Sen. Ann Millner

Maddy summaryHB 150 updates eligibility for Utah's Salary Supplement for Highly Needed Educators program to explicitly include speech-language pathologists and technicians working in designated high-needs school assignments. It also adjusts funding for teaching supplies, providing $500 per classroom teacher position for pre-K through grade 6 and $250 for grades 7-12. The bill makes technical changes to existing funding distribution rules without appropriating new money, clarifying how school districts calculate payments. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, and directly affect school districts, charter schools, and educators in qualifying roles.

Maddy summaryHB 42 establishes minimum cybersecurity standards for Utah's public schools (local education agencies) and expands the Utah Cyber Center's role to provide dedicated security services to schools. It requires schools to implement specific measures like multi-factor authentication, patch management, and endpoint detection systems, while mandating incident reporting to the Cyber Center. The law also directs the State Board of Education to develop implementation guidelines and creates new reporting requirements for cybersecurity breaches in educational settings. These changes directly affect all Utah public schools and their cybersecurity practices, aiming to strengthen protection for student and school data. The bill contains no new funding and amends several existing Utah Code sections related to education and cybersecurity.

Maddy summarySB 1 allocates $44.5 million for Utah's public higher education institutions for fiscal year 2026 and $3.08 billion for 2027, funding operations, instruction, research, and specific programs. It directs funds from the General Fund, Income Tax Fund, and other sources to institutions like the University of Utah (including its School of Medicine, cancer research, and hospital) and Utah State University (covering veterinary medicine, dentistry, and career education). The bill specifies detailed budget breakdowns for departments such as academic support, student services, and initiatives like the Poison Control Center. This funding directly supports the day-to-day operations and strategic priorities of Utah's public universities.

Maddy summarySB 1002 updates reference numbers throughout Utah's code to align with recent changes to the higher education code. It corrects cross-references in numerous existing statutes (such as those related to university governance and student financial aid) to match the newly recodified structure. This is purely a technical adjustment with no new policies, funding, or direct impact on residents or institutions. The bill makes no substantive changes to education programs or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1001, titled "Higher Education Recodification," reorganizes and renumbers existing provisions in Utah's higher education code related to statewide administration. It does not create new policies or allocate funds but adjusts the code's structure for clarity and consistency, including defining terms and making technical changes to sections governing higher education. The bill directly affects how Utah's higher education system is administratively organized under state law. It was signed into law by the governor on October 14, 2025, with no fiscal impact.

Maddy summaryHB 447 establishes a statewide grant program to help school districts, charter schools, and specialized schools create or expand "catalyst centers." These centers must partner with local industries to provide students with real-world work experiences, align programs with high-demand careers, and use industry-standard tools. The bill requires grant applicants to demonstrate alignment with local workforce needs and includes accountability measures like annual reporting and limits on unused funds. It creates a new program director role to oversee grants and coordinate with career education leaders, though no new state funds are appropriated. The initiative directly affects students seeking career pathways and local schools implementing industry-aligned education programs.

Maddy summaryHB 537 changes the governance structure of Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, converting it from a public corporation to a direct unit of the State Board of Education. The bill requires the State Board to oversee operations, manage finances, and ensure the schools continue serving deaf, blind, and deafblind students statewide under existing IEP and Section 504 plans. It repeals outdated language (Section 53E-8-101) and takes effect July 1, 2025, with no new funding. The policy change affects how the schools are managed but does not alter student services or eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 376 amends Utah's National Guard laws to clarify leadership appointments, update management procedures, and add new benefits. It establishes a 2027 start date for four-year terms for the adjutant general (top National Guard commander), allows current funds to repay student loans for active Guard members, and clarifies how the State Armory Board can conduct meetings electronically. The bill also defines terms, adjusts responsibilities for judge advocates, and specifies use-of-force protocols for Guard members. These changes directly affect Utah National Guard members, leadership, and the State Armory Board, with no new state funds required.

Maddy summarySB 162 "Talent Connect" creates a statewide talent portal to connect Utah employers with students from specific public universities (Weber State, University of Utah, Southern Utah, Utah State, Utah Tech, and Utah Valley) for high-demand jobs. The portal requires mobile access, integrates with state labor market data, and defines high-demand jobs based on growth rate, wages above the state median, and societal impact. It mandates a cooperative education program where employers provide full-time paid work experiences with academic credit, dual mentorship, and annual reporting on program outcomes. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the Income Tax Fund for implementation and requires the portal to update job categories annually based on market trends.

Maddy summarySB 38 extends the expiration date of Utah's Manufacturing Modernization Grant Program from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2028. This bill directly affects Utah manufacturing businesses that receive state grants to modernize equipment or processes under this program. The key provision changes the program's sunset date in Utah Code, with no new funding or program modifications. It is a technical amendment to prevent the program from automatically ending in 2025. The bill does not alter eligibility or grant amounts, only the program's operational timeline.