Sen. Ron Winterton

Maddy summaryHCR 12 is a non-binding Utah House Concurrent Resolution urging federal agencies and Congress to establish a framework for state management of federal public lands. It specifically requests the Utah Division of State Parks to petition the Bureau of Land Management for the Little Sahara Recreation Area and negotiate with the U.S. Forest Service for the Antelope Flat Campground to become state-managed parks. The resolution also directs the division to evaluate other sites like Monte Cristo and Farmington Canyon for potential state parks, while requiring annual progress reports to the Natural Resources Committee. It does not appropriate funds or create new laws, but outlines a process for Utah to potentially assume operational control of federal lands to address maintenance backlogs and enhance recreation access.

Maddy summaryHB 540 creates a temporary pause on new applications to form preliminary municipalities in Utah. It prohibits anyone from filing a feasibility request after February 15, 2025, until April 1, 2026, directly affecting developers or community groups seeking to establish new incorporated areas. Existing requests filed before February 15, 2025, may still be modified or proceed under current rules. The bill amends Utah code sections governing municipal incorporation but does not change other requirements like land ownership, development plans, or population density standards. No new funding is allocated, and the change applies only to new applications during the specified freeze period.

Maddy summaryHB 158, titled "State Sovereignty Amendments," prohibits Utah state and local governments from implementing or enforcing rules, mandates, or policies issued by international organizations that claim legal authority within Utah. The bill specifically declares that such organizations have no power or jurisdiction in the state and bans governors or local leaders from declaring emergencies solely due to an international organization's emergency proclamation. It affects all state agencies, counties, municipalities, and special districts by restricting their ability to comply with international directives. The law amends Utah's emergency management statutes to reinforce state authority over local emergency responses.

Maddy summaryHB 427 requires dealers and private sellers to disclose specific battery information to buyers before selling used electric vehicles. This includes the battery's current condition (measured within 30 days), warranty status, and service history. Sellers who fail to provide these disclosures must pay buyers for actual damages, legal costs, and may face up to $2,500 in fines. The law takes effect on May 7, 2025, directly affecting consumers purchasing used EVs in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 458 amends Utah's ballot access rules for candidates seeking party nominations by changing signature verification procedures. It requires county clerks to only verify signatures from voters residing in their own county (prohibiting out-of-county verification) and mandates multi-county race candidates to submit signatures separately to each county clerk, with totals certified to the lieutenant governor. The bill also updates petition forms to restrict verification to county residents and sets new deadlines for signature processing. These changes directly affect candidates gathering manual signatures for nomination petitions, particularly for offices spanning multiple counties or for unaffiliated candidates.

Maddy summaryHB 328 restricts overhead spray irrigation (above-ground sprinklers) in new and redevelopment projects within Utah's Great Salt Lake drainage area. The bill prohibits this irrigation method in most landscaped areas unless the project includes outdoor activity areas (like sports fields or parks) or existing undisturbed areas with pre-2024 irrigation. Municipalities must require compliance as part of land use approvals and include a notice about the prohibition in permits. Exclusions cover agricultural land, single-family homes, schools, and government properties, with the law taking effect January 1, 2026.