Maddy summarySB 198 requires Utah state agencies to publicly post federal guidance letters they receive on their websites and the Utah Open Data Portal, and to send copies to the Legislature’s Federalism Commission and Legislative Management Committee within 15 days of receipt. It defines "federal guidance letters" as nonbinding written instructions from federal agencies about interpreting or administering federal laws (excluding specific communications to one state entity). The bill also mandates that agencies publish rescission notices for withdrawn guidance letters and ensures all posted information remains permanently accessible and user-friendly. This transparency measure applies to all state agencies receiving such federal guidance, effective May 7, 2025.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 259 designates certain days of religious significance as "state holy days" (like Easter Sunday), clarifying these are not legal holidays unless specifically named. It makes Easter Sunday a legal holiday but specifies it is not observed on the preceding Friday or following Monday. The bill also allows state employees to use their personal preference day to observe any state holy day or for other purposes. This legislation amends Utah’s existing holiday code without creating new paid days off, focusing on reclassifying observances and clarifying holiday scheduling rules.
Maddy summaryHB 390 protects religious, political, and ideological student organizations at Utah public colleges and universities from discrimination. It prohibits institutions from denying campus recognition, facility access, funding, or other benefits to these groups based on their beliefs or members’ protected speech. The bill requires schools to publish clear free expression policies in student handbooks and on websites, and allows students or the attorney general to sue for violations, with minimum damages of $500 for initial violations. It directly affects all student organizations seeking institutional benefits and public higher education institutions in Utah.
Maddy summaryHB 380 establishes a legal presumption that Utah retains jurisdiction over all matters not explicitly granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution. It directly affects all Utah state entities (including agencies, local governments, and departments) by shifting the burden to the federal government to prove it has constitutional authority to override state jurisdiction in conflicts. The key provision requires federal entities to demonstrate specific constitutional authorization - rather than state entities proving otherwise - to assert jurisdiction over matters like water rights, education, or natural resources. This bill amends Utah Code Section 63G-16-101 and takes effect May 7, 2025, with no state funding impact.
Maddy summaryHB 67 allows Utah's state treasurer to deduct administrative costs (such as delivery and storage) for precious metal investments directly from the earnings generated by those investments in four specific state funds: the Disaster Recovery Account, General Fund Budget Reserve, Income Tax Fund Budget Reserve, and Medicaid Growth Reduction Account. This change eliminates the need for the state to allocate separate budget funds to cover these costs, as they will now be paid from investment returns. The bill also removes a prior requirement for the state treasurer to conduct a study on precious metals, making it a technical update to investment management rules. The amendment applies to existing investment policies without appropriating new funds.
Maddy summaryHB 36 extends the expiration date for Utah's Provo Canyon Resource Management Plan from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027. This bill does not change the management plan itself but delays when the specific provision governing it will sunset (expire). The change directly affects the Provo Canyon resource management plan, allowing it to remain in effect for two additional years. The bill makes this adjustment through a technical amendment to Utah Code Section 63L-11-204, with no new funding or policy changes.
Maddy summaryHB 103 requires state agencies like the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office (PLPCO) and School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) to identify and record public roads on state and school trust lands with county recorders. It exempts major highways (class A/B/C roads) from this requirement and mandates that the Division of Wildlife Resources must get county approval before permanently closing roads in wildlife areas. The bill also ensures state ownership of abandoned class D roads and requires agencies to document road locations using existing state databases. This directly affects landowners (state/trust lands), counties (through consent requirements), and the public (ensuring road access remains open). No new funding is provided for these changes.
Maddy summarySB 159 modifies Utah's rules for nonhazardous solid waste facilities, directly affecting operators of landfills and waste treatment sites. It requires new landfill facilities to meet specific conditions before approval, including local government consent and legislative/governor approval, while updating rules for existing facilities handling certain wastes. Key provisions target facilities processing coal ash, mining byproducts, or cement kiln dust, prohibiting new approvals without full compliance with the amended code (Utah Code 19-6-108). The bill makes technical changes to the approval process but does not appropriate funding. It was signed into law by the governor on March 24, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 51 adopts a new statewide resource management plan dated May 7, 2025, replacing the previous plan dated January 8, 2024. The bill requires state agencies to monitor compliance with the plan and establishes a process for modifying it, including annual reports to the commission and legislative approval for changes. It directly affects state agencies responsible for resource management and the commission overseeing the plan. The plan itself does not appropriate funding, and modifications cannot take effect until approved by the Legislature. The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 158 establishes a Utah state office to assist local governments in applying to the federal government for the sale or lease of federally managed public land under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. The office must develop expertise on the application process, monitor all land applications submitted by Utah government entities, conduct a survey of applications from 2014-2024, and submit annual reports to legislative committees detailing application status, federal decisions, and land acquisition. This bill directly affects Utah cities, counties, and other local government entities seeking to acquire federal land for public use. Key provisions require the office to advise applicants, prioritize applications based on public interest, and report annually on land application activities and outcomes, all without appropriating state funds.