As we approach the halfway mark of the 2025 legislative session, my colleagues and I have been tackling key issues and balancing the state budget. So far, I’ve moved forward legislation to reform our healthcare system, clarify the role of the state board of education, and make our roads safer. These bills and others are working their way through the legislature and one is even ready to be signed by the governor. I am thankful to be up at the capitol serving you.
Image above: Representative Thurston talks about the political process with student leadership from Provo and Timpview high schools.
Meeting with Constituents
This week I had some great opportunities to meet with constituents from Provo and Springville as well as friends and family. Some of the highlights include:
- Student leaders from Provo and Timpview High Schools
- Members of the PTA
- Students from the BYU Sociology program
- My cousin, Vaughn Nickerson, a Morgan County Commissioner
If you are planning to come to the capitol, please let me know a day or two in advance so we can make sure I have time to meet with you.
Images above: (1) Representatives from the Department of Commerce participate in a committee hearing. (2) Representative Thurston leads a committee discussion with representatives from the Department of Commerce.
My Role as Chair
As an appropriations committee chair, my role is to lead the committee in our role to pass a balanced state budget. My committee has heard budget requests from ten state agencies and other groups seeking funding for projects that impact communities across the state. As chairs we set the agenda for each meeting and ensure that questions are asked so we can fully understand the impact of each request.
Now that the funding requests have all been evaluated, we will work with our professional staff to prioritize them to reflect the will of the committee. A lot of thought and effort goes into prioritizing these requests to utilize tax dollars in the most prudent way possible. This week, as chair, I will pass on our recommendations to the Executive Appropriations Committee who will ultimately finalize the whole budget.
Lock the Clock
I support end the annual switch between Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time and stopping the changing of our clocks twice a year. I voted for a bill to do that and it passed in the House this week. Under this proposal, we would immediately stay on Standard Time (like Arizona) until the federal government allows us to switch to permanent Daylight Savings Time, then one last switch and we are done. Many of you have reached out and let me know this would make your lives better. It has now been sent to the Senate and you can watch its progress here.
Images Above: Representative Joseph Elison, sponsor of HB 120, speaks on behalf of the time change bill which passed in the House. You can see who voted for and against it.
Healthcare Reform Update
I’ve made significant progress this week in fixing an injustice in our healthcare system. HCR 2, my bill designed to protect public employees from unfair practices by pharmacy benefits managers, passed out of the Senate Committee this week and is waiting consideration on the consent calendar. Placement on the consent calendar signals there has been strong, unanimous support and streamlines the final voting process. When passed, it will direct the Public Employees Health Plan (PEHP) to use pharmaceutical rebates only to benefit the patients. A companion bill (HB 257) will help address this problem for private sector employees.
Upcoming Town Hall
Mark your calendar for Bills & Bagels on March 1st from 7-9am! This will be held at the Nebo School District Office (350 S Main St, Spanish Fork, UT 84660). We will have breakfast together and talk about what is important to you. I value the input I get from my constituents and this will be a great way for us to share ideas and give updates. I look forward to seeing you there!
An Update on My Bills
- HB 14 – Emergency Personnel Amendments: Passed both House and Senate ✅ and sent to the governor to sign.
- HCR 2 – Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Pharmaceutical Rebates – Passed ✅ in Senate Committee – sent to consent calendar (see story above).
- HB 190 – Motorcycle Amendments: Passed ✅ in House Committee.
- HB 216 – Income Tax Revenue Amendments Passed ✅ in House Committee.
- HB 257 – Pharmacy Benefit Amendments Passed ✅ in House Committee.
- HB 156 – Education Board Amendments Awaiting hearing in House Education Committee.
- HB 278 – Massage Therapy Amendments – Awaiting hearing in House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee.
- HJR 1 – Joint Rules Resolution – Sponsors Statement: Working on a revision for the House Rules Committee.
These bills are awaiting assignment to committees:
