Month: February 2024

Friends and Neighbors,

We are in the final week of the 2024 Legislative Session! It’s been a busy session and I am excited to continue passing meaningful legislation to improve our district and state. 

Thank you to all who attended Saturday’s Bills and Bagels event. We had a great turnout and I enjoyed answering your questions and hearing your feedback. 

Budget Recommendations

Last week, the Executive Appropriations Committee met to approve budget recommendations that will now be considered by the full Legislature. The total state budget is over $28 billion. We will continue to refine it and ultimately approve the final budget before the session ends this Friday. 

This year’s budget recommendations bolster Utah’s long-standing legacy of fiscal responsibility. The budget recommendations include strategic investments across vital sectors, including education, social services, infrastructure, energy and water, while providing Utahns with an income tax cut for the fourth consecutive year. These targeted investments serve as the bedrock for future economic expansion, catalyzing innovation and bolstering competitiveness on a global scale.

You can read the full budget recommendations here.

Budget Recommendations

Last week, the Executive Appropriations Committee met to approve budget recommendations that will now be considered by the full Legislature. The total state budget is over $28 billion. We will continue to refine it and ultimately approve the final budget before the session ends this Friday. 

This year’s budget recommendations bolster Utah’s long-standing legacy of fiscal responsibility. The budget recommendations include strategic investments across vital sectors, including education, social services, infrastructure, energy and water, while providing Utahns with an income tax cut for the fourth consecutive year. These targeted investments serve as the bedrock for future economic expansion, catalyzing innovation and bolstering competitiveness on a global scale.

You can read the full budget recommendations here. 

Utah’s Water Security

Water is the lifeline of Utah’s economy, agriculture and communities. The state’s growing population and economy rely on a steady and sustainable water supply. Just as early settlers had the foresight to manage water resources to establish thriving communities in an arid climate, today, we are working with the same mindset to ensure Utah has long-term plans for sustainable water access. 

S.B. 211 Generational Water Infrastructure Amendments addresses Utah’s long-term need for adequate and reliable water. The bill creates the Water District Water Development Council and a Water Project Executive Agent to plan for and develop generational water infrastructure projects that look 50-75 years into the future.

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis

Suicide is currently the 9th leading cause of death in Utah and the primary cause among individuals ages 10-24. This pressing mental health crisis demands our attention and immediate action. 

In July 2022, the 988 suicide prevention hotline was launched. This service, which originated in Utah, offers confidential, 24/7 support to those with suicidal thoughts or experiencing mental health crises. This hotline includes all the critical components of a crisis system: someone to call, someone to respond and somewhere to go. All who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings or are having a mental health crisis are encouraged to dial 988 and speak with a professional.

In addition to 988, the Legislature has worked to make mental health resources more readily available. Understanding that good data drives good policy, H.B. 139 Mental Health Treatment Study requires the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health to conduct a study on the delivery and accessibility of mental health services throughout the state. The study will identify resources and funding for mental health treatment models that prevent crisis intervention, barriers to access, and funding gaps. 

Honoring Fallen Firefighters

No words can express the appreciation we feel for our fallen firefighters and their families. I am grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to them on the Senate floor. The safety we enjoy come at a significant price, and I offer my thanks to the courageous men and women who selflessly sacrifice their all to keep Utahns safe.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Presidents’ Day! Today, we celebrate and remember Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Their leadership during two monumental periods in our nation’s history will never be forgotten. I am grateful for their examples and courage in the face of adversity.

I am excited to invite you to the second Bills and Bagels in South County! It will be held 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 answering your questions and seeing you all there!

Each Friday, I post a video update about the session on my Facebook page.

Water Conservation and Optimization

The Legislature celebrated Water Week, a week where we focus on legislation aimed at water conservation, agricultural water optimization and water security. One of my bills, S.B. 118, creates a grant program to offset the cost difference between traditional and xeriscape landscaping in new home construction. It is a step toward promoting water conservation and sustainable development. Xeriscaping not only conserves water but also minimizes maintenance requirements and supports biodiversity, offering long-term cost savings for homeowners and developers. 

Another water bill we passed this week is S.B. 18, which recognizes the critical role of agriculture in our state. The bill acknowledges the necessity of ensuring farmers have access to the water required for successful cultivation and encourages them to use it in the most efficient manner possible. This bill allows the agricultural community to save, monetize and sell their excess water while maintaining their water rights.

Protecting Youth from the Harms of Social Media

Social media is an extremely harmful product for our youth. Last week, I presented my social media bill to the Senate Business and Labor Committee. During the presentation, we heard from leading experts around the world and Utahns who have had first-hand experiences with the detrimental effects of social media.

My goal is to help protect our youth and give parents additional resources. S.B. 194 works to protect minors by creating default privacy settings, disabling addictive design features, and adding supervisory tools for parents.

S.B. 194 passed committee and will now be heard on the Senate floor.

Celebrating Olympic Marathon Runners

Last week, I had the honor of hosting Conner Mantz and Clayton Young at the Capitol. Both Conner and Clayton qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic marathon by taking 1st and 2nd place in the U.S. Olympic trials earlier this month. Their remarkable finish and astounding display of sportsmanship have inspired many athletes and Americans. Conner and Clayton represent the best of Utah and the United States. I am proud of what they have accomplished and can’t wait to watch them compete in the Olympics this summer. 

You can watch them crossing the finish line at the Olympic trials here and the recognition on the Senate floor here.

Friends and Neighbors, 

We are more than halfway through the 2024 General Legislative Session and time is certainly moving quickly. In the coming weeks, we will focus on passing bills that will have regional and statewide impact. 

The legislative process only functions with input and feedback from those we represent. I appreciate the engagement from our district this session, and I hope you will continue to stay involved and reach out with feedback.

Each Friday, I post a video update about the session on my Facebook page. Watch last week’s update below.

Protecting Youth from the Harms of Social Media

Utah is leading the nation with landmark legislation to help safeguard kids and teens from the growing mental health crisis tied to social media. In our state, 88% of parents believe social media has a detrimental impact on children and youth, and nearly half of teens nationwide, ages 13 to 17, said using social media makes them feel worse. A staggering 53% of teen girls in Utah have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a 61% increase since the invention of social media. 

I am sponsoring S.B. 194 and my colleague is sponsoring H.B. 464 to protect minors from harmful product features and to empower parents. These bills continue the work of Utah’s previous landmark legislation to provide parents with enhanced tools and resources, including a strict age-verification process, default privacy settings and tools for overseeing a minor’s account. 

It also requires social media companies to offer parents and legal guardians tools, including setting time limits, scheduling mandatory breaks, viewing total and daily average use time and seeing connected accounts. 

I won’t stand by while social media companies exploit our youth. I will continue to put social media companies on notice and make sure parents have the tools necessary to protect their kids.

The Budget Process

Week four marks the last time appropriation subcommittees will meet during the session. Over the past three weeks, we have heard funding requests from constituents, organizations and stakeholders. Last week, we met as subcommittees and ranked all funding items in a master list. The lists will now be sent to the Executive Appropriations Committee for a final ranking. As the end of the session nears, these lists, along with the fiscal notes from all bills passed, will be consolidated into the final budget bill – known as the “Bill of Bills.”

In Utah, we are committed to balancing our budget. We never spend more than we have and are conscious to save funds in case of economic downturns. 

You can learn more about the budget process and see what funding requests have been submitted here.

Citation Honoring Utah Firefighter Crews

Our Forestry, Fire and State Lands’ Fire Program and its wildland firefighting crews had a busy year in 2023. They spent over 100 days assigned to wildfire incidents, completing 25 hazardous fuels projects in the state and providing crucial support to over 30 fires across the country. It was our privilege to issue them an honorary citation on the chamber floor for their dedication to protecting our communities, enhancing our state’s resilience against wildfires and educating Utahns on proactive wildfire prevention. We are deeply indebted to the remarkable men and women who selflessly risk their lives to protect our state. 

Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you to those who participated in Saturday’s Bills and Bagels event. We had over 130 in attendance and discussed a range of topics including education, DEI, law enforcement, energy, Highway 6, and more. The next Bills and Bagels will be on February 24th at the Nebo School District Office. 

A total of 707 bills have been numbered this legislative session with 44 bills passing both the House and Senate. With four weeks remaining, there’s still a substantial workload, but significant progress has been made. Below I have highlighted legislation and events that occurred this past week. 

Each Friday, I post a video update about the session on my Facebook page. This week, I discuss water conservation, tax cuts and education. Watch the video below. 

Tax Cuts

For the past three years, the Legislature has cut taxes by over $1 billion while ensuring funding for the most vital parts of our society, including historic funding for education and social services. S.B. 69 Income Tax Amendments reduce the state income tax, making it possible for Utahns to keep more of their hard-earned money. S.B. 69 passed the Senate and will now be considered by the House.

Protecting Children from Abusive Parents

Last year, Om, a 16-year-old Utahn, was murdered by his father during court-ordered, unsupervised parent time. Despite 14 years of his mother warning the court of his father’s violent abuse, Om was senselessly killed. Om’s story isn’t unique. Abusive parents regularly use the family court system to harm children, often with little oversight. Our goal is to change that. 

I am sponsoring H.B. 272 Child Custody Proceedings Amendments (Om’s Law) which puts children’s safety first. The bill makes it so the court must consider evidence of abuse and domestic violence and why a child is refusing contact with a parent. The bill will be heard this week in the House Judiciary Committee. 

Energy Independence

Investing in the state’s energy capabilities is a top priority this session. Utah is making considerable progress toward energy independence and a secure energy future. 

Securing Utah’s energy future is about more than keeping the lights on – it’s about ensuring we have reliable energy resources for generations to come. When it comes to energy, we’re applying an “all of the above” approach. We cannot rely on one energy source alone. We’re looking at any and all energy resources to ensure power remains affordable and reliable.

Learn more about our energy objectives and bills here.

National Hockey League Expansion

Utah is the state of sports. Following last week’s resolution supporting a Major League Baseball team, we passed S.J.R. 12 Joint Resolution Supporting a National Hockey League Franchise in Utah. With our state’s strong ties to winter sports and the renowned “greatest snow on earth,” Utah presents an ideal destination for a National Hockey League (NHL) expansion.

The resolution highlights Utah’s robust economy and tight-knit communities, perfectly positioned to sustain major league sports franchises. Our proud legacy of hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralympics further underscores our suitability as a NHL location.

Recognizing Utah’s Service Members of the Year

The Utah Service Member of the Year award recognizes outstanding performers from the state’s major military entities, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Space Force. The Senate honored these fine service members and their families for their ongoing service and sacrifice. These service members represent the best of the military in Utah and I am grateful for their dedication. Watch the recognition here.

Utah Leaders Visit Texas Border

The crisis at the border continues to be a growing concern for states. President Biden’s open border policies threaten our national security. This weekend, Gov. Cox and other state leaders visited our nation’s border and witnessed first-hand the tough decisions Texas has had to make because the federal government has failed to act. 

Securing our nation’s borders should be one of the federal government’s top priorities. In the Utah Legislature, we have no control over national immigration policies. However, we will continue to support local law enforcement to keep Utahns safe.