Sen. Chris Wilson

Maddy summaryHB 566 requires Utah's Medicaid program to increase transparency by mandating the Division of Integrated Healthcare to maintain a public dashboard of Medicaid data and publish reports online. It directly affects Medicaid providers, contractors, and risk contractors, requiring them to identify, report, and repay improper payments (such as duplicate or incorrect claims) and develop corrective action plans. The bill also mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to publish these reports and corrective plans on its website. These provisions aim to improve accountability and data accessibility without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summaryHB 273 requires Utah's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence use in public schools, directly affecting all Utah public schools, teachers, and students. Key provisions include adding artificial intelligence standards to core computer science curriculum, establishing grade-level technology use requirements, creating a model for balanced technology integration, and allowing high schools to offer AI-focused "sandbox" courses. The bill also mandates reporting on implementation and exempts certain student groups from grade-level tech requirements, with no new state funding allocated.

Maddy summarySB 222 amends Utah's "Right to Try" law to expand access to investigational drugs. It removes the requirement that patients have a terminal illness, instead allowing individuals with serious conditions that pose significant risks compared to experimental treatments and limited conventional options to qualify. The bill updates definitions to clarify "eligible illness" and expands permissible medicinal dosage forms (e.g., adding transdermal and sublingual options). This change directly affects patients seeking experimental treatments who previously faced eligibility barriers due to non-terminal diagnoses. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.

Maddy summarySB 157, the New Motorboat Distributor Act, regulates relationships between motorboat distributors and dealerships in Utah. It directly affects dealerships by prohibiting distributors from using unfair practices, requiring good cause and advance notice for termination, and mandating distributors to reimburse dealers for warranty work at retail rates. The bill also requires distributors to buy back unsold inventory if a dealership agreement ends, protect dealers' rights to transfer ownership, and provide detailed warranty policies. It replaces the previous Motorboat Agreements Act and empowers the Department of Commerce to enforce these rules with administrative fines up to $5,000 per day for violations.

Maddy summarySB 134 increases judicial staffing across Utah courts by adding judges to address caseloads. It raises the Utah Supreme Court from 5 to 7 justices, the Court of Appeals from 7 to 9 judges, and adjusts district court judge numbers in multiple districts (e.g., increasing the Third District from 32 to 33 judges and the Fourth District from 13 to 14 judges effective January 2027). The bill also amends rules for recruiting judges to fill vacancies and establishes new roles like associate chief justice for the Supreme Court. No new funding is allocated, and the changes take effect under a special timeline. This directly affects Utah’s court system by expanding judicial capacity.

Maddy summaryHJR 201 is a legislative resolution (not a bill) passed by Utah's Legislature. It condemns recent court actions regarding redistricting, specifically criticizing the Utah Supreme Court for creating a "super law" doctrine and ordering the use of a map drawn by special interest groups instead of the Legislature's approved map. The resolution reaffirms that redistricting authority belongs to the Legislature per the Utah Constitution and Proposition 4, and urges courts to follow constitutional text rather than override elected representatives. It does not create new laws or appropriate funds.

Maddy summaryHB 497 strengthens oversight of Utah's public education system by expanding the State Board of Education's authority to address compliance and transparency. It requires school districts and charter schools to provide necessary data for state reporting, mandates the board to use existing frameworks for handling noncompliance reports, and creates a system for timely complaint resolution with the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission. The bill also requires the board to publish meeting information online and makes technical updates to existing education codes (53E-3-401, 53G-4-402, etc.). These changes directly affect school districts, charter schools, and the State Board of Education, focusing on administrative processes without new funding or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 148, titled "Child Sexual Abuse Amendments," adds a sentencing factor for specific child sexual offenses when the defendant traveled over 45 miles from their home to commit the crime, or paid a child to travel over 45 miles for the crime. It directly affects defendants convicted of offenses like unlawful sexual activity with minors (Section 76-5-401), human trafficking of children (Section 76-5-308.5), or sexual abuse of a child (Section 76-5-404.1). The key mechanism requires courts to consider this travel distance as an aggravating factor during sentencing and include it in the judgment, with parole boards also factoring it into imprisonment length. This change, effective May 2025, modifies sentencing guidelines for these specific crimes without creating new funding or procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 542 reorganizes Utah's economic development structure by repealing the Unified Economic Opportunity Commission and its committees. It transfers $1.9 million from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to the Utah Board of Higher Education for fiscal year 2026, specifically for the Administration fund. The bill also amends multiple Utah Code sections related to economic development, housing affordability, and broadband access, including renumbering provisions for the Utah Broadband Center and Access Act. These changes streamline agency responsibilities and redirect funding toward higher education administration without altering core housing or development policies.

Maddy summaryHB 279, the Earned Wage Access Services Act, regulates companies that allow workers to access earned but unpaid wages (like salary or hourly pay) before their regular payday. It requires these companies to register with Utah’s Division of Consumer Protection, clearly disclose fees to workers, and follow complaint procedures. The law exempts these services from standard financial regulations (like those for banks) but mandates consumer protections. It directly affects workers using these services and the companies providing them, ensuring transparency and oversight without new state funding.