quorum when seeking to raise property taxes above approved rates. It requires them to publicly state the exact tax increase amount, purpose, and estimated revenue impact at least 14 days before elections, with proper notice. This applies to all taxing entities making such rate changes and takes effect retroactively from January 1, 2025. The bill makes technical updates to ensure public hearing requirements align with Utah's Open Meetings Act.

Maddy summarySB 38 extends the expiration date of Utah's Manufacturing Modernization Grant Program from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects Utah manufacturing businesses that receive state grants to modernize equipment or processes under this program. The key provision changes the program's sunset date in Utah Code, with no new funding or program modifications. It is a technical amendment to prevent the program from automatically ending in 2025. The bill does not alter eligibility or grant amounts, only the program's operational timeline.

Maddy summaryHB 57 protects Utah homeowners who install residential solar panels by requiring solar retailers to provide accurate energy production estimates. If actual system output falls short of the retailer's estimate, the retailer must repair the panels. The bill also mandates solar retailers register with the state, requires sales representatives to be W-2 employees (not independent contractors), and delays customer payments until the solar system is active and producing energy. These changes aim to prevent misleading sales practices and ensure systems meet promised performance levels.