Sen. Evan Vickers

Maddy summaryHB 482 repeals an annual reporting requirement for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Specifically, it removes a provision mandating the department to submit a report to the Rules Review and General Oversight Committee by November 1 each year. This change eliminates a specific administrative task for the department without altering other reporting obligations or operational duties. The repeal is implemented through amendments to Utah Code Section 26B-1-207, which previously included this reporting mandate.

Maddy summarySB 69 prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturers from restricting contracts between pharmacies and 340B entities (like hospitals serving low-income patients) or interfering with how 340B drugs are delivered. It specifically bans manufacturers from blocking pharmacies from working with 340B programs, requiring 340B entities to buy from specific suppliers, or demanding extra data sharing beyond federal requirements. The bill also allows Utah's Public Employees' Benefit Program to adjust its practices to address any financial changes from these rules. It takes effect on May 7, 2025, and explicitly states it won't conflict with federal 340B program rules.

Maddy summarySB 312 recognizes pharmacists as healthcare providers for specific consultations under insurance plans, such as dispensing insulin refills, prescribing nebulizers or diabetic supplies, and providing drug-related advice. It requires insurers to cover these pharmacist services if the plan already covers the related drug or device, effective January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects pharmacists offering these services and insurers managing health benefit plans. It also updates definitions for pharmacy operations and modifies record audit requirements, but contains no new funding.

Maddy summaryHB 278 modifies Utah's massage therapy licensing rules by requiring massage therapy establishments to register with the state, rather than just individual therapists. It mandates criminal background checks for both massage therapists and establishment owners, specifies where massage services can legally be performed (only in registered locations), and creates new standards for unlawful conduct with penalties for violations. The bill also repeals outdated provisions related to "massage assistants" and "massage assistant-in-training" roles. This law, signed by the governor on March 26, 2025, affects all massage therapy businesses and practitioners operating in Utah.

Maddy summaryHB 475 requires Utah's state auditor to annually report each entity holding public funds - including state agencies, departments, and public corporations - on their total cash, cash equivalents, and investment balances. This amendment modifies existing duties under Utah Code Section 67-3-1 by adding a specific annual reporting requirement for fund balances. It directly affects all state entities managing public funds by mandating transparency about their financial holdings. The bill makes no changes to funding or procedures beyond this new reporting obligation. The law was signed by the governor in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 301 sets fixed rates for ambulance services in Utah, directly affecting ambulance providers, insurers, and workers' compensation insurers. It establishes specific base rates (e.g., $1,234.92 for EMT transport) and medication maximum costs that providers cannot exceed, and prohibits balance billing - charging patients for the difference between billed rates and insurance coverage. Insurers and workers' compensation must accept these set rates for claims, and payments must go directly to providers. The bill repeals these provisions on July 1, 2027, and requires an audit of ambulance billing practices if prioritized.

Maddy summaryHB 495 amends Utah's health care laws to improve payment processes and expand dental care options. It updates rules for credit card payments to healthcare providers, revises dental claims practices, and allows dentists to dispense certain medications under specific circumstances. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, insurers, and dentists by streamlining claim handling and broadening dental medication access. The bill makes no new funding commitments and focuses on clarifying existing procedures in Utah Code sections related to health care claims.

Maddy summaryHB 456 amends Utah's transient room tax system, primarily affecting counties and municipalities that collect taxes on short-term rentals (hotels, motels, vacation homes). It creates the Outdoor Recreation Mitigation Grant Program, directing funds toward projects that address tourism-related impacts like road repairs, waste disposal, and emergency services. The bill modifies tax rates for different county classifications, adds a new state tax on short-term rentals in first-class counties, and expands allowable uses of tax revenue for tourism promotion and recreation infrastructure. These changes aim to better fund local tourism management and mitigate community impacts from visitor activity.

Maddy summaryHB 173 adds tianeptine and phenibut to Utah’s Schedule I controlled substances list, making them illegal to possess or distribute without authorization. This directly affects individuals who use or distribute these substances in Utah, as they will now face the same legal restrictions as other Schedule I drugs like fentanyl derivatives. The bill updates Utah’s Controlled Substances Act to include these specific chemicals, aligning with federal classifications but not changing existing medical use exceptions. No new funding or administrative requirements are introduced.

Maddy summarySB 15 changes Utah's licensing rules for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). It eliminates the previous work-hour requirement for becoming licensed and instead requires applicants to hold a bachelor's degree with an accounting or business concentration. The bill also allows CPAs licensed in other states to practice in Utah under specific conditions and gives Utah's licensing board authority to issue fines for violations. These changes directly affect individuals seeking CPA licensure in Utah and currently licensed accountants practicing within the state.