Here is my final wrap-up of the 2020 Legislative Session.
Coronavirus Prevention
The public health concerns regarding coronavirus escalated statewide during the final week and the capitol was not left out.
- We instituted a “no-handshake” policy at the Capitol as part of the social distancing.
- For the final week, my colleagues in the House of Representatives were instructed not to meet in person with anyone from the public and to have discussions by phone.
- As an added measure of caution, interns were barred from entering the House Chamber.
What’s next?
The session ended and life goes on. There can be no more voting on proposed bills until the next session. However, there is always more work to be done. I have some unfinished business that I would like to work on over the interim period:
- Canada has an interesting policy, called the “Ethical Drug Policy.” This policy asserts a willingness to dispense drugs, without question, that treat certain chronic illnesses and are necessary to sustain life. Insulin is one of those drugs. I would like to study this policy to see if it could work for Utah.
- Another of my priorities is to find innovative ways to make the government-machine more efficient and effective. I want to consider changes to our process to eliminate the “use it or lose it” provisions for executive branch budgets. I think there are ways to better motivate employees and programs to be more efficient with taxpayer funding.
- There are couple of bills that didn’t make it to the finish line, but that I would still like to have considered: HB0052, Intergenerational Poverty Solution and, HB0380, Health Care Consumer Protection Amendments.
Session Highlights
While there was a lot that happened this session, here are a couple of things that I personally thought to be noteworthy.
- H.B. 207, Insulin Access Amendments, passed both chambers of the legislature and has been sent to the Governor for his signature. From my perspective, this was perhaps the most important thing we did this session. For sure it was the most important thing I worked on. It took an enormous amount of effort to align the many opinions that had stake in this bill. I am particularly inspired by the sacrifice of time that people like Mindie Hooley, Stephanie Arceneaux and Myranda Fisher Holgerson gave to engage in this process and make a difference. They are ordinary citizens who engaged and made a difference.
- Celebrating 150 years of Suffrage in Utah – On February 14th, 1870, Seraph Young became the first woman in the nation to cast a ballot in a general election after the implementation of Universal Suffrage. This anniversary occurred during the legislative session and gave us a great occasion to recognize the importance of women who participate in the political and governing process.
List of My Sponsored Bills that Passed this Session
| Bill # | Short Title |
| H.B. 49 | Sales Tax on Motor Vehicles |
| H.B. 75 | Initiatives and Referenda Amendments |
| H.B. 77 | Education Funding Amendments |
| H.B. 207 | Insulin Access Amendments |
| H.B. 209 | Health Data Authority Amendments (Rep. Ward) |
| H.B. 290 | Occupational Licensing Amendments |
| H.B. 366 | Utah Alternative Dispute Process for ADA Complaints Act |
| S.B. 44 | Limited Support Services Waiver Amendments |
| S.B. 149 | Occupational and Professional Licensing Amendments |
Legislative Intern: Jeremy Lance
I want to thank my intern, Jeremy Lance. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in political science and a minor in Arabic. He hopes to work abroad in the Middle East. He, his wife, Yulia, and son, Pasha, are gearing up to welcome a baby girl to their family in April.
Norm in the News
- Salt Lake Tribune: Big Utah school funding changes clear first legislative hurdles
- Salt Lake Tribune: Letter: Let’s increase our education funding
- KSL News Radio: Bernie Sanders has an announcement, also, Utah lawmakers approve insulin bill
- Standard Examiner: Utah lawmakers pass bill to cap insulin costs
- Fox 13: Bill that sets cap on cost of insulin passes legislature
- Heber Valley Radio: Utah lawmakers pass bill to cap insulin costs
- Deseret News: Poll: 1 in 4 Utahns impacted by drug costs
- Cache Valley Daily: HB 207 passes to help those dependent on insulin
- Washington Times: Utah lawmakers pass bill to cap insulin costs
- KUTV: Affordable insulin bill heads to governor’s desk; advocates coming back for more next year
- KSL News Radio: Utah lawmakers approve bill capping insulin prices, send it to Governor
- Daily Herald: Utah lawmakers pass bill to cap insulin costs
- SL Tribune: Utah lawmakers pass bill to cap insulin prices
- ABC4: Bill to cap insulin copays at $30 passes Utah legislature
- For my readers with friends or family members who speak Spanish and want to understand H.B. 207: Utah envía empleados públicos a México por medicinas a bajo costo (Telemundo Utah)
Thank you!
I appreciate your support. You play an important role in the success of Utah as a state. Thank you for your positive influence on our community. I am proud to represent you on Capitol Hill.
