Maddy summaryHB 279 amends Utah's Higher Education Code to include private postsecondary educational institutions under certain sections that previously applied only to public institutions. The bill updates definitions and provisions to ensure private colleges and universities are covered by existing higher education regulations, such as those governing the STEM Action Center Board. Key changes involve modifying code sections (including 9-22-102, 9-22-104, and 53H-11-306) to explicitly reference "private postsecondary educational institutions" in relevant contexts. This technical adjustment ensures private institutions are subject to the same statutory frameworks as public higher education entities, without creating new programs or appropriating funds.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 220 modifies Utah's tuition waiver program for Purple Heart recipients pursuing graduate studies. It removes a previous requirement that veterans apply for graduate waivers within 10 years of completing an undergraduate degree and increases the maximum total waiver amount from $10,000 to $15,000. The bill also clarifies that waivers apply for up to five years after program acceptance or until degree completion, whichever comes first. This change directly affects Utah residents who are Purple Heart recipients enrolled in graduate programs at state institutions. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 177 ensures that students participating in their college's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at Utah state institutions of higher education qualify for in-state tuition rates. This policy change directly affects ROTC participants by granting them resident student status for tuition purposes without requiring additional residency documentation. The bill amends Utah law to explicitly include "ROTC participant" as a category eligible for resident status under existing provisions, meaning these students pay lower in-state tuition regardless of their usual residency requirements. This is a concrete policy adjustment that simplifies access to reduced tuition for military-affiliated students.
Maddy summarySB 216 proposes adjusting state funding for public colleges based on changes in student enrollment trends. It would calculate funding by comparing five-year average enrollment data (for resident students) between two consecutive five-year periods and adjusting support based on whether enrollment increased or decreased. This funding mechanism directly affects public higher education institutions in the state, tying their state appropriations to measurable enrollment performance. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Education Committee and has not yet become law.
Maddy summaryHB 44 updates Utah school safety standards for security personnel. It allows county security chiefs to approve private companies to train school safety staff, requires school districts to provide panic alert devices for certain personnel, and expands the definition of "armed school security guard" to include special function officers. The bill also clarifies rules for school guardians carrying firearms on duty, establishes protocols for using deadly force, and mandates annual/biannual training on firearm safety, de-escalation, and emergency response. These changes directly affect school security personnel, county security chiefs, and local school districts across Utah.
Maddy summarySB 241 establishes a statewide framework for early literacy in Utah public schools, directly affecting kindergarten through third-grade students, their schools, and educators. It sets a 2030 goal for 80% of third graders to read at grade level, requiring schools to provide individualized reading plans based on benchmark assessments and ban certain teaching methods like "three-cueing." The bill mandates science-of-reading training for teachers and school leaders, dedicates existing funding for literacy coaching (without new money), and ties school performance monitoring to third-grade reading outcomes. Key provisions include requiring retention in third grade for students not meeting benchmarks (with limited exemptions) and aligning teacher evaluations with literacy instruction standards.
Maddy summaryHB 373 creates a pilot grant program to fund higher education research at Utah public universities, administered by the Utah Board of Higher Education through the Nucleus Institute or other designated bodies. The bill allows the commissioner of higher education to take over certain duties previously handled by the board and requires annual reporting on the program's implementation. It does not appropriate new state funds, and the program would operate under existing funding mechanisms. The bill directly affects Utah public universities, research institutions, and faculty seeking competitive funding for innovative academic projects.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends Utah's legislative ethics rules to update the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission's procedures. It removes term limits for commission members, requires affidavits from complainants, respondents, and witnesses in ethics cases, and clarifies the commission's authority to dismiss complaints or handle conflicts. The resolution also specifies how commission staff review complaints, strengthens subpoena powers, and ensures privacy for ethics records. These changes focus on procedural clarity and efficiency without altering funding or creating new financial obligations.
Maddy summaryHB 362 allows specific mine owners and operators in Utah to pay their mining severance taxes using gold instead of cash. It also provides a nonrefundable tax credit equal to the amount of tax paid in gold for qualifying mines during designated years. The bill amends multiple Utah tax code sections to implement this payment method and credit system. This change directly affects mining businesses subject to severance taxes, with no new state funding required.
Maddy summaryHB 409 provides paid leave for Utah state employees and teachers who serve as legislators during official session days. It requires employers to grant this leave for the full hours absent during legislative sessions, while clarifying that legislators using this leave cannot earn retirement credit or receive retirement contributions for that time. Employers may seek partial reimbursement from legislative chambers for costs related to providing this leave. The bill modifies existing rules to standardize how legislators who hold public-sector jobs manage their time and benefits during sessions.