Sen. Lincoln Fillmore

Maddy summaryHCR 6 is a non-binding concurrent resolution supporting Utah's Housing Strategic Plan. It recognizes the plan as a way to combine fragmented housing policies across state agencies to increase housing supply and improve affordability amid rapid population growth. The resolution commits the legislature and governor to track the plan's implementation and results. This resolution does not allocate funds or create new laws but formally endorses the existing strategic approach to housing challenges.

Maddy summaryHB 126 amends Utah zoning laws to treat micro-education entities (like home-based microschools) as permitted uses in all municipal zoning districts, removing barriers to their operation. It requires municipalities to process all land use applications for these entities on a first-priority basis and limits parking requirements to match those for other schools or institutional uses. The bill also clarifies that local governments cannot impose additional restrictions on micro-education entities beyond objective land use standards, such as setbacks or safety regulations. This directly affects micro-education providers seeking to operate within residential or mixed-use areas without facing undue zoning hurdles. The changes apply to Utah Code sections 10-20-304 and 17-79-305, with no new funding or fees required.

Maddy summarySB 294 creates a standardized digital "Student Achievement Backpack" for Utah K-12 students, providing a unified view of their academic progress across schools and programs. It requires the system to operate without transferring or storing student data (keeping records in original school systems), using a "visualization-only interface" to show existing data securely. The bill defines who can access this profile - students, parents, teachers, and administrators - and ensures it supports personalized learning, postsecondary planning, and seamless transitions between schools. It does not replace existing school data systems or alter current reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requires Utah legislators sponsoring bills to clearly state the specific problem they aim to solve and define measurable goals to assess the bill's success. It mandates legislative staff to assist sponsors in developing these policy details and ensures drafting instructions include this information. The bill affects all bill sponsors and legislative staff, while also allowing auditors to request this policy information during reviews of state laws.

Maddy summaryHB 231 repeals Utah counties' authority to tax food and alcoholic beverages sold at restaurants, as well as "customized prepared food" sold at convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. It allows counties to instead impose a tax on other taxable transactions (like non-food items) at a rate that generates equivalent revenue. The bill directly affects restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores that sell prepared food for immediate consumption. It makes no new spending and shifts the tax base without changing overall revenue levels for counties.

Maddy summaryHB 184 allows property owners to request that municipalities accept "preferred land use regulations" for building starter homes or smaller residential lots, even if current zoning would normally prohibit it. The bill defines a "starter home" as a single-family home sold at or below the local average home price (with two parking spots), and sets a minimum lot size of 5,400 square feet for certain developments. Municipalities must review these requests within five business days, either approving them or denying them with written reasoning; if not denied within 30 days, the request becomes permitted. This process aims to increase housing affordability by streamlining approvals for smaller, more affordable homes without requiring additional engineering plans or design documents.

Maddy summarySB 85 expands Utah's teacher performance award program to include teachers in school districts not participating in the program. It creates a "self-nomination" pathway for eligible teachers in non-participating districts who meet statewide performance thresholds (top 40% in their subject/grade using state data). The bill updates the program rules to allow these teachers to qualify without district nomination, using a state-calculated value-added growth model. The changes apply to all Utah public school teachers and require the state center to identify qualifying teachers and issue invitations. No new funding is appropriated for this eligibility expansion.

Maddy summarySB 119 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop free, open educational resources (OER) for public schools in kindergarten through grade 8. These resources must align with Utah core standards, reflect state values, be accessible for students with disabilities, and avoid bias, including digital and print materials. The bill directs the State Board to create a centralized platform for these resources, consult with schools and parents during development, and report on progress to the legislature. It does not mandate school districts to adopt the OER, and the bill affects all Utah public schools serving K-8 students.

Maddy summaryHB 407 requires Utah's State Board of Education to establish a statewide student information system for public schools, while allowing local school districts to maintain their own systems under specific conditions. The bill sets strict requirements for local systems - including data security, compliance with state standards, and mandatory audits for noncompliance - and mandates implementation timelines. It also specifies that all school districts must collect and manage student data through this system or approved local alternatives, ensuring data accessibility for parents and educators via the "Student Achievement Backpack" feature. The bill makes no new funding appropriations and updates multiple Utah Code sections related to education data management.

Maddy summarySB 99 amends Utah law to clarify and expand the offense of "emergency reporting abuse" by specifically prohibiting contacting 911 when someone knows or should know no actual emergency exists. It directly affects individuals who make repeated false 911 calls, including those who report non-existent emergencies after being previously warned by authorities. The bill adds a new provision (Section 76-9-105.5(2)(d)) making such conduct a class B misdemeanor, while false reports about weapons of mass destruction or sex-designated changing rooms remain second-degree felonies. It also requires courts to order convicted individuals to reimburse government or organizations for response costs incurred. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.