We have seven days left of the legislative session to get our bills through and done! That is not much time considering most of my bills are still not through the process. Here are the results of the survey I sent out to our district. I know it is not statistically valid, but it is very interesting to me to see how those who responded feel about these issues. Thank you to all who participated.In your opinion, what are the most important issues in the upcoming legislative session? Please select your top three issues: What are your top budget priorities? Please select up to three: SCHOOL FUNDING (Backpack Funding) – Utah has a strong reputation for providing parents and students with education options and freedoms. During the height of the pandemic, we saw school learning services vary from district to district. Some Utahns believe we should increase parent choice by creating an option for parents to switch schools while maintaining their student’s funding. Do you support education funding following the student to the school of their choice?  Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: The curriculum for Utah’s K-12 education is innovative? HOUSING AFFORDABILITY – Utah is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, and we are currently second in the country for the year-over-year increase in our housing prices. With Utah’s changing demographics, strong economy and diverse job market, housing cost increases have outstripped inflation four to five times over the past year. During the 2021 session, we allocated $50 million to help address affordable housing. How would you like to see the Legislature tackle affordable housing this year?  DEATH PENALTY – Do you believe the death penalty is applied fairly in Utah? REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY – There is a Republican proposal to repeal the death penalty and replace it with a life sentence without the possibility of parole, and increased penalties for aggravated murder. Do you support repealing the death penalty? TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE – Utah recently received federal funds to improve transportation and infrastructure. How would you like to see the Legislature invest in transportation and infrastructure this year? (Select all that apply.) JUSTICE REINVESTMENT (JRI) – Though Utah’s rates of incarceration and violent crime are among the lowest in the country, our prison population has grown. Between 2004 and 2013, Utah’s incarcerated population increased by 18%. The state did not experience more crime, instead, crime rates have fallen for over 20 years while the overall population increased. A legislative audit in 2013 found that nearly 50% of inmates released from prisons in Utah ended up back behind bars within three years. More than 66% of people admitted to prison were for probation and parole violations and more than 60% were for non-violent offenses. Select all you agree with: WATER POLICY – As the second-driest state in the nation, water policy will always be an important issue in Utah. The Legislature is constantly seeking to balance conservation and planning for the future without harming Utah’s thriving economy. What do you feel the state should do? (please select the answer that most closely matches your views). AIR QUALITY – Utah has seen success in reducing statewide air emissions while meeting federal air quality standards. During the upcoming session, we will consider legislation that will continue to improve air quality now and in the future. I support passing legislation that regulates emissions from (please select the answer that most closely matches your views): ELECTION SECURITY – Utah’s election process allows voters to vote by mail or in person. Legislators are reviewing the election process to ensure secure voting. As a voter, how confident are you that Utah’s current election system is secure and produces accurate results? DATA PRIVACY – Corporations are increasingly storing sensitive information about private citizens. Corporations generally make their own rules about what data they collect, whether a person can access that data, and how the corporation can use the data. The Legislature will consider legislation addressing data privacy. Which of the following best represents how you feel about the following statement? “I am concerned about corporate data privacy. STATE FLAG – During the 2021 General Session, the Legislature passed a bill to create a State Flag Task Force. Do you support modernizing the design and representation of the Utah state flag?  SECOND AMENDMENT – The Second Amendment guarantees citizens the “right to keep and bear arms.” However, courts have allowed some restrictions on guns. Which describes your view of how the state should treat guns (check all that apply):  DEVELOPMENT OF UTAH LAKE – There is currently a proposal to improve Utah Lake and the land immediately surrounding it. One proposal includes funding man-made islands for residential development as well as recreation and wildlife conservation. Which best represents your reaction to the following statement: I support funding for man-made islands on Utah Lake.  DEVELOPMENT OF UTAH LAKE – Currently, the development of Utah Lake only needs the approval of House and Senate leadership to proceed. There is another proposal regarding the development of Utah Lake that amends this proposal to require the entire legislature in the decision process. Do you support this increased oversight and transparency? TRANSPORTATION – Please consider the following context for the next question: Over the past year, Utah was one of the fastest growing states in the nation and projections indicate the state’s population may double over the next 40 years. Which statement do you most agree with? My Bills My bills have not moved very far in the process from last week. I hope to have better news in my Facebook Friday Live and will give a complete update in my newsletter next week.Tune Into Facebook Fridays!Join me each Friday afternoon to hear what I’ve been working on each week or if you have any questions. The broadcasts are posted on my Facebook page in case you miss them. Click on the Facebook icon below to go to my page. This Friday, I will talk about how the process is going and any interesting bills that have been voted on. I hope to have good news about some of my own bills. |
| Bills Passed Last Week in the House H.B. 11 Student Eligibility in Interscholastic Activities H.B. 12 Public Safety Retirement Amendments H.B. 31 Insurance Amendments H.B. 63 Covid-19 Vaccine Exemptions H.B. 65 Forensic Biological Evidence Preservation H.B. 88 License Plate Revisions H.B. 113 Students with Disabilities Funding Revisions H.B. 114 School Nursing Services Amendments H.B. 123 Use of Force Revisions H.B. 132 Uniform Easement Relocation Act H.B. 166 Water Facility Amendments H.B. 171 Custodial Interrogation Amendments H.B. 182 Local Health Department Order Amendments H.B. 188 Voter Signature Verification Amendments H.B. 192 Former Offender Employment Amendments H.B. 193 Full-day Kindergarten H.B. 195 Auricular Detoxification Amendments H.B. 196 Transfer of Domestic Violence Cases H.B. 201 Kidney Health Task Force H.B. 208 Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Board H.B. 211 School Fees Amendments H.B. 213 Disabled Parking Permit Amendments H.B. 215 Project Entity Oversight Committee H.B. 218 Citizen Petition Amendments H.B. 224 Optometrist Practice Amendments H.B. 226 Higher Education and Corrections Council H.B. 231 Fishing and Hunting Restrictions for Nonpayment of Child Support H.B. 233 Disability Benefit AmendmentsH.B. 236 Behavioral Health Amendments H.B. 237 Local District Modifications H.B. 238 State Holiday Modifications H.B. 242 Secondary Water Metering Amendments H.B. 244 Geological Carbon Sequestration Amendments H.B. 248 Juvenile Amendments H.B. 249 Juvenile Amendments Cross References H.B. 250 Environmental Quality Revenue Amendments H.B. 252 Employee Verification Requirements H.B. 256 Farm to School Program H.B. 258 Political Action Committee Amendments H.B. 259 Law Enforcement Use of Unmanned Aircraft H.B. 260 Law Enforcement Recording Release Amendments H.B. 261 Civil Commitment Revisions H.B. 263 Utah Watersheds Council Amendments H.B. 264 Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Amendments H.B. 266 Trauma-informed Research and Training Grant Program H.B. 267 Campaign Finance Amendments H.B. 268 Sales and Income Tax Amendments H.B. 269 Capital Assets Related to Water H.B. 270 Parent Access to School Data Comparison H.B. 273 Civics Education Amendments H.B. 276 Joint Tenancy Presumption Amendments H.B. 277 Juvenile Competency Amendments H.B. 280 Cybersecurity Commission H.B. 282 Water Wise Landscaping Amendments H.B. 283 Mental Health Professional Licensing Amendments H.B. 287 Volunteer Government Workers Amendments H.B. 289 Insurance Coverage for Emergency Medical Service Personnel H.B. 290 School Readiness Amendments H.B. 291 Real Estate Interest Termination Amendments H.B. 292 Microenterprise Home Kitchen Amendments H.B. 293 Ground Ambulance Interfacility Transport Licensing H.B. 294 Charter School Admissions Amendments H.B. 295 Physician Workforce Amendments H.B. 296 Peace Officer Training Amendments H.B. 299 Juvenile Justice Changes H.B. 301 Medication Dispenser Amendments H.B. 304 Eminent Domain Modifications H.B. 309 Process Server Amendments H.B. 310 Vital Records Special Characters H.B. 313 Election Security Amendments H.B. 314 Inheritance Disqualification Amendments H.B. 315 Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program Amendments H.B. 316 Medical Assistant Amendments H.B. 317 Sovereign Lands Trespassing Amendments H.B. 318 Dental Provider Malpractice Amendments H.B. 320 Guardianship Bill of Rights \H.B. 321 Restitution Amendments H.B. 322 Public Transit Capital Development Modifications H.B. 323 Transient Room Tax Amendments H.B. 325 Mental Health Support and Law Enforcement Co-response H.B. 328 Driver License and License Plate Amendments H.B. 329 Weapon Possession Penalty Amendments H.B. 334 State Engineer Modifications H.B. 335 Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force H.B. 345 Public Safety Employee Personal Data Amendments H.B. 347 Property Tax Exemption Amendments H.B. 351 Domestic Violence Modifications H.B. 355 Higher Education Financial Aid Amendments H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Regarding an Interlocal Agreement Creating the Jordan River Commission H.J.R. 11 Joint Resolution Supporting Services for Veterans H.C.R. 11 Concurrent Resolution Honoring the Work of Primary Care Providers to the Citizens of UtahH.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution – Legislative Procedure Revisions H.C.R. 4 Concurrent Resolution Calling for Protection of Archaeological Sites H.C.R. 14 Concurrent Resolution Honoring Utah Olympians and Paralympians S.B. 18 Election Modifications S.B. 56 Criminal Stalking Exemption Amendments S.B. 58 Day of Remembrance Observing the Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War IIS.B. 63 Bereavement Leave Amendments S.B. 75 Fine Amendments S.B. 80 Real Property Recording Amendments S.B. 81 Affordable Housing Tax Amendments S.B. 84 Chiropractic Practice Amendments S.B. 90 Tax Administration Amendments S.B. 98 Judiciary Amendments S.B. 99 Electronic Vehicle Registration Amendments S.B. 103 Special Education Licensing Amendments S.B. 104 Community Health Worker Certification Process S.B. 108 Indigent Defense Amendments S.B. 115 Firearm Preemption Amendments S.B. 121 Anesthesiologist Assistant Licensing Act S.B. 124 Criminal Code Recodification Cross References S.B. 126 Officer Intervention and Reporting Amendments S.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Calling on Local Governments to Treat Above-trend Revenue Growth as One-time Revenue S.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Encouraging Support for Internationally Adopted Individuals |