Sen. Ron Winterton

Maddy summarySB 139 requires Utah's Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman to post specific information about mineral rights and eminent domain on its website. The website must include definitions of "fee simple title," explanations of how eminent domain affects mineral interests, and clear notices about compensation options and the ability to request separate valuations for mineral rights. This information directly helps property owners - especially those with mineral rights - understand their legal protections when government entities seek to acquire land. The bill mandates these updates to existing website content without changing eminent domain laws or requiring new funding. It becomes effective May 7, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 31 creates a Refugee Services Office within Utah's Department of Workforce Services to provide resettlement services and a cash assistance program for refugees. The office will coordinate with community partners, report annually on refugee services, and manage a Refugee Services Fund funded by state appropriations, federal grants, and donations (excluding administrative costs). It replaces outdated sections of law and makes technical updates without appropriating new state funds. This bill directly affects refugees in Utah who qualify under federal definitions and receive resettlement support.

Maddy summaryHB 94 adds specific exemptions to Utah's dangerous weapons laws. It exempts law enforcement and other officials performing duties under state law, and it allows farmers with farm custom slaughter licenses to discharge firearms while following state regulations. The bill clarifies that these groups are not subject to penalties for discharging weapons in certain circumstances covered by existing statutes. These changes do not alter the penalties for violations but explicitly state who is exempt from the general prohibitions. The bill makes technical updates to Utah Code sections 76-10-508 and 76-10-508.1 without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summaryHB 504 requires candidates for county, municipal, special district, state school board, or statewide offices to file conflict of interest disclosures when declaring candidacy or seeking to fill a midterm vacancy (e.g., if an officeholder resigns mid-term). It eliminates the need to disclose spousal information, allows candidates to redact personal details if they or their spouse are at-risk government employees, and mandates public online access to these disclosures. The bill also clarifies vacancy timelines, updates financial reporting deadlines for midterm vacancies, and amends related election codes to streamline processes. No new funding is required, and the changes aim to increase transparency in candidate disclosures without altering campaign contribution limits.

Maddy summaryHB 352 amends Utah's regulations for geologic carbon storage wells (Class VI) by clarifying that the state's Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining can enforce rules on these wells after receiving EPA approval. The bill establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations, including $5,000 fines per day for knowingly breaking rules, and requires enforcement actions to be filed within two years of discovering a violation. This directly affects companies operating carbon storage facilities and the state agencies overseeing them. The bill makes technical updates to existing code without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summarySB 338 amends Utah's laws governing nonprofit entities to clarify disclosure requirements. It specifically excludes the Utah Association of Special Districts from the definition of "governmental nonprofit corporation," clarifies that most private nonprofits (not public employee associations) don't need to post employee compensation online, and requires governmental nonprofits to post financial information on the Utah Public Finance Website. These changes directly affect governmental nonprofits (like those controlled by state/local governments) and private nonprofits, altering their reporting obligations. The bill makes concrete policy changes to existing disclosure rules without appropriating funds or creating new financial burdens.

Maddy summaryHB 85 modifies Utah's air quality permitting rules by requiring the Division of Air Quality to develop new guidance on federal plantwide permit rules, review its current permit-by-rule program, and add five new categories of polluters to that program. The bill also mandates a report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee on the review results and sets a repeal date for outdated sections of the law. These changes directly affect businesses seeking air quality permits and the state agency managing the permitting process. The bill makes no new funding requests or fee changes.

Maddy summarySB 149 modifies Utah's hunting and public lands regulations by creating a new Guide, Outfitter, and Spotter Fund and requiring registration for these professionals with the Division of Wildlife Resources. It defines unlawful use of guides/outfitters, outlines prohibited activities with penalties, and clarifies these rules apply only to public lands (not private property). The bill repeals outdated requirements, including a constitutional defense plan for public lands and a committee mapping historical rights-of-way, while renaming the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office advisor. These changes aim to streamline oversight of hunting guides and outfitters without adding new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 64 replaces the requirement for public officials and employees to post bonds protecting against misconduct with a mandate to obtain crime insurance instead. The bill removes outdated bond-related rules, establishes government-paid crime insurance requirements (including coverage scope and rate-setting), and repeals provisions about bond enforcement. It directly affects municipal officers, elected officials, and public employees who previously needed bonds. The change eliminates individual bond costs while shifting responsibility to government entities to cover insurance premiums.

Maddy summarySB 126 bans the release of chemicals from aircraft in Utah for solar geoengineering (artificially reducing solar radiation to cool the Earth). It directly affects aircraft owners and operators by prohibiting this activity, with violations classified as class A misdemeanors. The bill creates a public online system for reporting suspected geoengineering and requires the Department of Transportation to forward credible reports to the Utah Attorney General. It defines "solar geoengineering" to exclude weather modification activities and makes no changes to airport operator responsibilities. The law takes effect May 7, 2025, with no budget impact.