Rep. Colin Jack

Maddy summaryHB 438 modifies Utah's bond requirement for environmental lawsuits by expanding the definition of "environmental action" to include challenges to permits issued by the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (previously excluded). It requires plaintiffs seeking preliminary injunctions or administrative stays in these cases to post a bond covering potential damages to defendants if they lose the case. The bond must be sufficient to compensate opposing parties for harm caused by the temporary relief, paid to those defendants if the plaintiff doesn't ultimately win. This affects anyone filing lawsuits against oil, gas, or mining permits through the courts.

Maddy summaryHB 211 increases penalties for individuals convicted of a felony who previously faced a federal conviction for unlawful reentry (under 8 U.S.C. § 1326). It enhances penalties based on the original felony charge: a third-degree felony becomes a second-degree felony, a second-degree becomes a first-degree, and a first-degree felony triggers a mandatory minimum three-year prison sentence addition. The bill applies only to Utah courts handling cases where the defendant has a prior federal unlawful reentry conviction. It requires prosecutors to notify courts of this enhancement in charging documents and takes effect May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 492 requires community water systems serving 10,000 or more people to create security plans by December 2025 (and annually after), while smaller systems must do so by July 2026. It mandates reporting security breaches to the Utah Cyber Center within two hours and includes specific requirements for updating software, training staff, and conducting vulnerability assessments. The bill classifies security plans as protected records and requires annual reports to legislative committees on security practices. These changes apply directly to water utility providers, not the public, and involve no new state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 448 creates a new class C misdemeanor offense for violating pretrial release conditions in Iron, Kane, and Washington Counties. It allows county sheriffs to detain individuals for up to 24 hours without a warrant if they believe a pretrial violation occurred, and requires sheriffs to notify the court. The bill modifies district court jurisdiction to handle these violations directly, replacing previous processes. This affects individuals on pretrial release in those three counties and changes how local law enforcement and courts manage violations.

Maddy summaryHB 401 creates a new criminal offense for performers aged 16 or older who knowingly engage in "adult-oriented performances" (defined as live acts harmful to minors, including nude dancing, sexual conduct, or lewd acts) in public places where minors could view them. It establishes penalties: class B misdemeanors for those 16-17, class A misdemeanors for adults (18+) for first offenses, and third-degree felonies for repeat adult offenses. The law includes a defense if the performance occurs in a physically separated area where minors cannot access it. The bill amends Utah Code Section 76-10-1206.1 and takes effect May 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 522 requires motor vehicle liability insurance policies to cover the difference in a car's market value before and after an accident. It grants Utah's Insurance Department authority to create rules for calculating this coverage amount. The bill also mandates that automotive repair facilities use crash parts substantially equivalent to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, rather than cheaper alternatives. These changes directly affect car owners (through insurance coverage), repair facilities (through parts requirements), and the Insurance Department (through rulemaking authority).

Maddy summaryHB 221 creates a new third-degree felony offense for damaging or tampering with a firearm storage container (like a locked safe) or safety device (such as a trigger lock) during a burglary. It directly affects individuals committing burglary who intentionally disable these gun safety measures while attempting, committing, or fleeing the crime. The bill defines key terms, specifies that this applies to all types of burglary under Utah law, and sets the penalty as a felony. This is a concrete policy change that adds a specific criminal charge for targeting firearm safety equipment during burglaries.

Maddy summaryHB 241 regulates utility-scale solar power plants (over 1 megawatt) in Utah by establishing new rules for state incentives, land use, and environmental planning. It restricts full state incentives for solar projects on protected farmland (including prime cropland and grazing land with high vegetation) or reduces them to half for less sensitive agricultural land, while exempting projects with pre-existing agreements. The bill also requires wildlife impact consultations, mandates detailed decommissioning plans with financial assurance for cleanup, and creates a new permitting process for solar facilities. These provisions directly affect solar developers, landowners, and state agencies managing incentives and environmental reviews, without appropriating new state funds.