Week 6 of the Legislative Session
Week 6 has been crazy! So many bills and so much happening – 388 bills have already been passed and many more will be passed in the following week. We had a lot of success this week! Several of my bills were able to move onto the senate and three of those are to be voted on soon. Big things are happening!
Tracking the Big Issues at the Capitol
Utahns have made it clear that removing the sales tax on food is a top priority. This week, the House passed H.B. 101 Food Sales Tax Amendments, which Removes the state portion of sales tax on food contingent on removing the constitutional earmark for income tax revenue, as laid out in S.J.R. 10.
Other issues working to a resolution:
- The Largest Tax Cut in State History!
- An estimated $817 million in one-time and $410 million in ongoing money set-aside for future downturns
- A proposal to remove the constitutional earmark requiring income tax to go to education and children, allowing us more flexibility in dealing with budgets and funding (SJR 10)
Representing You
It was my turn to invite guests to lead the House in the prayer and pledge. I was pleased to be joined by my friends and neighbors – Steve Breinholt and Rose Badell. Both of them have travelled the world as military dependents and both the Breinholts and the Badells are the proud parents of three adopted children each. They are true examples to our community.
The true highlight of the week was when my grandson’s school class visited the capitol and he got to come sit with me on the House floor (see the picture above).
My Bills – A Status Update
🚦HB 26 – License Plate Amendments – Simplifies the processes for requesting and implementing changes to our license plate programs.
Passed Senate Committee hearing and awaiting a vote of the full Senate
✅HB 35 Unfair Practices Act Amendments – Repeals this antiquated and duplicative section of the code so businesses will have a better idea of what the law requires.
Passed the Senate. Awaiting the signature of the govenor.
✅HB 75 State Commemorative Periods Amendments – Clarifies what a commemorative period is and how they should be declared.
Awaiting a full vote in the Senate
🚦HB 116- Intergenerational Poverty Solutions – Provides an incentive program to encourage parents of low income children to save for their post-high school training and education.
Passed Senate Committee hearing and awaiting a vote of the full Senate
⛔HB 135 – State Holiday Amendments – Modernizes how state government treats state holidays to provide increased access to the public for needed services and provide a more valuable benefit for state employees at no extra cost.
Passed Senate Committee hearing and awaiting a vote of the full Senate (I have decided to hold this for a future session)
✅HB 159 – Health Care Professional Licensing Requirements – Allows Utahns more access to telehealth providers by reducing the barriers that prevent them from being available
Still awaiting a hearing in a Senate Committee
⛔HB 213– Social Security Tax Credit Amendments – Would repeal the unfair double-taxation of Social Security benefits.
This bill will not be proceeding because another bill by Rep. Walt Brooks will be the one to move forward with this policy.
✅HB 292 – Poverty Mitigation Program Amendments – Would allocate some of Utah’s share of federal block grant funds to counties to implement innovative models for help people be financially self-sustaining.
This project was approved for funding this week and I found out that the bill isn’t needed because the agency already has authority to do this.
⛔HB 295 – Educator License Amendments – Would create a pathway to teacher licensure based on an intensive apprenticeship program that is focused on competencies instead of course completions.
Status: House Rules Committee – Will not be heard this year
🚦HB 303 – Elections Record Amendments – Creates more transparency with respect to voter registrations.
Passed Senate Committee hearing and awaiting a vote of the full Senate
🚦HB 359 – Animal Breeding Amendments – Would create statewide standard for dog breeders, shelters, sanctuaries and rescues.
Passed Senate Committee hearing and awaiting a vote of the full Senate
Rep. Thurston making a presentation on the House Floor
