Sen. Brady Brammer

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution directs Utah Valley University (UVU) to conduct a feasibility study for establishing a law school at its Thanksgiving Point campus in Lehi. The study must evaluate facility needs, faculty requirements, accreditation pathways (including American Bar Association standards), market demand, and program design focused on evening/weekend classes for working professionals. It requires UVU to assess factors like enrollment projections, tuition models, facility adequacy, and how the school would complement existing law schools in northern Utah. The resolution does not fund the law school but mandates a report to the Legislature by November 2026. This affects UVU, future legal students (particularly working professionals), and Utah's legal education landscape.

Maddy summaryHB 17 requires public infrastructure district boards to hold regular and special meetings within the district's boundaries, aiming to increase local transparency. Exceptions allow meetings outside the district if no suitable locations exist within it (with the alternative nearby), during emergencies, or for annual planning retreats that don't involve final decisions. This amendment to Utah Code Section 17D-4-205 directly affects district boards managing infrastructure projects like roads or utilities. The bill has no funding impact and takes effect May 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 480 amends Utah's medical record laws to clarify abortion classifications. It defines "elective abortion" as one not needed for health reasons and "medically indicated abortion" as one required to save a woman's life, treat a pregnancy loss, or address serious health risks. The bill allows patients to request that their medical records reflect a prior abortion as "not elective" (i.e., medically necessary), and requires healthcare providers to update records upon such a request. These changes affect patients who have had abortions and the healthcare providers maintaining their records, with no new funding or major procedural shifts.

Maddy summarySB 315 modifies Utah's tax credit rules for donations to the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program, directly affecting individuals and businesses that donate to this scholarship initiative. The bill allows donors to claim any portion of their tax credit amount (instead of requiring full use) and permits carrying forward or back unused credit amounts for up to three years. This change makes the tax credit more flexible for donors who cannot fully utilize it in a single tax year. The bill takes effect retroactively for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and applies to existing tax credit certificates issued under the program.

Maddy summaryHB 593 amends Utah's bail procedures to improve pretrial release decisions. It requires jail staff to collect detailed information - including residential address, financial circumstances, community ties, and lethality assessments - when individuals are arrested without a warrant and booked. The bill also establishes new criteria for jail officials to release people on their own recognizance (without bail), prohibiting release for certain offenses like violent felonies, domestic violence, or recent bookings. These changes apply directly to arrested individuals, courts, and jail staff, aiming to inform release decisions with more comprehensive data while maintaining court oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 465 modifies Utah juvenile court procedures to allow conditional suspension of detention for certain minors. It permits courts to suspend up to 5 days of detention for first-time offenses, or up to 30 days if the minor previously had a suspended sentence, subject to court conditions and safeguards like notice and hearings. The bill also updates rules for suspending commitments to the juvenile division, allowing 90-day suspensions if the minor commits no new offenses, with strict requirements for lifting suspensions. These changes directly affect minors facing detention or commitment in Utah's juvenile justice system, focusing on reducing unnecessary detention while maintaining court oversight. The bill makes no new funding commitments and amends existing code sections without altering prohibited detention grounds (e.g., for status offenses or unpaid fees).

Maddy summaryHB 487 strengthens legislative independence by stating that Utah legislators may introduce or vote on bills according to their own judgment and conscience (Section 36-3-307). It also revises the role of the Legislative General Counsel, prohibiting corrections that alter the meaning of laws and requiring technical fixes only to statutory history, titles, or fund names (amending Sections 36-12-12 and enacting 36-3-307). The bill affects all Utah legislators and the Legislative General Counsel office by clarifying their responsibilities during the legislative process. No new funding or substantive policy changes are introduced; this is a procedural update to internal legislative operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes adding a Secretary of State position to Utah's constitution as an elected executive officer. It establishes the role's qualifications (25+ years old, 5-year state residency), sets a two-year initial term for the first elected official in 2028 (followed by four-year terms), and outlines procedures for filling vacancies (requiring same-party appointments by the Governor). The amendment would adjust multiple sections of Article VII to include the new office, its duties, compensation, and election process. This change would directly affect Utah's executive branch structure and future statewide elections.

Maddy summaryHB 511 amends Utah's procurement code to define "resident supplier" and require state agencies to give preference to these suppliers when purchasing goods or services. It mandates that agencies create procedures ensuring resident suppliers on approved vendor lists have greater opportunity to compete for contracts compared to non-resident suppliers. The bill also requires bidders to certify if they qualify as resident suppliers, with agencies encouraged to favor such bids in small-purchase processes. These changes directly affect Utah state procurement units and businesses competing for government contracts under small-purchase rules.

Maddy summaryHB 529 proposes creating an elected Secretary of State position for the 2028 general election, transferring most duties currently held by Utah's Lieutenant Governor to this new office. Key provisions include moving election oversight, redistricting responsibilities, municipal administration, management of the state seal, and regulation of lobbyists and notaries to the Secretary of State. The bill requires a prior constitutional amendment to establish the office and includes technical updates to relevant Utah Code sections. It does not appropriate funds and is contingent on the constitutional amendment's passage.