Sen. Todd Weiler

Maddy summarySB 100, titled "Estate Planning Recodification," reorganizes existing Utah estate planning laws without changing their substance. It moves specific provisions, like the Utah Uniform Trust Code and Uniform Directed Trust Act, from Title 75 to new sections in Title 75B, while coordinating definitions across related laws (Title 75, 75A, and 75B). The bill resolves technical inconsistencies between statutes and ensures cross-references align with other pending bills. This procedural update primarily affects legal professionals and courts by making Utah’s estate law structure more consistent, but it does not alter how estates are managed or distributed.

Maddy summarySB 191 amends Utah's cohabitant abuse protective order laws to create a new "no-fault" option that requires mutual agreement between both parties (the petitioner and respondent) before a court can issue the order. This type of order must include a "credible threat finding" but cannot be used as evidence in future civil or criminal cases to prove domestic violence occurred. The bill also clarifies that obtaining a no-fault order doesn’t prevent someone from seeking emergency (ex parte) or standard protective orders, and it makes technical updates to existing legal references. These changes aim to provide a streamlined process for couples who agree on protective terms without court findings of abuse.

Maddy summarySB 318 creates a Prosecutor Conduct Commission within Utah's State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to address misconduct by prosecuting attorneys. The commission investigates complaints, makes findings of professional misconduct, and reports annually to the legislature. It establishes procedures for handling investigations, protects certain records related to the process, and allows prospective employers to inquire about pending investigations involving prosecutors. The bill directly affects Utah prosecuting attorneys and aims to improve accountability through formalized oversight and transparency.

Maddy summarySB 303 updates Utah's regulations for private investigators by requiring them to complete 16 hours of continuing education for license renewal starting in 2027. The bill also modifies license ID card details and clarifies when investigators must provide identifying information to verify their license. Additionally, it mandates that the licensing board notify the sponsoring agent if a license is canceled or disciplinary action occurs, and requires the board to address situations where a licensed agency's agent becomes incapacitated or dies. These changes aim to enhance oversight and standardize licensing procedures without increasing costs.

Maddy summarySB 133 creates new requirements for businesses purchasing catalytic converters and establishes a specific criminal offense for catalytic converter theft. It mandates that sellers provide detailed identification (including fingerprints, photo ID, and signature), and businesses must document each transaction with photos, seller details, and converter descriptions before uploading data to a central database. The bill directly affects metal dealers, pawnshops, and secondhand merchandise businesses that buy catalytic converters. It replaces general theft penalties for these items with a dedicated offense, classifying theft based on value and prior offenses, while removing redundant provisions from existing laws. The law also updates definitions for metal regulation and adds catalytic converter theft to patterns of unlawful activity.

Maddy summarySB 119 reorganizes Utah's domestic relations laws by moving statutes from Title 78B to Title 81 in the Utah Code. It updates terminology (like changing "support-enforcement agency" to "child support services agency"), clarifies court jurisdiction for adoptions, and coordinates references with related bills. This technical recodification affects courts, child support agencies, and adoption processes by making legal references consistent, but does not change substantive rights or procedures for families. The bill makes no new policy changes, only reorganizes existing law and fixes minor inconsistencies.

Maddy summaryHB 142 removes the standard one-year residency requirement for in-state tuition at Utah's public colleges and universities for active-duty military members, military veterans, and their immediate family members (spouses and dependent children). Instead of needing to establish Utah residency for a full year, eligible individuals can qualify for in-state rates by providing military documentation like service IDs, orders, or a commander's statement. The bill amends Utah Code Section 53B-8-102 to mandate this change across all state higher education institutions. This policy directly affects military personnel, veterans, and their families attending Utah schools, eliminating a financial barrier to education.

Maddy summarySB 45 clarifies that the district court has exclusive authority to modify permanent custody and guardianship orders in Utah. It specifies that parents may only file petitions for such modifications under defined circumstances and requires juvenile courts to direct parents to file these orders with the district court in certain cases. This affects parents seeking to alter custody arrangements and ensures consistent jurisdiction between juvenile and district courts. The bill makes technical changes to streamline the process without appropriating funds or altering substantive standards.

Maddy summarySB 142, the App Store Accountability Act, requires app stores operating in Utah to verify users' age categories (child, younger teen, older teen, or adult) and obtain parental consent for minors before allowing app downloads, purchases, or in-app transactions. It mandates app stores to notify users and parents of significant app changes (like new ads or privacy policies) and share age verification data with developers. Developers must verify age status through app stores and cannot enforce contracts with minors without confirmed parental consent. The law treats violations as deceptive trade practices, creates a private right for parents to seek remedies, and gives Utah's Division of Consumer Protection authority to set age verification standards.

Maddy summaryHB 28, titled "On Premise Sign Installation Amendments," actually amends licensing definitions for alarm system businesses, not sign installation. It defines key terms like "alarm business," "alarm company agent," and "alarm system" to clarify licensing requirements under Utah law. The bill affects alarm system contractors, installers, and businesses seeking or maintaining licenses for alarm system services. It makes technical updates to existing code without adding new fees, requirements, or funding. (Note: The bill title appears inconsistent with its actual content, which focuses on alarm systems, not signs.)