Sen. Keven Stratton

Maddy summaryHB 67 removes the lead acid battery disposal regulations from Utah's sunset schedule, preventing them from automatically expiring on July 1, 2026. This ensures existing rules for handling and disposing of lead acid batteries (affecting auto shops, recyclers, and waste management entities) remain in effect indefinitely. The bill makes no new policy changes but maintains current requirements through technical amendments to the Utah Code. No additional costs or new provisions are introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 66 extends the repeal date for Utah's Soil Health Program from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036. This amendment directly affects the program itself, which supports agricultural practices that improve soil quality and sustainability for Utah farmers and ranchers. The bill changes Section 63I-1-204 of Utah Code to delay the program's termination by 10 years. No new funding is appropriated, and the change only modifies the program's scheduled end date without altering its current structure or operations. The bill passed unanimously and takes effect May 6, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 7 is the Social Services Base Budget for Utah’s fiscal years 2026 and 2027, providing $8.6 billion in total funding to state agencies, primarily the Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects programs like Child and Family Services, Medicaid, mental health services, and health care administration by allocating specific funds - such as $1.588 billion from the General Fund for 2027 and $53.38 million for legal cost reporting. Key provisions include requiring the Health and Human Services Department to report to lawmakers by May 2026 on attorney fees for child welfare services, including historical costs and funding gaps. The bill establishes concrete budget allocations for operations, capital projects, and specific initiatives without changing program eligibility or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 434 is a technical amendment bill that updates administrative procedures and terminology within Utah's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It directly affects HHS staff, local health departments, and service providers by clarifying the department's authority to audit local health funding, updating job qualification requirements for leadership roles, and changing outdated terms like "targeted case management" to "case managers." Key provisions include allowing the Office of Public Guardian to access certain protected information when needed, requiring the Division of Services for People with Disabilities to prioritize least restrictive settings for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and aligning fetal death certificate procedures with current practices. The bill makes no new funding commitments or changes to service eligibility, focusing solely on clarifying existing administrative structures and references.

Maddy summarySB 199 updates Utah's guardianship laws specifically for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities. It defines key terms, clarifies which court handles these cases, and creates a new process requiring in-person hearings, court-appointed attorneys, medical evaluations, and temporary guardianship during proceedings. The bill mandates that courts prefer full guardianship (granting broad decision-making authority) for these individuals and requires specific provisions in court orders. It also outlines guardian duties, removal procedures, and termination rules, while adding new rights for the individual under full guardianship. The law affects vulnerable adults, their families, and courts managing these cases, with no new funding required.

Maddy summaryHB 488 establishes new duties for Utah's Federalism Commission and two university entities to strengthen state-level engagement with federalism issues. It requires the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University to develop training for state/local government employees on federalism principles, organize an annual conference, and coordinate outreach efforts. The Herbert Institute serves as a liaison between the commission and government entities, while the expanded commission must report annually on progress. The bill appropriates $910,000 from the Income Tax Fund to support these activities, affecting state/local government employees, the commission, and the university centers through mandated programs and reporting.

Maddy summaryHB 493 amends Utah's death certificate procedures and medical examiner processes to improve accuracy and efficiency. It requires health care professionals to complete death certificates online using a new system that flags cases needing medical examiner review, notifies families about potential fees if bodies are cremated or made unavailable for autopsy, and clarifies when medical examiners must investigate deaths. The bill directly affects health care providers, funeral directors, and families handling deceased relatives. Key changes include updating filing deadlines, adding online tools for death certificate completion, and prohibiting funeral service staff from charging for signing death certificates. These updates aim to streamline documentation while ensuring proper oversight for deaths requiring medical examiner involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 334 updates Utah's legal framework for guardianships and supported decision-making agreements. It directly affects individuals with intellectual disabilities, their guardians, and mental health authorities by clarifying rights, procedures, and new support options. Key changes include: requiring detailed documentation when patient rights are limited, allowing telehealth exams for commitment evaluations, mandating remote court hearings for involuntary commitment petitions unless justified otherwise, and establishing clear rules for supported decision-making agreements (where individuals can choose supporters to help with decisions, with guardian approval). The bill also repeals outdated provisions and adds specific requirements for competency evaluations in legal cases.

Maddy summaryHB 183 amends Utah law to clarify that noncitizens with pending asylum or temporary protected status (TPS) applications are prohibited from possessing, purchasing, transferring, or owning dangerous weapons. This technical amendment adds these individuals to the existing list of "Category I restricted persons" under Utah Code Section 76-10-503, specifically addressing those waiting for immigration decisions. The bill does not change other restrictions or create new requirements; it only explicitly includes pending asylum and TPS applicants under the existing prohibition. No funding is appropriated, and the change coordinates with related legislation (H.B. 133).

Maddy summarySB 323 creates Utah's Asset and Investment Review Task Force to study how state and local government entities manage public funds. The task force, composed of appointed members including state auditors, treasurers, and industry representatives, will identify cash and near-cash assets held by government entities (especially those with $1 million+ in such funds), analyze investment strategies, and recommend changes by November 30, 2025. It may contract experts to conduct the study under Utah Procurement Code and will report findings to the legislature. The task force expires on January 1, 2026, with no funding allocated for the study.