| I hope you had a great Presidents’ Day! The House was as busy as ever this week, and I’d like to thank you for staying engaged this session. I will be holding my regular Town Hall this Saturday at noon, which you can access by clicking here. I will also be answering questions and discussing some exciting bills Friday afternoon on my Facebook Friday broadcast. Last week I had the opportunity to speak with Provost Elementary school students during their virtual tour of the Capitol. If you are interested in scheduling a virtual group tour, you can do so here. |
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| WILDLIFE MODIFICATIONS 1HB 295 – Wildlife Modifications will be up for a vote in the House floor in the next few days. This bill would prohibit trail cameras on public lands and place certain restrictions on wildlife baiting. There has been significant debate around whether trail cameras create a significant technological advantage for hunters or if they need to be regulated. I have heard from my constituents that the legislature should leave these decisions up to the Division of Wildlife Management, as they are the experts and consult with hunters throughout the state and country. |
| TAX RELIEF The Legislature has been running a few bills to provide tax relief to Utahns this year. HB 86 – Social Security Amendments creates a tax credit for social security benefits and HB 168 – Military Retirement Tax Amendments removes the tax on military retirement pay. These have both made it to the Senate. |
| IN THE NEWS The Salt Lake Tribune published an article highlighting HB 68 – Rental Expenses Disclosure Requirements. I ran this bill last year and I am prioritizing it this session because I feel it promotes best practices and increases affordable housing. HB 68 was held in the House Business and Labor Committee for a couple of weeks, and I was glad to see it pass with an amendment this afternoon. You can read the full article here. Last week I had the chance to be interviewed by FOX13 News to discuss DCFS caseworker salary increases. I initially requested $10 million in addition to the $2.5 million requested by Governor Cox to provide a living salary to our frontline caseworkers. These funds are desperately needed to reduce turnover, retain talented and experienced caseworkers, and increase efficiency in the division. These salary increases will ultimately benefit Utah families by producing better case outcomes. |
 Being interviewed by Ben Winslow with FOX13 News |
| IN THE LEGISLATURE Here is a list of the 65 bills that the House has passed since last Thursday. Many bills have already made it through the House and the Senate. For a list of bills signed by the Governor or awaiting his approval to become law, click here. 1HB270 – Property Tax Valuation Amendments HR2 – House Rules Resolution – Technical Corrections 1HB80 – Data Security Amendments HB126 – Licensing Amendments 1HB179 – Private Cause of Action for Undisclosed Referral 1HB75 – Municipal Alternative Voting Methods Pilot Project Amendments HB114 – Emergency Executive Powers Amendments 1HB151 – State Infrastructure Bank Amendments 3HB197 – Voter Affiliation Amendments SCR1 – Concurrent Resolution On Holocaust Education SB60 – Accident Reports Amendments SB64 – Domestic Violence Amendments SJR7 – Joint Resolution Approving EnergySolutions Constructing and Operating A Landfill For Nonhazardous Solid Waste 1SJR5 – Joint Rules Resolution – Legislation Amendments 1SB87 – Professional Licensing Amendments 2SB13 – Law Enforcement Internal Investigation Requirements SB69 – Accident Report Amendments SB101 – Motor Vehicle Amendments HB137 – Large Vehicle Registration Amendments HB26 – 24-7 Sobriety Program Expansion HCR8 – Concurrent Resolution On Education 2HB55 – Marriage Commission Amendments HB226 – Long-Term Care Patient And Consumer Rights Protection HB87 – Electronic Information And Data Privacy Amendments 3HB158 – Juvenile Interrogation Amendments 1HB170 – Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice Requirements 1HB178 – Pharmacy Practice Modifications HCR12 – Concurrent Resolution Encouraging Cooperative Action Regarding National Monuments 2HB191 – Adoption Amendments 2HB239 – Online Impersonation Prohibition 1HB58 – Riot Amendments 1HB59 – Intimate Image Distribution Prohibition Revisions 1HB193 – Intimate Image Distribution Prohibition 1HB228 – Jail Photo Distribution Prohibition 1HB107 – Subdivision Plat Amendments HB109 – Wildlife Amendments HB190 – Interstate Compact on Curing Diseases HB185 – Laboratory Equipment Amendments HB241 – Utah Seeds Amendments 2HB62 – Post Certification Amendments 3HB73 – Drug Testing Amendments 3HB115 – Municipal Boundary Modifications HB125 – Intergenerational Poverty Solution 1HB194 – Diabetes Prevention Program HB234 – Division Of Real Estate Amendments 2HB247 – Transient Room Tax Amendments HB248 – Mental Health Support Program For First Responders 1HB264 – Law Enforcement Weapons Use Amendments 2HB272 – Special License Plate Amendments HB276 – Notary Public Amendments HB288 – Education And Mental Health Coordinating Council 1HB291 – Residential Picketing Prohibition HB293 – Open Meeting Minutes Amendments 1HB297 – Colorado River Amendments SB81 – Medical Cannabis Electronic Verification System Deadline Amendments SB185 – Capitol Meeting Room Designation HCR2 – Concurrent Resolution On Effect Of Federal Land Valuation Model 1HCR9 – Concurrent Resolution Encouraging Development Of A Statewide Anti-Littering Campaign HCR10 – Concurrent Resolution Regarding An Interlocal Agreement Creating the Jordan River Commission 2HCR11 – Concurrent Resolution Recognizing Utah’s Clerks And Election Workers For Their Performance Related To Utah’s 2020 Election HJR5 – Joint Rules Resolution – Technical Corrections HJR8 – Joint Resolution To Protect Utah’s Institutions Of Higher Education From Chinese Communist Party Influence SCR5 – Concurrent Resolution Honoring The Life Of Allyson Gamble |