Maddy summaryHB 108 modifies how Utah's Department of Health and Human Services manages federal benefits (like Social Security or veterans' payments) for minors in state custody. It reduces the percentage of these benefits the department can use for maintenance costs (from 75% to 25%) and requires the department to establish separate accounts for each minor, prioritizing ABLE accounts when possible. The bill mandates annual financial statements to minors and guardians, annual reports to the legislature detailing benefit usage, and annual financial literacy training upon custody termination. It directly affects minors in foster care or state custody who receive federal benefits, ensuring their funds are managed responsibly while preserving eligibility for other benefits.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 308 reorganizes Utah's judicial districts by reducing the number from eight to four (Northern, Western, Southern, Eastern) effective July 1, 2026. It combines existing districts - like merging the First, Second, and Third Judicial Districts into the Northern Judicial District - and creates subdistricts for administrative purposes within each new district. The bill adjusts the number of district and juvenile court judges per district (e.g., increasing the Northern District to 51 judges from previous totals) while ensuring current judges retain their positions. This change affects all Utah counties, court operations, and judicial staffing without requiring new funding.
Maddy summarySB 259 requires investigators, auditors, and prosecuting attorneys to sign sworn statements confirming evidence in felony cases was collected or disclosed lawfully under state and federal law. Specifically, it mandates that individuals obtaining evidence sign a statement verifying compliance with legal procedures, while prosecutors must sign a statement confirming they disclosed exculpatory evidence as required by law. These signed statements must include an unsworn declaration, and failing to comply is classified as a class A misdemeanor. The bill directly affects criminal justice professionals handling felony cases in Utah and takes effect May 6, 2026. It makes no changes to funding or other policy areas.
Maddy summaryHB 476 modifies Utah's insanity defense rules for first-degree and capital felony cases. It shifts the burden of proof to defendants claiming insanity, requiring them to prove their defense by "clear and convincing evidence." The bill also clarifies that certain conditions (like antisocial personality disorder or substance use disorders) cannot be used as insanity defenses, and updates procedures for mental health evaluations, supervision, and release of defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity. These changes directly affect criminal defendants in serious felony cases who may assert an insanity defense.
Maddy summarySB 269 requires local school boards to post meeting agendas online at least 48 hours before each public meeting. This applies directly to all local school boards across the state, ensuring the public has timely access to meeting topics. The bill mandates that agendas be published on the school board's official website, not just mailed or posted elsewhere. It also requires boards to make their meeting rules available online, increasing transparency in school governance. (Note: The bill is procedural and focuses on meeting notice requirements, not substantive policy changes.)
Maddy summaryHB 555 amends Utah's family law statutes to clarify how courts award attorney fees, costs, and witness fees in cases involving divorce, custody, child support, or property division. It requires courts to specifically assess each party's ability to pay before ordering fees and allows judges to reduce or deny fees if a party is indigent or if the case was filed to harass or unnecessarily increase costs. The bill also updates definitions related to alimony, custody, and child support enforcement. These changes directly affect anyone involved in Utah family court proceedings seeking financial support or custody arrangements.
Maddy summarySB 265 amends the Uniform Community Property Disposition at Death Act to clarify surviving spouses' rights to community property owned with a deceased spouse. It ensures that a surviving community-property spouse automatically retains ownership of community property upon the spouse's death, unless the deceased spouse transferred it via a will or other means that explicitly gives it to a third party. The bill explicitly excludes property transferred through right of survivorship (like joint bank accounts) or revocable trusts from these rules. This affects surviving spouses in community property states who may otherwise face disputes over inherited assets.
Maddy summaryHB 216 amends Utah's child support law to exclude Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits from the gross income calculation used to determine child support payments. This change directly affects parents who receive SSDI, ensuring these disability benefits are not counted as income when calculating their child support obligation. The bill modifies Utah Code Section 81-6-203 by adding SSDI to a list of excluded benefits, alongside other means-tested programs like Medicaid and SNAP. This adjustment aligns with existing exclusions for similar benefits and prevents SSDI recipients from having these funds considered as available income for support payments. The change takes effect May 6, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 67 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requiring peace officers to meet arrest or citation quotas and bans retaliation against officers for refusing such quotas. It requires the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to collect and annually report alleged violations to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. The bill directly affects peace officers and local law enforcement agencies by preventing quota-based pressure and disciplinary actions. Key provisions include defining "impermissible quotas," mandating violation reporting, and amending existing statutes to align with this prohibition. The bill makes no financial changes and focuses solely on policy reforms to address alleged quota practices.
Maddy summaryHB 365 requires local taxing entities (like cities, counties, and school districts) to notify residents *before* starting their budget process if they plan to increase property taxes beyond the previous year's certified rate. The notice must include the approximate revenue increase amount and the purpose of the increase. If the entity fails to provide this notice, the State Tax Commission cannot approve their proposed tax increase, and the tax rate is limited to the amount stated in the notice. This bill modifies Utah's existing tax notification rules to enhance transparency before budget decisions that affect property owners' bills.