Sen. Keven Stratton

Maddy summaryHB 95 amends Utah's Election Code to improve public access to campaign finance disclosures. It requires the lieutenant governor to add a searchable feature on the official disclosure website, allowing anyone to look up contributions or expenditures made by a specific person across all filings. The bill mandates that campaign finance statements be posted publicly within one business day of filing, and other reports within three business days. This change takes effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting voters, candidates, political parties, and campaign finance watchdogs seeking transparency.

Maddy summaryHB 240 modifies Utah's property tax rules for urban farms by making it easier for land to qualify for lower agricultural assessment rates. It allows farms to qualify based on annual sales revenue (minimum $1,000 per quarter-acre) instead of only crop production, removes the requirement for annual renewal applications, and clarifies that only part of a property may qualify for the lower rate. Farmers must now submit documentation to county assessors proving sales or production meets thresholds, but no additional fees or funding are involved. The changes apply to all qualifying urban farms in Utah counties with adopted urban farming ordinances, streamlining the process for existing and new participants.

Maddy summaryUtah's legislature passed HCR 7 to formally recognize April 19 as Patriots' Day, honoring the start of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. The resolution commemorates key historical events, including Paul Revere's ride, the Lexington Green confrontation, and the Battle of Concord. This is a ceremonial designation with no new laws, funding, or direct impact on residents or policies. It simply adds Utah to the list of states observing Patriots' Day on this date.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January as Radon Action and Awareness Month in Utah to align with the national observance. It encourages all Utah residents - particularly those in high-risk areas - to test homes for radon, take mitigation steps if high levels are found, and learn about radon's health risks. The resolution supports state agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Environmental Quality in providing radon testing resources and education. It does not create new laws or spending, but promotes voluntary action based on radon being the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. (per EPA data).

Maddy summarySB 160 amends Utah's product liability law to change the requirements for proving defective design claims. It removes the need for plaintiffs (people suing over defective products) to demonstrate that a safer alternative design existed to win their case. The bill specifically updates Utah Code Section 78B-6-703 to state that a claimant is not required to show the availability of a safer, feasible alternative design to prevail in a defective design claim. This change directly affects consumers and businesses involved in product liability lawsuits by lowering a key evidentiary hurdle. The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025, with no fiscal impact or additional requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows patients to use their own blood or blood from a directed donor (like a family member) for transfusions during medical care, unless it's unsafe or an emergency. Healthcare facilities cannot block this option, except in cases where the donation would harm the patient or donor, there's insufficient time before a procedure, or emergency care is needed. The bill also shields healthcare providers from liability for injuries related to these patient-provided blood products, unless the provider was grossly negligent.

Maddy summaryHB 473 requires Utah public schools to inform parents about sensitive digital instructional materials during annual student registration and maintain a dedicated website section for reporting such material. It mandates school districts to remove access to prohibited content from vendor-provided digital materials after violations, cancel contracts with non-compliant vendors, and ensure all school devices use filters to block sensitive material. These requirements apply to all public schools (including charter schools) and their digital content vendors, with specific rules for handling "sensitive material" as defined by Utah law. The bill focuses on transparency, accountability, and student safety without appropriating new funds.

Maddy summarySB 305 amends definitions related to water-wise landscaping by defining "functional turf" as turf dedicated to active use (e.g., sports fields) and meeting specific slope requirements (not exceeding 25%). This definition directly affects property owners, landscapers, and municipalities implementing water conservation rules for outdoor irrigation. The bill establishes a clear standard to distinguish water-efficient turf from decorative turf, ensuring only actively used areas qualify under water-wise programs. It does not create new mandates but provides a regulatory framework for future water conservation policies.

Maddy summarySB 307 is a procedural bill that amends the rules of the Education Legislative Committee. It does not change substantive education policy but modifies how the committee operates. The bill was returned to Rules and filed in the Senate on March 8, 2025, after failing a committee recommendation earlier that month. This bill directly affects the committee's internal procedures, not education programs or constituents. As a procedural amendment, it has no direct impact on students, schools, or state education funding.

Maddy summaryHB 527 requires Utah's health department and education state board to annually report how they interpret federal health and education rules from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education. Specifically, these agencies must submit reports by July 1 each year to health and education committees and the Federalism Commission, detailing federal guidance they use to implement rules. The bill includes a coordination clause that would update the reporting requirement to specifically include "federal guidance letters" if both this bill and S.B. 198 pass. This affects state agencies responsible for health and education programs, creating a formal process for tracking federal regulatory impacts. The bill takes effect May 7, 2025, with no funding allocated.