Feb 17, 2024
Working For Utah
With the shortest Legislative session in the country, our Representatives know how to make each day count. This week we passed meaningful Legislation that will benefit our community, including bills that increase stipends for educators to purchase classroom supplies, strengthen security at our public schools, and streamline the judicial process. With only two weeks left, make sure you’re following along, in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Water Week
As the second driest state in the nation, we must continually plan for our water needs. Because water is a top priority for the Legislature, we designated this past week as Water Week at the Capitol. During the week, we heard and debated important bills that will help ensure our water future, such as SB 118, which makes it more affordable to implement water efficient landscaping in new home builds, and HB 453, which increases protections for the Great Salt Lake. Click here to learn more about how we plan to protect our water resources.
Updated Budget Estimates
Today, the Governor’s Office and Utah State Legislature released revised revenue numbers for fiscal year (FY) 2024-25. Utah boasts the #1 economy in the nation, ranking as the best state for economic outlook for 16 years in a row and the best-prepared state in the nation for economic downturns and uncertainties. Revenue projections show a return to a more stabilized and consistent revenue stream. As such, our state will transition back to a more modest revenue flow. I am committed to keeping the cost of living low for Utahns and continuing to invest in ways that ensure the state is prepared for potential economic downturns.
More Money for School Supplies
Utah teachers shouldn’t have to fork over their own money to pay for classroom supplies. That’s why, in a unanimous vote, the House passed H.B. 105. The bill would increase the school supply stipend for Utah teachers to $250 for teachers in grades 7-12 and $500 for kindergarten through sixth grade. The proposal builds on previous education investments, including a historic increase in teacher pay and per-pupil spending in the Beehive State.
National Security
In a globally connected world and with one of the strongest aerospace and defense industries in the nation, it’s important that we take steps to safeguard our state and nation from malicious foreign influences. This session, we are taking steps to protect land around military bases from being sold to hostile foreign governments and prohibit the state from purchasing technology manufactured by certain foreign entities. These steps, among others, will help safeguard Utah, and our nation, from outside threats. Click here to learn more.
Public Safety
Our strong public safety system is critical for our flourishing economy, strong communities, and high quality of life. However, with our growing population and the wave of rising crime nationwide, it’s critical that we continue to strengthen public safety. This week we passed bills that increase safety and security at the state correctional facility and help inmates safely reintegrate into society, enhance tools and resources to reduce recidivism, and streamline the expungement process.
The Legislature Condemns the Actions of Natalie Cline
In response to the abhorrent and unacceptable actions of Utah State School Board member Natalie Cline using her social media to recklessly target and violate the privacy of a minor, the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution censuring member Cline. This is the first time in state history that the Legislature has censured an elected public official. A public figure should never use their platform to bully a child. I send my love and support to the student athlete who was targeted and her family. Click here to read the full censure.
Feb 6, 2024
We’re nearly halfway through the Legislative session! I am proud of the significant and meaningful things we have been able to accomplish for Utah, like expanding access to mental health care in rural Utah and increasing accountability in our government agencies. Keep following along over the next four weeks as we debate important legislation, in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Teacher Retention and Recruitment
Over the last several years, both new teachers and those with decades of experience have been spread thin with growing and unmanageable workloads. The Legislature has provided teachers with a $6000 pay raise, paid professional hours, and other resources to make teaching a more desirable and rewarding career. Click here to learn about the bills we will be considering this session to empower teachers.
Utah is Ready to Play Ball
This week, we were joined by baseball legend Dale Murphy as we passed a joint resolution in support of Major League Baseball in the Beehive state. From little league to the collegiate level, Utah has some of the most passionate sports fans in the country and we are eager for the opportunity to bring a major league team to Utah.
Reliable, Affordable, Dispatchable Energy
Utah’s all-of-the-above approach to energy has provided reliable, affordable, and dispatchable power for decades. Investing in the state’s energy capabilities is a top priority this session, and I am committed to fighting back against the federal government and passing policies that ensure Utah’s current and future needs are met. Learn about the energy policies we’re debating here.
For Utah Students and Teachers
Utah is proud to be home to the best teachers and the brightest students in the nation. Investing in education is the best way to invest in the future generation and future prosperity of our state, which is why the Legislature is putting students, parents, and teachers first.
You can learn more about the Legislature’s plans for education by listening to this week’s episode of our House podcast.
Jan 26, 2024
Another week completed and my colleagues and I are continuing to work diligently to make meaningful changes For Utah. This past week, we passed several priority bills, including one to reduce regulatory barriers for Utah startupsand another to increase criminal penalties for drug distributors.
The next five remaining weeks will continue to be full of purposeful legislation to improve the lives of all Utahns. Make sure you follow along in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Environmental Stewardship Caucus
Utah has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources that make our state a great place to live, work, and play. We believe in being good stewards of our lands and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our natural wonders, which is why members of our body have formed the Environmental Stewardship Caucus. A strong economy and a healthy environment are not mutually exclusive. We are committed to finding solutions that achieve both.
Keeping Utah’s Light’s On
This upcoming week, we will hear and vote on several bills to strengthen Utah’s energy. Utah’s abundant energy resources and generation capacity provide reliable, affordable, and dispatchable power to energize our homes and economy. Utah has embraced an all-of-the-above approach that welcomes traditional and renewable energy sources as well as innovative new potential energy systems. We will continue to push back against onerous federal regulations and shifting demands from outside entities that threaten this approach, and we will ensure Utah’s energy policy is driven by Utah interests.
You can learn more about our plans to secure Utah’s energy by listening to this week’s episode of our House podcast.
Jan 19, 2024
This past Tuesday marked the beginning of the 2024 General Legislative Session. This has already been a productive week full of legislation and debates that will greatly benefit Utah. I am grateful to be back with my colleagues, working hard each day to pass Legislation that will have a meaningful impact on our community. I am honored to serve each of you. Make sure you follow along with the process, in person or online at le.utah.gov.
Fiscal Responsibility
We are blessed to live in such an incredible state and the Nation is beginning to take notice of how truly extraordinary Utah is. This past year alone we received accolades such as the Best Overall State, Best Economy, Best State to do Business, and many more. One of the key contributors to all these accomplishments is our state’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. While neighboring states are facing deficits approaching the billions, Utah stands as an example of financial prudence. Our constitution requires the Legislature to pass a balanced budget, which will ensure that Utah can continue to prosper, now and for generations to come. Learn more here.
For Utah: A Bold Vision, Bright Future
Each year, the House Majority Caucus prepares for the upcoming Legislative session by identifying its key policy priorities — what we most want to accomplish to benefit our state. Over the last year, our Legislators have worked tirelessly to identify problems and drafting policy solutions for Utah. This session, the Majority Caucus has identified four key areas of focus: People, Resources, Accountable Government, and Future. This legislative session, we will pass policies that address today’s problems and create generational benefits for our constituents, for our future, and for Utah. Learn more here.
Keeping Our Students Safe
Every child deserves to feel safe in their classrooms. Over the last year, schools across Utah have received an increase in hoax threats against students. These hoaxes have an enormous cost, both monetarily and mentally on our students, teachers, and first responders. The perpetrators of these crimes must be held accountable. This week, the House passed H.B. 14 School Threat Penalty Amendments to do just that. This bill increases criminal penalties for those who make threats against our students and schools, creating a needed additional deterrent.
Bills Passed by the House this Week
H.B. 10 Public Fund Amendments
H.B. 12 Tax Incentive Revisions
H.B. 14 School Threat Penalty Amendments
H.B. 16 Sexual Offenses Amendments
H.B. 17 Sales and Use Tax Revisions
H.B. 19 Higher Education Financial Aid Amendments
H.B. 22 Concurrent Enrollment Revisions
H.B. 23 Division of Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council Sunset Extension
H.B. 24 Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act Amendments
H.B. 25 Electronic Notarization Amendments
H.B. 32 Short-term Rental Modifications
H.B. 33 Cigarette and Tobacco Tax and Licensing Act Amendments
H.B. 34 Tax Refund Claim Amendments
H.B. 37 Joint Tenancy Presumption Amendments
H.B. 39 Massage Therapy Practice Act Amendments
H.B. 42 Water Rights Publication Amendments
H.B. 54 Coal Miner Certification Panel Amendments
H.B. 46 Veterans and Military Affairs Commission Amendments
H.B. 47 Utah Seismic Safety Commission Amendments
H.B. 50 State Highway Designation Amendments
H.B. 53 Multi County Appraisal Trust Amendments
H.B. 45 Safeut and School Safety Commission Amendments
H.B. 60 Phased Retirement Extension
H.B. 64 State Construction and Fire Codes Amendments
H.B. 66 Property Tax Relief Amendments
H.B. 67 First Responder Mental Health Services Grant Program Amendments
H.B. 88 Landowner Liability Amendments
S.J.R. 1 Joint Resolution Reappointing John Q. Cannon as Director of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel
Dec 22, 2023
All eyes are on Utah. The Beehive State is on something of a winning streak after a month of back-to-back-to-back good news. The Winter Olympics will make a triumphant return to the state in 2034. University of Utah’s Kingsbury Hall will host the third and final general election presidential debate in 2024. Most importantly, Utah once again wears the crown for the most generous state in the nation – our fourth consecutive year.
Looking back, it’s been a busy month in the Legislature: interim meetings, House leadership elections, a new colleague in Rep. Ariel Defay, and a special session.
November Interim
My colleagues and I met for our last interim meetings of the year this November. You can watch the full recordings of those meetings at le.utah.gov or click hereto read the highlights. I look forward to taking what I have learned throughout the interim process to pass meaningful legislation for Utah in the upcoming 2024 general legislative session.
House Leadership Team
With the resignation of our former Speaker Brad Wilson, my colleagues and I met to elect a new House leadership team. The new assignments are as follows:
Speaker of the House – Mike Schultz
Majority Leader – Jeff Moss
Majority Whip – Karianne Lisonbee
Assistant Majority Whip – Casey Snider
I am excited to work with these individuals and I know they will do great things for our state.
Special Session
During last month’s interim meetings, the House convened in a special session to instate our newly elected Speaker of the House, Mike Schultz. We also passed a Resolution of Supporting the State of Israel. While much of the world fails to acknowledge the full scope of horrors committed against the Israeli people, Utah continues to stand with Israel as we pray for peace.
Water Policy Symposium
As the second driest state in the nation, it’s crucial that we are continuously planning for our water needs and preserving our water resources. With this goal in mind, the Utah House of Representatives hosted the third annual Utah Water Symposium, where we met with stakeholders and policy experts to discuss the current state of our water systems. We were also privileged to hear Seth Siegel, author of Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water Starved World. In case you missed it, you can watch the full recording of the Symposium here.
Utah’s Budget Process: Leading the Nation
This November, Pew Charitable Trusts recognized the Beehive State for comprehensive and sustainable budget practices, including the deployment of long-term budget assessments and budget stress tests.
An early adopter to budget sustainability tools, Utah is one of only eight states to harness both practices and one of two to boast a AAA credit rating. These assessments help the Utah Legislature craft a balanced budget year after year.
Long-term budget assessments project revenue and spending several years into the future to determine whether the state of Utah is likely to face chronic budget deficits. Stress tests estimate the size of budget shortfalls from potential recessions or other economic events to gauge preparedness. The strategies paid off during the pandemic, allowing the Legislature to balance the budget “while minimizing harm to residents and the economy.”
Pew recommended other states follow Utah’s lead. “States could implement Utah’s strategy of paying for infrastructure with cash in most years to retain borrowing capacity for downturns,” says the report. “One advantage of Utah’s approach is that the state avoids some of the trade-offs between saving and spending, instead putting its dollars to work throughout the economic cycle rather than having them sit unused in an account potentially for years.”
Taxpayer Receipt
Utahns deserve to know how the state spends their tax dollars. A decade ago, the Legislature authorized the creation of the tool that reasonably estimates how much you paid in taxes and what those dollars fund in state government.
The Taxpayer Receipt – an easy-to-use online tool – has been revamped for Utahns. Get an estimate for your household here.
Utah Fits All Scholarship
The newly selected program manager for the Utah Fits All Scholarship will begin accepting applications on Feb. 28, 2024.
The Utah Board of Education selected the Alliance for Choice – a nonprofit with management experience in 12 states, including Utah – to oversee the program to provide up to $8,000 to eligible Utah students who attend private school or home school. Scholarship accounts can pay for education expenses and services, including private school tuition and fees, tutoring services, testing fees, materials and curriculum costs, contracted services, and more.
The application window closes May 15 and eligible families will receive notice about the award by May 27. Funds will be deposited in an ESA account by June 3. Learn more about the Utah Fits All Scholarship program here.
Get the facts: Utah’s Sensitive Materials Proposal
A draft proposal to empower parents to remove pornography from libraries and curriculum in Utah schools passed the Interim Education Committee with the full support of House Republicans.
The committee has worked through the interim to provide clarity and support for schools, and it’s important to set the record straight about what this proposal accomplishes:
“Should this bill become law, books and classroom materials that contain pornography as defined in Utah law, will be removed immediately,” according to committee co-chair Rep. Candice Pierucci. “Materials that do not meet that threshold, but are potentially harmful to children, will be reviewed by local schools and parents. Those decisions may be appealed through the local school board. This proposed legislation strikes the right balance in empowering parents, protecting children, and giving the needed support and guidance to schools and districts.”
Legislative Audit Subcommittee greenlights audit of Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and his office
This month, the Legislative Audit Subcommittee gave approval for an audit of Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and his office.
In a unanimous vote, legislative leadership tasked the Office of the Legislative Auditor General with auditing recent allegations involving the Utah attorney general and his office. The move comes after a bipartisan group of 26 lawmakers requested the audit, including 15 members of the House.
Legislative auditors expect the process to take anywhere from 10-12 months.
Merry Christmas
This time of year, we have the opportunity to spend increased time with our loved ones and reflect on our many blessings. I am grateful for the continued opportunity to serve each of you and to call this great state home. From my family to yours, wishing you all a very merry Christmas.
