Author: Nikaela Penrod

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, there is much to be thankful for. I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given to serve District 25. We have an incredible community of service-minded individuals who continue to show up and make Utah the best state in the nation. Wishing you and your families a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

November Elections

Tomorrow is the last day to vote in the general election. We are lucky to live in a nation that values citizens’ right to choose their local, state and national leaders. Please exercise your freedoms by voting. All mail-in ballots need to be postmarked today or you can submit your ballot at a dropbox location or vote in-person tomorrow. Find a dropbox location here or voting location near you here.

Mexico Trade Mission

In October, I joined Gov. Cox on a trade mission to Mexico. Our delegation met at the United States Embassy in Mexico City to learn about their nation’s economy and how it relates to U.S. trade.

Mexico is connected to 60% of the world’s GDP, offering unparalleled overland access to the United States and Central America, as well as strategic ports in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. From a national and economic security perspective, Mexico has become an attractive destination for nearshoring the manufacturing of essential goods, notably as a viable alternative to China. This recent trade mission affirmed Utah’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and driving economic prosperity.

Utah Enforces Immigration Laws

Recently, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Salt Lake City Field Office circulated a memo that implied Utah is a “sanctuary state” and accused Utah sheriffs of not enforcing the policies of ICE. I want to assure you that Utah is not and has never been a “sanctuary state.” ICE withdrew the memo following a meeting with lawmakers, the governor’s office, and locally elected county sheriffs. We have outstanding sheriffs throughout our state who work hard to enforce immigration law, but they are justified in declining new agreements with ICE when requirements become unreasonable. The crisis at the U.S. border has not resulted from the failure of local enforcement. Instead, the federal government’s failures have led to an immigration crisis throughout the nation.

Utah is a state that welcomes immigrants who join our communities through legal channels. I am grateful for the hard work of our sheriff departments and their work to maintain law and order in our state. Together, we will continue to protect the integrity of our state and its commitment to the rule of law, ensuring the safety and well-being of those who choose to call our country home. 

October Interim Highlights

During October’s legislative interim meetings, we met to discuss a range of issues from road rage to school safety. Below are summaries of a few of the topics the Legislature debated as we continue to look at items to address during the 2024 General Legislative Session. 

Road Rage Legislation

In an effort to reduce the number and severity of road rage incidents on our highways and streets, the Transportation Committee met to discuss the issue of aggressive driving. The Utah Highway Patrol presented data on reported road rage incidents, crashes and fatalities. Unfortunately, the number of cases has increased from previous years. Our committee heard potential strategies to address the growing concerns of road rage and aggressive driving, including recommendations of enhanced incident evaluation and possible administrative sanctions as suggested by the Division of Public Safety and the Roadway Safety Committee.  

School Threat Penalty Amendments

The Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee held a presentation on the draft legislation, “School Threat Penalty Amendments,” which would require a student to be suspended or expelled from a public school if the student makes a false emergency report targeted at a school. The bill would enhance the penalties for threatening violence against a school, making it a second-degree felony for an individual who submits a false emergency report in certain circumstances.

The Statewide Information and Analysis Center was invited to inform the committee on school hoax and threat incidents, providing data on the prevalence of school threats and lending insight into the severity and quantity of threats our schools and districts face. The committee approved “School Threat Penalty Amendments” as a committee bill file to be considered for passage in the upcoming 2024 General Legislative Session. This is another step in our continual effort to implement security measures and protocols to protect students in the event of an emergency. 

Golden Spike Monument

In 2019, we celebrated the 150th anniversary celebration of the transcontinental railroad completion in Utah. The railroad was an incredible achievement for our country, and it established Utah as the crossroads of the West. To honor the legacy and impact of the transcontinental railroad, the Golden Spike Foundation has commissioned a 43-foot-tall gold monument that will be placed at the Golden Spike Park at Reeder Ranch in Brigham City, Utah, in 2024.

The Golden Spike Monument is a memorial to the men and women who built the system that connected our entire country and made Utah the crossroads of the West. Like those who built the railroad, the spike represents perseverance to take on today’s challenges to build a better tomorrow while honoring them for their work that changed the world.

Friends and Neighbors,

It’s been two weeks since Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel. I have struggled  to find the words to accurately describe the horror and anger I’ve felt over these actions. We’ve seen and read horrific and inhumane accounts as a result of this terrorist organization. Since the attack, I have been able to gather with my jewish friends at both Kol Ami synagogue and at the Capitol for a peaceful rally to show support for Israel. We cannot let terror and antisemitism win. Utah has and will continue to stand with Israel.

NALEO Legislative Summit

I was recently invited to address state legislators from around the country at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Legislative Summit. I discussed Utah’s legislative efforts to combat the harms of social media. Our state has worked hard to empower parents and provide them with resources to protect their children. During the 2023 General Session, I introduced and passed S.B. 152 Social Media Regulation Amendments, which enacts a strict age verification process, allows parents to set time restrictions on social media use and prevents social media companies from collecting and selling data on minors. To learn more about Utah’s efforts to protect our kids, visit socialharms.utah.gov.  

Interim Meetings in St. George

The world comes to Southern Utah, and this month, the Legislature did as well. I had the opportunity to virtually attend September interim meetings this month. This is the first time in recent state history that the entire Legislature has held interim meetings outside Salt Lake City. During our interim meetings, we discussed important topics. You can listen to recordings of our committee meetings by visiting the legislative website (le.utah.gov). 

Southern Utah is a key part of Utah’s economy. Holding interim meetings in St. George provided a convenient platform for Southern Utahns to express the challenges in their community, and it helps us determine how to best solve problems in a way that will improve the quality of our government and, in turn, the caliber of our state.

We also had the opportunity to examine many important issues during our long-term planning conference on Tuesday. In addition to discussing the opportunities and concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, we examined water issues and transportation needs. You can find an overview of what the Legislature learned during the long-term planning conference below:

Artificial Intelligence

The use of generative artificial intelligence is on the rise. As exposure to and reliance on AI increases, we gathered with the tech industry and AI experts to consider what the state’s approach to utilizing and regulating AI might look like. Questions surrounding advancement, risk and data privacy were discussed. In Utah, we will lead out on fostering AI innovation while protecting privacy, security and civil liberties. 

Our Water, Our Future

As our water discussion and conservation efforts continue, we heard presentations from some of Utah’s water experts from the Central Utah Water Conservancy District and the Great Salt Lake Commissioner. These presentations gave legislators an update on Utah’s water and infrastructure needs, conservation wins and the environmental impact of a prolonged drought.

The Legislature has appropriated nearly one billion dollars to water conservation since 2022, and we were able to see where much of this funding has gone and how it has helped calm the drought. While statewide water infrastructure has been boosted in recent years, there is still much work to do to ensure our infrastructure can continue operating at the high levels needed for optimal conservation. This historically wet year has had an insurmountably positive impact on the lake and our state, but we must continue our conservation efforts and plan for the future to ensure this extra water goes to good use.

Enhancing Quality of Life as Utah Grows

As the best economy in the nation, Utah continues to welcome individuals who move to our beautiful state. As a result of our growing economy, we have seen an increased need for housing and transportation infrastructure. We had the opportunity to hear from the Utah Department of Transportation and others about the Legislature’s role in helping prepare the state for continued growth.

Since 2012, Utah’s population has grown by approximately 20%. During the same time period, the number of vehicle miles traveled in Utah has increased by nearly 30%. The increase in both population and miles indicate the need for increased investment in affordable housing and transportation. The discussion during the long-term planning conference centered around the growth predictions for the next several decades and will help direct legislation related to these issues during the 2024 General Session.

Increase in Teacher Salary

With the start of the school year, I am reminded of how important it is to have good teachers in Utah schools. We appropriated historic levels of funding to education during the 2023 General Session, a large portion of which went to raising teacher salaries. A recent article published in Deseret News highlights how our students and teachers have benefited from the Legislature’s increased investment in the education system. “When we started as a district in the 2009-10 school year, our starting salary was $32,407. In 15 years, we have jumped to that $60,000.” You can read the article here.

FrontRunner Update

This September our Transportation Interim Committee received an update from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) regarding their goal to increase ridership through frequency of trains, reliability for departure/arrivals and decreasing travel time. Factors such as corridor growth, worsening I-15 conditions and improved FrontRunner service have amplified ridership growth and necessitated enhancements to the FrontRunner system.

A strategic project is underway to add double-tracks in certain sections of the FrontRunner route. This will increase the system from 25% double-tracked to 50% and add 10 additional trains for increased frequency, cutting commute times in half for riders. State appropriations, Utah Transit Authority (UTA) funding and a grant from the Federal Transit Administration will assist in covering the cost of the ongoing project which will be completed by 2029.

Preventing Domestic Violence in Utah 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. It is estimated that 33% of women in Utah will experience some form of sexual violence, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in her lifetime. There are many programs in Utah that work to support women who are victims of domestic violence. If you are currently in an abusive situation, I encourage you to contact the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition or local law enforcement. 

We will continue to develop policies that support domestic violence victims. The Legislature provided $24 million to victim services during the 2023 General Session. We also passed legislation that requires officers who are responding to a domestic violence call to conduct a Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP). The LAP is a series of questions asked by officers to assess the possible lethality of a domestic situation. I am grateful for the work of our law enforcement officers and the many others who help support victims of domestic violence.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This month, Utah launched a ‘Harms of Social Media’ public awareness campaign to help educate and empower parents about the potential dangers social media poses to our children.

Studies show a correlation between social media use and increased mental health issues in youth. With 76% of Utah children using social media, it’s crucial to recognize that it cannot replace real-world interactions.

Research shows 88% of Utah parents acknowledge the detrimental impact of social media on their children’s well-being. This campaign seeks to help equip parents with the knowledge and tools to take action.

Tips for parents regarding social media activity:

• Create a family media plan with expectations of how and when to use technology and social media.
• Learn about social media platforms and how they work.
• Have open and honest discussions with your child about the harms of social media and spending time online.
• Model responsible online behavior for your child.
• Reconsider allowing your child to have social media.
• Free up time to connect with your child device-free.
• Create tech-free zones & find opportunities to connect in person with your child.

Property Taxes

I have heard from many constituents who were surprised to see a drastic increase in their property taxes this year. While the Legislature did stop a property tax increase of $146 million, most property taxes are not decided at the state level. The increase in property taxes is occurring at the local level with school, city, county and water conservancy districts.

However, the Legislature has been looking at ways for the state to help address concerns surrounding property tax increases. The Revenue and Taxation Committee spent its entire interim committee meeting discussing this issue. Committee staff provided a helpful overview regarding how property taxes work in our state. The committee also heard from county assessors about a statewide shift between residential property and commercial property owners, influencing the rise in the property tax burden. 

I will continue to work with my colleagues to review this issue as we prepare for the 2024 General Session.

School Security Task Force Update

The School Security Task Force focuses on recommending safety and security protocols for designing, constructing and reconstructing new and existing schools. This month, the task force received presentations from state experts on best practices to better secure our school campuses statewide for emergencies and hazards. Increasing the overall safety of students and educators is a primary objective for the Legislature. The efforts of our task force and committees, in partnership with community leaders and stakeholders, will lead to great strides in campus protection. 

Special Session Update

Special sessions serve as a chance for the Legislature to address urgent matters between regular sessions. This month, we convened for the second special session of the 65th Legislature to allocate funds for the special election of Congressional District 2, following Rep. Chris Stewart’s resignation. Ensuring Utah maintains representation with minimal delay is of utmost importance, and we took steps to expedite the process to fill the vacant seat.

We passed H.B. 2001 Election Amendments, which makes temporary amendments to current election law, including changing the dates of the 2023 municipal primary and general elections and appropriating money to cover the costs associated with those changes.

To minimize the amount of time the congressional seat will be vacant and to accommodate this year’s municipal elections, primary elections throughout the state will be held on September 5, 2023, and the general election on November 21, 2023.

H.B. 2001 also modifies deadlines for changing party affiliation status in relation to the special congressional election date and provides for a one-time appropriation of $2.5 million to cover costs.

Congressman Stewart has been a dedicated public servant and good friend. He will be missed as a leader in Utah, and I thank him for his service to our state and nation. We keenly anticipate welcoming a new individual to Utah’s congressional delegation.

Advice and Consent

The Senate convened for advice and consent to confirm the governor’s appointments to several public positions, including eight new members to the Utah Board of Higher Education, Brian Steed as the new Great Salt Lake commissioner and Brian Redd as the new executive director of the Department of Corrections.

Sensitive Materials in Schools 

Last year, the Legislature passed H.B. 374 Sensitive Materials in Schools to prohibit pornographic or inappropriate books in school libraries. Since the law passed, school districts created policies and processes to review books with public input. With the new law in place, an individual challenged the Bible’s content for school-aged children in Davis School District. After the Bible was reviewed by a committee, it was deemed inappropriate for younger children in elementary or middle school but appropriate for high school students. The Davis School District recently completed a review on the matter and overturned the committee’s decision, making the Bible available in elementary, middle and high school libraries.

However, the potential removal of the Bible in Davis School District was concerning and, as a result, caused the Legislature to review the processes that led to this point. During this month’s interim meetings, the Administrative Rules and General Oversight Committee, as well as the Education Interim Committee, heard from Davis School Board representatives regarding the Bible being deemed not age-appropriate for elementary and middle school libraries. A bill file was opened during both committees to remedy this type of situation in the future. The bill will be worked on over the next few months and vetted during the 2024 General Session. 

Appropriations Subcommittee & Interim Committee Highlights

During this month’s interim meetings, the Legislature’s appropriation subcommittees met for the first time since the end of the general session. Appropriation subcommittees perform an important function in the development of the state’s budget. Each of the eight appropriations subcommittees considers a specific portion of the budget and makes recommendations to the Executive Appropriations Committee regarding which requests should receive state funds. Appropriations subcommittees examine at least 20% of the budget within their purview, guaranteeing the entire state budget is thoroughly vetted every five years.

In addition to appropriations subcommittees, we held meetings to discuss potential legislation and review study items. Following the approval of specific study items, our committees began discussing potential policies in more depth, considering the key subjects and issues facing our state.

Highlights from appropriation and interim meetings are below.

• During the Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, legislators heard an update from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) on double-tracking the FrontRunner. Double-tracking the FrontRunner system will increase service frequency with a train coming every 30 minutes for all-day service and every 15 minutes during peak commuting hours. Currently, trains only come every hour for all-day service and every 30 minutes during peak hours. Under UDOT’s plan, 50% of the current system will be double-tracked and 10 additional trains will be added. The project completion date for double-tracking the FrontRunner is set for 2029. 
• Legislators discussed artificial intelligence (AI) policies for state agencies during the Government Operations Interim Committee. Utah’s Chief Information Officer shared the opportunities and dangers of AI in state government. Though AI is already providing strong productivity gains for the workforce, the Legislature is cautious about the new technology and created a working group to examine the benefits and pitfalls. 
• The Natural Resources, Agricultural and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee heard from the Utah Geological Survey about the need for geologic hazard mapping to mitigate landslides and other hazards in metropolitan, rapid development and high recreational use areas. The need for landslide mapping and geotechnical reports would give researchers a better understanding of Utah’s geological makeup and provide Utahns with safety information about the location of their homes and businesses. 
• The Transportation Interim Committee heard from legislative staff on reckless driving and road rage. Utah Highway Patrol also presented data regarding increasing road rage violence in Utah and shared that over the last five years, an average of 770 crashes yearly were due to aggressive driving and road rage, with fatalities steadily increasing in the last three years due to these behaviors. Life-endangering aggressive driving behaviors include:
  • Following too closely
  • Excessive speed
  • Weaving through traffic
  • Running stop lights/stop signs
  • Improper passing (passing on the right or shoulder, failure to signal)
  • Unnecessary honking

These behaviors can escalate to gesturing, yelling, confrontation, assault and murder. Learn de-escalation techniques here and review the presentation here.

• The Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee viewed presentations from the Department of Workforce Services (DWS), the Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and Office of Professional Licensure Review (OPLR) regarding workforce expansion. DWS shared how their programs are effectively connecting job seekers to open jobs through labor exchange services, individualized case management and career exploration, coaching and education funding. The committee was also informed roughly 35% of the Utah workforce interacts with DWS and of those, 21.5% successfully find a job. 

First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program

During the 2023 General Session, the Utah Legislature worked to combat the state’s housing crisis. One of the solutions was S.B. 240 First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program, which allocates $50 million to aid first-time homebuyers. S.B. 240 is anticipated to help approximately 2,500 Utahns get out of apartments and into homes. With the program, qualifying applicants can receive up to $20,000 to use for down payments, closing costs, or buying down a permanent interest rate.

To qualify for the loan, buyers must purchase a home that is either a new build or has never been lived in and has a final purchase price of up to $450,000. The funds will be made available this summer and qualifying Utahns will receive assistance on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Bryce Canyon Celebrates 100 Years

This month, Bryce Canyon National Park celebrates 100 years. President Warren G. Harding first deemed Bryce Canyon as a national monument on June 8, 1923. Five years later, Bryce Canyon National Park was officially established.

Bryce Canyon is a national and state treasure offering unparalleled views and experiences for over a million people each year. The national park’s rich landscape is home to the world’s most extensive collection of hoodoos, a specific rock formation. It also has more than 70 miles of trails and more than 60 million visitors from around the world have come to this unique national park. I join the rest of Utah and the U.S. in celebrating its centennial anniversary!

March 23, 2023 – Today, Gov. Cox signed S.B. 152 Social Media Regulation Amendments, sponsored by Sen. Mike McKell. The bill places restrictions on social media companies and provides parents with additional tools to protect teens from the harmful effects of social media.

In February, the CDC released data showing that nearly three in five (57%) of U.S. teen girls persistently felt sad or hopeless in 2021, doubling that of boys. Additionally, the data showed that nearly one in three girls seriously contemplated suicide. Since 2010, rates of depression and mental health crises in American teens have nearly doubled, where before, rates remained stagnant. Social media creation and use have been linked to these increased rates.

“In Utah, we care deeply about our teen’s mental health,” said Sen. McKell. “Since 2009, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation has drastically increased among minors in Utah and across the United States. After reviewing the data and talking with teens and parents, I decided to run S.B. 152 Social Media Regulation Amendments. Utah is leading the way to fight back against the harms of social media and providing parents with more resources and controls. As a lawmaker and parent, I believe we are helping prevent our children from succumbing to social media’s negative and sometimes life-threatening effects.”

S.B. 152 enacts a strict age verification process and allows parents or legal guardians to set time restrictions on social media use. The bill also blocks direct messages to minors without being “friends” on the platform and prevents social media companies from collecting and selling data on minors.

In September of 2020, Paris Hilton released her documentary, “This is Paris,” sharing her experiences of abuse in a Utah congregate care facility. Since then, hundreds of former residents from similar facilities have come forward and shared harrowing stories of their own.

As I heard other victims’ accounts, I was troubled to learn that a significant number of individuals suffered abuse at facilities within my own state. As a Utah lawmaker, I felt compelled to dive into this problem with the goal to protect our children. April 6 marks one year since my bill, SB127 Human Services Program Amendments, which regulates the industry by adding more oversight, was signed into law.

Congregate care facilities are private youth programs, boarding schools and residential treatment centers, among other institutions, which claim to offer reform programs for troubled teens. Although congregate care facilities deal with extremely vulnerable individuals, until recently, the industry was almost entirely unregulated.

Last year, I was joined by Paris Hilton and other courageous survivors as we advocated for S.B. 127 in front of the Utah Legislature. These survivors’ testimonies confirmed that some individuals in teen treatment centers endure isolation, physical abuse, sexual harassment, lack of proper hygiene resources, forced chemical sedation without a prescription and physical restraint. Several teens in these facilities have been coerced into hiding their full experiences with threats of further violence and punishment from staff. Parents often have no idea there is anything wrong happening to their child.

With the introduction of SB127, incident reporting of physical or chemical restraint, solitary confinement and any physical altercation is now required. The bill also clearly describes when a congregate care program is allowed to use these measures, restricting the free reign facilities had prior to S.B. 127′s passing. Additionally, facilities are now subject to frequent inspections and residents are guaranteed weekly calls home without employee interference.

Since SB127 became law, we’ve seen many positive outcomes in Utah’s congregate care facilities, creating a safer environment for youth who need help. However, change takes time, and issues within the industry were not fully resolved overnight or even over the last 12 months. We’ve kept our eyes open during the past year and identified further issues within Utah’s facilities. That is why I passed another piece of legislation during the 2022 General Session to add additional guidelines to the industry and encourage more accountability.

Though we’ve made significant progress in Utah’s industry, the next step is to pass nationwide legislation. Change needs to be made at the federal level to ensure all teens who attend treatment centers across the U.S. are kept safe. In May, I will be joining Paris and other state leaders in Washington, D.C., to testify in front of Congress about the importance of adding guardrails to congregate care facilities. I look forward to supporting federal legislation on this issue.

Survivors, thank you for sharing your experiences. Thousands of teens will benefit from your strength and courage to stand up and demand change.

It has been an honor to work with Paris and other survivors to help make congregate care facilities in Utah safe for our children. I am excited by the progress we have made for our youth, but my heart aches for those who have suffered because of an unregulated industry. I will continue to fight for our kids and find ways to improve Utah’s congregate care facilities.

Read the op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune here.

Gov. Spencer J. Cox held a ceremonial signing for S.B. 127 Human Services Program Amendments, sponsored by Sen. Mike McKell on April 6, 2021. S.B. 127 increases transparency in Utah’s congregate care facilities.

“It’s been 15 years since the state last reformed standards for licensed youth facilities,” said Gov. Cox. “While these facilities provide critical services and resources to families, we must always ensure the safety of participants and hold bad actors accountable. I am grateful to the bill sponsors, industry leaders and individuals that came together to support this legislation.”

“Signing S.B. 127 into law is a great first step towards creating safe environments in residential treatment centers,” said Sen. McKell. “Working with survivors to craft this legislation has been a privilege. Their stories revealed the need for positive reform in the industry, and guided us toward regulations that will protect youth. I am grateful for their bravery and courage in sharing their personal experiences and the opportunity I had to be part of such impactful change.”

Paris Hilton and Caroline Lorson, advocates for Breaking Code Silence, attended the ceremonial signing along with other individuals who experienced mistreatment in Utah congregate care facilities. Breaking Code Silence is an organization that seeks to raise awareness and end abuse in the troubled teen industry.

“I’m grateful for Utah leaders, who not only gave me the space to share my personal experience, but took the necessary action to prevent further mistreatment,” said Paris Hilton. “Listening to the stories of other survivors and returning to Utah has been empowering. I hope moving forward Utah stands as an example to other states as we continue to push for congregate care reform throughout the country and at the federal level.”

Lawmakers worked directly with the Utah Office of Licensing on S.B. 127 to enhance guardrails in congregate care programs. Treatment centers will be regulated and monitored by the Office of Licensing.