Legislators / John Arthur
John Arthur
Democrat · House District 41
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Contact Rep. John Arthur
- Email: jarthur@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-538-1029
- Office: 350 N State Street, STE 350, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114
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Watch or join a meeting
Every committee hearing and floor session is open to the public and streamed live on le.utah.gov. Each committee's agenda has the link to watch or join online, and how to sign up for public comment.
John Arthur serves on:
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
- House Political Subdivisions Committee
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee
- Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
- Veterans and Military Affairs Commission
What they've said
256 remarks on 67 billsS.B. 295 Intellectual Diversity in Education and Government · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying it would stop curricular clubs such as Girls Who Code from receiving school support.
▶ Watch at 2:39:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker colleagues. I, I rise in opposition to this bill. Um, but with a lot of gratitude to the bill sponsor, we've had a, a good conversation about a part of this bill that really troubles me. Um, not, not just as a, as a school teacher, but as a father. I have two little girls, eight and 10. And one of the things that would be impacted by this bill, not just higher education, but in our K to 12 school system, there are two types of clubs, curricular and non-curricular. And a curricular club is a beautiful thing. It can receive, uh, support from the school. You can use buses to take students to tournaments …
S.B. 152 Public and Higher Education Collaboration · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Arthur spoke in support of the bill, saying connecting K-12 education and higher education helps students be more prepared and successful, and urged colleagues to support it.
▶ Watch at 3:05:10Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanna rise in support of this bill. Anytime that we can build bridges between K to 12 education and higher ed, that that makes students not only more ready, but more successful once they land there. I, I think that that's a really positive move for our state. And so I would just encourage, uh, all of my colleagues to support this bill. Thank you.
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moves to adopt the second substitute to Senate Bill 201.
▶ Watch at 29:34Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion that we adopt substitute two. The motion is to adopt second substitute Senate Bill 2 0 1.
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moves to recommend the second substitute to Senate Bill 201 favorably.
▶ Watch at 30:13Read what they said
Yeah, I'd like to continue and, uh, make the motion that we recommend favorably substitute to Senate Bill 2 0 1. Motion is to recommend favorably second substitute Senate Bill 2 0 1.
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the bill has improved and that the added holding time and effort are worth it, while acknowledging cost concerns raised by opponents.
▶ Watch at 30:26Read what they said
I would just very briefly, I'll just say that I appreciate the work that has gone into the bill since we last saw it. Um, I understand the, the concerns that were raised by folks who were speaking against the bill. However, I do believe that while holding animals for, for a short amount of time on top of what is currently practiced could invariably lead to increased costs for those those days and effort, I believe that the, the time and the effort are worthy for this cause.
H.B. 563 Radon Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks the witness to clarify whether the bill requires a specific certification for radon mitigation installers.
▶ Watch at 27:19Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. This microphone doesn't wanna come any closer. Uh, appreciate it. I, I'm curious, as I, as I look at the bill, I, I'm, I'm drawing a different conclusion than, than what you presented in your comments. This bill seems to just say that a person who is licensed to install, repair, maintain, clean, or replace a rate on mitigation system, um, will need to receive training and certification. Um, do you mind clarifying?
H.B. 563 Radon Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether certification requirements for radon mitigation installers exist now and whether the bill would have DOPL develop them after passage.
▶ Watch at 28:28Read what they said
Right. And it seems to me, if I may follow up, Mr. Chair, that that would be developed through doppel after this statute has passed, that they would then go into the process of developing the, the trainings and the certification standards. Currently, are there any, um, certification requirements for somebody who's installing a radon mitigation system?
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked Mr. Davis what strategies he has for speeding permitting while maintaining environmental quality standards.
▶ Watch at 1:09:14Read what they said
I, uh, I'm curious if you would just share some of the, um, some of the strategies and, and methods you have, uh, in mind for speeding up the process while also maintaining, uh, that those environmental quality standards. Uh,
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked for permission to ask questions about the resolution.
▶ Watch at 1:18:02Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, is, would it be all right if I asked the question as well?
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether the resolution includes language asking federal partners to protect air and water quality while pursuing critical minerals work.
▶ Watch at 1:18:10Read what they said
Thank you. I like it. Alright. Thank you so much. So I'm curious, you know, when in the conversation around the, the previous bill we discussed, you know, making sure that we're centering environmental impact as well as the, this, I don't want to use the word critical again, no pun intended, but critical bill and this work that's very important. Um, within this resolution. I, I could be wrong, but when I was reading it, I didn't see any mention to our federal partners about how important it is that we also, um, maintain this focus on not sacrificing the quality of our air and water as we pursue this work. Is there, was there any consideration to including …
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said he supports the resolution and would like it to state early that the critical minerals work is a priority for Utah.
▶ Watch at 1:19:50Read what they said
Absolutely. I, I'll just say that I am in favor of this resolution. I'll be voting yes, but if there was any way in this long list of whereas is to, to center from the start of the conversation that this is a priority for us. That's something that I would love to see in it, but appreciate Your, your work on it. Thank you.
H.B. 315 Human Development Instruction · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether an LEA using a standard definition video would violate the statute.
▶ Watch at 23:20Read what they said
The requirements for the video seem very specific to me, and as you said, I believe there are a couple of specific vid, I'm sorry. As the, as the sponsor mentioned, I believe there are a couple of specific videos in mind. What if, uh, an LEA chose a standard definition video? Would they be in violation of the statute?
H.B. 315 Human Development Instruction · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying it seems written to fit a specific video rather than addressing a problem identified by schools, and that curriculum should be developed through the existing process; will vote no.
▶ Watch at 25:18Read what they said
Thank you for that answer. Uh, Mr. Speaker, I, I find this bill problematic because it seems to me like statute or, or legislation that has been written to match with a specific piece of curriculum rather than the other way around. And education, typically an idea will, will develop based on a problem that's been identified by constituents or by schools or educators. And we as a legislative body, will rise to the occasion and develop legislation to address that problem. When I read this bill, it reads to me like there is a piece of curriculum, a specific video that that is seeking to be used in the classroom. And this bill has been developed to make it …
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Asks whether the provision letting a municipality choose to hold a primary already serves as a guardrail for large candidate fields.
▶ Watch at 43:54Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you Madam Vice chair. Just outta curiosity that that provision that you're speaking to there, I feel like does that not already provide a guardrail in that it provides the municipality the option of holding a primary election if the number of candidates for that office exceeds twice the number of individuals needed to fill that office? I mean, in the, in the case that Chair Dunnigan is speaking to, um, or the, the good representative, um, I, I would imagine that a municipality would exercise its option of holding a primary to whittle it down and they're able to, under this provision, they can make that choice for themselves.
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Moves to pass HB 548 out favorably.
▶ Watch at 52:09Read what they said
Thank you Madam Vice chair. I'd like to make the motion that we pass out favorably HB 5 48.
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the concerns raised are important but the bill is a solid foundation that can be refined before the floor.
▶ Watch at 52:20Read what they said
I would. Thank you. I think that the issues raised by, by the chair are, are important. And I also believe that the, the sponsors shown his willingness to, to work on an amendment or a sub between here and the floor. And I, I feel like there may be some work happening on the other side of the room, but just, um, no matter how long it takes to get it right, I feel like this is a solid foundation where small tweaks can get it to the right place. So, um, for that reason, I, I'm making this motion to pass it out favorably.
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Supports the changes and asks whether a city with one seat and three candidates could still forgo a primary.
▶ Watch at 1:02:24Read what they said
Thank you Madam Vice chair. I, I support those changes. Um, but I do have a question. May I, may I ask one or go ahead. Is that all right? So within, in the case in which you have one seat open and three candidates running for it, and the municipality wants the flexibility not to hold a, a primary election because it would just be easier to hold a general election with three candidates on it, would they still now have the flexibility to, to go ahead and forego a primary? So
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the city could then put all three on the general ballot and that he supports the motion.
▶ Watch at 1:03:12Read what they said
Candidate For that. So they could forego the primary, put all three on the general ballot, and, and all, all would move forward. Right? I'm both looking at you as well as the, the, the vague heads behind you for like nods and shakes. So I, I, I would support that motion.
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Praises staff for drafting the amendment quickly and supports the motion.
▶ Watch at 1:06:27Read what they said
I'll just say very quickly, when I made my original motion, I imagined this happening over some span of time in another location. I'm blown away by the, the effectiveness and efficiency of the staff and the, the team. So I, I support this motion. It's impressive.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Opposes the underlying bill, saying it would remove in-state tuition from students who grew up in Utah and attended its high schools, and describes his own move to Utah as a child and his years as a teacher.
▶ Watch at 1:47:11Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This bill is familiar to me. I remember back when I was studying to become a teacher and I was thinking about the students that I would be serving. Uh, I heard about in the news this idea that this law that had passed previously in about 2002, I believe, that allowed students who had come to Utah as undocumented kids who were brought here by their families with no choice in the matter themselves. They had been allowed in 2002 to go to our institutions of higher education with, in-state tuition, making it affordable for them to, to continue their education. And as I was preparing to enter public education as a school teacher, I …
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying it would remove in-state tuition from students who grew up in Utah and attended its high schools, and urges keeping them as Utahns.
▶ Watch at 1:47:11Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This bill is familiar to me. I remember back when I was studying to become a teacher and I was thinking about the students that I would be serving. Uh, I heard about in the news this idea that this law that had passed previously in about 2002, I believe, that allowed students who had come to Utah as undocumented kids who were brought here by their families with no choice in the matter themselves. They had been allowed in 2002 to go to our institutions of higher education with, in-state tuition, making it affordable for them to, to continue their education. And as I was preparing to enter public education as a school teacher, I …
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Commends the sponsor for the resolution, calls the Great Salt Lake a national treasure, and says everyone must do their part to save it.
▶ Watch at 46:11Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to go ahead and commend the, the sponsor for bringing this resolution forward. The, the Great Salt Lake is a, a national treasure. It's also internationally renowned. When my father was, uh, reassigned and re stationed here to Fort Douglas from the Presidio, we, we drove from San Francisco to Salt Lake City. And my mother, who was from Korea, insisted that we stop and look at the Great Salt Lake when we passed. And she said that she'd read about it in, in stories back in South Korea. And, and she never actually thought that it was a real thing. So she went and she touched the water and she smelled it. …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Arthur asked about a proposed House amendment.
▶ Watch at 1:12:22Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a couple of quick questions. Um, do you mind speaking just to, I see this house amendment in here. Just speak to the specifics of that, or has that already been passed? I missed that part. Okay.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Arthur asked about the fiscal note.
▶ Watch at 1:12:46Read what they said
So excited. Also, the, the fiscal note too. Excited. Representative Arthur, I Can't help myself. I just enjoy this too much. Okay, go ahead.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Arthur asked how much is already known given past studies.
▶ Watch at 1:13:02Read what they said
Right. I'm just curious how much of this is already known, because it sounds like this has been studied for a long time.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Arthur asked how the amendment would affect the fiscal note.
▶ Watch at 1:45:49Read what they said
Oh, there You go. There we go. Thank you. Chair. You know, not so much just a sort of a discussion piece, um, or a comment, but just a, a curiosity, and I don't know if I would give it to the sponsor of the amendment or the sponsor of the bill, but just curious what this amendment would do to the fiscal note.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Arthur clarified he meant the effect on the bill's fiscal note, not the project cost.
▶ Watch at 1:47:21Read what they said
Yeah. Just to clarify, I just meant what adding this amendment I see. And the information the study would do to the fiscal note for the bill, not, not for the project itself. Yeah. That's, that's what I, if this is already known, or if it would Require more, yeah.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moved to adopt the second substitute for HB 535.
▶ Watch at 1:07:50Read what they said
Arthur, thank you, chair. I'd like to go ahead and make the motion that we move sub two. The motion is to adopt second substitute house Bill 5 31.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moved to recommend the second substitute for HB 535 favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:09:01Read what they said
Thank you. I would like to go ahead and make the motion that we pass out favorably, uh, sub to house bill 5 35. The motion is to recommend favorably. Second substitute house bill 5 35.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Said the bill's disclosure and transparency are important and thanked the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:09:37Read what they said
Thank you. I'll just reiterate how important it is to all of us, this, this disclosure and, uh, transparency. So I thank, uh, bill sponsor for bringing this
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Presented HB 313, which would require landscape contractors to take one of their six required continuing education hours on water conservation and fire risk management landscaping.
▶ Watch at 2:05:29Read what they said
You so much, Senator. It's an honor to be presenting here today. This is a simple bill. Um, uh, uh oh. Did I? Simple Bill, that means, uh, I apologize. I'm out. I already did it. No, you know what? In, in Utah, we're increasingly more mindful about, uh, conserving water and protecting our homes from fires. And, uh, this is leading many to seek the help of licensed landscape contractors as we do work, uh, on our homes and, and our landscapes. And currently all specialty contractors in the state of Utah must complete six hours of continuing education every two years. That's just a requirement already. What this bill seeks to do is require S3 30 landscape contractors …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Thanked the Utah Home Builders Association representative and Mr. Marble and said the bill's intent is as presented.
▶ Watch at 2:08:50Read what they said
I just wanna say thank you to the representative from the Home Village Association as well as Mr. Marble. Uh, the intention of this bill is just exactly to do what it, what it does, so Appreciate it.
S.B. 72 Obscene Animal Abuse Material Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asks whether the definition of animal crushing requires a sexual purpose and confirms it does not explicitly say so.
▶ Watch at 44:54Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Senator, if you could help me out with animal crushing, starting on lines three 12. I do not see within the, the definition of animal crushing the idea that it has to be of a, of a sexual nature. Am I correct? It's just means the actual conduct in which a living non-human mammal is intentionally crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, impaled, or otherwise subjected to serious bodily injury. But there's no implication that it has to be for a, a sexual purpose. Is that right?
S.B. 72 Obscene Animal Abuse Material Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asks whether a book such as Of Mice and Men, which includes killing rabbits, would fall under obscene animal abuse material.
▶ Watch at 45:34Read what they said
Right. So I'm, I'm struggling a little bit because 360 4 obscene animal abuse material taken as a whole, the depiction of animal crushing with an animal does not have serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. But you think of books like of mice and Men in which, you know, rabbits are, are killed. Yeah. That might be the, that might be the book that was referenced in the committee, not Lord of, uh, Yeah. So there's, there's no sexual nature in that book, but under that definition of sexual or of animal crushing, that book would then fall into the category of obscene animal abuse material. Is that not right?
S.B. 72 Obscene Animal Abuse Material Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Follows up that the book's depiction of animal crushing serves the plot and asks whether it would still be covered under the bill's language.
▶ Watch at 46:27Read what they said
But as I read, I apologize, Mr. Chair, if I could just follow up as I read those lines, 3 72 and 3 73, um, taken as a whole, the depiction of animal crushing with an animal does not have serious literary value in that book. It does. And in that book, it's a, it's a, uh, an important part of the, of the story when, when those rabbits are crushed, and then, um, it, it, it, it moves the plot forward without it being of a, of a sexual nature. Um, as I'm reading these lines, and I could be wrong, but it would seem to me that that would cause of mis and men to fall into the …
S.B. 72 Obscene Animal Abuse Material Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asks the sponsor to revisit with the drafting attorney the animal crushing language on literary value, because he believes it could cover some books and films and is concerned about that.
▶ Watch at 48:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would just ask Senator, as, as you, you go forward with this, that, just those two lines I keep coming back to, taken as a whole, the depiction of animal crushing does not have serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. I, I agree that, you know, with, with especially the sexual conduct, absolutely. But the animal crushing itself, you know, depictions within literature or film of animals being injured, um, can have literary, artistic, or, you know, value. So I would just ask that, you know, perhaps another conversation with the drafting attorney, just looking at those lines in particular, because I do believe that it puts certain books and films that I've read, …
S.B. 69 School Device Revisions · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Speaks in support, describing collecting his students' phones each day and saying the bill is a sensible way to refocus learning.
▶ Watch at 38:55Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to rise briefly in, in support of this bill. I, as a school teacher, have this conversation constantly with my students. Every day, my sixth graders bring in their cell phones, they turn 'em in at the beginning of the day. I lock them up, safe and sound in the cabinet. I give them back at the end of the day. Uh, and, and life goes on. I, I, I don't believe that when we say that, uh, this is implementing a cell phone ban, that that's, that's the right way of describing it. When you go onto a plane and you put your your bags into the overhead bin, that's not …
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presented HB 478, which would require 60 days' notice before a rent increase under a lease, applied at the next signing of the agreement.
▶ Watch at 1:03:50Read what they said
Is that on? Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. He Likes this committee. I do. It's, it's an honor to be back and I, I promise I'll keep this brief. HB 4 78, I'll be speaking on the first sub. This is a, a bill that you're familiar with because it has come back to this committee before. And I, I am excited to be the person who now gets to pick up the baton. This bill establishes a 60 day notice requirement. Uh, before an increase in monthly rent can be applied for tenants in a lease agreement. Uh, it has a very narrow scope. It only applies to owners of renters who are in a lease agreement and only …
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said leases and rental agreements are honored, and a new rent increase would need 60 days' notice to the tenant.
▶ Watch at 1:04:57Read what they said
According to this? Yeah. Under this bill, leases and rental agreements are honored. It's just before, uh, a new increase in rent could be applied. There would need to be a 60 day notice to the, to the tenant.
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the bill requires owners to inform renters within 60 days of lease end of an increase in the next agreement, a practice many owners already use.
▶ Watch at 1:05:39Read what they said
This bill just says that as you approach the end of that, the, the term of the lease, within 60 days of that end, uh, the, the, uh, owner would need to inform the renter of an increase in, in rent coming up with the next agreement. And, you know, this is, this is a, a best practice used by, by many owners currently. And we just want to establish a foundation that this is, this is standard practice in, in code. And many, uh, states are starting to lean this way. Uh, Nevada has implemented this. New York, Georgia, Delaware states are, are coming to this 60 day, um, number.
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said renters can count on not having rent increased within a lease without 60 days' notice, and that prior provisions and agreements would still be honored.
▶ Watch at 1:06:39Read what they said
So as I, as I come into this work and into this space, I, I've been heartened speaking with, with owners as well as renters and recognizing that there most everybody is a good actor looking to just do. Right. Right. What this is just saying is that if you are a renter in the state of Utah, you can count on the fact that your rent will not be increased if you're within, if you're in a lease, it cannot be increased within that lease without a 60 day notice, uh, applied at the end of that lease. Does that make sense? Or a prior provision allows For an automatic increase, or if increase had already, if you had …
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the bill does not apply to month-to-month rentals or to certain low-income tax credit or Section 8 housing increases.
▶ Watch at 1:07:52Read what they said
Right. So I appreciate that question very much. In the, in the bill it lists that, um, uh, the increase in the monthly rental amount is in response, uh, I'm sorry, lemme just see here. Uh, yep. It takes effect unless the renter on a month to month basis, or the increase in the monthly rental amount is in response to an increase in maximum rent allowed in a low income tax credit community or housing subject to sub, uh, section eight.
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said there is currently no notice requirement for this length of lease beyond the standard 15 days for month-to-month agreements, and that public speakers could add more.
▶ Watch at 1:08:53Read what they said
Currently there is not for, for this length of lease, any sort of notification requirement beyond like the 15 day, that's standard, I believe, for, for, um, for a month to month, uh, agreement. But please correct me if I'm wrong. And, and there will be, uh, folks speaking during the public comment who will know better than I do as well.
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said an increase already included in the signed rental agreement is part of that agreement.
▶ Watch at 1:09:31Read what they said
I, as I understand it again, this, uh, nothing in this section prevents an owner from increasing the amount the renter pays, uh, under the rental agreement, including amount increase, um, provided in the rental agreement. So if that increase is already included in the rental agreement that you have signed, then, then that's just part of the agreement. Where were you reading? Uh, I apologize. Sub one line 1 38.
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said he would read cost as including rent, as it is all within the rental agreement.
▶ Watch at 1:10:14Read what they said
As I, it's all included within the rental agreement. So I would, I would take that as cost, but, um, again, correct me if I'm wrong.
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the tenant would move to month-to-month until 60 days had passed, after which rent could increase.
▶ Watch at 1:10:45Read what they said
That is right. So you would move to a month to month rent our agreement until 60 days had been fulfilled, at which point the, the rent could go up.
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said he did not believe the bill would prohibit that, but he was unsure of the exact answer.
▶ Watch at 1:11:54Read what they said
I don't believe so, because when we are you saying raise the rent 20%, at what point,
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said landlords and tenants generally aim for trust, and that a 60-day notice before rent increases would match the standard 60-day notice before vacating.
▶ Watch at 1:12:20Read what they said
You know what, these honestly, these hypotheticals I find incredibly informative because as I've had these conversations, I, I honestly don't know the exact answer. But as we enter into these conversations, understanding that, that for the, for the most part, by and large, folks are not trying to trick one another. Right. Owners and, and tenants, they're trying to achieve a relationship that is, that is built on trust and also an understanding that you're not gonna try to pull the rug out from under me, and I'm not gonna try and dip out on you. Right. And, and it's fairly standard within the lease agreement to have a 60 day, um, notice before vacating. Right. We're just saying …
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said he would not object to referring the bill to interim study to bring stakeholders together.
▶ Watch at 1:13:37Read what they said
And Mr. Chair, vice chair, if I may respond to that. One of the things that honestly, as I've, as I've come before this body to, to present this idea, this, this has been presented before. And as I've gone back and I've watched the, the, the questions that were put to the, to the previous sponsors of this bill, one of the things that, that was abundantly clear to me is that the, the best, uh, way at Blanding at a policy that, that can answer all these questions, is to do so in, in a, a thoughtful way that brings us together, um, as many parties as possible. So for me personally, as the sponsor now of this …
H.B. 478 Residential Rental Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said he would prefer to hear from the public and possibly offer a different motion.
▶ Watch at 1:15:09Read what they said
Absolutely. And I, I, I appreciate where the chair is coming from. Um, ideally I would love to hear from the public on this just to hear what other ideas may be floating out here and then, um, possibly give the opportunity for a, a different motion.
H.B. 531 Scarification Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Waives summation on the motion.
▶ Watch at 52:41Read what they said
of, on your motion to adopt first substitute HB 5 31. Thank You, Mr. Speaker. All waive.
H.B. 533 Groundwater Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked how counties, the Utah Geological Survey, and irrigation companies currently share groundwater information.
▶ Watch at 1:00:50Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. I'll keep it quick. Um, I, I really appreciate the work that's been put into this and, and the information that you shared with us. If you wouldn't mind just sharing a little bit more when it comes to the relationship between counties and the Utah Geological Survey or an irrigation company in terms of that, that, that sharing of information, what is, what is the current state of that? I'm, I'm just curious.
H.B. 536 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked where fines from current defacement cases go and whether the new fund would hold no money until fines are collected.
▶ Watch at 1:21:32Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. I just have a couple of questions as well just to make sure that I understand this. So currently, if someone commits one of these, these crimes of defacing, this type of property, and they, they receive some sort of a, a, a fine, where does that money currently go? Does it just go to the state? Does it go, where does that go? Yeah, so I'll see if I can, uh, find that code, but it's, to me, in reading this, in reading the current existing code, not this bill, I, I couldn't identify exactly where that goes, where that goes into the agency's general fund that then can be spent on anything or …
H.B. 536 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moved to adopt the first substitute and waived speaking to it.
▶ Watch at 1:25:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. I'd like to move the first substitute. Okay. That's in order. Would you like to speak to it? Uh, you know what, I'll, I'll wave until we talk
H.B. 536 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moved to pass the first substitute out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:25:57Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I'd like to make the motion that we pass out favorably first sub HB 5 36.
H.B. 536 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Complimented the sponsor, said the fines would fund local repairs and public education, and said he supports the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:26:06Read what they said
I, I just want to compliment the good sponsor on bringing this bill. I think that every time I see one of these stories on the news, it always breaks my heart as somebody who, who grew up going out into, uh, working really hard to find these locations to enjoy them. Um, and I, I really appreciate the fact that with this fund, the, the fines incurred will be used specifically within those localities to, to repair the harm done, and then also ultimately to, to build in that educational piece that will hopefully, uh, prevent more of these from taking place in the future. So I, I support this bill.
H.B. 567 Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Made remarks about the bill and a colleague's likely vote against it. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:32:29Read what they said
Um, I'm just trying to get through before Casey has a chance to vote against it. So, I, I mean, the good representative from Paradise, sorry.
H.B. 567 Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked whether the bill could go on the consent calendar, calling it a clean, simple bill.
▶ Watch at 1:33:04Read what they said
Is there a chance we could go to consent on this one? It's a pretty clean, simple bill.
H.B. 567 Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Grant Program Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moved to place HB 567 on the consent calendar.
▶ Watch at 1:33:24Read what they said
I, I'd like to recommend, uh, HP 5 67 for the consent calendar or for consent. Okay.
H.C.R. 14 Concurrent Resolution Supporting the Transfer of Federally Managed Lands · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked how moderate income housing is defined and whether the definition depends on locality.
▶ Watch at 1:39:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. I just have a quick question with the, the term moderate income housing, um, as I'm seeing it, you know, like just how are you defining that? And is that gonna be dependent on locality? I know this is a resolution, but how are you thinking about that?
H.B. 546 Public Lands Duty of Care Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asks for an explanation of landscape-scale lands.
▶ Watch at 2:01:13Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Um, can you just explain to me a little bit about, uh, landscape scale lands?
H.B. 546 Public Lands Duty of Care Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asks whether the bill goes beyond maintenance to generating income and collecting tax revenue from these lands.
▶ Watch at 2:02:43Read what they said
It sounds like a lot more to me than just maintenance of the landscape, establishing land management responsibilities related to zoning and planning, generating income from renewable and non-renewable resources to provide essential government services collecting adequate tax revenue to fund schools and public safety programs for local governments. It sounds like we would be using these landscape lay landscape scale lands. Excuse me, that's a tough one to say. Um, for, for a lot more than just maintaining or managing the lands we would be collecting from that land. Is that correct?
H.B. 546 Public Lands Duty of Care Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asks whether the federal study is codified in law.
▶ Watch at 2:03:48Read what they said
That federal study established in like, code someplace or it's been like codified, like, like these pieces that are being added into the code?
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Asks to yield to a series of questions and praises the sponsor's amendments.
▶ Watch at 43:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker ProAm. Will the sponsor yield to a series of questions? Will the sponsor yield to a series of questions?
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield for questions on the bill's reporting requirements.
▶ Watch at 43:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker ProAm. Will the sponsor yield to a series of questions? Will the sponsor yield to a series of questions?
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Asks why each school principal must send a signed written assurance to the State Board after a community council meeting.
▶ Watch at 43:14Read what they said
First of all, I want to applaud the sponsor for, for amending this bill and, and bringing in this sub. It is better, but I still have a couple of questions. This, this bill still requires a number of different steps as I understand it, that the school community council hold a meeting dedicated to this. And then following the meeting, the principal of each school must send a signed written assurance to the state board confirming the occurrence of the meeting and detailing the proposed plan discussed at the meeting and the reasons for proposing the plan. Why must the principal of every, every school in Utah send this letter to the state board?
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says the bill still requires principals to send signed written assurances to the State Board and asks why.
▶ Watch at 43:14Read what they said
First of all, I want to applaud the sponsor for, for amending this bill and, and bringing in this sub. It is better, but I still have a couple of questions. This, this bill still requires a number of different steps as I understand it, that the school community council hold a meeting dedicated to this. And then following the meeting, the principal of each school must send a signed written assurance to the state board confirming the occurrence of the meeting and detailing the proposed plan discussed at the meeting and the reasons for proposing the plan. Why must the principal of every, every school in Utah send this letter to the state board?
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says the language in section 3-33 of the second substitute appears to require a new report detailing the proposed plan and asks which line that is.
▶ Watch at 44:18Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Speaker Pro tem on line, I believe it's 3 33 could be my angle. It says that the principle shall detail the pro proposed plan discussed at the meeting and the reasons for proposing the plan that that sounds like a, a new report, uh, as I read it, but if I'm incorrect on substitute, I would appreciate that. I'd be happy to look at that. Um, Mr. Speaker per Tim, what, what number was that again? Representative
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says the substitute appears to require a report detailing the proposed plan and reasons, and asks for clarification.
▶ Watch at 44:18Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Speaker Pro tem on line, I believe it's 3 33 could be my angle. It says that the principle shall detail the pro proposed plan discussed at the meeting and the reasons for proposing the plan that that sounds like a, a new report, uh, as I read it, but if I'm incorrect on substitute, I would appreciate that.
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Identifies the section and subsection in the second substitute that he is asking about.
▶ Watch at 44:44Read what they said
3 33. 3 33. Uh, subsection 2D one, Roman I On sub two, Maybe it's or
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Gives the section reference, subsection 2D, on the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 44:44Read what they said
3 33. 3 33. Uh, subsection 2D one, Roman I On sub two, Maybe it's or
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Thanks the sponsor for the clarification but says the language still requires principals to send detailed plans; shares his experience with recess-before-lunch scheduling and says he will vote no.
▶ Watch at 45:30Read what they said
Mr. Speaker, bro, I appreciate that clarification. Online. 3 33. It does require every principal in the state of Utah to send this detailed proposed plan that was brought up at their school community council. I, I fear that that would add a great burden to our school administrators as well as the staff at the State Board of Education who would have to then receive and, and look through those plans as a school teacher. I'll just share this little bit of experience. We, at my school implemented this, this target goal where you had recess before lunch and we had 30 minute lunches at the time. Students could not come inside any slower from recess. Uh, when we …
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says the reporting requirement would burden administrators and the State Board, and describes a past recess-before-lunch target that left students waiting in the cafeteria, arguing local decisions work better.
▶ Watch at 45:30Read what they said
Mr. Speaker, bro, I appreciate that clarification. Online. 3 33. It does require every principal in the state of Utah to send this detailed proposed plan that was brought up at their school community council. I, I fear that that would add a great burden to our school administrators as well as the staff at the State Board of Education who would have to then receive and, and look through those plans as a school teacher. I'll just share this little bit of experience. We, at my school implemented this, this target goal where you had recess before lunch and we had 30 minute lunches at the time. Students could not come inside any slower from recess. Uh, when we …
H.B. 129 Education Board Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Asks whether the State Board of Education could still respond to federal law or funding conditions under its rulemaking authority.
▶ Watch at 52:22Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker Broan. Would the sponsor yield to a series of questions? Will the sponsor yield to a series of questions? I would be happy to Go Ahead. Under the, under this bill, would the State Board of Education still be able to respond to, uh, federal law or funding conditions as part of their, uh, administrative rulemaking authority?
H.B. 129 Education Board Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Asks to confirm that statute includes federal statute.
▶ Watch at 53:04Read what they said
So just to clarify, when when the bill speaks of statute, it means both, uh, state law as well as federal statute.
H.B. 129 Education Board Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Notes the Constitution gives the board general control and supervision of public education and asks about the scope of that authority.
▶ Watch at 53:51Read what they said
So our constitution also designates that the state board should have general control and supervision of the public education system and the courts.
H.B. 129 Education Board Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says the board needs constitutional authority to respond to federal law such as IDEA and Title I, whether or not statute requires it, and says he is still undecided on the bill.
▶ Watch at 54:18Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, Mr. Speaker Rotem, I, I'm struggling a bit with this bill because of that Article 10 Power that the, the sponsor referenced. The, the State Board of Education needs to be nimble enough to, to respond to federal law and funding conditions like IDEA, like Title one and civil rights obligations. There is a, uh, I, I resist this idea that the State Board of Education is part of, uh, is just like any other executive branch agency. It is empowered in our constitution and in order to fulfill its function with its general supervision over our public education system, it needs to be able to enact administrative rules, uh, whether the the legislature has put statute …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains the bill would require specialty landscape contractors to include at least one of their six continuing education hours on water conservation and Firewise landscaping.
▶ Watch at 1:01:47Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This is a relatively simple bill. Uh, Utahans are increasingly more mindful about our wash water usage as well as protecting our homes from fires. So currently, uh, specialty contractors in Utah must complete six hours of continuing education every two years. If you go to a, uh, specialty landscape contractor for help with your landscape, you can, uh, you can seek their expertise, but right now we want to guarantee that their expertise is targeted at these areas of concern. So this bill would require S3 30 landscape contractors to dedicate at least one of their six continuing education hours to the study of, uh, water conservation and Firewise landscaping principles.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains the bill would require landscape contractors to take one of their six required continuing education hours on water conservation and Firewise landscaping.
▶ Watch at 1:01:47Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This is a relatively simple bill. Uh, Utahans are increasingly more mindful about our wash water usage as well as protecting our homes from fires. So currently, uh, specialty contractors in Utah must complete six hours of continuing education every two years. If you go to a, uh, specialty landscape contractor for help with your landscape, you can, uh, you can seek their expertise, but right now we want to guarantee that their expertise is targeted at these areas of concern. So this bill would require S3 30 landscape contractors to dedicate at least one of their six continuing education hours to the study of, uh, water conservation and Firewise landscaping principles.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Lists training topics including water scarcity, drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation, soil amendments, and preventing the spread of invasive species, and says the list is not exhaustive.
▶ Watch at 1:03:43Read what they said
Absolutely. Uh, Mr. Speaker, in the, in the bill, it lists some of the principles that are included in that training, including understanding water scarcity in this state, selecting drought tolerant plants, um, efficient irrigation design, soil amendment techniques, designing landscape to prevent the spread Ophir, as well as incorporating rocks, concrete, other materials to prevent the spread Ophir. Um, but that's not an exhaustive list. Um, as the programming is developed, they, they can include other key pieces.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Lists training topics such as water scarcity, drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation, soil amendments, and preventing the spread of invasive plants, and says the list is not exhaustive.
▶ Watch at 1:03:43Read what they said
Absolutely. Uh, Mr. Speaker, in the, in the bill, it lists some of the principles that are included in that training, including understanding water scarcity in this state, selecting drought tolerant plants, um, efficient irrigation design, soil amendment techniques, designing landscape to prevent the spread Ophir, as well as incorporating rocks, concrete, other materials to prevent the spread Ophir. Um, but that's not an exhaustive list. Um, as the programming is developed, they, they can include other key pieces.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the information is important, that licensed professionals are well trained, and that verifying training is good.
▶ Watch at 1:04:22Read what they said
Thank you for the question, Mr. Speaker. It's, it's not my habit to, to speak of what people should or should not know or what they do or do not know, but this is information that is critical as we are, as Utahans trying to make the most of this moment and, and address the concerns that we all have, that we have professionals who are licensed and, and well trained in all these areas. It's, it's good to verify.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says verifying that licensed professionals are trained in these areas is important.
▶ Watch at 1:04:22Read what they said
Thank you for the question, Mr. Speaker. It's, it's not my habit to, to speak of what people should or should not know or what they do or do not know, but this is information that is critical as we are, as Utahans trying to make the most of this moment and, and address the concerns that we all have, that we have professionals who are licensed and, and well trained in all these areas. It's, it's good to verify.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the six hours are already required, the bill only asks that one of them cover waterwise and Firewise principles, and no new license is created.
▶ Watch at 1:05:38Read what they said
A great question, Mr. Speaker. This, these six hours are already required of all specialty contractors. This doesn't create a new license. All it does is require that within the six hours of training, that they are already required to receive at least one hour, be dedicated to the waterwise and Firewise principles.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the six hours are already required, no new license is created, and one hour must be on water-wise and Firewise principles.
▶ Watch at 1:05:38Read what they said
A great question, Mr. Speaker. This, these six hours are already required of all specialty contractors. This doesn't create a new license. All it does is require that within the six hours of training, that they are already required to receive at least one hour, be dedicated to the waterwise and Firewise principles.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the bill does not require anything more from anyone and was developed with state agency staff and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District to avoid added burdens.
▶ Watch at 1:06:14Read what they said
Thank you. Again, the ones that are doing the training is who? I mean, Yeah. Thank you again for the question. No, it, it does not require anything more from anybody. And in fact, this, this bill, it was developed not just with the help of the good representative who spoke before, um, and other representatives here in the body, but also in collaboration with the staff of, uh, Doppel, D-N-R-U-S-U and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District to ensure that we're not placing any additional burdens on anybody as we seek to build capacity in our landscape. Contractors. Thank you. Thank you.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the bill adds no burden on anyone and was developed with input from representatives, state staff, and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.
▶ Watch at 1:06:14Read what they said
Thank you. Again, the ones that are doing the training is who? I mean, Yeah. Thank you again for the question. No, it, it does not require anything more from anybody. And in fact, this, this bill, it was developed not just with the help of the good representative who spoke before, um, and other representatives here in the body, but also in collaboration with the staff of, uh, Doppel, D-N-R-U-S-U and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District to ensure that we're not placing any additional burdens on anybody as we seek to build capacity in our landscape. Contractors. Thank you. Thank you.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the certification is for an existing specialty contractor license, not a new one, and that the coordinating clauses relate to another bill; listed contractors receive this training.
▶ Watch at 1:07:23Read what they said
So this is HB three 13 and within this bill, it, there's, there's an SB three 30, I think that may be the confusion, uh, specialty contract license that's referenced. And that license is already out there in the world. Um, it won't create a new license category and the coordinating clauses, uh, with another bill, HB 40. Um, this just says that those specialty contractors who are already listed within Doppel, uh, receive this specific training.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains the license already exists, the bill creates no new category, and it requires listed specialty contractors to receive this training.
▶ Watch at 1:07:23Read what they said
So this is HB three 13 and within this bill, it, there's, there's an SB three 30, I think that may be the confusion, uh, specialty contract license that's referenced. And that license is already out there in the world. Um, it won't create a new license category and the coordinating clauses, uh, with another bill, HB 40. Um, this just says that those specialty contractors who are already listed within Doppel, uh, receive this specific training.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says there is a list of specialty contractor licenses from the licensing division, and that the process to become one is set out in its rules.
▶ Watch at 1:08:17Read what they said
Thank you for the question. Um, there are, there's a list of specialty contractors and different licenses that you can receive from doppel. This one speaks specifically to the S3 30 specialty landscape contractors. And as far as how you become one of those, that's, that's laid out in, uh, in doppels rules.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says Doppel maintains a list of specialty contractor licenses and sets the rules for how one qualifies.
▶ Watch at 1:08:17Read what they said
Thank you for the question. Um, there are, there's a list of specialty contractors and different licenses that you can receive from doppel. This one speaks specifically to the S3 30 specialty landscape contractors. And as far as how you become one of those, that's, that's laid out in, uh, in doppels rules.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the bill leaves flexibility for the licensing division and course designers to tailor content by geography, and that it prioritizes well-trained landscape contractors.
▶ Watch at 1:09:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker for the question. One of the beautiful things about this bill is it's not terribly, uh, regulatory. It leaves a lot of flexibility to doppel as well as those designing the course content to tailor it based on geography, the needs of specific localities. Um, but all that this bill does is it says that here in Utah right now, this is a priority for us as a state, um, ensuring that, that folks have access to, to well-trained, uh, landscape contractors. And we will leave it to the experts to make sure that that is delivered.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the bill leaves flexibility for Doppel and course designers to tailor training by geography and local needs.
▶ Watch at 1:09:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker for the question. One of the beautiful things about this bill is it's not terribly, uh, regulatory. It leaves a lot of flexibility to doppel as well as those designing the course content to tailor it based on geography, the needs of specific localities. Um, but all that this bill does is it says that here in Utah right now, this is a priority for us as a state, um, ensuring that, that folks have access to, to well-trained, uh, landscape contractors. And we will leave it to the experts to make sure that that is delivered.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Makes brief remarks and says he will waive summation.
▶ Watch at 1:10:23Read what they said
Oh, I, I know what hazing looks like. Thank you. Uh, i, I, I will, uh, waive Mr. Speaker
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Waives summation on the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:10:23Read what they said
Oh, I, I know what hazing looks like. Thank you. Uh, i, I, I will, uh, waive Mr. Speaker
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield to a series of questions.
▶ Watch at 3:00:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the sponsor yield to a series of Questions? Representative Boxier, will you yield to a series of questions?
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks why the bill requires 3.5 social studies credits when other core content areas require three or fewer.
▶ Watch at 3:00:45Read what they said
I am curious, speaking of those credits starting online, 3 56, it talks about the graduation requirements connected to social studies being 3.5 credits. I'm curious why there are so many credits required in this bill for graduation, uh, for social studies when none of the other core content areas rise over three credits.
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says he is confused about whether the cited language is new and is checking the bill text.
▶ Watch at 3:01:33Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Lemme just look at that. I, I'm confused though. It, it is red. Um, Mr. Speaker, am I misreading that? Yes. Um, is there another version of the bill that I'm missing? Oh, I might be looking at the wrong bill. Just a second. It's new language, I believe. Let me check. And I might have to phone a friend if they're here. Let's see. 3 56. Yeah, I think, uh, 3 53 Oh yes. Was the previous language. And then, yeah.
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks whether the new language reads like state school board standards and whether educators will be expected to teach it.
▶ Watch at 3:03:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, my next question, line 5 84. I, as a classroom teacher, have a lot of experience reading standards that have been passed down by the, by the state school board. As I read the, the new language from 5 84 down, it reads to me like, uh, like standards that I would find from the state school board rather than code that I would usually find in statute. Can you clarify? Are, are these standards that, that educators will be expected to teach?
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Expresses concern that the bill oversteps the authority of the state and local school boards over standards and curriculum, and urges colleagues to vote no.
▶ Watch at 3:05:42Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, i, i, I honor the, the good sponsor's intentions with this Bill Civics and Social Studies to me is, is the son of a Korean immigrant and a, and a West Point graduate. Uh, that's, that's what I was raised on. Uh, I'll just share a quick story in my classroom. I once asked my students to write on sticky notes. There answer to the question, what is social studies? My students went up to the front of the classroom, put these sticky notes on the, on the board. I read them off, and there was one that I loved. It said the, the story of us. And I thought that was a beautiful definition …
H.B. 556 Special District Board Appointment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moves to hold H.B. 556 and recommend it for interim study.
▶ Watch at 1:01:52Read what they said
Thank you, chair. I would like to make a motion that we hold HP 5 56.
H.B. 556 Special District Board Appointment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says the policy will be better for continued work during the interim study.
▶ Watch at 1:03:19Read what they said
I'll just say, um, I think that the, the policy as well as those who get to continue working on this will be the better for it. So thank you.
H.B. 341 Animal Fighting Penalties · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asks whether possession of dog fighting paraphernalia alone is evidence of a violation, and receives a yes answer.
▶ Watch at 52:36Read what they said
Thank you, chair. Um, I just have a question about, um, the, let's see here on line 47, where the possession of, um, dog fighting paraphernalia is prima fascia evidence of violation. So, if I'm understanding this correctly, if there is, you know, a person, they have a dog, as well as evidence that the paraphernalia that is also there is being used in this, in this fighting, uh, context, then that evidence on its own can be used. Like what, whether you see it being used in that way or not, just the possession of it is evidence that a crime has been committed. Um, I, the, the, the short answer to that is yes. Okay. Perfect. Short answer …
H.B. 341 Animal Fighting Penalties · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moves to adopt Amendment 2.
▶ Watch at 1:01:00Read what they said
Thank you Chair. I'd like to go ahead and make a motion that we adopt amendment two,
H.B. 341 Animal Fighting Penalties · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moves to pass HB 341 as amended with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:01:37Read what they said
Uh, I'd like to make a motion that we, uh, move HB 3 41 as a do, uh, as amended, uh, with a favorable recommendation
H.B. 341 Animal Fighting Penalties · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says the bill is important and that he is honored to make the motion.
▶ Watch at 1:01:52Read what they said
No, I, I just, uh, I think this is an important bill and I'm, I'm honored to get to make this motion To the Committee for discussion.
H.B. 450 Data Privacy Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked whether people who have been surveilled are ever notified of it under the Truth in Surveillance section.
▶ Watch at 50:16Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. Um, I'm curious about the, you know, within the truth and surveillance section, you know, when when there is a grammar request, there's usually a notification that, you know, information has been sought. Is there any process by which, let's say someone has been surveilled in some way, that they are notified that they have been surveilled? I know that in here it talks about, um, public notice of implementation of technology by a state agency, but is that ever communicated to those who have been surveilled?
H.B. 450 Data Privacy Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked to confirm that governing bodies must hold a public meeting and vote before using surveillance technology, and whether the public is informed of data collection and use afterward.
▶ Watch at 51:57Read what they said
Do you mind if I ask a follow up? Madam Chair? Go ahead. So just to, just to clarify, government agency wants to, to use this surveillance technology, they have to have a public meeting at which they inform the public that we are considering the use of this technology. Am I correct? And then they vote on it, it's the governing body, like the legislative body, like a city council, whatever. And then once the technology is actually implemented though, um, is the public informed of the, both the data collection as well as the usage of the, of the data,
H.B. 450 Data Privacy Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked whether the policy language changes the standard from clear notice always being provided to notice only where possible.
▶ Watch at 54:21Read what they said
Okay. So just to clarify, with this new section starting about four 10, right? In the, in the sub, it's about four 10, currently, the state shall incur the ability of the government entity provide clear notice to an individual regarding the government till entities processing of the individual's personal data. But now we're adding in for the processing activities for which an individual's personal data may be collected without the ability to provide direct notes. So we're, we're going from there will be clear notice provided to, uh, where possible. Is that correct?
H.B. 450 Data Privacy Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moved to adopt the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:26:23Read what they said
Um, again, we need to adopt the first sub, right? Yeah. Motion to adopt the first sub.
H.B. 450 Data Privacy Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked whether other parts of the bill, such as the ombudsman and commission changes, are time sensitive.
▶ Watch at 1:30:20Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Just very quickly, I'm curious with the, the other portions of the bill, the creation of the ombudsman and the, the inclusion of education on the, um, Utah Privacy Commission. Are, is there anything that's time sensitive in the, the rest of this bill that we need to be considerate of in, in the work that's gonna go forward with this?
H.B. 450 Data Privacy Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked again whether those parts need to pass this session.
▶ Watch at 1:31:09Read what they said
Uh, are they time sensitive? Like do they need, like do we need this bill to pass sooner rather than later so that work can be done around data privacy. That's, that's important right now. Uh,
H.B. 483 Flower Sales Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moves that the committee favorably recommend the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:39:16Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to make a motion that we favorably recommend HP 4 83.
H.B. 145 School Excused Absence Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Expresses strong support for the bill, saying it helps young people find purpose in school and encourages colleagues to vote yes.
▶ Watch at 21:57Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just rise today in, uh, strong support of this bill. I look at Mr. Speaker the, the challenge that a lot of young people have in connecting to school today and any, any policy that we can pass that helps kids find purpose in, in their educational experience and gives them another reason to be more successful in school is, is a good policy that we all should support. So I just encourage all my colleagues, uh, to vote yes on this bill.
H.B. 273 Classroom Technology Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Asks what technology uses are approved for students in kindergarten through third grade under the bill.
▶ Watch at 34:28Read what they said
Thank you. I'm curious for students in grades kindergarten through third, what are the approved uses of technology under this bill?
H.B. 273 Classroom Technology Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether the bill would leave room for technology use such as math or literacy programs in grades K through 3 that are not tied to assessments.
▶ Watch at 35:18Read what they said
So as I read the bill, it sounds to me like if I'm reading this correctly, there is not room for using technologies grades K through three, four just classroom instruction, for example, in literacy or math, the use of a, a math program, for example, that's not necessarily tied to a, an assessment, but just to, to master Utah course standards. Is that correct?
H.B. 273 Classroom Technology Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Asks for clarification on whether the model policy would prohibit screen time in grades K through 3 except for computer science and assessment preparation.
▶ Watch at 36:08Read what they said
Okay. So I apologize, just to clarify one more time. On line 2 27 where it says in the, for grades kindergarten through three, this may be just for the model policy, but prohibits all screen time in the classroom except for introduction of state kindergarten through grade five. I'm sorry, grade, I apologize, I I lost the K to three, but essentially prohibit all screen time except for the introduction of, uh, K through grade five, computer science standards and preparation for an administration of a standards assessment. You're saying that they won't be prohibited or they, when they develop their policy, they will prohibit the use of these tools, but it's, but it's just for the conversation?
H.B. 273 Classroom Technology Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Says he is undecided on the bill and worries that school districts may read the model policy as prohibiting instructional technology, which could block research-based programs.
▶ Watch at 37:10Read what they said
Um, Mr. Speaker pro tem, this i, I I struggle with this, this bill and honestly, I'm not a hundred percent sure how I'm gonna vote on it yet because when a model policy comes down from the State Board of Education, local school districts often look at that as the guidance. And if they look to the statute and it says prohibits all uses other than preparation for assessments and computer science standards, that, that sounds like a, a direct prohibition on using it for instructional purposes. And without the, the clarity that this is purely to start a conversation, not an actual prohibition on classroom practices, um, I fear that this is going to prevent, um, students from …
H.B. 439 Water Planning Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to pass out the second substitute with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:01:42Read what they said
You, Mr. Chair. I'd like to go ahead and pass out sub two HB 4 39 with a favorable recommendation. Okay.
H.B. 439 Water Planning Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the bill does important work in helping municipalities make appropriate plans, and states support for it. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:01:54Read what they said
I think that this bill is doing important work in, in helping make sure that municipalities and others are, are making the appropriate plans to, to move this work in the future. And I support it.
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asked how the median-income-based calculation would affect households below the median compared to those above it.
▶ Watch at 1:17:45Read what they said
Thank you Chair. I, I think I share many of the similar con many similar concerns to those that have been articulated, um, even within one of these areas, right? You'll, you know, when you're calculating the median, just gross income, you'll have an outsized impact on folks who are below that median as, as far as I'm understanding this compared to those that are above. Um, could you speak to that and, um, any consideration that was given to, to how that impact would be felt depending on your income level within that, that calculation? Yeah,
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said he will vote no because the fee does not account for differing household incomes within an area, but wants to keep working on the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:50:18Read what they said
Thank you, vice chair. Um, I, I want to echo a lot of the sentiments that were just voiced by the good representative. I, I applaud the, the hard work that's been put into this effort over years. Um, the, the thing that I am struggling with most is the idea that I, within my area, would pay the same fee despite the fact that I might in my household use more water. And not because of my public school income, but because my wife makes more money than I do be able to endure the fee better than folks in another part of my town. And that just doesn't, it just, it feels like whether it's staged fees or, …
H.B. 509 Wetlands Study Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the second substitute of HB 509.
▶ Watch at 2:16:01Read what they said
Um, I'll make a motion that we favorably recommend. Um, second sub HB 5 0 9. Uh, 5 0 9. Yeah.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Introduced HB 364, which would require each school district or regional education service agency to staff a full-time certified teacher librarian, creating about 19 positions at roughly $1.8 million, with an amendment tying the requirement to funding.
▶ Watch at 41:15Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Can I just say as I get settled here, that this is a, a thrill for me personally? I've been watching the education committee as an educator for a long time, so the chance to present today is, is, is special. And, oh, thank you. Also, if I were to sum up the, the bill that I'm presenting today, uh, HB 360 4, with, with one phrase, uh, it would be that librarians are special. And today it's my pleasure to, to present a bill that would, uh, require each school district or regional education service agency to staff a full-time certified teacher librarian at, at the district level. Now we're gonna go into the …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said other literacy and library materials bills this year need qualified staff to carry them out, and that the bill invests in that expertise.
▶ Watch at 48:09Read what they said
Thank you. And just to conclude the presentation, I want to say that in the education community, as I've, as I've been talking with a lot of teachers as well as librarians, folks are calling this the year of books. This is the year of literacy. We've got a lot of bills coming through the legislature that are shining a beautiful bright light on not only the value of literacy, but also how critically and, and just, just committed our state is to raising literacy levels throughout Utah. And you know, when you look at bills like SB 2 41 on early literacy, HB 1 97 on school materials, SB 2 53 on library materials. They all tell us what …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said schools can, but most libraries are staffed by paraprofessionals, and the bill places a certified teacher librarian at the district level to support them.
▶ Watch at 49:42Read what they said
They they can representative? That's a great question. I'm glad that you asked it because the, the ability to to hire certified teacher librarians is available to everybody. However, that's just not the, the norm. It used to be in Salt Lake City School District. Every elementary school has a certified teacher librarian. But throughout the state, the majority of libraries are staffed by paraprofessionals. And what we are asking for in this bill is to, to staff our districts and our resa with, with certified teacher librarians who can help facilitate the work being done by those librarians, whether they are certified themselves or paraprofessional.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said no one would be fired, the bill creates district-level positions, and those librarians would train school library staff to build students' interest in reading.
▶ Watch at 51:17Read what they said
I, I, I gotta tell you, I'm so grateful for that question because it clarifies the critical piece of this bill. There is no one being fired. There's no job that's being taken away. This is about job creation at the, at the district level. So you have kids who are going into the library, but they're not picking up books. And a large part of that problem is the person manning the library has not been trained by a certified teacher librarian on how to spark that love for literacy inside of children. You've got folks who've just been hired to do a job. And what we are saying is, if we're gonna prioritize literacy, then we have to …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explained the amendment makes the positions state-funded at about $1.7 to $1.8 million for 19 FTEs so it is not an unfunded mandate, and that certified librarians master competencies they can pass on to school staff.
▶ Watch at 53:13Read what they said
Thank you. Um, just to make sure I'm answering these and I don't forget 'em, there we go. Uh, the first question, the, the funding, there's an amendment, um, that needs to be moved, that, that isn't a, a, a specific fiscal note, but states that this will come from the state, that the state board will fund this with appropriations from the legislature. When I asked the, the fiscal analyst for, for more specifics on it, she, she gave me these numbers. Um, this bill would require the creation of 19 FTEs throughout the state. Um, the average pay for a librarian is $94,000 per the State Board of Education. So with benefits included, or that is with benefits …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the amendment makes the staffing requirement conditional on districts receiving state funds.
▶ Watch at 56:33Read what they said
That's where the amendment comes in. So in the amendment to line 56, it says before July 1st, 2031, each school district that receives funds described in subsection three A from the state board shall staff a full-time certified teacher librarian. So it's on the condition that they receive those funds.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the focus is first on passing the bill through committee, after which appropriators will decide on funding.
▶ Watch at 57:03Read what they said
You know, what the, the, again, this is new kid at school, but the thing that I keep hearing is that first we focus on, on the bill and getting it through committee and then E-L-C-E-A-C will, will have its meetings and I'll get to provide input, but they will make their decisions. Okay. But if there's anything that I'm missing there, please by all means, lemme know.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Listed supporting education groups and said other bills this year assume a teacher librarian exists, so districts need this position to meet those requirements.
▶ Watch at 57:35Read what they said
Bill, thank you for that question. This bill is, um, you know, the genesis of it comes from a lot of collaboration with education stakeholders. Um, JLC voted in, in to support this bill this last week, UEA Utah Librarians Association, Utah School Librarians Association. As we look at the, the landscape of the year of the books, we see a lot of what's coming our way. If you look at the, the different bills, um, an LEA shall review each instructional material that the LEA adds to the LEAs collection. The question from the education, education committee or community is who's gonna do this for the early literacy bill? It talks about literacy teams with somebody from the LEA …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said he reads the amendment as making district staffing dependent on receiving funds.
▶ Watch at 1:00:43Read what they said
Absolutely. So as I understand it, and again, I defer to your expertise in this, but as I read the amendment, it to me says that each school district that receives funds shall staff a full-time certified teacher librarian. There's nothing in here that says that you can't certify or staff a full-time certified teacher librarian districts do. But this makes the requirement to staff that dependent on receiving those funds, as I understand it.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said a former librarian appropriation ended in the early 2000s and districts chose less expensive paraprofessionals.
▶ Watch at 1:02:35Read what they said
You know, the, there used to be an appropriation for, for librarians in the early two thousands, I believe is when the shift was made. Um, that allowed, uh, LEAs to, to not staff their libraries with certified teacher librarians. And, and for, for the, I think fiscal reasons, they, they typically would opt instead, uh, to, to fill those specialist positions with, with paraprofessionals rather than, um, certified teacher librarians because it's more expensive.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the 2031 date gives districts enough time to fill the positions without an immediate burden.
▶ Watch at 1:04:26Read what they said
Yeah. Wanted to provide school districts and, and Thea's enough of a runway where they could do this right. Where they could fill the positions, um, without it becoming an immediate, um, burden and, and just a, uh, giving them the opportunity to be, to be successful in that effort.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Praised paraprofessionals and said the bill aims to give them support from a certified professional.
▶ Watch at 1:06:10Read what they said
Thank you. And if I may just respond to a point that, that the good representative made about mm-hmm. Paraprofessionals. Our paraprofessionals are incredible. They, they have dedicated their work life to, to educating uplifting children. What this bill is intended to do is provide them with the level of support needed to build their capacity so they know how to do that most effectively under the guidance of, of a certified professional. And our, our libraries have always been places where magic could happen. We just need more magicians who, who know how to, to create the conditions in which kids can fall back in love with books.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the bill applies to districts only, four regional agencies would share positions with about 15 standalone districts, and described how teachers earn the library endorsement.
▶ Watch at 1:07:19Read what they said
This applies solely to, to LEAs or for, for district schools right now. Um, the, the breakdown, and lemme just scroll this page again, is, it's 19 FTEs. I apologize. I I have another sheet that has all the information, but there's four res, um, that will be sharing this position with their smaller district. So there's a small district doesn't have to have a district library, media specialist. Um, and then that leaves about 15, uh, districts that, um, would stand alone in filling this position. Um, again, this position exists in some districts. This is just to make sure that every district has this expert person available to do all the work that we're asking that they do. …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the bill concerns librarians rather than materials, but expert curation is needed to ensure the best materials.
▶ Watch at 1:10:10Read what they said
I, I'll answer that question in two ways. One, this, this bill is related to, to the librarians, not necessarily the materials in the library. However, if we wanna make sure that the, the best materials are available to students, that we need the best experts curating those collections. And currently, that is not what we have. And I, I would argue that if we want to, to elevate what we're seeing in our libraries, then we have to elevate the, the investment in the expertise that we're making currently. And then, I don't know if you want to add to that, but
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said funding would come from the Legislature and that research shows certified teacher librarians raise student achievement.
▶ Watch at 1:11:42Read what they said
Uh, I, I appreciate that question. Uh, the funding would come from the legislature. And to your point, I could not agree more. I unfunded mandate is, especially as a, as a teacher, uh, something that I'm just not willing to get into the business of. But, um, my second priority is if I'm gonna ask for funding for something, it has to be something that raises student achievement. And if you look at the line items on the education appropriations budget, I, I dare say that besides national board certified teachers, you're gonna have a hard time finding any other line item that is proven through research to raise academic outcomes for students. There are other things that make, …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said he respects the committee's decision but argued that new literacy and library requirements need staff to carry them out and that the state should fund the position.
▶ Watch at 1:27:30Read what they said
Thank you. It was, it was nice to hear everybody's thoughts on it. Um, I'll, I'll say this. I, I respect the, the decision that the committee makes, um, in my perfect world, which is informed by the, the things that I think would be best for the children that I serve. Um, this, this bill would move forward and it would ultimately be funded this year. Um, we, we resist unfunded mandates in education. But if you talk to educators, one of the things that, that maybe frustrates us even more are unstaffed mandates decisions that come down from legislature that say, LEAs will do this, schools will do that, libraries will be responsible for this. But then no, …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Spoke in favor of the spirit of the substitute, saying educators should be kept connected with state employee leave, and deferred on the funding questions.
▶ Watch at 53:58Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to speak very quickly, um, in favor of the spirit of this, this substitute. The idea that state employees need more parental leave is also true for the, the educators and our LEAs. The funding piece. I, I leave to the conversations that are being had. However, I, I want to just respect and honor the fact that as we look at how we, uh, encourage our employees in the state to, to enjoy that critical time with their families, that we always keep, uh, our educators in mind and keep them connected with what's happening with state employees. Thank you.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Supports the spirit of the first substitute, saying educators should receive parental leave like state employees, and leaves the funding question to other discussions.
▶ Watch at 53:58Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to speak very quickly, um, in favor of the spirit of this, this substitute. The idea that state employees need more parental leave is also true for the, the educators and our LEAs. The funding piece. I, I leave to the conversations that are being had. However, I, I want to just respect and honor the fact that as we look at how we, uh, encourage our employees in the state to, to enjoy that critical time with their families, that we always keep, uh, our educators in mind and keep them connected with what's happening with state employees. Thank you.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Supports the spirit of the substitute, saying educators should have parental leave like state employees, and sets funding questions aside.
▶ Watch at 53:58Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to speak very quickly, um, in favor of the spirit of this, this substitute. The idea that state employees need more parental leave is also true for the, the educators and our LEAs. The funding piece. I, I leave to the conversations that are being had. However, I, I want to just respect and honor the fact that as we look at how we, uh, encourage our employees in the state to, to enjoy that critical time with their families, that we always keep, uh, our educators in mind and keep them connected with what's happening with state employees. Thank you.
H.B. 218 Digital Skills Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks to yield to a question from the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:32:13Read what they said
Further discussion to the bill. Representative Arthur. Thank You, Mr. Speaker, will the sponsor yield to a question?
H.B. 218 Digital Skills Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks whether the listed digital skills concepts will also be covered as activities within the course.
▶ Watch at 1:32:23Read what they said
Thank you. So as I understand it, all of the digital skills concepts listed are also concepts that will be covered as activities within the course. So students who take this course will be practicing these things like digital content creation. Is that, is that correct?
H.B. 218 Digital Skills Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Supports the bill as a step forward for relevant learning and for considering useful digital skills and safeguards.
▶ Watch at 1:33:10Read what they said
Thank you so much for that clarification. I, colleagues today rise in, in support of this bill. I think that this is a great step forward for our state, not just in terms of making the learning that is taking place in the classroom more relevant and, and up to date with the technologies that our students are interacting with, but also giving us as a, as a body and opportunity to, to really consider what digital skills are most useful to to the young people in Utah, as we also consider the, the proper, uh, safeguards and protections that we put in place to make sure that our students as they engage with technology, do so in really thoughtful, …
H.B. 332 School District Project Financing Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Asked whether fast-growing districts would have enough flexibility to build schools under the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:00:55Read what they said
Thank you chair. Um, as I'm going over the second sub, I'm just thinking about some of the school districts we've heard of who are experiencing rapid, rapid growth right now. Um, if you limited their ability to seek these lease revenue bonds as well as public private partnerships, and yet they have this challenge of trying to build a a school year, do you feel like there is enough flexibility with this law in place for them to keep up with their, their, their needs in terms of the, you know, putting the number of students that they have into functioning buildings?
H.B. 332 School District Project Financing Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Asked how long the general obligation bond process takes.
▶ Watch at 1:01:54Read what they said
Alright. Do you mind if I just ask a a follow up chair. Um, do you know roughly how long, uh, a geo bond process takes from start to finish?
H.B. 332 School District Project Financing Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Said waiting that long before pursuing a lease revenue bond may be overly prescriptive for growing districts.
▶ Watch at 1:02:14Read what they said
Yeah. So if you're trying to build a, a school each year to, to meet the needs of your community, having to wait that long before you can even pursue a lease revenue bond, um, feels like it might be overly prescriptive, but
H.B. 326 Animal Depredation Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Asked whether the feral swine definition is specific enough to avoid covering domestic swine kept for food.
▶ Watch at 36:52Read what they said
Thank you Chair. Um, mainly a curiosity when it lists out the members of the family that fall within feral swine, it seems pretty specific. Mm-hmm. Um, is, is there any chance that the specificity would allow other types of swine to be hunted that, that fall outside of these categories? Uh, we tried to identify the ones that are hunted and have been hunted anywhere. Okay. While still maintaining people's ability to have domestic swine, because we raise pigs for food.
H.B. 326 Animal Depredation Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moved to adopt amendment number one to the bill.
▶ Watch at 46:35Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we adopt the first substitute amendment One Amendment one with amendment one With amendment one. Oh, no, just I thought I had to do The sub first. Just amendment. It's already been subbed. Oh, It's already subbed. Oh. So adopt amendment one.
H.B. 326 Animal Depredation Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moved to pass the bill out favorably as amended.
▶ Watch at 47:23Read what they said
I'll, uh, make the motion that we pass out favorably. Uh, first sub HB 3 26 has amended.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presented H.B. 313, which would require landscape contractors to take at least one of their six continuing education hours on water conservation and fire risk management landscaping principles.
▶ Watch at 41:49Read what they said
Go ahead when you're ready. And I've been told to remind you to keep it short since we've already had it. Absolute. So, I'm, I'm gonna move very quickly. I'm just gonna let everybody in the committee know, first of all, thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. I'm gonna be speaking to a substitute as well as an amendment. And that fact, I think speaks to the process that's been, uh, that's helped shape this bill. Just a reminder that for context on HP three 13, all specialty contractors in the state of Utah have to complete six hours of continuing education every two years. What this bill does is it requires that S3 30 landscape contractors, anybody who's engaged in …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Said general yard work does not require the specialty license, but altering a landscape in a meaningful way typically does.
▶ Watch at 44:32Read what they said
Well, if you think of, you know, somebody who just does general yard work like cleaning up, that does not require that specialty license. But if you're gonna be altering a landscape, um, in, in a meaningful way, then, then typically you have to go ahead and get this specialty license as I understand it.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Thanked the motion maker and others who helped craft the bill.
▶ Watch at 54:51Read what they said
Um, I'll just say I'm grateful for the motion. I'm especially grateful for everybody who took the time to, to help me craft better legislation.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Said more work remains on the nursery association issue and that he looks forward to working with stakeholders on it.
▶ Watch at 55:12Read what they said
Yeah. Uh, I just wanna say to the, to the comments about U-N-L-A-I, I agree with, uh, the good representative. There's, there's more work to be done in this space. This is my first entry into it, and I look forward to, to working with other stakeholders to continue this process as we go.
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says Utah County is about 800,000 people, the next largest county.
▶ Watch at 42:21Read what they said
Only Salt Lake County right now. Mm-hmm. Okay. So I believe Utah County is about 800,000 people or so. So they'd be the one that's the next closest. Okay. Thank you.
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to proceed to the next agenda item.
▶ Watch at 1:01:03Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. I'd like to make a motion that we move on to the next agenda item.
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the bill is impressive but needs more work, and wants to give the sponsor a chance to do it.
▶ Watch at 1:01:12Read what they said
I, I agree that this, this bill is, has really impressive, but there's some work left to do and I'd like to give the bill sponsor an opportunity to do it.
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the feasibility study is triggered under either path and that he will waive further comment. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:05:25Read what they said
Well, it's correct, but the language around the feasibility study is now triggered for either path. So before there is no feasibility study at all, this bill now creates the feasibility study. So if you had that viral moment, you would have to gather all that cost and put it before the voters. Um, I will waive.
H.B. 389 Cannabis Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Asks the sponsor to explain the bill provision stating that a director may be terminated only for just cause.
▶ Watch at 43:40Read what they said
Is it all? Thank you, chair. Oh, But well, we'll get the right mic. There we go. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. Um, to Representative Ship's question, I believe it's line 3 81 where it discusses a director may only be terminated for just cause. Um, do you mind speaking to that, just to clarify?
H.B. 157 Department of Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Says he had not pressed his microphone button before speaking.
▶ Watch at 1:04:45Read what they said
Oh, I, I didn't push my button. No, it must be From before. I apologize.
H.B. 157 Department of Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Asks about the $5 million shown in the fiscal note and whether it is for water lawsuits.
▶ Watch at 1:05:03Read what they said
Well, let me ask one question, Mr. Vice-Chair. The, the, um, I'm probably outta order, but I'm going to take executive privilege here. The fiscal note shows $5 million for, uh, water. Could that be possible? Litigation for water lawsuits?
S.B. 44 Statewide Resource Management Plan Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Asks whether the plan must be brought back every year to change the date.
▶ Watch at 1:28:30Read what they said
Thank you, chair. I just have a procedural question with this bill. Do you end up having to come back every year to, to change the date?
S.B. 44 Statewide Resource Management Plan Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Says the bill accepts the plan as state policy by reference and that the plan is delivered every year.
▶ Watch at 1:29:15Read what they said
And then there's, we, we summarize the list, but essentially by changing the date in, in the, in this bill, we're, we're, we're accepting this, uh, document as part of our, our, our, uh, policy here in the city of Utah. So every year we get this delivered to us. What a gift.
S.B. 44 Statewide Resource Management Plan Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves that the committee recommend S.B. 44 favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:30:08Read what they said
Thank you. I'd like to recommend that we, uh, I'd like to make a motion that we recommend SB 44, uh, favorably. Uh,
S.B. 44 Statewide Resource Management Plan Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Comments on the quality of the plan and asks that future updates remain this detailed.
▶ Watch at 1:31:11Read what they said
No, I'll, I'll just say that. Um, majority Leader Snyder just said it's not always this nice every year. So if, if you could like, just make sure that it's always this beautiful in the future, that'd be well appreciated. By all, it's gonna be disappointed. It's okay. I, I, I don't believe it. I think this is the standard of quality.
H.B. 473 Colorado River Authority Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Asks how moving the authority from the governor's office to the Department of Natural Resources helps it be nimble.
▶ Watch at 1:41:08Read what they said
Thank you, chair. Um, I'm wondering if you could just help me understand, how does moving the authority from the governor's office to the Department of Natural Resources help with that nimbleness you're talking about?
H.B. 234 Education Testing Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield to a series of questions.
▶ Watch at 49:54Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the sponsor yield to a series of questions? Representative Lisonbee will yield to a series of questions, maybe?
H.B. 234 Education Testing Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Asks whether the alternative assessment would be designed and tailored to Utah standards the same way the RISE test is.
▶ Watch at 50:04Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Speaker, I'm curious, the end of year rise assessment is designed and tailored to meet the needs of our Utah State standards. Would this, uh, alternative assessment be designed and tailored in the same way?
H.B. 234 Education Testing Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Asks whether the test questions would focus on Utah state standards in the same way as RISE items.
▶ Watch at 50:37Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. A follow up on that specific point. When I say that the, the RISE test is tailored to meet the standards, it means that the test questions and items themselves are designed to meet the specific Utah standards that our children are learning in our schools. Would the question items on this alternative assessment be focused on our state standards in the same way?
H.B. 234 Education Testing Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Asks how a norm-referenced test, currently used for benchmark assessments, is suited for an end-of-year assessment.
▶ Watch at 51:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Another question, if I could. Um, the, the norm reference test that the, the sponsor's referring to, we use for benchmark assessments not for end of year test. Um, could the, could the sponsor explain how a norm reference test is best suited for an end of year assessment?
H.B. 234 Education Testing Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Speaks in opposition as a classroom teacher, saying RISE is criterion-referenced and tied to state standards, while norm-referenced tests are less suited to measuring end-of-year mastery.
▶ Watch at 52:10Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Uh, colleagues, um, I rise in opposition was Bill today, um, as a, as a classroom teacher who is, uh, every spring responsible for delivering the the RISE assessment to his students. I'll tell you, uh, this may be getting a little too inside baseball, but there are two types of tests that we use norm reference and criterion referenced. The RISE test is a criterion reference assessment, which means that the test items are tied directly to our state standards. As a teacher, I look at those state standards passed down from the state school board. And the test items that my students take are based entirely on those which I base my entire instruction …
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Supports the bill, saying school speech-language pathologists work hard and should receive the added pay and supplies, and urges colleagues to vote yes.
▶ Watch at 1:11:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would just like to rise in strong support of this bill. Our, our speech language pathologists have been working incredibly hard in our schools and not receiving the benefit of that, that added pay as well as the supplies they need to help children be as successful as possible. So for this reason, I, I want to commend the good sponsor for bringing this bill and I encourage all my colleagues to, to vote in favor. Thank you.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Rises in strong support of the bill, saying speech-language pathologists work hard and should receive the added pay and supplies, and urges colleagues to vote yes.
▶ Watch at 1:11:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would just like to rise in strong support of this bill. Our, our speech language pathologists have been working incredibly hard in our schools and not receiving the benefit of that, that added pay as well as the supplies they need to help children be as successful as possible. So for this reason, I, I want to commend the good sponsor for bringing this bill and I encourage all my colleagues to, to vote in favor. Thank you.
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Restates the bill's process of website posting, written notice within 200 feet of the turf area, and public comment at a regular board meeting before any installation.
▶ Watch at 1:04:21Read what they said
Thank you, chair. Um, I just want to further clarify because I'm, I'm, I'm picturing this in my mind. So, 60 days before the meeting where they'll discuss this, it gets posted on the website 30 days before the meeting, any resident who lives within two, whose property is within 200 feet of the turf installation area. So it's not just 200 feet of the school, it's 200 feet of the turf installation area. They get a written notice informing them of the meeting. They come to the meeting, they get to voice their, their concerns about it. It's a regular board meeting. Uh, in theory, at that board meeting, the, the board members would vote, or they could vote …
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Says the substitute improves on the original bill.
▶ Watch at 1:22:55Read what they said
I think that it, it makes changes that, that improve upon the original version of the bill.
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Moves to pass the amended bill out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:23:59Read what they said
Okay. Uh, every committee I'm told something different is the new guy that just messing with me. Uh, I'd like to, um, make a motion that we pass out favorably, um, HP 3 47 as as, uh, okay. Amended.
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Says the bill asks for modest notice from education agencies and supports it.
▶ Watch at 1:24:21Read what they said
I would, um, you know, listening to, to these folks who have been impacted by this, um, decision and the project that was, uh, completed, um, I, I, as I look at the asks of this bill of an LEA to inform residents of the, the projects that could be coming in and impacting their properties, I think that it asks not too much. I think that having a posted, um, notification on the website 60 days ahead and then 30 days, um, prior, a written notification to those who would be impacted makes a lot of sense. Frankly, I, I wish that this was the policy for any LEA that is considering any sort of capital project that could …
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Gives closing summation, commending the sponsor and constituents and supporting the bill as a minimum of communication and transparency.
▶ Watch at 1:31:03Read what they said
Thank you, chair. I just want to one more time commend the sponsor for bringing this bill on behalf of her community and her constituents. And I want to commend those constituents for, for taking on this effort to help save others in the future from, from this same situation that's already happened in their case. And it's, uh, it's, it's been very moving for me to see you taking on this effort on behalf of others. I think that this bill is, is asking for, uh, a bare minimum of communication and transparency in a process that can have profound impacts on the lives of a family. And that's why, um, I look forward to supporting it.
H.B. 319 Electronic Records Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Supports the motion, saying the bill adds an alternative to notarization without removing existing options.
▶ Watch at 1:54:13Read what they said
Thank you, chair. I would like to speak in favor of this motion. Um, I had the same thought as the good Representative Abbott, this being a, a process bill, I also, the, the word that keeps coming to my mind is additive. Um, I understand the, the concerns that were raised, and I think they're very valid, but they're also, um, able to be addressed by the, the current process. Someone can still have a, a document notarized. This is just adding in an alternative, um, that I think is moving us forward. And for that reason, I would, I would support this motion.
H.B. 328 Water Usage Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Moved to adopt the first substitute and pass the bill out favorably.
▶ Watch at 2:19:01Read what they said
Thank you Chair. I'd like to make the motion that we pass out favorably. Do you want to adopt the first substitute? Oh, I apologize. I forgot there was a sub. Yes. I'd like to adopt first sub.
H.B. 328 Water Usage Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Moved to recommend the substitute for HB 328 favorably.
▶ Watch at 2:19:44Read what they said
I'd like to recommend that we pass out favorably, uh, the substitute for HP 3 28. The motion is to recommend favorably house bill 3 28
H.B. 328 Water Usage Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Commented that the term non-functional turf sounds like the turf is not working and that the suggested term non-active use areas is worth considering.
▶ Watch at 2:19:57Read what they said
I'll make a comment non-functional, makes it sound like the turf is not functioning. I really gotta consider that gentleman's non-active use or something. And I know it's already in the code, but non-functional means something's wrong. Maybe he's got bedbugs or something, you know, in it. And so I think his idea is a worthy one for whatever that's worth.
H.B. 168 Hunting and Fishing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asked for an explanation of the fiscal note, including the guide and outfitter fund and the poaching mitigation fund.
▶ Watch at 53:29Read what they said
Thank you, chair. I'm just wondering if you could help, uh, just talk us through the fiscal note on this bill. Um, I know that there's the, the guide and outfitter fund and then also the Poaching mitigation fund. Um, do you mind just speaking to that?
H.B. 168 Hunting and Fishing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asked whether the poaching mitigation fund receives ongoing legislative appropriations.
▶ Watch at 55:22Read what they said
Gotcha. So, so thank you. That helps. Yeah. Yeah. Appreciate that. Just so I can be sure that I get, so Line 60 describes the poaching mitigation fund, uh, two way reimbursement money, I think is what you're saying there to be restitution collected. But then two c money appropriated by the legislature. Is there like an ongoing fund funding from the legislature that goes into this fund for for two C there?
H.B. 168 Hunting and Fishing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asked for greater clarity on the new poaching mitigation fund and its cost before voting, and moved to hold the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:01:27Read what they said
Just, uh, I wanna reserve the right to make a motion. Okay. Okay. So I, I was just speaking with the, the policy analyst. There is a new fund created in the bill. There's the existing guide outfitter fund, but then there's also the poaching mitigation fund. That's, that's brand new. Um, and I just, I, I'd like greater clarity on that and the cost of the new fund. Um, how much is coming from the legislature before I, uh, vote on this motion? So I'd like to make a motion that we hold the bill or move to the next agenda item.
H.B. 168 Hunting and Fishing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Said he would speak with the sponsor about the fund.
▶ Watch at 1:02:19Read what they said
That sounds good. And I, I can also speak with the Sponsor and get, okay.
H.B. 247 Great Salt Lake Related Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Arthur clarifies that he is moving the substitute, HB 247 sub one.
▶ Watch at 1:33:37Read what they said
Oh, I, I was going To, oh, okay. I know. Sorry. You Guys expect, but now I'm nervous. Sub one HB 2 47.
H.B. 247 Great Salt Lake Related Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Arthur speaks to the motion, commends the sponsor and the Youth Coalition, and says the bill is a good one to support.
▶ Watch at 1:33:53Read what they said
I would indeed. Um, first of all, uh, I'd like to commend the, the Good sponsor as well as the, the Youth Coalition for the Great Salt Lake. I've appreciated the emails. Um, I assume the other members of the committee have received them as well and I think that the engagement, uh, is exactly what we need to see from everybody in the public. Um, I, I would love to agree with the, the comment that it's, it's nice to see that the tax is drawn from the Brian ship shrimp industry being put back into, uh, that same industry and making the, not just the lake hole, but the, the, the Brian Chimping industry as well. And I …
H.B. 247 Great Salt Lake Related Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Arthur moves that the committee pass HB 247 substitute one out favorably and says he has said enough.
▶ Watch at 1:35:29Read what they said
I would like to, to patent, make a motion that we pass out favorably HB 2 47, uh, substitute one First, have motions in order. Would you like to speak to it? I, I think I've said enough. Thank you.
H.B. 163 Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, saying it can be hard to find qualified special education teachers and that it helps existing school staff become teachers.
▶ Watch at 47:35Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to rise very quickly in support of this bill. Um, I'll tell you right now, from my own personal experience, finding qualified special education teachers who love working with students, um, can be a challenge at times. And I see this as a, as a fantastic solution, leveraging the people who are already in our schools and have shown that this is what they wanna do with their professional lives, giving them the opportunity to go ahead and become great teachers in our schools. So I encourage all colleagues to go and support this bill.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Presented the bill, which requires two of the six continuing education hours for landscape contractors to cover water conservation and fire safety, has the division define landscape work, and adds the Utah Nursery and Landscape Association as an education provider.
▶ Watch at 1:02:48Read what they said
No, thank you Chair. And thank you Mr. Vice Chair for welcoming me up. Uh, I will say that I'm speaking to the, to the amendment, uh, to the bill amendment once. I'll be referencing both. Um, and you have a flyer there at your desks. Teachers love Canva. So I had a lot of fun preparing this for you. And I'm, I'm, I had a lot of fun because I'm actually very excited about this bill. It's simple. Um, but I think it does a lot of good. I, uh, I was brought this, this ask from my predecessor, Galen Bean, and I was honored to pick up this baton here in here in Utah. We are trying to, …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Explained the definition ensures only general contractors who do landscape work take the related continuing education.
▶ Watch at 1:06:32Read what they said
Absolutely. So, um, as I was saying, there, there are two licenses that could fall within this space, right? A general contractor, uh, someone who's licensed in that could do landscape work, but not all general contractors do landscape work. So in order to make sure that not all general contractors are required to do this type of continuing education, the, the Department of Professional Licensing is gonna delineate that to make sure that only those general contractors who are doing landscape work do the continuing education related to that work.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said the definition gives the division flexibility so contractors are not regulated inappropriately.
▶ Watch at 1:07:10Read what they said
Well, it's actually to make sure that they're not regulated in a way that is inappropriate. It's to give doppel the, the flexibility to, to recognize which general contractors should be falling within this bucket and those who should not.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said the amendment folds the two required hours into the existing six rather than adding more.
▶ Watch at 1:07:46Read what they said
So that's a great question and I'm so glad that you raised it in the original bill. It would've added additional training hours on top of the six hours that, that they already have to complete. After talking to stakeholders and all the amazing people who reached out, it became clear that what really needed to happen is this needed to become incorporated into the six hours they already have to complete. This is not adding any more time or, or requirement on top of what they're already required to do. It's just within the six hours that a, a landscape contractor is already required to complete within a two year period. Two of those hours need to be dedicated …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said contractors doing landscape work need current knowledge on fire and water issues, citing his own plans to redo his yard.
▶ Watch at 1:08:43Read what they said
If if within their work they are, they are doing landscape contracting, um, this would become a focus just as it is for, for so many throughout the state. As, as we are adjusting to the changing landscape of Utah, we need to make sure that the folks who are doing that work are appropriately educated in all the, the most recent, um, innovations as well as knowledge that we've acquired. I'll, I'll just say this also, uh, in response, my, my, my wife and I right now are looking into tearing out all of our grass and, and, and just completely redoing both our front and back lawn. And I wanna make sure that the person who does that …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said stakeholders helped originate the bill and cited human-caused wildfire statistics from last year.
▶ Watch at 1:10:05Read what they said
Indeed, I have. Yeah. And some of them were involved in the genesis of the idea of this bill. And one of the things that I found interesting, there's already water wise, um, some continuing education provided in that area. But what they're looking to do is, you know, you're talking about not just these associations, but also partners at institutions like USU, bringing in, uh, you know, data that is immediate and, and specific to the different landscapes that are being addressed and developing, uh, uh, a higher level of continuing education for the folks that are working in this area. Because as, as we are seeing, last year, we had 702 human caused fires and 150,000 of acres …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said it applies to whoever the division requires to be licensed.
▶ Watch at 1:12:06Read what they said
Whoever is required to be certified, that's, that's the person, whoever has to go to DOPPEL and continue within this two year recertification process. That's who it is. And oftentimes, I, I do believe it is employees as well. Same way that as a, as someone who handled food, I would, uh, have to get a food handler's permit renewed every two years. But, um, it's, it's whoever doppel requires to be certified in this work.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said he defers to the division on who needs certification and does not want to add requirements.
▶ Watch at 1:12:38Read what they said
I'm adhering to, to what the division of Professional licensing, um, believes is necessary when it comes to certification. Again, I don't wanna add anything on top. What I'm looking to do is just within the continuing education that is already required for certain employees that this be part of that education.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said the bill does not affect who can do the work, only their ongoing training.
▶ Watch at 1:12:59Read what they said
Not at all. This has, this has, uh, nothing to do with who is able to do this work. This is just about building their capacity as they do the work.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Invited the division director to come up to answer.
▶ Watch at 1:14:39Read what they said
Yeah. Uh, and actually, yeah, it, it'd be okay if Mark wants to come up, if that would be helpful.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said the bill aligns the existing training requirement with state priorities on water conservation and fire protection.
▶ Watch at 1:20:24Read what they said
If I could speak to the point that you're saying there Yeah. Ahead. Um, first of all, this is a fascinating conversation to just get to sit next to and, and enjoy. We've been doing this for a while, so I Can tell, uh, I can tell. And for me, coming into this, there, there is this requirement in statute, and at the same time, simultaneously we have a state priority that is focused on conserving water and protecting our homes from fire. And if there's a way that we can bring those two things into alignment, right? The requirement for six hours of training, as well as, uh, a focus on how we can use that training to better …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said constituents reported landscapers adding fuel load near homes and that some lack enough knowledge as conditions change.
▶ Watch at 1:21:49Read what they said
There's, there's, um, many, there have been many folks who have reached out to me about somebody who put in a, uh, a bush that added to the fuel load too close to their home, and they ended up in violation of some sort of a ordinance. We, I've, I've learned a lot about defensible space around homes, and there are some folks out there who don't have enough professional knowledge, uh, to, to make the, the best recommendations to homeowners and also the best decisions. I, I would love to believe that every landscape, uh, certified landscape, um, I, I'm messing up the name certified landscaper, landscape certified folk, um, are, are fully equipped with all of this knowledge, …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said he does not consider the amendment friendly because the state should specify key knowledge professionals must have.
▶ Watch at 1:29:38Read what they said
Yes. I, I would, this, I would not consider a friendly amendment because with the, the striking of the things that we in this bill want to make sure that our contractors are equipped with, um, there are certain things that we want to make sure that our licensed professionals in the state of Utah show up on the job equipped with. So when I was a, like I said, a waiter in a restaurant and I had to do my continuing education, I couldn't just pick any topics. I had to pick the ones that were listed out as core or as professional, that would, would equip me to make sure that I not only did my job well, …
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said he had already stated his position on the amendment.
▶ Watch at 1:32:52Read what they said
Having, having heard them talk about, like the representative to the south? Uh, speak to the motion. Speaking to the motion. Um, I, I think I've said
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Supported holding the bill to work with stakeholders, saying firewise training is not currently required and is critical.
▶ Watch at 1:35:09Read what they said
Thank you. Chair. I or vice chair. I would be in favor of that motion. Right now in the, in the training that we have for our landscape contractors, uh, there is not a requirement, as I understand it, to, to learn about the, the firewise pieces that were, that were mentioned. And it is critical given our current situation that our landscape, uh, contractors be trained in this. I think that that is a necessary part of, of what they should be learning. And if there is a way where I can work with more stakeholders to get this bill to a place where it can be, uh, meeting the needs of, of this committee as well as the …
H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Rep. Arthur asks whether a motion is needed on the substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:35:57Read what they said
Thank you, chair. Just a question. I see there's a substitute. Do we need to move? Substitute number one?
H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Rep. Arthur moves to pass HCR 6 substitute out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:36:07Read what they said
Catching up always. Um, I'd actually like to go and make a motion that we pass out favorably, um, HCR six.
H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Rep. Arthur says the state has come together on the plan and supports passing the resolution to move forward with implementation.
▶ Watch at 1:36:20Read what they said
I would. I, I look at the work that's been done by, by all of these stakeholders, and I am, I look at, I look at it through the eyes of, of somebody who hears every day from constituents that we have an affordability crisis in housing and that we need to address it. And I, I think that our state has, has come together to, to create this plan. And, uh, rather than undermine it, the best way to, to help make it successful is for us to pass out this concurrent resolution stating that we support it and that we are ready to move forward in implementing.
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Commends the sponsor's stakeholder work, says questions remain about where the public should direct public welfare concerns, and states a no vote.
▶ Watch at 32:47Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I, I want to commend, uh, the good sponsor for not just the answers to these questions, but the conversation that he's, uh, engaged in with stakeholders for months now. Uh, and just the, the last little period of time I've seen this bill, uh, change for the better because of those engagements. And I think that has been a, a, a very positive process to witness. At the same time, there's still a question that that many people in the community feel, uh, they cannot answer. If there is an application for a water, right, and there is a concern over whether or not there's a detriment to the public welfare, to whom do we …
H.B. 251 Diligence Claims Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks whether the water had to be used within the same family before 1903.
▶ Watch at 1:19:21Read what they said
The less, the less knowledgeable one should Close together. Questions. Thank you, chair Representative. Chew, do you mind, this is a new area for me and I just wanna make sure that I'm understanding this correctly. If, if the water was there with continuous use before 1903, does it, does it have to have been used within your family? Does it have to be handed down or just that it was used before 1903 On this instance, just that it was used before 1903.
H.B. 251 Diligence Claims Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks whether, under the rebuttable presumption, someone challenging a claim must prove the water was not there before.
▶ Watch at 1:22:29Read what they said
Okay. Just to make sure I understand, then, without rebuttable presumption, it's not just that they have to prove that that palm was there, but someone has to prove that it wasn't there before. If they're gonna be butted, if they're going to say, Hey, wait a minute, you know, uh, representative Arthur. Mm-hmm. Uh, I, my grandpa says he was there and this is how I can prove it. And then I pull out a photo like that was dirt. There's no water there. Okay. Thank you so much for helping me with
H.B. 251 Diligence Claims Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Moves to pass out H.B. 251 as substituted with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:27:16Read what they said
Would you like to continue? Yes, Sir. Okay, thank you. I'd like to, uh, recommend that we pass out favorably, uh, HB 2 51 substituted.
H.B. 251 Diligence Claims Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Thanks the committee and says he is grateful to recommend the bill favorably after two to three years of work.
▶ Watch at 1:29:43Read what they said
Uh, I just, uh, thank you Chair. I'd just like to add, um, I come into this committee humbly and into these, these lessons, not just on good law making, but good history with, uh, a lot of gratitude. And I just, I'm, I'm grateful to be here in this moment after two, three years of work to be the person who gets to, to recommend this favorably. So thank you for the chance.
H.B. 187 Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks Zachary Renstrom to describe in more detail the flexibility the bill would provide.
▶ Watch at 1:38:26Read what they said
Thank your chair. Um, I think this question is to Mr. Renstrom. Could you just go into greater detail about the, the flexibility and the manage that you talked about? What, what does that flexibility look like specifically?
H.B. 187 Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks for more information about the 40-year rule.
▶ Watch at 1:39:30Read what they said
Um, do you mind if I ask a follow up chair? Could, could tell me more about that rule?
H.B. 187 Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks which lines of the bill create the flexibility.
▶ Watch at 1:40:19Read what they said
Gotcha. And final question, is it just, is it around one line, 180 1 through 1 91 that gives you that flexibility? Is that the part of the bill that makes that change?
H.B. 146 Mentoring and Supporting Teacher Excellence and Refinement Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 14) · Feb 2, 2026
Arthur spoke in support of the bill, saying it helps keep teachers in the classroom and compensates them for leadership work.
▶ Watch at 17:58Read what they said
Thank you speaker. It is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I rise in support of this bill. I'd like to thank the good sponsor for recognizing that in our schools for too long we have taken for granted the incredible human capital that we have. We have teachers that forever have stepped up to, to coach, to help out their teammates, to, to make magic happen for kids. And they've done it for free and they've just done it because they love. And if you don't mind, Mr. Speaker, I'll just share a quick story. In my second year of teaching, I was talking to a superintendent and the superintendent said to me, you know, Mr. Arthur, you're, you're …
H.B. 143 Special Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Asked whether, under section three, parents would be able to comment on a boundary change before it is made.
▶ Watch at 1:00:24Read what they said
Thank you. Speaker In section three, it states that before implementing a boundary change that affects a special class, an LEA shall provide a parent and affected eligible student an opportunity to submit a written or verbal comment regarding the proposed boundary change. So Mr. Speaker, does that mean that before a boundary change is even made, a parent will have the opportunity to weigh in on that?
H.B. 143 Special Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Spoke in support, saying parent input is important and that he appreciates the bill including it.
▶ Watch at 1:01:06Read what they said
Mr. Speaker as a, as a teacher of students with disabilities, I particularly appreciate this, uh, inclusion in the bill. Uh, giving parents every opportunity to not only respond to a change that has been made, but to inform one, I think is, is respectful of the, the input that we should always be seeking from our parents. So thank you. I I support this bill.
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Asked how defensible space is defined in the International Wildland Urban Interface Code as referenced in the amendment.
▶ Watch at 1:20:45Read what they said
Thank you, chair. So I think what you were just talking about that, that 10 foot space, that this, that defensible space is kind of where I'm going with my question. Just in the, in the amendment, um, where it says, uh, where removal is required to comply with the defensible space requirements of the addition of the International Wildland Urban Interface code, um, what is the defensible space as defined within that code?
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Asked follow-up questions on whether hazard categories are based on the amount of fuel load in the area.
▶ Watch at 1:21:25Read what they said
Can I ask some follow up questions? Sure, go ahead. So in determining, I'm just fascinated by this, in determining those categories, is it based on the amount of fuel load in the area?
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Moved to adopt the amended first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:24:31Read what they said
Thank you Chair. I, forgive me if I do this incorrectly, but I'd like to move the amended first sub.
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Commended the sponsor for working with various groups and said the bill has landed in a good place.
▶ Watch at 1:24:52Read what they said
Um, I, I would just like to commend the sponsor for working with, excuse me, all the, all the different groups that you spoke with and, and bringing in the input. And I think that this, this bill has landed in a good place.
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Moved to favorably pass out the first substitute as amended.
▶ Watch at 1:27:20Read what they said
Thank you chair. Uh, motion to, uh, favorably pass out, uh, HB two 15. First sub, uh, with the amendment.
H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Arthur asked whether the bill only adds an information item that a water conservation plan may include about committing water to Great Salt Lake.
▶ Watch at 1:04:14Read what they said
Thank you Chair. Um, just to make sure that I'm understanding this, this bill correctly, it's, it's, this is a, just a small piece. It's just adding an information item onto a list of pieces that a water conservation plan may already include. So this is not mandating any sort of usage, it's just saying that a water conservation plan may include information on how uh, water could be committed for use in the Great Salt Lake. Is that correct?
H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Arthur asked which water basins would be able to use the change.
▶ Watch at 1:04:48Read what they said
And to be clear with this bill, the areas that are required to have a water conservation plan, this would be affecting the Great Salt Lake Basin. So it's not just Salt Lake City that would be able to take advantage of a, a change such as this. It's gonna be the Weber Basin and, and which other ones were we talking about as well?
H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Arthur asked whether the bill simply gives plans more options.
▶ Watch at 1:05:35Read what they said
Okay. So just to be clear, this is, this is just giving more options to, to folks in developing their, their plans. That's
H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Arthur asked whether the bill had gone to the Water Development Commission.
▶ Watch at 1:05:59Read what they said
Okay. And that's where they, they are Supported, bill. And did it go to the Water Development Commission?
H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Arthur said the bill provides another option for conservation planning and thanked the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:08:28Read what they said
Thank you, chair. I would just like to echo the comments made by, uh, the good representative from Salt Lake. Uh, I think that this bill provides, especially in a truly pressing time, just another option and reminder that as much as humanly possible when we're thinking about conservation, we need to be thinking about how we can make commitments of dedicating available water to use on the Great Salt Lake. Um, and so I just wanna thank the, the sponsor for bringing it.
S.B. 26 Pest Control Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Arthur moves to pass SB 26 out favorably and says he thinks it is a good bill.
▶ Watch at 1:26:38Read what they said
Yeah, I'd like to make a motion that we pass out favorably SB 26 Pest Control Amendments. Okay. That is in order. Do you, would you like to speak to it? I, I've, I know I'm still only in my second week, but I think this is a good bill. I think, yeah, I think that's what you call this.
H.B. 126 Micro-Education Entity Facility Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Arthur asked for a walkthrough of what changed in the substitute.
▶ Watch at 53:18Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I, I spent some time going over the original version of the bill. Can you just gimme a quick walkthrough of what's different in the sub?
H.B. 126 Micro-Education Entity Facility Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Arthur asked a follow-up on how micro school size would be limited in denser residential areas.
▶ Watch at 54:50Read what they said
Okay. Can I ask a follow up? Please? Go ahead. So with your, with your hypothetical there, the, so let's say you have a residential area that's a little more densely packed. Um, and, and you have someone who wants to open up a micro school and you know, it could be 10 students, it could be up to a hundred. Like what's, what, how do they limit, um, the size and determine what's reasonable given the, the density of the residential area?
H.B. 93 Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves to pass HB 93 out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:03:24Read what they said
Thank you Chair. I'd like to make a motion to pass out HB 93 Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management area with a favorable recommendation. Thank you.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked whether the bill applies only to surface-only trust lands.
▶ Watch at 1:12:58Read what they said
Thank you, chair. Um, I just have a couple of questions. First of all, as a school teacher, nothing but love for our trust lands, and I appreciate it so much. Um, I, I recently saw the map of minerals only surface only. This would only apply to surface only, um, Sitler Holdings. Is that correct?
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked whether the mineral exclusion removes all mineral lands or allows exceptions.
▶ Watch at 1:14:12Read what they said
Right. So just, just to clarify, um, in the, in the, in the bill, it says that a proposed culturally or scientifically significant site may not include lands containing deposits of, uh, mineral resources. Right? Yes. So does that exclude them all or are you saying that there are gonna be allowances made?
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked what happens if resources are discovered after the designation process.
▶ Watch at 1:14:53Read what they said
Okay. Thank you. And then, do you mind if I ask one more chair? Yeah, go Ahead. Um, what if resources are discovered after the Fact?
H.B. 30 Wildlife Management Area Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks whether the bill would affect all WMAs or only the one being discussed.
▶ Watch at 1:38:40Read what they said
Thank you, chair. Um, just to clarify, this would affect, impact all WMAs, right? Or is this specific to just this, this one that we're talking about?
H.B. 30 Wildlife Management Area Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks to confirm the phased schedule of counties over the years.
▶ Watch at 1:39:17Read what they said
Okay. So, Oh, and Juab, just to clarify, it does that for the first year and then the third and fourth the second, and then the fifth and sixth the third year.
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Thanked people who sent emails and asked why certain lines of the bill were struck.
▶ Watch at 2:00:02Read what they said
Thank you, chair. I have a, I have a few questions. Um, also received the emails and text messages. Shout out to the, to the youth who are looking out for the great Salt Lake, Salt Lake. I appreciated all those. And I just have some specific questions from the bill. First, I, I'm curious why were lines 42 through 44 struck?
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked how the more beneficial use standard was determined under the earlier language.
▶ Watch at 2:01:13Read what they said
Help me understand this. The, these lines 79 through 86 in particular have been in code for some time. Um, how did you determine the more beneficial use before?
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked how the added language in lines 57 and 58 improves the statute.
▶ Watch at 2:01:43Read what they said
Right. Um, if maybe I'll, I'll save some of the others till after the public comment, but I'm also curious about the specificity in lines 57 through 58. Um, how did, how did adding in the, the text in red there improve the, the statute?
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked whether the lines would limit what can be considered in protests.
▶ Watch at 2:02:46Read what they said
So just so I understand those lines would limit what you can consider, um, when it comes to protests that are, that are being filed,
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked whether the engineer currently has authority to consider those matters.
▶ Watch at 2:03:01Read what they said
Alright. Do you, but do you currently have the authority to consider those things? Yes. Or would it it would now limit what you can consider?
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked to yield the floor and speak later on the motion.
▶ Watch at 2:27:53Read what they said
Actually, do you mind, I I feel like I just jumped in front of Representative Owens. I'd like to yield and come back after these question. Okay.
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Shared concerns about the public welfare provision and said he would like to substitute a motion to hold the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:29:37Read what they said
Thank you. I, I share, um, Representative Owens concerns. I also share the, the, the belief that this, this bill is, is well intended. And, and the goal is the same for all of us to, to help wanted increase the flow of water to the lake. Um, and the, the thing that I'm struggling with is, you know, there are lines, for example, like two 13 in this bill that says the state engineer may not consider the public welfare as a basis for the rejection of an application. And it goes on to explain the situations in which that is, uh, clarified, but it not being able to take into consideration the public welfare while expedient, I feel …
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Said he needed to reserve the right to make a motion and asked to reset his light.
▶ Watch at 2:30:50Read what they said
Oh, I apologize. I have to reserve the right to make a Motion. Yeah, you didn't reserve the right to make a motion exactly what you did. We can't, that's out of order. So we can't do that. Can I turn my light off and turn it back on Neighbor?
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Says the bill addresses no problem that exists today and that he will vote no on bills with no substantive positive or negative effect.
▶ Watch at 32:34Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, I'd like to thank the, the good sponsor for bringing legislation that is hoping to solve a problem that that could arise in the future. However, as was noted in the committee meeting, this does not actually address a problem that exists today. This is not based on any case study or anything that is actually taking place here in Utah. And as a result, it was mentioned in committee several times that this bill does nothing necessarily helpful, but also nothing terribly harmful. As a new member in this body, uh, on principle, I am going to choose to vote no for any bill that does nothing positive or negative. If it has no …
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Said he shares Rep. Miller's concern and asked whether county leadership had been consulted.
▶ Watch at 14:28Read what they said
representative Miller's question was also one that I shared, although I am also curious as you've gone out and talked to the different stakeholders, you mentioned the cities. Have you spoken with county leadership throughout the state about this?
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Thanked Peterson and reported technical trouble with his video connection. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 14:51Read what they said
Absolutely. Thank you. Now I'm testing our technology that I have been promised in double pinky squared would work and does not advance. Does not work. Okay. All right. Good to know.
H.B. 17 Public Infrastructure District Meeting Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Asks whether a district can exist before any structures are built and what the board would do in that case.
▶ Watch at 33:16Read what they said
Thank you Chair. I have a question for the sponsor. Go ahead. Um, forgive me, I'm, I'm new to this and I've been, I've been learning about PIs as quickly as I could. As, as I understand it, you can have a PI without any resonance there, right? So within, you know, if, if this becomes law and it says that, um, pitch will file annual reports, uh, and, and we'll meet within the, the boundaries, what if there's no structure to meet in yet? So that's where the, the subsections are. Um,
H.B. 17 Public Infrastructure District Meeting Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Asks whether future lot buyers who are not yet residents would attend the meetings.
▶ Watch at 34:12Read what they said
Then would there be folks who have an interest in that pit who are not yet like living there, but have perhaps purchased some sort of like a, a lot or a property within that that would then want to, I, I imagine attend these meetings?
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Arthur said chief executives normally consult their own staff first and he is wary of legislating for hypotheticals that seem unlikely.
▶ Watch at 44:02Read what they said
Okay. Um, may I ask a follow up question? Go ahead, Chair. Um, when you, when you referenced the, the events in 2020, um, I'm curious, having not worked in, in local government before or even in the state level, it, it seems to me common best practice that a, a chief executive would go to their staff before anybody else. Um, in, in putting this in, I, I, I can't, I just can't imagine a situation in which a chief executive within the state of Utah would operate exclusively on, um, the, the advice of an international organization. I, I just, I I fear legislating, um, hypotheticals that just don't seem like they would happen. If that makes sense. …
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Arthur asked whether the bill applies to anyone other than the chief executive officer.
▶ Watch at 45:47Read what they said
So do you mind if I ask one more clarifying question just to that point? Um, is this, I apologize, chair, is that all right? Yes. Does this, so does this bill then address folks other than the chief executive officer?
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Arthur asked whether the definition language on lines 75-76 is new.
▶ Watch at 59:53Read what they said
Thank you Chair. Can I ask a question and then make a comment? Yes. The language on, just so I can understand clearly the language online, 75, 76 is new language.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Arthur said he opposed the bill because it defines international organization as only three named groups and does not provide a substantive positive impact.
▶ Watch at 1:00:04Read what they said
So I, I, I do not feel comfortable with in Utah Code, um, international organization being defined solely as the United Nations, the World Economic Forum or the World Health Organization. Um, so for that reason alone, along with, um, my concerns about passing bills that, that don't provide any substantive positive impact and, and taking the time from the future committees that would have to work on this, I would vote against this.
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