2022 Week Five Wrap Up

Week 5 of the General Session

Five weeks down, two to go before the end of the General Session. I’d like to thank those of you who have reached out to me and expressed your thoughts and concerns. This was a busy and good week for me, as I presented on several bills in committee, and we were able to get bills passed on the Senate Floor too! Additionally I got to meet with several local groups including the Provo PTA, OUTRAGE! Youth Group, Women’s State Legislative Council of Utah, and Latinos in Action from Dixon Middle School. Members of the Utah County Caucus were also able to meet with Speaker Brad Wilson and discuss our priorities for legislation and funding for this next year.

Rep. Thurston meets with youth from Utah County OUTRAGE!

Important Issues

HB 60 – Regarding Vaccine Requirements

You may have read or heard about HB 60 which has generated some controversy. I am opposed to government requiring any sort of vaccine passport and would normally vote in favor of a bill that stops government from requiring vaccine passports. While that is part of this bill, there are other parts that are very concerning. My biggest concern is that within this bill, there are provisions where the government is telling a private property owner what they can and can’t do on their property and whom to associate with. This is something I generally oppose.

The Libertas Institute sums the issues up as follows:

“Our position is that such circumstances should be left up to a free market; if a business owner requires this of their employees [and customers], then those who object can protest, boycott, leave negative reviews, or pursue similar avenues to create conversation and social pressure. Using the force of law to compel these business owners violates their property and free association rights by compelling them to associate with individuals they prefer not to.

“Government exists to secure our rights. In this case, it is the right of the business owner that must be protected — even if we emphatically disagree with how such rights are exercised in the current political and social environment. For that reason, while we oppose vaccine passports in general, we also must oppose HB 60.”

I understand this is a hot topic and appreciate everyone’s position on this issue. I am firm in my opposition to government vaccine passports as well as my support for free market principles. I cannot vote for HB 60 as long as it includes government interfering with private property rights and hope we can find a compromise that pushes back on government-required passports.

2022 Revenue Numbers

The Governor’s Office, Utah Senate, and House of Representatives released revenue numbers for state fiscal year (FY) 2022-23. Utah is leading the nation in economic performance and continues to exceed expectations. Though Utah’s economy is strong, there are significant factors, including federal stimulus wind down, that may dampen revenue gains. Click here to see the full report.

Expanding Transit in our State

Preserving Utah’s quality of life in the face of growth is one of our top priorities, and we recognize that the transportation needs of our rapidly growing state cannot be met by roads alone. This week, HB 322, Public Transit Capital Development Modifications, passed the House Transportation Committee. This new approach to building and expanding transit in our state will have generational impacts on our land, economy, air quality, and time. Click here to read more about the bill.

Rep. Thurston presenting in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Bill Update

HB 0176S01 – Utah Health Workforce Act: Awaits funding
HB 0198 – Intergenerational Poverty Solution: Awaits funding
HB 0217S01 – Telephone Solicitation Amendments: Final passage, waiting for Governor’s signature
HB 0283S01 – Mental Health Professional Licensing Amendments: Scheduled for presentation in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee 2/22/2022
HB 0328S02 – Driver License and License Plate Amendments: Passed the House and now in the Senate
HB 0368S01 – Vehicle License Plate and Registration Amendments: Waiting for a vote of the full House
SB 011 – Local Election Amendments: Draft of enrolled bill prepared, waiting for Governor’s signature
SB 045S03 – Department of Health and Human Services Amendments: Passed the Senate and is now in the House