Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Week two of the 2024 General Session is in the books. I appreciate all the emails and calls from those of you who have reached out over the past two weeks. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts. Your opinion matters to me and I want to do my best to represent our district in the Legislature.
On that note, I would like to invite you to Bills and Bagels in South County this Saturday from 7:30-9:00 a.m. at the Nebo School District Office in Spanish Fork. I will be joined by other state legislators to discuss the 2024 General Session. Breakfast will be provided starting at 7:15 a.m. I look forward to seeing you there!
Additionally, each Friday, I post a video update about the session. This week, I discuss how Utah is monitoring the border crisis, combating inflation through tax cuts and more. Watch the most recent video below.
Social Media Legislation
In Utah, we care deeply about teen mental health. As a parent, I have seen firsthand how social media can have a negative impact on our teens. New documents from our state’s lawsuit against TikTok share how the company knew it was harming teens. I am continuing to work on legislation to give parents more tools to protect their children from social media companies.
Base Budget Bills
As the Legislature, our constitutional responsibility is to pass a balanced budget before the close of the general legislative session. It is a responsibility we take seriously. As such, we spend the first few weeks of the session meeting in appropriations subcommittees considering how we allocate money for public education, social services, transportation and more.
Eight appropriations subcommittees prepare base budgets for their assigned subject area over the first couple of weeks of the session. These subcommittee base budgets are passed in the early weeks of the session, allowing the state to continue functioning at a basic level and preventing the state government from shutting down. Then, typically during the final week of the session, we pass what is known as the “Bill of Bills,” which is the comprehensive budget bill that includes additional appropriations not included in the base budgets. Learn more here.
Notable Legislation
S.C.R. 2 Utah Association of Counties Resolution
The Utah Association of Counties (UAC) plays a pivotal role in Utah’s track record of good governance. With a crucial role in supporting the 29 counties across our state, UAC enables counties to offer the best possible services to their citizens. They represent the counties in the Legislature, advocate for their needs, provide training to county officials and work to improve county government outcomes. As the government entities closest to the people, counties benefit significantly from UAC’s vital services.
This month marks the 100th anniversary of UAC. Here at the Legislature, we honored their timeless contributions to Utah by passing a resolution in support of their organization while welcoming numerous county commissioners onto the Senate floor. UAC’s tireless efforts contribute significantly to Utah’s standing as one of the best places to live in America, which we acknowledge with deep gratitude. For more insights into UAC and to read the resolution, click here.
S.C.R. 3 Concurrent Resolution Supporting Major League Baseball in Utah
Baseball is America’s favorite pastime. Its history, deeply rooted in American culture, has brought countless contributions to our society and generational connections. It is only fitting that one of the greatest sports comes to the greatest state in the nation. My colleagues and I are working hard to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to the Beehive State. This week we passed S.C.R. 3 Concurrent Resolution Supporting Major League Baseball in Utah. Recognizing Utah as a prime location, the resolution highlights our advantageous geographic position, proven track record in hosting successful sports events, community-centric values and robust economy.
Beyond the thrill of the game, the resolution emphasizes the significant economic and cultural benefits a professional baseball team and ballpark would bring to Utah. Enabling greater accessibility and affordability for Utahns to enjoy sporting events, this decision will have a positive impact for generations. Utah is poised and eager to become the permanent home of a professional baseball franchise, further enriching our state’s cultural and sporting legacy.
S.B. 98 Online Data Security and Privacy Amendments
Over the past few years, there has been an effort by stakeholders, organizations, businesses and national security task forces to review security and privacy to better identify the duties of the state cybersecurity centers and departments. As part of this push, S.B. 98 will ensure more secure domains and information online.
The bill enhances and clarifies the data breach notification responsibility, outlining the reporting process and requirements when these breaches occur. It grants the Utah Cyber Center the rulemaking authority to set a framework for notification responsibilities and reporting requirements for government entities, an industry best practice. The Utah Cyber Center will utilize information technology directors, cybersecurity professionals or equivalent individuals representing political subdivisions to perform necessary duties. Also, the bill requires certain government entities to use authorized domain names and sets a timeline for when they should implement this. Learn more here.
Great Salt Lake Update
Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed provided a status update on the Great Salt Lake. He shared some of the goals for the lake, including land use planning, developing a long-term funding plan, exploring potential water supply augmentation and developing a split season lease program to acquire the water the lake needs.
One of the main concerns is dust pollution. Dust mitigation could require high upfront and ongoing costs. Thankfully, the lakebed has a thick crust that will keep the dust down; however, mitigating it is a long-term goal.
Additionally, the lake’s south arm has seen a notable increase, with healthier salinity and higher water levels than in 2022. While it is still a work in progress, there has been an increased understanding of the costs associated with a drying lake.
Listen to the full report presented in the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee here.
Recognition of Uzbekistan Representative to the United Nations
This week, I recognized the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations, Mr. Ulugbek Lapasov, on the Senate floor. Since its founding, Utah is known as the crossroads of the West. Likewise, Uzbekistan was the crossroads of the world for hundreds of years as trade flowed along the Silk Road. Ambassador Lapasov came to Utah to build partnerships with Utah organizations. He is committed to helping Uzbekistan teach its people English instead of Russian, increasing digital literacy in Uzbekistan, and providing support as the country works to modernize its mining industry. Additionally, he wants to increase tourism and develop a strong tech industry—all things we know that Utah excels in.
Utah March for Life
Last week was Utah’s March for Life. In Utah, we have passed legislation to support women who experience an unplanned pregnancy. Our state has invested significant funding to provide resources for expectant and new mothers. You can learn more about the resources available here. I am grateful for the hard work of individuals and organizations that help protect unborn babies and support pregnant women.
Honoring College Rodeo Athletes
I was thrilled to help recognize college rodeo athletes on the Senate floor. Rodeos are a staple of Utah’s rich history and culture, and our state has some of the most elite rodeo competitors in the country.