2024 Week Two Wrap Up

Week 2 of the Legislative Session

Week 2 is over and a lot has gotten done! Out of all my years as a legislator, this is one of the most organized starts to the session. Already, a lot of bills are coming out of committees and are waiting to be voted on the house floor. To keep up, you can watch house floor votes here. This week I got to present a few of my bills in committee, where three of them passed and are now waiting for a house floor vote. I also had the wonderful opportunity to meet with some of my constituents. If you are ever up at the capitol, let me know. I always enjoy the opportunity to meet and chat with you all.

Topics on the Hill

This week, the house passed a couple of base budget bills. These bills appropriate money for state agencies and other state operations. Specifically, the house passed HB 1, which provides funds for public education. Public education remains one of our top priorities and the passing of this budget bill is proof of that. In addition to passing base budget bills, the house passed HB 11- Water Efficient Landscaping Requirements, HB 57- Snake Valley Aquifer Advisory Council Amendments, and HB 61- Water Measuring and Accounting Amendments. These bills addressed water conservation and water rights throughout the state.

Upcoming Town Halls

This year I will be participating in three in-person town halls. I love these town halls because they give me the opportunity to hear your concerns and share with you the work that’s being done up at the capitol. The first town hall will occur on February 3 in Spanish Fork. I hope you can all make it.

Bills and Bagels

February 3, 2024 at 7:30-9 am & February 24, 2024 at 7:30-9 am

Nebo School District Office (350 S Main St, Spanish Fork, UT 84660)

Eggs and Issues

February 10, 2024 at 8-9:30 am

Utah Valley Hospital, Sorensen Tower (395 Cougar Blvd, Provo, UT 84604)

Representing You

Treeside Charter School Visit

On Tuesday, students from Treeside Charter School of Provo came up to the capitol for charter day on the hill. I got the wonderful opportunity to meet with them and give them a tour around the house chamber. They got to see the majority caucus room, where I got to answer their questions and talk about life up at the capitol. I always enjoy seeing my constituents up at the capitol!

Representative Thurston meeting with students from Treeside Charter School

An Update On My Bills

HB 53- Multi County Appraisal Trust Amendments

I presented HB 53 this week in the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee. It passed favorably and is now off to the Senate floor. This bill allows funds in Multi County Appraisal Trusts to be used towards the hiring of professional appraisers, who will be able to provide property valuation services.

HB 104 S1- Property Owner Association Amendments

I presented HB 104 in the House Business and Labor Standing Committee for their consideration. It passed favorably and now awaits a vote on the house floor. It’s important that we protect the rights of homeowners. This bill prohibits HOAs and COAs from enforcing rules that prevent homeowners and unit owners from making radon mitigation changes to their homes or units.

HB 186- License Plate Requirements

I presented HB 186 in the House Transportation Committee, where it passed favorably 7-3-2. It is now off to the house floor for a vote. This bill prohibits the issuance of personalized license plates that are indecent, obscene, or profane. This includes any references or implications to drugs or illicit narcotics, intoxicants, illegal activities, organized crime organizations, and gang or gang terminology.

HB 214- Election Modifications

HB 214 was presented in the Government Operations Committee this week, where the committee decided to hold the bill. I appreciate the feedback I’ve received and I look forward to engaging in further dialogue to restructure the bill in a way that will resolve concerns expressed by others

HB 228- Public Employee Leave Amendments

On Thursday, I presented HB 228 in the House Political Subdivisions Standing Committee. It passed unanimously and is now off to the house floor for a vote. Under this bill, certain state employers would be required to provide, at minimum, unpaid leave to legislators on an authorized legislative day. Legislators shouldn’t have to fear retaliation from their day job employers for taking time off to fight for the rights of Utahns.

HCR 7- Concurrent Resolution Encouraging Repeal of The Jones Act

HCR 7 was introduced on the house floor and is now waiting for a committee to be assigned to. This resolution urges Congress to consider repealing The Jones Act, which requires that the domestic shipping of goods must be transported on ships that are built, flagged, owned, and crewed by the United States. Among many other factors, this has resulted in wasted taxpayer dollars and concerning environmental effects. Repealing The Jones Act will lower prices on the consumer and better allocate our taxpayer dollars to more important areas.

Representative Thurston presenting HB 228 in the House Political Subdivisions Committee

Bills I am Co-Sponsoring

SCR 1- Recognizing School Support Staff

SCR 1 recognizes the accomplishments, effort, and contributions of school support staff. School support staff are vital to the educational successes of our children, and recognizing their hard work is one of the things that we can do to show our appreciation. Last week, this resolution passed the Senate Education Committee. Now, SCR 1 is waiting to be voted on in the senate.

SB 94- Elections Records Amendments

SB 94 prohibits an election officer from disclosing the name and address of voters whose ballots have been rejected and not yet resolved. Currently, it is on the Senate 2nd Reading Calendar.