Sen. Scott Sandall

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.

Maddy summarySB 8 is a fiscal 2026 budget bill that allocates $11.6 million in state funds for operating and capital needs across multiple state agencies, including the Governor's Office, Attorney General's Office, Department of Corrections, and Judicial Council. It adjusts funding levels for specific programs like criminal justice services, indigent defense, and correctional operations, with $7.3 million coming from the General Fund. The bill authorizes state agency fees and internal service fund rates to support agency operations and accounts for budget impacts from these rate changes. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects state agencies by providing their FY2026 funding allocations.

Maddy summaryHB 8 provides funding for pay raises and benefits for state employees, directly affecting state agency workers, elected officials, judges, and higher education staff. It includes a 2.5% base pay increase for state agencies, a 2.5% discretionary raise for elected officials/judiciary/higher ed, and a 1% one-time performance bonus for all state employees. The bill also covers health benefit adjustments, retirement rate changes, and a $26-per-pay-period match for employees in retirement plans. This budget measure appropriates over $136 million for fiscal year 2026 to implement these compensation changes.

Maddy summaryHB 446 amends Utah code to clarify severance tax calculations for minerals extracted near the Great Salt Lake, ensuring taxable value is based on market prices for unaffiliated sales. The bill updates feasibility assessment requirements for lake-related activities, modifies rules for adaptive management berms, and defines the Great Salt Lake Commissioner’s duties. These changes primarily affect mineral extraction companies operating in the area and state agencies managing lake conservation efforts. The bill makes technical adjustments without appropriating new funds or changing environmental protections.

Maddy summaryHB 237 modifies Utah's property tax rules for land no longer used for agriculture. It requires counties to use 100% of collected "rollback tax" revenue locally for preserving open land or agricultural use, instead of the prior 20% allocation. Unused funds must be transferred to the LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund after five years. The bill directly affects landowners converting agricultural land and county governments managing these tax revenues, with no new money appropriated.

Maddy summaryHB 285 reorganizes Utah's water infrastructure funding by repealing the outdated Water Resources Cities Water Loan Fund and redirecting its repayments into a new Water Infrastructure Fund. The bill allows transfers between water funds and the Water Infrastructure Fund, requires capital asset management plans and reserve funding for certain projects, and updates definitions (including "relevant agency") and the prioritization process for water infrastructure investments. It also removes obsolete language and makes technical adjustments to existing water funding laws without appropriating new money. This bill primarily affects state agencies and entities managing water funds, streamlining their financial processes.

Maddy summaryHB 421 requires Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources to obtain approval from three entities before using funds from the Wildlife Conservation Fund to purchase or acquire grazing permits. Specifically, the division must get approval from the local land use authority, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture and Food. This bill amends existing law to add this requirement, making it a technical adjustment to the existing process without appropriating new funds. It directly affects how the wildlife division manages grazing permit acquisitions using conservation fund money.

Maddy summaryHB 34 creates a formal process for designating campgrounds on Utah state land. It defines key terms (like "state campground" and "application"), requires written applications to the Division of State Parks, and mandates review by local governments and legislators before designation. The bill authorizes the parks division to establish application rules and manage designated campgrounds, while allowing counties or municipalities to block proposals via resolution. This applies directly to landowners seeking to convert property into state-managed campgrounds and local officials involved in the review process. The law takes effect May 7, 2025, with no new funding required.

Maddy summarySB 80 creates a system for state agencies to establish fees based on water consumption. It requires the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a fee schedule, while allowing the Water Development Coordinating Council to set a separate schedule starting July 1, 2026 (pending legislative approval). The bill exempts agricultural water users and wholesale water suppliers from these fees, and directs collected fees (after covering department costs) into the Water Infrastructure Fund. Both the Department and Council must report on the fee schedules to a specific legislative committee and monitor fee collection.

Maddy summarySB 113 creates a rebuttable presumption that a driver was negligent in collisions involving open-range livestock drifting onto highways to or from their accustomed ranges. This applies specifically to livestock in "open range" areas (as defined in Utah law), shifting the legal burden from livestock owners to drivers in such cases. The bill also limits damages for livestock to their replacement cost in these civil actions. It amends Utah Code Section 41-6a-407, effective May 7, 2025, without changing existing restrictions on livestock on highways.