Legislators / Melissa G. Ballard
Melissa G. Ballard
Republican · House District 20
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Melissa G. Ballard
- Email: mballard@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-633-6561
- Office: 350 N State Suite 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.
Melissa G. Ballard serves on:
- Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee
- House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee
- Business and Labor Interim Committee
- Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee
What they've said
197 remarks on 54 billsS.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that the amendment adds the speech-language pathology and audiology licensing act and the hearing instrument specialist licensing act to the sunset revision bill.
▶ Watch at 1:56:28Read what they said
Let me grab that amendment. That amendment is amendment number one under Representative Ballard's name? Yes. Um, this just includes the speech language pathology, audiology Licensing Act, hearing Instrumental Specialist Licensing Act into the Sunset revision. Bill.
S.B. 232 Regulatory Impacts on Families · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Ballard says S.B. 232, Regulatory Impacts on Families, asks state agencies, counties, cities, and school boards to consider how their rules, ordinances, and policies affect families, with examples such as noise ordinances, zoning, and park placement, and that the bill does not penalize a body that fails to do so.
▶ Watch at 1:23:54Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, the legislation that we do in this body really affects the families and neighborhoods all across the state. And so this, uh, bill titled Regulatory Impacts on Families literally addresses state agency rulemaking, county or municipal Legislative Body ordinances, um, or local school board adopting policies to ask them to consider the impact that their rulemaking, ordinance, or policy will have on the health, uh, of the family, the stability and the formation of, of their families. Let me give you some examples of this. One of them may be if a city's wanting to pass a noise ordinance, or it could be a housing or zoning laws that could have positive or negative impacts …
H.J.R. 18 Joint Resolution Urging Congress to Eliminate Marriage Penalties · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the resolution urges the federal government to eliminate tax and penalty provisions that affect marriage, a effort also being pursued by Congressman Blake Moore.
▶ Watch at 1:38:59Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. President. This is something that, um, is actually not only being worked on here on a state level, but also um, on the federal level with Congressman Blake Moore, who is also championing, excuse me, championing this, uh, issue. And basically it just urges, um, the federal level to get rid of those things that would eliminate, um, or excuse me, that would tax and, and penalize, uh, marriage.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves House Amendment one to add sunset dates for the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act and the hearing instrument specialist licensing act, to 2036, as originally proposed in the policy bill.
▶ Watch at 2:03:12Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to adopt House Amendment one. Thank you representative. That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to It? I would. I love that these Sunset and repeal dates are now combined into this bill. So since it's a new process, uh, there was one that was, uh, left out and that is an, an addition of the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act. The hearing instrumental, uh, specialist Licensing Act, uh, to be sunsetted in 28 36, um, as initially proposed in the policy. Bill.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the sunset dates are now combined into this bill and that the amendment adds the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act and the hearing instrument specialist licensing act, to be sunset in 2036 as originally proposed in the policy bill.
▶ Watch at 2:03:19Read what they said
It? I would. I love that these Sunset and repeal dates are now combined into this bill. So since it's a new process, uh, there was one that was, uh, left out and that is an, an addition of the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act. The hearing instrumental, uh, specialist Licensing Act, uh, to be sunsetted in 28 36, um, as initially proposed in the policy. Bill.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the sunset came from HB 374, a Business and Labor bill tied to the review of licenses, and was moved into the Sunset bill on recommendation.
▶ Watch at 2:04:17Read what they said
It was HB 3 74, uh, that was brought forward to our Business and Labor Committee, um, to, uh, as part of the ler uh, review sunsets that they do or not review since, excuse me, the review of licensure of those, uh, different, uh, licenses throughout the state. And this was one that they evaluated. So initially we had the Sunset in that bill, but with this, um, it was recommended to take it out and have it part of the Sunset bill instead of part of the policy bill.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the sunset was in HB 374 in the Business and Labor Committee, which reviewed licensing, and that it was moved into the regular sunset bill.
▶ Watch at 2:04:17Read what they said
It was HB 3 74, uh, that was brought forward to our Business and Labor Committee, um, to, uh, as part of the ler uh, review sunsets that they do or not review since, excuse me, the review of licensure of those, uh, different, uh, licenses throughout the state. And this was one that they evaluated. So initially we had the Sunset in that bill, but with this, um, it was recommended to take it out and have it part of the Sunset bill instead of part of the policy bill.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that an earlier date was set to align with the licensing review, but it was decided to keep them separate, so the sunset was placed in the regular Sunset schedule.
▶ Watch at 2:05:17Read what they said
Uh, yes. Mr. Speaker, the, the main reason is because in initially we had put a different, uh, date thinking we could align LERs uh, review with Sunset, and then it was determined that we probably need to keep them separate. So, um, that was also part of putting this in the regular Sunset schedule that was set, um, instead of in the policy.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the date was first set to align with licensing review, then the decision was made to keep them separate and place the extension on the regular sunset schedule.
▶ Watch at 2:05:17Read what they said
Uh, yes. Mr. Speaker, the, the main reason is because in initially we had put a different, uh, date thinking we could align LERs uh, review with Sunset, and then it was determined that we probably need to keep them separate. So, um, that was also part of putting this in the regular Sunset schedule that was set, um, instead of in the policy.
S.B. 323 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Recodification · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute for S.B. 323.
▶ Watch at 1:00:37Read what they said
Go ahead. Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Motion to adopt first substitute of SB 3 23 criminal and juvenile justice reification.
S.B. 323 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Recodification · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Moves to adopt Amendment #1 to the first substitute for S.B. 323.
▶ Watch at 1:01:28Read what they said
Go ahead. Motion to adopt, is it amendment one? Is that correct? That's correct. Okay.
S.B. 323 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Recodification · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Moves to pass the first substitute for S.B. 323 out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:02:12Read what they said
Uh, um, motion to, um, pass out favorably a SB 3 23 Criminal and juvenile Justice reification.
S.B. 323 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Recodification · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Praises Director Ross and CCJJ's restructuring and says it could save the state money and improve data alignment. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:03:03Read what they said
Um, I am, I I wanted to mention a couple things. The first one is, um, thank you Director Ross. Under your leadership, it has brought all of these entities under an umbrella to be able to collaborate and coordinate, um, under your leadership with this perspective, um, of, of re codifying and bringing them under in an umbrella with you having, uh, uh, assistant deputy directors. Right? Um, I, I think this is for number one reason is because nobody else could have, could do this except for you. So, so this is a great way to perpetuate this great, um, CCJJ moving into the future. Um, secondly, for all of these entities that come to our standing committee …
S.B. 297 School Social Worker Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Supports the bill, noting all listed professions require a master's degree and that the intern language relates to the Grow Your Own program.
▶ Watch at 1:25:39Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'm also in favor of that. I just wanna have a couple of comments. Number one, every one of those professions require a minimum of a master's degree. So this is not, um, below bachelor's or just a certification. They're all master's degree, um, recipients. And then to my knowledge, the intern, the qualified personnel as an intern has a lot to do with the Grow Your Own program that the schools have for these professionals. Uh, that they are able their senior year as part of their internship to, to finish their diploma, uh, their master's degree, that they can go in as a paid intern, um, and work in the schools. So I …
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that H.B. 230 helps people leaving prison get state ID, requires testing results to be shared with the Department of Corrections so parole officers can check compliance, and aims to help them keep jobs and reintegrate.
▶ Watch at 1:26:26Read what they said
Thank you very much. So, as people are exiting our prisons, uh, there's a, there's a problem where oftentimes they don't have state id and so this provides that prisoners will, that the department will take them, help them get id, issue id, and then it's a lot easier for them to hold down a job. To get a job. It also provides that they will, that any testing will be shared back with the Department of Corrections. So essentially there's a problem on like hipaa, where oftentimes a parole, uh, a parole officer won't get the test results back due to HIPAA and other privacy concerns. So this asks them to pre, uh, fill out the HIPAA forms and …
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asked how the bill aligns with FAA oversight of airspace.
▶ Watch at 30:22Read what they said
Yes. Just a quick question. So how does this align with the, uh, the FAA and overseeing airspace?
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asked what the penalty is if someone flies a drone over the prison and is identified.
▶ Watch at 34:42Read what they said
There you go. I apologize. I just wanted to ask, what's the punishment if they do fly drone over and you're able to identify?
S.B. 305 Hospital Quality Incentive Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Rep. Ballard moved to pass SB 305 substitute favorably.
▶ Watch at 50:29Read what they said
Yeah. Motion to pass out favorably SB 3 0 5 for substitute hospital quality incentive amendments. Also what? Oh, hospital quality amendments. I, when you said amendments, I'm like, I don't see an amendment here. Okay. Sorry. My ears are clogged. Um, okay.
S.B. 305 Hospital Quality Incentive Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Rep. Ballard said the bill aligns state funding with federal requirements and supports Utahns receiving the funds.
▶ Watch at 50:55Read what they said
Um, I, I think it's been represented well, uh, when we have a lot of work to do to align with federal requirements. Um, this bill definitely represents that and, and, uh, changes a lot of the funding of how we are being accountable. So I appreciate the work in putting this together for, for Utah Utahns to be able to be the recipients of, of this effort. So thank you.
H.J.R. 4 Resolution Regarding Prison Security and Successful Inmate Reentry · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Presents HJR 4, a resolution asking Congress to support federal reentry funding, reform of cell phone jamming, and criminalizing drone flights over correctional facilities.
▶ Watch at 1:51:22Read what they said
Thank you so much. Uh, Madam Chair and committee members, uh, sometimes you wonder if resolutions are effective, but this goes directly to Congress because there are certain policies and programs that really make a difference for us in our correctional facilities. Um, one of them is the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, which really helps to fund the reentry, um, medical portion that we have had a special waiver for that we having more support from, from, uh, the federal government is really important for them to have a, a seamless transition into the community. The second one is the cell phone jamming, um, reform because, uh, right now there is still, um, contraband phones being tossed into or brought …
H.J.R. 4 Resolution Regarding Prison Security and Successful Inmate Reentry · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Thanks the committee for its work and says it has been a pleasure to work with members this session.
▶ Watch at 1:55:33Read what they said
Thank you. And I just wanna say thank you to this committee, uh, for all your work. And, um, it's been, it's been a pleasure to work with all of you this session.
S.B. 31 Office of Professional Licensure Review Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said 2000 hours is too low compared with physician assistant requirements and supports continued study of the issue during the interim.
▶ Watch at 56:22Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, for me, it's funny, as I look at it, I'm thinking whether it goes back to the 1250 hours, which is basically graduating from school or 2000 hours, which is only three months later. I, I can't believe that was the negotiation portion because in comparing, I, I, who has, who's independent, who can prescribe, who has a broad scope, that includes nurse practitioners, who under this bill would only have three months, uh, before being after school, before being able to practice a PA who also has a master's, just like a nurse practitioner, they have to have 10,000 hours. They used to have to have 11,000, 600 hours. And you're telling me that …
S.B. 286 Interior Designer Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Moved to pass S.B. 286 out favorably and praised the sponsor's work with cities and architects.
▶ Watch at 1:45:59Read what they said
Motion to pass out favorably SB 2 86 interior design amendments. And I'll just speak to it quickly, which is, I, I think, sounds like you've worked closely with cities, with architects, with ai, ai, with, I don't see any opposition, but I think it's very clear from their testimonies that you've been very thorough with them to have them address with you the exact language for this legislation. So appreciate your work and before coming to our committee.
H.J.R. 26 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence to Address Machine-Generated Evidence · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Ballard presented HJR 26, which would allow machine-generated evidence to be entered directly or with lay testimony, mirroring a federal rule being drafted.
▶ Watch at 49:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Then you're gonna love my bill. Um, right now that concludes your nearly right now, um, machine generated evidence, or in other words, how AI gathers information and collects it right now, um, is difficult to be able to use in any presentation. It's easy to gather, um, and used for, uh, inference prediction or classification or conclusion. Um, but as far as being able to enter it directly, that's what this legislation does. Um, it does apply if it, uh, line 46 and 47 if it's entered directly or accompanied by lay testimony. And so it's, it's pretty straightforward. I do have, um, an expert here, um, but I've worked closely with the ags office, …
H.J.R. 26 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence to Address Machine-Generated Evidence · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Ballard said Utah often leads the way, that the investigators and AGO want this, and that the resolution can be easily amended if needed.
▶ Watch at 53:30Read what they said
Yeah, I think as, as was mentioned, it's really important Utah leads the way oftentimes anyway, and this is at the forefront of what the investigators in the ags office is wanting. So easily amended if it need, if so needed.
H.B. 374 Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments · House floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Said she wanted to confirm that school teachers and speech-language pathologists were still included in the pay provisions.
▶ Watch at 17:51Read what they said
Uh, just made sure that all of our, the school teachers for speech language pathologists were still included in the speech in the teacher. Um, pay provisions.
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presents the bill, which directs the Board of Higher Education to establish a policy for incorporating seminal American documents into writing courses while preserving institution and instructor discretion.
▶ Watch at 1:43:54Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members. Uh, first, the reason this, uh, legislation has come about is because in our higher ed institutions, not everyone who attends is from the United States. Not everyone who attends is from Utah. And even if they were, uh, students in high school in Utah, um, it does not mean that they have ever read our American documents, presidential speeches and seminal, uh, documents that are really about our founding, uh, fathers and presidential speeches. So I'm gonna read, uh, from line 45 just describing what this does. So, uh, one bit of background is USU has a pilot prepared right now for how to, how the university, Utah, Utah State University is …
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Responds that the bill does not name Utah State, that the pilot runs until 2029 while the bill starts this fall, and that major institutions were consulted on the language.
▶ Watch at 1:54:27Read what they said
Yes. Thank you so much. Actually, um, it does not specifically mention Utah State. Initially, we had a collaboration with the pilot, and they said, no, go ahead and take us out, because this could easily be incorporated with whatever the results are of the pilot. The challenge with waiting is that's not till 2029. And so this is incorporated this fall right now, and I appreciate, um, um, Devin Weiser was actually gonna be here, but he's at the dentist this afternoon and couldn't be here. So he apologizes. But, um, I, I think that's why, um, we did come to this first sub that Utah State, uh, was part of crafting. And also the, the fact that you, …
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Responds to concerns that implementation rules would be set by the board and says students and parents have reported that current reading and writing content is lacking.
▶ Watch at 2:07:20Read what they said
Thank you so much. And I think that's why the implementation is all for Yui to establish that those rules and, uh, the experience that Ms. Earl shared with her students right now in higher ed is why this bill has come forward. Because I've had other parents, other students say that the content that they are, are reading and writing courses are, have, leave little to be desired right now. It is up to the professor, whatever their background, whatever their, their expertise, they can put whatever they want to in there, which is, you know, the, the liberties. But I, I think the liberty we have in our country needs to be understood and easily incorporated into these, …
H.B. 596 Homelessness Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether the committee would adopt the first substitute and first amendment separately.
▶ Watch at 1:11:52Read what they said
Uh, motion to adopt first substitute and the first House amendment, or do we need to do them separately? Do
H.B. 596 Homelessness Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the substitute is a structural bill and that police chiefs prefer to work with homeless individuals where they are rather than transporting them to one campus.
▶ Watch at 1:12:04Read what they said
Um, I, I just wanna say this is a very structural bill. It's not about accountability. It's not, uh, you know, those kinds of things. I think the structure of it is really important. I know in my discussions with Salt Lake Police Chief and other police chiefs is that they don't want everybody to have to transport these homeless individuals to one campus. They prefer to help work with them on an individual basis, um, where they are. Um, so I think this is really good structure.
H.B. 596 Homelessness Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said cities and counties having more tools is important and that local collaboration serves people best.
▶ Watch at 1:13:36Read what they said
Um, yeah, I just, like I said, I I think structurally the more that our cities and counties have more tools, um, so that there's not one government entity trying to take care of it themselves. I, I like how the different entities spoke about their collaboration and work that they do on, at local levels. And I think that's where the people are served the best.
H.J.R. 18 Joint Resolution Urging Congress to Eliminate Marriage Penalties · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Rep. Ballard presented the resolution urging Congress to eliminate marriage penalties in federal tax law, citing a policy brief on penalties in Utah and federal tax codes.
▶ Watch at 2:20:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Um, the Kimsey Gardner Institute did a policy brief that was released last year, noting all of the penalties we have in our Utah tax code and federal tax code. And Congressman Blake Moore is, uh, tried to put it in the big beautiful bill and wanted Utah to lead the way. So hence the result is HB two 10 for Utah taxes. And this is the resolution encouraging Congress to eliminate, uh, penalties re regarding relationship status if you're cohabitating divorce single separated, uh, that the government is out of people's business. That concludes my presentation.
H.J.R. 4 Resolution Regarding Prison Security and Successful Inmate Reentry · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Sponsor says the resolution asks Congress to support the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, to reform cell phone jamming rules for prisons, and to make it illegal to fly drones over correctional facilities while allowing corrections pilot programs to counter drones.
▶ Watch at 20:25Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, resolutions to Congress may not seem like they're important, but for the corrections system it is. The first thing it does is, uh, tells Congress we need more support for the Second Chance Reauthorization Act. That helps healthcare priority reentry. We had got a special waiver for that, but we need that support. The second thing is there's a lot of, uh, criminal activity that still is going on in prisons, including ours because of, uh, illegal cell phones, uh, coming into the prison. So that is a cell phone jamming reform, uh, that needs to be done. And thirdly, we need Congress to, uh, eliminate, uh, and make it, uh, against the law for …
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Presents H.B. 103, which adds a third-degree felony for knowingly marrying a minor in violation of Utah law or transporting a minor out of state to marry in violation of Utah law, and describes current rules on minor marriage and the bill's committee passage and supporters.
▶ Watch at 22:35Read what they said
Um, it adds a third degree felony if, uh, someone knowingly marries a minor in violation of Utah law or transports a minor out of state to marry them in violation of Utah law law, or transports a minor outta state for someone else to marry in violation of Utah law. And, um, the current law for, for minors to get married is 17 and 16 year olds can get married with juvenile court approval and parent or guardian consent. The courts may only approve if the age difference is not more than four years. Um, judicial review for procedures for approving marriages of minor's, whether it's volunteer or in the minor's best interest. Um, so this, uh, bill passed …
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Says the substitute removes the social security portion, limits increases to $30 for anyone, and that the fiscal note is favorable.
▶ Watch at 40:48Read what they said
I would. It does, uh, uh, three things. One of 'em is eliminate the social security portion that was in the previous, um, uh, substitutes. It also makes sure that there's nothing more than a $30 increment, uh, for anyone. And the, the fiscal note is pretty darn good.
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Explains the substitute would remove the social security portion from earlier versions, limit increments to $30, and says the fiscal note is favorable.
▶ Watch at 40:48Read what they said
I would. It does, uh, uh, three things. One of 'em is eliminate the social security portion that was in the previous, um, uh, substitutes. It also makes sure that there's nothing more than a $30 increment, uh, for anyone. And the, the fiscal note is pretty darn good.
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Says the bill creates a flat structure for certain tax credits so amounts do not depend on relationship status, that its fiscal impact is nearly neutral for about 4,800 individuals, and that the Sutherland Institute supports it.
▶ Watch at 41:30Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This bill does, uh, three things. The first one is it creates a flat structure for our, uh, tax credits. In Utah. We have a flat income tax. We have a flat corporate tax, and we have four income, uh, tax credits in our system. Uh, this includes three of those four, the taxpayer tax credit, retirement tax credit, and also the child tax credit. And what I mean by flat is that regardless of an individual's relationship status, um, whether they are cohabitating, married, divorced, single, separated, whatever that may be, that the government is out of the relationship business. And those individuals, all of us who are looking and needing those tax credits actually …
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Describes the bill's flat structure for three tax credits regardless of relationship status, its fiscal impact of about $66 the first year and $25 the second for up to 4,800 people, and a Sutherland Institute letter of support.
▶ Watch at 41:30Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This bill does, uh, three things. The first one is it creates a flat structure for our, uh, tax credits. In Utah. We have a flat income tax. We have a flat corporate tax, and we have four income, uh, tax credits in our system. Uh, this includes three of those four, the taxpayer tax credit, retirement tax credit, and also the child tax credit. And what I mean by flat is that regardless of an individual's relationship status, um, whether they are cohabitating, married, divorced, single, separated, whatever that may be, that the government is out of the relationship business. And those individuals, all of us who are looking and needing those tax credits actually …
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Summarizes the bill as providing consistent tax credits regardless of relationship status.
▶ Watch at 44:36Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Like I said, this is really great policy for knowing what's in our wallet for our flat income tax, flat corporate tax, and now consistent tax credits regardless of what our relationships are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Summarizes the bill as providing consistent tax credits regardless of relationship status alongside the flat income and corporate taxes.
▶ Watch at 44:36Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Like I said, this is really great policy for knowing what's in our wallet for our flat income tax, flat corporate tax, and now consistent tax credits regardless of what our relationships are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.J.R. 4 Resolution Regarding Prison Security and Successful Inmate Reentry · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Introduced the resolution to Congress covering restoring Second Chance Act funding, cell phone jamming in prisons, and keeping drones from flying over correctional facilities.
▶ Watch at 37:45Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you for your patience. I somehow became a mediator stopping a World War IV going on in the, in the Capitol. So it wasn't even three, they were on to four. Um, I'd actually like to have UDC come up with me. Um, it's really interesting in, in looking at the impact of federal policy on our inmates. There are two things. One of them is, uh, this resolution to Congress is for two things. One of them is the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, um, to restore, uh, eliminated funding from the act. The update is that I just found that they, they did pass that, but we, I think it's valuable to still keep it in …
H.J.R. 4 Resolution Regarding Prison Security and Successful Inmate Reentry · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Asked whether another UDC representative would address cell phone jamming.
▶ Watch at 42:28Read what they said
You're welcome. Um, I, do we have anyone else here from UDC to discuss the importance of cell phone jamming? Or do you wanna talk about
H.J.R. 4 Resolution Regarding Prison Security and Successful Inmate Reentry · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Suggested connecting with UDC next year on drone-tracking technology and taking a proactive approach to drones.
▶ Watch at 50:28Read what they said
I, I just wanna say maybe we should connect UDC and consider this for next year. Former legislator Adam Robertson was, was recently in our rotunda, um, with his drones that are specifically meant to track incoming drones and even from other countries. So maybe we need to be proactive to help our correctional facilities to make sure that we can preempt these kinds of problems. So welcome to 2026.
H.J.R. 18 Joint Resolution Urging Congress to Eliminate Marriage Penalties · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Ballard said the resolution urges Congress to eliminate marriage penalties in the federal tax code, citing federal action and the role of states in pushing for change.
▶ Watch at 32:30Read what they said
Thank you so much Mr. Speaker. Our own congressman Blake Moore, uh, worked to have in the big beautiful bill last year the opportunity to, uh, eliminate penalties in the tax code federally. As most of the states parallel what we have on in our tax codes for tax credits and benefits, um, it was needed to pull out. And his response was, we need the states to lead out so that they have more muscle in Congress to eliminate penalties in our tax code. So in conjunction with, um, studies with the Heritage Foundation and even Robert Rector, who was the father of tanf, he has worked carefully with Congress to find ways to reduce poverty and, um, eliminate …
H.J.R. 26 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence to Address Machine-Generated Evidence · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents H.J.R. 26, which would allow machine-generated analysis as evidence if it rests on sufficient facts and data and reliable methods, either entered directly or accompanied by lay testimony, and thanks the attorney general's office and its investigators for bringing it forward.
▶ Watch at 1:49:52Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Right now there's Rule 7 0 2 applies, uh, when an investigator is able to reach a conclusion using ai, but if they want to offer that directly, they need this legislation which enables them to use AI or machine generated analysis if it is based on sufficient facts and data, reliable principles and methods and reliable application and principles. So this can either be entered directly, um, as evidence or accompanied by lay testimony and appreciate the ags office and their um, investigators in bringing this forward. Thank you, Representative Ballard.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presented HB 103 and said internet crimes against children prosecutions have increased, describing the bill's three new offenses and three moved offenses, and the human trafficking statistics behind it.
▶ Watch at 2:46:05Read what they said
Yes. Thank you so much. I appreciate the committee. I'm just listening to my other ear for a vote, but I don't think it's gonna come up for a minute. Um, this came about because, um, internet crimes against children prosecutions have gone up substantially. Um, they averaged 64, um, prosecutions to 85 over the last five years, but last year was 179 prosecutions. So underage marriage amendments. I'm gonna have Taylor, uh, put the, my documents up on the screen, or I could see if I could plug this in. I can do that too. See if I can share my screen here. So there is a document online associated with this bill and, uh, I, I think it's …
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Explained that the bill targets adults who take a minor out of state or use fraud to get around Utah marriage laws, and that it does not change the age and consent rules for marriage in Utah.
▶ Watch at 2:55:44Read what they said
Uh, let me, let me maybe clarify because we, we don't have the investigator here from Utah, but what they, what they requested that's in the attorney general's office and what is in this bill? So if you look at the very first page, the first three things that are new is if you unlawfully marry a minor, we talked about what those provisions are, if you transport a minor out of state for an illegal marriage. And so that is really what you just said about going to Vegas and then coming back if you are a Utah resident and, um, you are transported by someone else to deliberately go, um, contrary to our laws, because then if you …
H.J.R. 18 Joint Resolution Urging Congress to Eliminate Marriage Penalties · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presented HJR 18, which urges Congress to eliminate marriage penalties in federal programs and tax policy, citing a Gardner Institute report and Sutherland Institute support.
▶ Watch at 52:13Read what they said
Thank you. I never thought tax rev would be so fun. Um, joint rev resolution to urge Congress to eliminate marriage penalties. Why, why is this here? Well, usually you wonder, does a resolution even have any effect? The reason why this is really important is because the Kempsey Gardner Institute did a full report on, uh, marriage tax penalties in Utah. And they came across two things. One of them is across the country. Um, the most states parallel the federal government for benefits. And, um, so they identified ways in our state tax that we could equalize all, all users, regardless of marital status. Um, and that's a lot of the result of HB two 10, of, of …
H.B. 374 Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Ballard presented the substitute bill, which consolidates audiology and speech-language pathology licensing under the licensing division, phases out the separate state board, clarifies scope of practice for invasive procedures, recognizes national licensure for renewal, and allows follow-up hearing aid visits for minors.
▶ Watch at 1:04:29Read what they said
Thank you so much. Uh, Mr. Chair and committee members, uh, during the interim, our, uh, interim Business and Labor, uh, committee discussed, uh, the LER bill that had many licensure reviews and recommendations and changes and the speech language and hearing occupations. Uh, wanted to have further time to look at the details. So I carved that out and this is the result of that being taken out of the omnibus, uh, licensure bill with ler. And so I, uh, it does four things. The first thing is, is it consolidates licensing for audiologists and SLPs currently, they can either do with through their education and through Doppel, they can get their licensure or they can do it through …
H.B. 374 Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Ballard said existing state-issued speech-language pathology licenses already renew every five years, so holders would move to the new licensing division at renewal and be grandfathered in.
▶ Watch at 1:09:16Read what they said
Yeah, it's already considered. So if they currently have A-U-S-B-E speech language pathology license, they have to renew every five years anyway. So that's all staggered. So as they renew, they would go over to Doppel and that would be grandfathered in. So that's, that's the change of okay. Where
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Presents H.B. 324, describing the fees as a user fee for the Utah Marriage Commission, funding Spanish translation of relationship courses, and stating that the commission's online content serves all Utahns regardless of relationship status.
▶ Watch at 56:44Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members. I appreciate you bringing this bill back, um, for the Utah Marriage Commission fee expansion. Um, I, you've heard the discussion, but I just wanna emphasize three things. Um, number one, this is, uh, quote unquote a user fee, which means it is meant to be for this purpose, the, the fees. And so it's nice that it can stay in supporting strong relationships instead of, uh, filter or going into the general fund, which, um, uh, is much more broad in its scope. The second thing is, with this expansion, one thing that the marriage commission has started doing, but does need more funds to, to continue to do, is actually translate, …
H.J.R. 26 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence to Address Machine-Generated Evidence · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Introduces the resolution on machine-generated evidence, saying it came from investigators who need such evidence in court, and describes the conditions for admitting it.
▶ Watch at 58:45Read what they said
Oops. Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members. Um, I, uh, I'm excited about this bill because we live in a modern age where, uh, we use AI for a number of things. And this bill actually came forward to me from some investigators who were needing this tool in courts to be able to show evidence. So what this is when it says machine generated evidence, that would be AI or other machine generated evidence, um, that could be used in a court, um, by, uh, uh, as long as, um, there is an lay testimony there to back it up and that it's entered directly or, or that it's entered directly, but it also has that it requires …
H.J.R. 26 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence to Address Machine-Generated Evidence · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Thanks the presenters and says the resolution is needed so that Utah investigators have the same rules as federal investigators.
▶ Watch at 1:06:34Read what they said
So, uh, I appreciate the experts that you just heard from. And, uh, this is pretty straightforward as far as, uh, machine generated or ai, um, data driven information to be allowed by our state investigators and federally, they're looking at the same rule for federal investigators. So that's why we need a separate one for us.
H.B. 553 Dog Attack Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Agrees with the bill for now and suggests the committee consider broader statute of limitations review during the interim.
▶ Watch at 1:31:04Read what they said
Yes, I, I agree because I think if we're gonna look at all of the statute of limitations, it's gonna be a much bigger lift. And I think may, that could be something that our committee could consider, uh, during the interim. But, uh, for right now, I think it's, it's good to make sure that this one's put there. So thanks.
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says H.B. 219 would require that required writing courses at Utah higher education institutions include certain original American documents and presidential speeches while still giving professors flexibility, citing the upcoming 250th anniversary of the country.
▶ Watch at 1:47:21Read what they said
You Mr. Speaker. When uh, students are in higher ed institutions in Utah, there is a required writing course. And right now there's no parameters as to what that content may be. The professors, depending on their background and expertise, can choose whatever they want. Well, when, uh, the last class that I took at the university was actually one of my favorites. It was the writing class. Why was it my favorite? Because we studied original documents and, and Americans, significant speeches such as Martin Luther King Jr. From Birmingham Jail. Um, John F. Kennedy asked not what your country can do from for you Gettysburg address, bill of Rights, and so forth. So this higher ed amendment, uh, …
H.B. 59 Identification Verification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asks whether the beer purchase provision for off-premise retailers would include a gas station.
▶ Watch at 45:44Read what they said
Two questions. So, lane 77 says, purchases beer from an off-premise beer retailer. So does that include a gas station? Okay.
H.B. 59 Identification Verification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asks whether gas stations may take IDs and what must be done with IDs that are confiscated.
▶ Watch at 46:40Read what they said
So my, my two questions are if I was at a gas station and I, and are they also allowed to take the IED? And my second question is, regardless of which of these premises we're talking about, what are they supposed to do with the IDs if they do confiscate them?
H.B. 433 Professional Licensing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Supports the bill as consistent with state agencies' customer feedback portals and asks whether other agencies are moving the same way.
▶ Watch at 1:18:28Read what they said
Uh, yes. I have to say I really like this because right now, um, the, through the governor's office, they have really asked for more of a customer service portal throughout all of their agencies. So this is totally in line with what other agencies are doing as far as a public, uh, service and public feedback. And, um, from the meetings that I've been in, it really has shown more, more efficiency in changing and be more effective. So I, I think is, am I correct in saying that this is really the direction that other agencies are going anyway,
H.B. 139 Female Genital Mutilation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Ballard presents the bill, saying it removes the statute of limitations, which was previously four years, and hands off to Senator Balderree.
▶ Watch at 1:26:46Read what they said
Okay. Thank you. Uh, to be brief, this just removes the statute of limitations, which used to be only four years. And when this happens, it's typically at birth and a 4-year-old obviously can't defend themselves. That I conclude my presentation. Thank you. Senator Balderree.
H.B. 70 Correctional Health Services Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Ballard said medical records do not move with inmates into and out of correctional facilities, and she supported the bill as a way to save taxpayer money and keep prescriptions continuous.
▶ Watch at 1:53:46Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker ProAm. I just wanna give an example of why this is important. So if I'm on a blood pressure medication as a sim simple example, and I am arrested and I am put into jail or especially into to our correctional facility, I have to wait to get a new appointment with a new doctor for me to remember what my prescription was, to tell 'em this is the medicines that I was on. Because the secure the security in prison also includes all the medical records. There's no records coming in, there's no records going out. It doesn't collaborate. And so what's really important about this, it saves us as taxpayers a lot of money …
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says there is a fourth substitute and that she will speak to it when the bill is discussed.
▶ Watch at 2:13:02Read what they said
Yes. There is a fourth substitute that, um, everybody's gonna love. And then I'll speak to that when we discuss the bill.
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says there is a fourth substitute and that she will speak to it when the bill is discussed.
▶ Watch at 2:13:02Read what they said
Yes. There is a fourth substitute that, um, everybody's gonna love. And then I'll speak to that when we discuss the bill.
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says Utah has flat income and corporate taxes but tax credits vary by filer status, and proposes simplifying taxes without government-defined relationship categories.
▶ Watch at 2:13:48Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, uh, in this modern day age, we have in Utah a great tax policy for, we have a flat income tax, we have a flat corporate tax, but as far as our tax credits, the levels for, uh, for who you are depend on what your status is. And so in talking to my kids, actually, they were the ones that said, mom, relationships are fluid. And so what can we do to make taxes simpler and not have government defined relationships? So I'll tell you the difference between the sub and
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Describes the state's flat income and corporate taxes and proposes changing tax credits so they do not depend on marital or relationship status.
▶ Watch at 2:13:48Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, uh, in this modern day age, we have in Utah a great tax policy for, we have a flat income tax, we have a flat corporate tax, but as far as our tax credits, the levels for, uh, for who you are depend on what your status is. And so in talking to my kids, actually, they were the ones that said, mom, relationships are fluid. And so what can we do to make taxes simpler and not have government defined relationships? So I'll tell you the difference between the sub and
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says she was told a fiscal note was not needed for the fourth substitute. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:14:36Read what they said
I was told I didn't need one. 'cause it's still a positive fiscal note. I
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says staff told her the fiscal impact is the same and the fiscal note is unchanged. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:14:51Read what they said
That's what staff told me. Well, the fiscal impact would be the same. The fiscal impact on, just for, to be clear, the fiscal impact on the, uh, fiscal note is the same for the four substitute and the current fiscal note online. So if you have questions,
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the fourth substitute is still revenue neutral or slightly positive but spread over five years, and that she is willing to wait for the fiscal note. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:15:22Read what they said
It will still be revenue neutral or a little bit positive, but just spread out over five years. So it will have a different one. But it, I, I was, staff told me I it would be fine to run it, so happy to wait or whatever, whatever the speaker would like.
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains the fourth substitute, which would make the flat tax credit taper gradually so no individual or joint filer's change exceeds $30.
▶ Watch at 2:16:26Read what they said
Sure. Yes. So, um, in our, as I was mentioning, our income tax on our, um, our corporate tax is very flat, but our tax credits are fluctuating depending on what your status is. So the difference between the four sub and the second sub is this. Um, it, uh, the goal of both of these bills is to have an individual, whether they're single, whether they're single with kids, whether they're married, filing single, that everyone's created the same, instead of the government wondering what your status statuses, your marital and relationship status. If you are filing married jointly, then it's literally double that for married filers. So the second substitute would take place immediately. The difference between the …
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains that the fourth substitute aims for the same goal as the second substitute but tapers thresholds so no filer's tax changes by more than $30.
▶ Watch at 2:16:28Read what they said
So, um, in our, as I was mentioning, our income tax on our, um, our corporate tax is very flat, but our tax credits are fluctuating depending on what your status is. So the difference between the four sub and the second sub is this. Um, it, uh, the goal of both of these bills is to have an individual, whether they're single, whether they're single with kids, whether they're married, filing single, that everyone's created the same, instead of the government wondering what your status statuses, your marital and relationship status. If you are filing married jointly, then it's literally double that for married filers. So the second substitute would take place immediately. The difference between the second sub …
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Ballard introduced the bill to remove the fee cap for the Utah Marriage Commission, described the commission's history and programs, and introduced Brian Higginbotham to present.
▶ Watch at 37:21Read what they said
Thank you so much Mr. Uh, committee, uh, chair and committee members. Um, the Marriage, Utah Marriage Commission was created with, uh, former First Lady Jackie lut, and has been in existence ever since then. Um, it ha used to be a great opportunity with, for universities to have conferences, but in the last few years, it's had a drastic change in the structure, including a board that is currently chaired by Bruce Huff, who is online. Uh, and it now is a 5 0 1 C3 under, uh, Utah State University, which is really important because this is the only entity that I know of in Utah that promotes marriage. And if you ask yourself, when was the last …
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Ballard said the fees were meant to support marriage, not the general fund, and cited the commission's recent work including a marriage penalty study, success sequence curriculum, and website traffic.
▶ Watch at 47:50Read what they said
Yeah, and I don't think as a user fee was meant to go to the general fund as a way of streaming money to the legislature or to the state. It was, uh, set up to support marriage throughout Utah. I'll give you an example. Just the last year of the funding that, uh, the, the commission, uh, decided to use it for one of them was, uh, they commissioned the Kempsey Gardner Institute, uh, to do a study on marriage penalties in Utah's tax code. So that came out April of, of last year, and hence the bill this year, um, HB two 10 to eliminate marriage penalties because the Marriage Commission asked the Kempsey Garden report and, and …
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Ballard said she was waiting for the commission chair to rejoin the meeting.
▶ Watch at 50:18Read what they said
Are you there, Bruce? I think he's trying to unmute and put his video on. While we're waiting, I'll hand this to you. Maybe, uh, maybe he's not there. We'll see. But
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Ballard said she would ask Higginbotham to add perspective while the chair tried to rejoin.
▶ Watch at 52:13Read what they said
Um, Bruce is a, is great. Um, let's see. I've got a text her, let's see if he's coming back on. Um, you know what, I'm gonna have maybe Brian Higginbotham give some more perspective, um, if we can give, let him come back on.
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Ballard said county clerks collect other marriage fees without caps for statutory purposes and that the commission is the only prevention program of its kind.
▶ Watch at 58:08Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I just wanna sum, uh, with two things. One of them, in as perspective for all marriage applications across the state, whether they're online or not, um, county clerks collect $10 for the Children's Legal Defense Fund and $10 for the operations of victims of domestic violence, which are all downstream services. Um, this is the only prevention measure in the state that I know of. But for those fees that are collected at the time from all marriage license applicants is, are all for statutory purposes. For example, legal defense fund, domestic violence shelters, but they have no cap on their amounts. Those fees are not limited to online applications. And there's millions of dollars flowing …
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Ballard said nothing similar exists in the state and that fees collected for this purpose make a difference when kept for it.
▶ Watch at 1:02:45Read what they said
Thank you for your support. I just think there's, there's nothing like this in the state. Um, and I think the fees that are brought in for this purpose make a big difference to stay for this purpose.
H.B. 402 EMS Controlled Substance Licensing Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moves to pass HB 402 first substitute out favorably.
▶ Watch at 2:21:11Read what they said
Yes. Motion to pass out favorably HP 4 0 2 EMS controlled substance licensing amendment. First substitute with a favorable recommendation. Thank
H.B. 402 EMS Controlled Substance Licensing Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says clarity is important and appreciates the work of emergency services, which save lives, and the bill would help clarify their scope of practice.
▶ Watch at 2:21:23Read what they said
Um, I just think the clarity is really important so that, um, and also for our emergency services and, um, everyone to just know how much we appreciate the work that they do. They save lives and, uh, this will help clarify their, their scope of, uh, practice. So thank you.
H.B. 294 Employer Verification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked about the cost of E-Verify per employee, its reliability, whether it is a message bill, and whether employers are checked for compliance.
▶ Watch at 1:03:04Read what they said
Yes. I appreciate it. Just because you, uh, are the, the result of what companies have to do. I have three questions. Is it just in Googling it, it says, it sends, it is six to $10 an employee as a cost. Is that true? It also says it's not necessarily reliable and can cause false positives. And my question is, is this really just a message bill? How much is it really used just because there's no, is anybody even asking employers if they're doing this? Or is it just on their own accord?
H.B. 294 Employer Verification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moved to hold the bill, saying it lacks enforcement teeth, burdens employers, and that no one checks whether employers are using E-Verify.
▶ Watch at 1:18:05Read what they said
Uh, yes. Now that it's been adopted, I actually make a motion to hold for the reason that, uh, there's not, even in looking at the law, there's not even any teeth in it to facilitate what employers are supposed to do other than say, I'm so sorry, I can't hire you. Um, I, I, I don't see that that message bills are, are helpful. I think it is important that we verify, uh, people, but it, it is a burden for the employers, um, the way that it is, and nobody even asking or checking, I think is problematic as it is. So I'm a, I would recommend that we hold it until we have, um, even information about …
H.B. 294 Employer Verification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said she was repeating the sponsor's own words that the bill is a message bill.
▶ Watch at 1:19:54Read what they said
underlying motion Representative Ballard? No, I Was just using the sponsor's words that it was a, it was a message. A bill,
H.B. 304 Cash Payments Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said she has no more questions. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:00:10Read what they said
Um, no more questions. No questions. I think I need to go check out Vita's. It sounds good.
H.B. 176 Trust Business Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked whether the substitute reflects the input of banks and other stakeholders who wanted a seat at the table.
▶ Watch at 2:21:57Read what they said
Uh, yes. Just two questions. I know you came to us in the interim. So does this sub reflect all of the, um, like banks and, and such that, that wanted to be at the table? And does, how does this, uh, relate to, to the changes that they wanted?
H.B. 176 Trust Business Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked for clarity on whether negotiations are still ongoing and what guarantees a trust beneficiary would have if an attorney serves as trustee.
▶ Watch at 2:23:17Read what they said
Okay. That's what I wanted to know because I, I think in my mind right now, I'm thinking if, if I trusted a particular attorney or lawyer, maybe that I didn't have, know that, well, there's no guarantee that I'm gonna get my money back or that this is going to be turn out well. Whereas, you know, uh, otherwise I have more of a guarantee. So I, anyway, I think that's really important to know if you're still working on negotiations, where that is in the process. Um, and the guarantee that I may have in, in putting together the trust that the, this particular lawyer as my trustee is, is going to be viable. We just don't have …
H.B. 176 Trust Business Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said hearing from other institutions would be helpful.
▶ Watch at 2:25:48Read what they said
Okay. I just think hearing from the, from other institutions will be helpful to make sure that we're, that, um, the process is, is speaking for itself. Thanks.
H.B. 176 Trust Business Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Opposed the motion, saying the bill needs more collaboration with stakeholders and some regulation or parameters, and noting that only opponents spoke during public comment.
▶ Watch at 2:49:26Read what they said
Yeah. I actually oppose this mostly because we just had two other bills with the same, uh, thing that came forward, which is, it's great ideas, but to be able to work with others to make sure that the conversation and the collaboration is where it needs to be. It sounds like there were discussions, but not really a, a middle point that would work. And I think this is really important for the public. I think it's important for, for this industry. I think it's important for the trust of, of who you are trusting to put this together. So I, I think for the sake of the, this industry that is highly regulated. I think if they are, …
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Says she has a substitute and that the bill will be circled for now.
▶ Watch at 1:01:13Read what they said
like to speak to it. Yes, I've got a substitute, uh, that everybody's gonna love. So we're gonna circle it for right now.
H.B. 374 Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Presents H.B. 374, which moves speech language pathologists to national or state licensure, removes the SLP and Audiologist Licensing Board in favor of optional committees, and changes rules for invasive procedures and hearing aid dispensing.
▶ Watch at 1:15:50Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, speaking about bills to love, if you are involved in speech, language, or hearing occupations, this bill really has brought together all of those industries, uh, to look at licensure. So it does three things. The first thing is, is it removes speech language pathologists from, uh, the State School Board of Education licensure, and instead moves them over to national or state licensure, which is what the state school board, uh, was looking at doing. And it simplifies and streamlines all of the, all of those who are SLPs. Um, also it removes the SLP and Audiologist Licensing Board, but provides the opportunity if there are complaints or issues that Doppel can have a …
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
She supported holding the bill, agreeing with goals around lawful conduct but saying it harms children, shelters and food banks, is complicated to implement, and exposes agency directors to private lawsuits.
▶ Watch at 2:10:13Read what they said
Yes. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. I, I have to say, I really appreciate everybody coming out because there are so many things that I'm, I'm hearing from both sides that are absolutely real of what we're, what we're dealing with. Um, I'm in support of this motion and I wanna explain why. Um, first and foremost, to those who really like this policy, I have to say I totally agree with a lot of what you've said because this committee right here has put a lot of emphasis on, uh, human trafficking, drug trafficking, um, child trafficking, and the crimes associated, whether they're legal or not, the felony aspect of, of what is coming through our state as …
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
She made a substitute motion for the fifth substitute, saying it holds children harmless.
▶ Watch at 2:21:36Read what they said
Yes. I make a motion for a substitute motion for substitute five that at least holds the children, uh, harmless.
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
She discussed whether the fourth or fifth substitute moves the CHIP sunset back two years and asked staff to clarify.
▶ Watch at 2:21:51Read what they said
Uh, actually substitute four, excuse me. I don't, I'm not sure it's in your five though. I know four at least is exactly the same. Substitute five is what changed the Sunset back to two years for chip children. That's what substitute five does Now four does. I don't know what else is in five. Maybe staff can clarify.
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
She moved to adopt the fifth substitute, which delays the CHIP change for children by two years.
▶ Watch at 2:22:33Read what they said
Is it sub four? Okay. Okay. I will make a mo a substitute motion to adopt substitute five. Um, in that it holds the children harmless with the, with not getting their chip this summer for two years. Yeah.
H.B. 470 Building Inspection Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Ballard asked whether the bill covers planning approval or only building permits.
▶ Watch at 1:10:02Read what they said
Yes. Thank you so much. Um, I just have a question because I, uh, well, first of all, does, does this include, um, inspections, um, or approval for any planning? Or is this just for, uh, the actual building permit?
H.B. 470 Building Inspection Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Ballard said city third-party plan reviews can take a month, supported letting homeowners pay for faster private review, and called the idea great.
▶ Watch at 1:10:31Read what they said
Yeah. I, I just wanna make a comment. I would love to add something to this bill. Um, and I've talked to a couple of my colleagues about this, but sometimes when you submit plans to a city, um, the third party review after you've done all the engineering and the third party review takes a month, that's, that's a problem. When if you go out to your own third party to say, Hey, will you approve this? It may take two days, three days. So I totally agree with this, with the problem that this is, and you know what, if somebody wants to pay on their own, let them pay on their own. If they wanna wait for …
H.B. 470 Building Inspection Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Ballard moved to pass the bill favorably, saying plan reviews often take months because cities contract with a single reviewer, and the bill helps homeowners and business.
▶ Watch at 1:37:29Read what they said
Yes. I make a motion to pass out favorably HB four 70 building inspection amendments. And I'd like to speak to that. Go ahead. Um, I really appreciate this because this does include a plan review and the building inspection portion. And I would say that Mr. Basinger's comment is very accurate. I, for the people that I've talked to and know of, um, usually the city is pretty responsive for the, for an inspection. But, uh, the cities that I know have a challenge trying to get the plan review. And it does take months. And, um, one of the comments when I asked a specific city, you know, what is happening? Why is it taking so long? And …
H.B. 470 Building Inspection Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Ballard said the bill may need tweaks but opening up the process is the Utah way and cities are not bearing the cost of delays.
▶ Watch at 1:44:04Read what they said
Uh, yes. I, I concur with that just because this is, uh, Utah. We do things, uh, that supportive a business, the economy, and, um, I'm hearing everybody supports it except for the city, um, and the, and their, and their process. But I think, uh, with what is in place, there is time to make some tweaks. And I think that's all that this bill needs is a few tweaks. If they're wanting to help come to the table to make it better, maybe more than three inspectors, right? As an option. I just think this is it. It is a monopoly. And the cities are not necessarily in a hurry. 'cause it's not their dollar that is, um, …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether the substitute puts state and LEA employees on the same parental leave schedule.
▶ Watch at 41:14Read what they said
So does this, uh, substitute just put the state employees and LEA employees on the same schedule for parental leave? Or is, are they still separate?
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks whether the substitute keeps state and LEA employees on the same parental leave schedule.
▶ Watch at 41:14Read what they said
So does this, uh, substitute just put the state employees and LEA employees on the same schedule for parental leave? Or is, are they still separate?
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether school employees would be excluded from the additional weeks.
▶ Watch at 41:40Read what they said
But not, excuse me, Mr. Speaker. So not for the school employees, is that correct?
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Said she would vote against the amendment and propose another substitute to put school and state employees on the same schedule.
▶ Watch at 41:53Read what they said
Okay, thank you Mr. Speaker. I actually have another substitute that keeps the state school employees in the same par as, uh, school, school and state employees on the same for parental leave. So, um, I'll be voting against this amendment and, uh, proposing another
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Says she will vote against the amendment and will propose a different substitute that keeps school employees on the same leave as state employees.
▶ Watch at 41:53Read what they said
Okay, thank you Mr. Speaker. I actually have another substitute that keeps the state school employees in the same par as, uh, school, school and state employees on the same for parental leave. So, um, I'll be voting against this amendment and, uh, proposing another
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Said the first substitute she prepared is important.
▶ Watch at 48:28Read what they said
Yes. The first substitute that I put together is really important because the last few year
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Identifies the motion as adopting the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 48:28Read what they said
Yes. The first substitute that I put together is really important because the last few year
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Said the first substitute keeps school employees on equal footing with state employees for parental and postpartum leave, citing a cost of about 24 million dollars a year and existing school paid leave banks.
▶ Watch at 48:42Read what they said
Yes. Thank you so much. So the last few years, this body's worked really hard for state school employees, both teachers and staff to have, uh, parental and postpartum leave on equal footing with state employees. And, uh, this substitute keeps that same provision that whatever state employees have, the schools also would have. The reason why this is important is looking at the numbers and the cost, is that we have spent an increased, uh, more than $830 million to our schools just in the last three years. The cost of them adding these, uh, weeks would be a total of about 29 million a year total, or excuse me, $24 million a year total with 29 school districts …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Argues the first substitute keeps school employees on the same parental leave as state employees, says the cost is about $24 million a year, and points to paid leave banks as a way to offset costs.
▶ Watch at 48:42Read what they said
Yes. Thank you so much. So the last few years, this body's worked really hard for state school employees, both teachers and staff to have, uh, parental and postpartum leave on equal footing with state employees. And, uh, this substitute keeps that same provision that whatever state employees have, the schools also would have. The reason why this is important is looking at the numbers and the cost, is that we have spent an increased, uh, more than $830 million to our schools just in the last three years. The cost of them adding these, uh, weeks would be a total of about 29 million a year total, or excuse me, $24 million a year total with 29 school districts …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Urges adoption of the first substitute, which keeps school employees on the same parental and postpartum leave as state employees, and cites costs and paid leave banks.
▶ Watch at 48:42Read what they said
Yes. Thank you so much. So the last few years, this body's worked really hard for state school employees, both teachers and staff to have, uh, parental and postpartum leave on equal footing with state employees. And, uh, this substitute keeps that same provision that whatever state employees have, the schools also would have. The reason why this is important is looking at the numbers and the cost, is that we have spent an increased, uh, more than $830 million to our schools just in the last three years. The cost of them adding these, uh, weeks would be a total of about 29 million a year total, or excuse me, $24 million a year total with 29 school districts …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Said the substitute is not an unfunded mandate because schools have received increases in funding and paid leave banks help cover substitute costs.
▶ Watch at 54:46Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, uh, don't agree that this would be considered an unfunded mandate. This body, this legislative body decided a number of years ago that with the schools, the schools did not want us to give them micromanaged money. They wanted to be able to have increased WPU, they wanted to have the bigger bulk. And so the parental leave that they've had even before last year was all part of what they, uh, put forward for, uh, employees. And, uh, the what without the substitute, that means that we're hearing from school teachers and staff all over again trying to negotiate on their own instead of being paralleled with state employees. And I appreciate that the …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Argues the cost is not an unfunded mandate because the Legislature has funded schools through WPU increases, and says the paid leave banks help offset costs.
▶ Watch at 54:46Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, uh, don't agree that this would be considered an unfunded mandate. This body, this legislative body decided a number of years ago that with the schools, the schools did not want us to give them micromanaged money. They wanted to be able to have increased WPU, they wanted to have the bigger bulk. And so the parental leave that they've had even before last year was all part of what they, uh, put forward for, uh, employees. And, uh, the what without the substitute, that means that we're hearing from school teachers and staff all over again trying to negotiate on their own instead of being paralleled with state employees. And I appreciate that the …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Disagrees that the substitute is an unfunded mandate, citing past school funding decisions and the paid leave bank system.
▶ Watch at 54:46Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, uh, don't agree that this would be considered an unfunded mandate. This body, this legislative body decided a number of years ago that with the schools, the schools did not want us to give them micromanaged money. They wanted to be able to have increased WPU, they wanted to have the bigger bulk. And so the parental leave that they've had even before last year was all part of what they, uh, put forward for, uh, employees. And, uh, the what without the substitute, that means that we're hearing from school teachers and staff all over again trying to negotiate on their own instead of being paralleled with state employees. And I appreciate that the …
S.B. 19 Digital Evidence Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moves to pass S.B. 19 substitute out favorably.
▶ Watch at 44:53Read what they said
Uh, yes. Motion to pass out favorably, uh, SB nineteens for substitute digital evidence amendment Motion is to pass out senate bill 19 for substitute.
H.B. 455 Peace Officer and Dispatcher Standards Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Spoke in support, comparing it to correctional write-ups that remain on record even when dismissed, and said the bill lets individual agencies decide.
▶ Watch at 1:02:14Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I also rise in support, and I wanna give a parallel example. It's not this bill, but it's a parallel example that when you talk about restorative justice, when you talk about how cases are dismissed for one reason or another, those inmates in our correctional facilities, if they are, uh, given a writeup, but it's later found to be no evidence or, or not guilty, they keep it on the record forever. So it literally puts control into that. The hands of that, um, security officer, if they don't like them, or for whatever reason, they do a writeup. And when they, when that individual goes to the board, every single writeup is listed, even …
H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Asked whether a substitute needed to be adopted and agreed that none was needed.
▶ Watch at 1:20:39Read what they said
Uh, do we need to adopt a sub? We're Good? No, I think we're good.
H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Said the committee has been thorough on crimes against children and appreciated the clarity the bill adds to the code.
▶ Watch at 1:22:41Read what they said
Uh, I think this committee has very, uh, has spent a lot of time to be very thorough and in making sure that crimes against children are taken very seriously and have punishable offenses and that investigators have the teeth and the, and the tools and the laws from the laws that we have put in. And I, I think this is something that has pr probably been part of many investigations without the ability for this type of prosecution. And so I appreciate the clarity, um, and the teeth that this bill puts into our code.
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presented the bill to let county jails help inmates renew or replace driver's licenses or IDs, require reporting of drug test results to UDC, and require reporting of parolee housing to CCJJ.
▶ Watch at 1:22:20Read what they said
House bill two 33rd, substitute Representative Ballard. Thank you so much Mr. Chair and committee members. This is fun to have a law enforcement committee bill in here. Right, so the reason why it does relate to this is right now corrections is required to help inmates get a driver's license or an ID before they leave corrections. But many of their, um, their inmates actually are in county jails, and so that makes it difficult for them to actually abide by the law that this legislative body has put in place. In talking with the jail sheriffs, they actually are really wanting to help all of their inmates if they're there for an extended period of time. So we …
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Answered that the initial cost relates to the driver's license division's system and that sheriffs can use existing tablets for the process.
▶ Watch at 1:25:26Read what they said
Um, because the driver's license division is the one that the initial cost is putting the ITEST in there, really it's streamlined when talking with the sheriffs, they're, they're really excited because they can put a lot of this information on their tablets that they're already incorporating as far as them applying or requesting that. So it's, it's, it's really becomes a seamless process.
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Gave closing remarks thanking Senator Riebe for her work helping people reentering the community.
▶ Watch at 1:27:22Read what they said
Loved by all. Senator Rebe, Thank you so much for the work you do in this realm. It's so important for the people who are trying to, you know, take another step into the world that they have this kind of help. So thank you so much for the work you're doing here.
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presented H.B. 219, which would direct the Board of Higher Education to set a policy requiring public institutions to incorporate seminal documents, such as presidential speeches and founding documents, into required writing courses starting in the 2026-27 academic year, with flexibility for institutions.
▶ Watch at 1:40:04Read what they said
Thank you so much, Mr. Chair and committee members. Happy Birthday America. This is an exciting year as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country. And in relation to that, I, one of my most memorable experiences in higher ed was actually my very last course that I took writing of all the classes to get to graduate. And it was one of my favorites. Why? Because it was actually an online class, even back then. We studied the Bill of Rights, our constitution, um, Martin Luther King Jr. Speech, uh, speeches, um, Calvin Coolidge, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy. And that was real. And the Gettysburg Address, I remember those specifically because throughout my time in school, we …
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Said the institutions were receptive and that current writing courses do not include this element.
▶ Watch at 1:45:15Read what they said
Um, if they're here, I welcome them to come up. Um, they were actually really excited because it's something that they, they're looking at right now because of the u Utah State pilot of how to teach civics and incorporate it across our higher institutions. But nothing has a writing element. And so I think that's why Yui was such an important part for me of, of how welcoming they were to incorporating this policy into a writing aspect. Just because these are the documents that, that we should have our, our students at the higher, uh, institutions to actually read and have the opportunity to analyze and give their own opinion and, and have that be part of it. …
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Explained the requirement would apply to required writing courses at public institutions, with the Board of Higher Education setting the policy and leaving details to institutions.
▶ Watch at 1:47:11Read what they said
Yeah, as I mentioned, this does not exist as far as the original documents of presidential speeches anywhere in our higher ed institutions. Um, and, uh, let's see, your second question was, um, so I just lost my train of thought. What was your second question? The year, oh, When it comes In, the year, when, when it's gonna come in and, and how it's gonna come in. So right now in our higher, our public, higher inti, higher ed institutions, this is not private. These are public institutions. In Utah, there is a required writing class, both usually a general and also a higher level writing class. So that's where this would fit in. So if somebody took AP …
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Confirmed that the board shall establish a policy, while institutions have flexibility in how they incorporate it.
▶ Watch at 2:02:21Read what they said
No, the board shall establish a policy. So the comments before are for other parts that give the flexibility for the institutions of where and how they wanna do things. But line 45, beginning the 20 26, 20 27 academic year, the board shall establish a policy that requires an institution of higher education to incorporate seminal documents into writing courses where the institution and the course instructor determine the incorporation is appropriate and advances the learning objections of the course. And right below that, analytical writing assignments. So this does require that the board have a policy and it does give flexibility for the institutions to decide how they want to incorporate this policy. Okay.
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Said the Utah State pilot would not be incorporated until at least 2029, that the bill takes effect immediately, and that institutions welcomed starting now without conflicting with the pilot.
▶ Watch at 2:05:10Read what they said
Thank you so much. I just wanna address that last comment because that was a really important part of this first substitute because I got together with Utah State University and said, tell me about your pilot. And number one, that will not be incorporated until at least 2029 if that. It's gonna take some time. It's gonna take a process. In talking with Ushi, in talking with the institutions that I did bring to the table, um, who oversee, um, the writing, just 'cause you don't have every professor at the table doesn't mean that the institution isn't represented. Right? So in talking with these institutions, they actually welcomed it because they said, we, we want to start incorporating …
H.B. 139 Female Genital Mutilation Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presented the bill to remove the statute of limitations for female genital mutilation offenses and to remove an educational component, which would return funds to the general fund.
▶ Watch at 1:10:54Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair and committee members. Um, right now it is against the law to perform any kind of female genital mutilation, but there is a challenge with that, which is when it was created about three years ago. Uh, there's a four year statute of limitations. So if the victim is a child, a young person, an infant, there's just, that's just not possible. So this bill does two things. Number one, it eliminates the statute of limitation. Um, the second thing it does is there's currently an educational component that was put in the original bill, um, for a community education, uh, for doctors and such. And that has been taken out. So that puts 16, $6,800 …
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Ballard said HB 324 extends the cap on fees that go to the Utah Marriage Commission, which already exists, and described the commission's marriage programs and resources.
▶ Watch at 1:32:17Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pro Tem, um, HB 3 24 does not create a new, uh, process or a new fee or a new, um, entity. The Utah Marriage Commission already exists. It, uh, the only thing that it does is extend that cap of how many of the fees actually go to the Utah Marriage Commission that initially were designated for that. So just to give you the impact that the Utah Marriage Commission has had just in the last year or so that you would be familiar with. Uh, number one, we had the success sequence that this body supported, uh, that be taught in our K through 12 schools. The Utah Marriage Commission was the only one …
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Ballard said marriage rates are declining, about 20 percent, and that the commission provides marriage resources for Utahans.
▶ Watch at 1:36:14Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Speaker Pro, they're actually declining, uh, about 20% right now. So whatever we can do in Utah to help support marriages, support stronger relationships, and that's what the Marriage commission does. They have stronger marriage.org with, with great resources for Utahans to be better and have a stronger marriage and stronger relationship. So, so this is definitely beneficial.
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Ballard said she would prefer no cap because fees above the cap go to the general fund, and described a fee waiver for Utah residents who complete a premarital eCourse.
▶ Watch at 1:37:02Read what they said
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker Pro tem. Uh, my preference would be to not even have a cap because this was meant for the Utah Marriage Commission. Um, the cap was put in place, um, and this extends that whatever is collected above that cap goes back to the general fund, which is not designated to support marriage. So I think, at least for now, with an extended cap or, or beyond, I think is really important that, uh, this, uh, and, and by the way, the, the fees that are collected, if you are a Utah resident and you're gonna get married and you're doing an only an online application, you can have that fee waived if you do …
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Ballard summarized that this fee applies only to online marriage applications and that the commission supports marriage in Utah, and urged passage.
▶ Watch at 1:38:32Read what they said
Thank you so much. When, right now there are other fees across the state, not just for online marriages across the state that every person who's married has to pay. There's a $10 fee for domestic violence that millions of dollars stream through to support those on the downstream that have problems with their marriages and their relationships. So this is the only thing that exists upstream and only for online applications. So I think this is a good thing for Utah and, and a good thing for supporting marriage in in their state. Thank you, Mr. Speaker ProAm.
H.B. 72 Criminal Use of Cryptocurrency Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to adopt the second substitute to HB 72.
▶ Watch at 54:26Read what they said
Yes. Motion to adopt. Second substitute of HB 72, criminal use of cryptocurrency amendments. Yeah.
H.B. 72 Criminal Use of Cryptocurrency Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to adopt House Amendment 1 to the second substitute of HB 72.
▶ Watch at 54:59Read what they said
Yes. I may make a motion to pass out favorably. Second substitute HB 72, criminal use of cryptocurrency amendments Amendment one amendment, oh, sorry. We gotta do the amendment As well as the substitute. Okay. Motion. Wait, we're amening substitute. Yeah, we're Amendment. We're amending. Substitute two. Okay. Motion to adopt the amendment. I don't see an amendment. It's public. Okay. Oh, there we go. Motion to adopt house amendment one. Is That right? Sub second. Substitute. That motion is in order? Yeah. Okay.
H.B. 72 Criminal Use of Cryptocurrency Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to pass the second substitute as amended and speaks in favor, recounting a scam phone call and urging action against these scams.
▶ Watch at 56:17Read what they said
Uh, make a motion to pass out favorably. Second substitute as amended. Uh, HB 72, criminal use of cryptocurrency amendments. Okay, that motion is in order. Would you like to speak to that motion? I would. I was actually one of those people that got a phone call. You have failed to come to jury duty. You have to pay your fines right now. And then asking three questions. I burst out laughing and said, you are such a scam. This is so bs. And they, how do you know that? I'm like, you are. There's no way that you are real. And they, you know, click. I got two more phone calls within the next three months asking the …
H.B. 284 Murder Offense Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says the bill closes a loophole, noting that HB 230 addresses parolee drug-test reporting.
▶ Watch at 1:23:30Read what they said
Yes. I, I just wanna say thank you because, um, that incident not only brought light to this loophole, but also what is addressed in HB two 30, which is there, uh, those who are required on parole to have drug tests, they were not being reported back to UGC. So under HB two 30, that part's being dressed. I just think making sure that we close these kind of loops, holes, saves children's lives, saves other people's lives, and make sure that we are holding people accountable who, um, who have contracts under parole and, and, and other things. So, thank you so much.
H.B. 284 Murder Offense Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to adopt and pass HB 284 out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:24:21Read what they said
Motion to, let's see. Motion to a adopt and pass out favorably HB 2 84 Murder offense amendments with favorable recommendation.
H.B. 221 Coercion Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moved to adopt House Amendment 1 to the second substitute of HB 221.
▶ Watch at 2:03:19Read what they said
Yes. Motion to adopt house amendment. One for second substitute HB 2 21 coercion amendments.
H.B. 221 Coercion Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moved to pass HB 221 second substitute out favorably as amended.
▶ Watch at 2:04:25Read what they said
Yes. Make a motion to pass out favorably HB 2 21 as amended coercion amendments.
H.B. 221 Coercion Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Said parents have testified about online coercion and extortion leading to suicide, supports criminalizing such conduct, and expressed support for the victims' families.
▶ Watch at 2:04:35Read what they said
I would, you know, this committee for me is so, such a personal committee when people come and share all these personal stories. And it wasn't that long ago that there were parents mothers coming to talk about their sons who had been coerced online, um, that they were being extorted for money and then encouraged to commit suicide. And it, that's what the result was. And so, I think, especially in this digital age of extortion and AI and other things, I just think it's really important that we criminalize, um, those that push others, uh, in this manner. And I really appreciate the sponsor, but wanna recognize all of the family members of, of the surviving, um, that, …
H.B. 221 Coercion Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Thanked the sponsor for educating young people about the challenge and for work on both the criminal and victim aspects of the problem.
▶ Watch at 2:07:05Read what they said
Yes, I, uh, to that comment, I just wanna thank the sponsor because you have worked diligently for, in our schools, for our young people to understand that the challenge with this and that it is very real and how to recognize it, and to recognize that there's, there's never, you've never gone too far to have it be too late, um, and or never been able to get out of a hole that, that you find yourself in. And so I just appreciate both on the, um, on the criminal aspect as well as the victim aspect, the work that, that you've done to address this problem in Utah.
H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Supports the bill, citing concerns about companies reaching young people through prediction markets, futures trading, and fantasy betting sites.
▶ Watch at 37:17Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this. Um, I have kids ages 22 to 32, and they know that these companies are reaching out to teenagers and especially to our young men, uh, to get involved in prediction markets, trading futures, fantasy betting groups like Robinhood and Calci Calci, and also groups that are, that, uh, they earn this money and then they don't pay taxes to Utah. There's a lot of complication, but there's also a lot of drive to get our young men, um, hooked and spend their future money and their current money and somebody else's money to be involved with this. So I rise in great support and I appreciate that the ags …
H.B. 387 Kratom Modifications · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Asked whether synthetic alkaloids such as 7-OH are banned under the bill. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 54:18Read what they said
Yeah, thanks, Mr. Vice Chair. I appreciate the, uh, structure that you're trying to set up here around this, uh, product. I, I'm, I'm trying to quickly read through this last part. So the, the alkaloids, uh, the 70 G, I think is, it's called, is that, is that band in this the synthetic?
H.B. 374 Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Thanked Senator Vickers and described the stakeholder work that shaped the bill, saying the groups support it.
▶ Watch at 1:52:04Read what they said
Uh, I, I appreciate that. Um, Senator Vickers, I, I just wanna say from where I am here, uh, we worked closely with the speech language pathologist groups, hearing and specialists and audiologists. Uh, initially the licensure review was included in the Omnibus bill with a lot of other professions, and, uh, we, uh, took all of that out and worked closely with the industry and, uh, appreciate the work with Jeff Shumway and all of the organizations. And First Sub has brought a lot of people to the table. And I think we've, we've got a, a thumbs up from, from all the industries, so appreciate everyone's involvement.
H.B. 374 Speech, Language, and Hearing Occupations Licensing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Said the bill streamlines the SLP licensing pathway, with current licensees grandfathered into state licensure, and suggested Jeff Shumway could add detail.
▶ Watch at 2:02:20Read what they said
Uh, yeah. I think Jeff Shumway could summarize it, um, if he, if he's there. But it does, uh, streamline the SLP. So those who currently get it through, um, the State Board of Education, um, when they're licensed, uh, needs to be renewed. They automatically will be grandfathered into this state licensure. Um, and instead of having USBE, um, have a separate, uh, pathway from those, um, that are doing it through the master's program. So they're actually very much on board. Um, and it is would be a gradual shift and change for those. Um, if I'm sure Jeff could, um, add to that if you're wanting more information.
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Presented HB 210 to equalize phase-out thresholds for several tax credits across filing statuses in order to remove marriage penalties, and described the bill's revenue effect.
▶ Watch at 16:49Read what they said
Um, uh, Mr. Chair and committee members, I'm really excited about this bill. Um, for a number of months, actually, for a few years I've been working with the Utah Marriage Commission with, uh, multiple groups. And in fact, the Utah Marriage Commission asked the Chem c Gardner Institute to have a study on marriage penalties, um, in our tax code. And that that was finished last year, given to not just the marriage commission, but also to the general public in identifying where the multiple places, both in our federal code as well as our state code, of where the marriage penalties lie. And a, a simple description of that is, um, there are 72 federal welfare programs that …
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Replied that the most any household would be affected is about $150 a year, and explained the goal of making the rules revenue neutral and equal across filing statuses.
▶ Watch at 28:20Read what they said
So just as a perspective, the most that that is affected is $150 a year. And that does not include the effect that we are proposing this year and have proposed, you know, in the, like we have in the past for income tax cuts, um, or boosting the child tax credit, the maximum that is, that's, as it's been evaluated is $150. Okay. So that's why I really tried to figure out how can we become revenue neutral? How can we have an equal playing field, and what is the, the least amount of impact to have on any of these categories? And so that's where this came from. Um, and that is in, in one of the thresholds, …
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said she is willing to entertain an amendment addressing the impact on single filers and head of household filers, possibly as a separate fiscal priority.
▶ Watch at 38:53Read what they said
Yeah, I think that's a really important question because, um, without doing that, it is a very simple policy and then we can figure out where with other tax credits or income tax that we're discussing this year, we could compensate for that. Um, so I'm, I'm willing to entertain it. I think if it was solely in here, um, it would be a separate fiscal priority. And I, I, I love the idea, but I'm willing to entertain it. So in other words, yeah. Sure.
H.B. 210 Tax Penalties Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said federal benefits are not changed by the bill and that the bill affects only the Utah portion of the taxes.
▶ Watch at 39:51Read what they said
Yes. And I also wanna mention all of the federal benefits are going to stay the same. So anybody receiving EITC from the federal government or benefits from the federal government, this does not alter all of those benefits that they cont that they currently get. This is just the Utah portion of, of the taxes that it's affecting.
H.B. 139 Female Genital Mutilation Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Explains that state law bans female genital mutilation, but the four-year limit for prosecuting victims is a problem, and says HB 139 removes that time limit and combines the bill with HB 127.
▶ Watch at 43:32Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Right now it is against the law to perform any kind of female genital mutilation. But what is a problem is that the victim only has four years from the time of that incident to be able to prosecute. Since this is primarily done to young children and even babies in our state, um, this poses a problem for the victims to be able to have any prosecution take place. So HB 1 39 does two things. The first one is it eliminates that statute of limitation of only four years, takes off that cap. And the second thing, I'm actually going to yield my time to the good representative from Illa because we combined our …
H.B. 139 Female Genital Mutilation Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Gives closing remarks, thanking a fellow representative for originally putting the law in place to make the practice a felony.
▶ Watch at 45:37Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I just wanna recognize the good representative from West Jordan as he, uh, put this into law initially to make this, uh, a felony. So appreciate the, uh, that representative.
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Explains the bill's three parts: requiring parolees to sign a HIPAA waiver so drug test results reach the department, letting jails help inmates obtain IDs before release, and requiring a report on where parolees live.
▶ Watch at 51:08Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This, uh, bill offender amendments does three things. The first one is, is it closes a really important loophole right now. Parolees, if they are required as part of their contract to do a drug test, they, those tests results are not necessarily getting back to UDC. Uh, there are a couple loopholes. They now under this bill have to sign a HIPAA waiver regardless if this is part of their contract, so that UDC can actually get the results of their drug tests and have the consequences or opportunities, uh, associated therein. The second thing is, is, uh, corrections is required to help get identifications of the inmates before they leave their facility upon reentry. …
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says the bill closes a loophole so parolees' required drug test results reach the Utah Department of Corrections, lets jails help inmates obtain driver licenses or state IDs before release, and requires reporting on where parolees live.
▶ Watch at 51:08Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This, uh, bill offender amendments does three things. The first one is, is it closes a really important loophole right now. Parolees, if they are required as part of their contract to do a drug test, they, those tests results are not necessarily getting back to UDC. Uh, there are a couple loopholes. They now under this bill have to sign a HIPAA waiver regardless if this is part of their contract, so that UDC can actually get the results of their drug tests and have the consequences or opportunities, uh, associated therein. The second thing is, is, uh, corrections is required to help get identifications of the inmates before they leave their facility upon reentry. …
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says inmates will not be transported for driving tests, license renewals do not require a new test, and a certificate allows a free test at a DMV if one is needed.
▶ Watch at 53:24Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Speaker? No, that is actually, uh, not an option. We don't wanna be transporting, uh, inmates back and forth. If an driver's license needs to be renewed, it does not require a new driving test. So that would be, uh, omitted from that. If this, if they do need a driver's test for whatever reason, they would actually get a certificate that they could get a free driving test, uh, that the UDC already pays for right now, uh, for them to go and get that at any of their, uh, DMVs.
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says inmates will not be transported to driver license offices, license renewals do not require a new driving test, and a certificate for a free test is provided if one is needed.
▶ Watch at 53:24Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Speaker? No, that is actually, uh, not an option. We don't wanna be transporting, uh, inmates back and forth. If an driver's license needs to be renewed, it does not require a new driving test. So that would be, uh, omitted from that. If this, if they do need a driver's test for whatever reason, they would actually get a certificate that they could get a free driving test, uh, that the UDC already pays for right now, uh, for them to go and get that at any of their, uh, DMVs.
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says the bill does not change voting eligibility for people who are incarcerated or on parole.
▶ Watch at 54:09Read what they said
Um, this doesn't change that. Uh, right now the opportunity is if you are not incarcerated and not under the care of parole, um, uh, then you are eligible to to vote. So this does not change that. Thank
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says the bill does not change voting eligibility, which depends on incarceration and parole status.
▶ Watch at 54:09Read what they said
Um, this doesn't change that. Uh, right now the opportunity is if you are not incarcerated and not under the care of parole, um, uh, then you are eligible to to vote. So this does not change that. Thank
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says the bill states that people who are not legal citizens will not be issued a driver license.
▶ Watch at 54:32Read what they said
It specifically says in the bill, Mr. Speaker, that, that, uh, if they are not legal citizens, then they are not issued a driver's license.
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says the bill specifies that people who are not legal citizens are not issued a driver license.
▶ Watch at 54:32Read what they said
It specifically says in the bill, Mr. Speaker, that, that, uh, if they are not legal citizens, then they are not issued a driver's license.
H.B. 111 Wildlife Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Commends the sponsor for changing the late fee, saying the original amount was steep for some people who forget to file their harvest report.
▶ Watch at 1:05:58Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to commend the sponsor for, uh, getting that fee changed. It was a little bit steep for some folks who can't remember to fill out their harvest application and it, it's a good change to the bill. So thank you Mr. Speaker.
S.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution Concerning Remembrances of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Supports the resolution, saying schools and families need help keeping the lessons of September 11 and patriotism in front of children.
▶ Watch at 2:12:20Read what they said
Um, I'm in support of this and I for a really important reason. And that is how easy it is for a generation or a community to forget. So some of my children were born before nine 11 and some of them were born after. And it didn't take very long for the schools to just not mention it. In fact, I had to do my own efforts in my home to show pictures, talk about what it means to be American. My favorite part of what this did to our country is everywhere we went and every, uh, baseball game and football game that we Uintah people were singing, God Bless America, it brought us together in a way …
S.B. 117 Occupational and Professional Licensing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said she supports the bill because it removes archaic terminology.
▶ Watch at 41:22Read what they said
Yes, I support this because it says in the highlighted provisions that it removes archaic terminology. So I'm supportive of that.
H.B. 171 Physician Assistant Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Says the bill is simple, defers to the committee and sponsor, and asks that it be placed on the consent calendar if the committee is inclined.
▶ Watch at 1:00:55Read what they said
I think it's pretty simple. Okay. Thank you. Uh, I'll take you to the committee and to the sponsor. Thank you for the consideration. And if the committee would feel so inclined to put this on consent, if, if it came to that point, I would appreciate that as well.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Asked what licensing and continuing education is currently required for landscape work.
▶ Watch at 1:22:39Read what they said
Yes. I do have some questions for, for Mark, just to clarify. Um, just 'cause I'm, I'm pretty straightforward about things. So my question, uh, just a couple of series of questions right now. Is there any licensure required for landscape work? Yes. Um, is it defined, uh, for, or what, what is the, just give us a general requirement for that licensure. What do they need to do and do they have any continuing education right now?
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Asked whether outdoor-related education could be added by rule and how often licensees renew.
▶ Watch at 1:24:26Read what they said
So, uh, my, my last question is, so as I'm looking at the continuing education list, I don't see anything specifically that has to do with outdoor work. Mm-hmm. So, but is that something you could put in rural as an option for continuing education? Um, and do these licensees, uh, are, do they ha how often do they have to renew and, and do the continuing education just in general?
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Supported the amendment because it adds an outdoor-focused provider while letting licensees choose their training.
▶ Watch at 1:32:01Read what they said
Yes. I actually really like this motion because as I look at the list of, uh, those that are able to provide the continuing education, everything's indoors, um, primarily, I mean, there's, there's plumbing and other things that can, that are outdoors, but as far as landscaping, I think this is a great, um, change, but also allows, uh, doppel to expand the lift in the future. And so, if I was one of these individuals that gives me the choice to look at my expertise, look what I'm interested in, look what I haven't looked at for a while, so I actually really like this amendment. I think it's, it's, it helps to accomplish what, what you're after.
S.B. 33 Office of Professional Licensure Review Sunrise Amendments · House floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Presents SB 33, which removes the requirement that a legislator sponsor a sunrise review before a bill is presented to the Legislature, so either step can come first.
▶ Watch at 34:04Read what they said
Thank you. SB 33 is the Office of Professional Licensure Review Sunrise Amendments. Right now, there is a process that requires that a legisla, a legislator, uh, make the sunrise before being able to present it to the legislature and it just, uh, eliminates that requirement. So it can be either or, uh, taking place first.
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Said they support the action, noted the amendment raises the cap to $600,000 for room, and asked that the matter return to committee if fee revenue grows substantially.
▶ Watch at 1:40:43Read what they said
Yeah, just very briefly. I think I made my comments clear previously. I'm supportive of the action today. Um, amendment two raises it to 600,000, not 500,000. That gives the marriage commission substantial room. That's a 30% increase, 33% increase over where they currently are. Um, I do have a reservation that if for some reason all of a sudden the fee revenue started to explode in this program. I think that, uh, I know there's a report that's provided, but I think that that would be something, at least my preference would be to have it come back to the committee, which is a reason for my proposal for Amendment two.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Sponsor explains that HB 103 does not change the minimum marriage age of 16 with parental permission and judge approval, but adds three offenses moved from another part of code, each a third-degree felony, covering unlawful minor marriages and taking minors out of state to marry them, and cites efforts to protect children from online crimes and trafficking.
▶ Watch at 17:24Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, underage marriage amendments does not change the law of what it takes to be married if you are a minor, which is you need to be 16 or 17 years old to and have parents' permission go before a judge to get that permission. Under age 16 is not allowed. It does not, um, add six new things. It adds three, uh, but three things that are moved over from a different part of code is fraudulently acting as a parent or a guardian of a minor for a minor's marriage. Unlawfully solemn a marriage of a minor or a parent or guardian unlawfully, consenting or allowing an illegal marriage. So that is just moved …
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Says the substitute fixes a technical point the drafters left out and does not change the bill's language.
▶ Watch at 21:04Read what they said
Yes. It actually is something that the drafters forgot to include. Just a technical, um, change that doesn't affect the, the language of the bill.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Says children across the state benefit from the bill, which gives prosecutors and the attorney general's office an important tool.
▶ Watch at 21:53Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I, I, uh, know that our children, uh, across the state appreciate what we can do to help protect them, and this is an important tool for our prosecutors and our ags office to do so.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Ballard said the bill helps protect children and gives prosecutors and the Attorney General's office an important tool.
▶ Watch at 21:53Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I, I, uh, know that our children, uh, across the state appreciate what we can do to help protect them, and this is an important tool for our prosecutors and our ags office to do so.
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Thanks the sponsor for clarifying the bill and says the committee treats trafficking offenses as serious.
▶ Watch at 43:38Read what they said
Uh, yes. I appreciate you making sure that this is all clarified. This committee's worked really hard to make sure that the, uh, human trafficking, sex trafficking are, are really, um, and drug trafficking are serious offenses here in Utah.
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks how being a family member affects the aggravated human smuggling offense in the bill.
▶ Watch at 43:54Read what they said
I have a question regarding line 1807 in here. Um, it is aggravated human smuggling and there is a definition for a family member. Would you just describe where being a family member with these offenses, um, is, is included in And just for pe for people to clarify.
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Clarifies the question about the aggravated human smuggling section.
▶ Watch at 44:38Read what they said
Ballard. Um, it specifically has in starting in line 1806, aggravated human smuggling. And it describes including, I apologize
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Explains her concern that family members may take advantage of vulnerable relatives in these offenses and asks for clarification.
▶ Watch at 44:57Read what they said
just because, and, and I'm gonna clarify perhaps my question, uh, because sometimes, uh, these offenses happen because there's a family member who is engaged or involved in these things and take advantage of, of other family members or children, um, for these crimes. And so just wanted to have you help, help clarify this for aggravated humans smuggling in the role that family members, um, would, or what the result would be for them to be involved. Uh, I apologize. It's not coming up fast. I would like it here.
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks whether the family member provision adds to other charges or is added on top of them.
▶ Watch at 46:24Read what they said
Um, in 1806, starting an, an aggravated human smuggling, um, offense that is described in also, it includes family members as, as part of this. And so I'm just wondering how this fits in with some of the other charges or is it on top of, um, how or what is added when it becomes a family member?
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks whether a family member prosecuted for human smuggling faces an additional penalty.
▶ Watch at 46:58Read what they said
I'm trying to look at the other lines here related to the individual by, I can't even know that word or affinity to the second degree. So down in 1832, it is, it says it is a separate offense. So if they are, my, my, I guess my question is, is if they are, if they are, uh, prosecuted for human smuggling and they are also a family member, is that a, an additional, uh, penalty consequence, um, sentencing?
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks whether the family member situation adds an extra penalty at sentencing.
▶ Watch at 47:55Read what they said
Um, yeah, I, I think it is important because it does say that it is a separate offense. And so when, when, uh, there is stacking, I, I think that's what I, what I'm wanting to know because as I, as I mentioned, uh, sometimes it's because there's a family member who has access to, to these individuals, whether they be young, whether they be, um, those with disabilities or otherwise. And I'm wanting to know if that adds an additional, uh, penalty to the, to the sentencing.
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Moves to pass S.B. 30, first substitute, out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:03:35Read what they said
Uh, yes. Make a motion to pass out favorably SB 31st sub human trafficking exploitation and smuggling amendments with the favorable recommendation.
S.B. 30 Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Cites state statistics on internet crimes against children and trafficking of minors and adults, and thanks the sponsor for the bill's language.
▶ Watch at 1:03:48Read what they said
I would, I actually have some really, um, humbling statistics of what's going on in Utah, and that is in 2024, we had 71 internet crimes against children and 179 in 2025. But the internet crimes against Children task force, which often lead to those children being taken across state lines or trafficked or picked up in one way or another. Um, we have agents spread all across the state of Utah for those protections. Um, child victims of human trafficking in 2022 to 2024. We've had seven children up to 12, um, every single year that we have been able to prosecute. Um, and so I just wanna say that in between 2020 and 2024 in Utah, um, an …
H.B. 122 Pregnant and Postpartum Inmate Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Commends the sponsor and cites Department of Corrections data on parole, prison days saved, and substance use program graduation tied to last year's bill, and supports extending the data requirement to jails.
▶ Watch at 1:34:03Read what they said
Yes. I just wanna commend the, the sponsor because, um, your work in this space has had a tremendous impact. I have a, uh, some information from the Department of Corrections that due to last year's bill alone, um, 14 mothers are paroled early 12, more than 1200 days of prison are prevented zero of these mothers return to prison, um, more than $190,000 of taxpayer dollars are saved. Um, 88% of the mothers graduate from substance use and 11 infants reunited with their mother. And I just say thank you, because that represents a lot of money that taxpayers don't have to pay, but it represents families who, um, are, are engaged in, in the wellbeing and success of, …
H.B. 158 Unlawful Tracking Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks how the bill would be enforced and how a person could prove that someone has been tracking them.
▶ Watch at 1:46:23Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. How is this enforced? How do you prove that somebody has been tracking you? How, how do you prove that?
H.B. 158 Unlawful Tracking Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Moves to pass the substitute bill favorably and says a victim should have a way to prosecute tracking and that the bill gives law enforcement a useful tool.
▶ Watch at 1:48:48Read what they said
Um, I think if, if I was a victim of this, I would definitely want some way to prosecute it. And, uh, perhaps sometimes with other, uh, investigations, they may find, uh, these, some of the, the digital tracking of, of what's been done. So I think it's, it's, I hope it's helpful to have a tool for law enforcement to be able to, uh, um, really capture those, those, uh, wrongdoers. Thanks.
H.B. 205 Substance Use Intervention Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Spoke in support of the motion, commending the sponsor and the Salt Lake City police chief and describing cleanup efforts on Victory Road.
▶ Watch at 2:41:20Read what they said
Yes, I'm supportive of the motion and, and I wanna commend the, the sponsor, but I also wanna commend our Salt Lake police chief who had to step out, but that came to testify. Um, a perfect example of how this accountability, uh, is, is really, uh, evident is Victory Road. When our, uh, police chief read was, um, first brought in, uh, I talked to him about Victory Road. And I have to say that before he was in, uh, coming up to the Capitol, I was on speed dial with the cleanup crew all the time, um, every, every month of the year. And they were very responsive. They came to to appreciate me giving them a heads …
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked legal counsel what current federal law allows and whether the bill can be enacted under it.
▶ Watch at 1:01:15Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. I just have a question for our legal counsel. Um, on lines 2207 to two 10, it does describe, uh, that this is, uh, valid unless it would violate federal law or condition of federal funding. Um, and that it, uh, does not apply to housing that is owned by the state or subdivision. So my question is, I know that federal laws change, um, what is the current federal status like? Does, is this, are we able to allow this under current federal code or, or not under the current law, I guess is what I'm wanting to just make sure, because if we, if we pass legislation that is changes with the wind …
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked counsel what current federal law says, how the bill applies, and how often federal law has changed.
▶ Watch at 1:08:46Read what they said
Yes. Um, thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, Tyler, thank you for coming over. My question is, because this is contingent upon, uh, being, uh, uh, available with current federal law, with, with being compliant, what is the current federal law, how does this bill apply right now? And do you know how often the federal law changes back and forth or how consistent it's been with, with where we are today?
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Thanked counsel, saying she wanted to know if the bill complies with current federal law.
▶ Watch at 1:10:37Read what they said
Thank you so much. I think that's what I wanted to know is if this is compliant right now with current federal law. So thank you.
H.B. 203 Non-Compete Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Ballard said she would not support the bill because more work with businesses is needed and it is not ready for the House floor.
▶ Watch at 2:40:03Read what they said
Yes. I, I'm going to, uh, not be supporting this to be passed out. I think there needs to be some work with, with companies and businesses to find the right balance between it. I recognize the work that was done 10 years ago, but also recognize we have a, a modern, uh, businesses and things today. But I just think it's, it's not quite ready for the house floor. Thank you.
H.B. 230 Offender Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Presented H.B. 230 second substitute, covering driver's license renewal for long-term jail inmates, drug-test results and HIPAA waivers for parolees, yearly parole housing reports, digital attorney-client communication, and inmate incentives for paying fees and earning time credits.
▶ Watch at 44:11Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'm actually speaking to the second substitute of this bill. Um, I just wanna say I work closely with the driver's license division and the Department of Public Safety and also, uh, the sheriff's. Apparently today on the Capitol Hill, we have one sheriff in the house, so he will be maybe over here, maybe not. We'll see. Um, so offender amendments, HB two 32nd substitute does a few things. Number one, it provides the opportunity for jails, uh, for those offenders who are there for longer periods of time, longer than six months for them to help reissue, uh, or renew existing driver's licenses. The second sub actually provides a virtual option, which makes …
H.B. 139 Female Genital Mutilation Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Rep. Ballard introduced HB 139 and the substitute, and said Rep. Peck would describe the substitute's changes.
▶ Watch at 2:25:44Read what they said
Uh, yes. I actually appreciate, uh, Representative Peck here. We have combined our bills. So the original bill, um, I'm gonna present and then the substitute language for the repeal. I'm gonna let, uh, Representative Peck describe that.
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Moves to pass SB 134 second substitute favorably and explains that the appropriations committee has been reviewing court funding requests for judges.
▶ Watch at 3:39:37Read what they said
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'd like to pass out favorably SB 1 34, uh, second sub, uh, court amendments. And I'd like to speak to that. We have a motion to pass, uh, Senate bill 1 34 second substitute with a favorable recommendation. Um, would you like to speak to it? I would. And first I wanna say chair, thank you so much for providing so much public comment. Um, on this. We've, uh, it's been quite, uh, a great discussion and we've, we hear you, we've received emails and texts for, for both sides. Um, and so the reason why I wanted to place this motion is because I am the vice chair of Appropriations for Criminal …
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Explains that the appropriations committee handles the court funding this bill would pay for.
▶ Watch at 3:47:45Read what they said
Yes, I would. And and that's actually the name of our, uh, of what we oversee in the appropriation committee. It's the, uh, appropriation for criminal justice, which includes the courts, law enforcement, and public safety. So, um, with that, I, I think this is really important for us to fund, um, our judges. So thank you so much.
H.B. 202 Acupuncturist Licensing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Asked whether the bill would fit what Shumway's office would recommend through a sunrise review of new licensure.
▶ Watch at 1:34:03Read what they said
Yes, I do. For, uh, Mr. Shumway, appreciate the work that Doppel does. Um, so this committee sponsored HR two that passed the house chamber enter committee, that, that any new, um, licensure would have to sunrise through you and your process first. So this obviously is after the fact, but if this was brought to your, to Doppel, to, um, to Sunrise and to create all the, the statutes and all the rules and recommendations, I think that's, that's what I'm asking you is does this fit in the parameter of what you would end up recommending this, you know, moving forward or, or, or not?
H.B. 202 Acupuncturist Licensing Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Asked whether the bill's language gives sufficient rulemaking authority.
▶ Watch at 1:35:28Read what they said
And so, one more follow up. So do you feel like this one language gives you the authority that you need in rulemaking to be able to, to propose and, and have that in, in your rules?
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Presents HB 103, which creates three new offenses related to marrying minors and transporting or traveling with minors to get around Utah marriage laws, and cites human trafficking statistics; introduces Tanner Jensen of DPS.
▶ Watch at 1:36:08Read what they said
So thank you, uh, Mr. Chair and committee members, um, HB 1 0 3 is under age marriage amendments. So online there is a great, uh, handout that I have that hopefully makes this very clear what this is and what it is not. Uh, I'm just gonna plug in my screen here, um, to be viewed while I'm talking. So there are three offenses that are brand new and three that are already in existence that we're just moving into this part of code. So the three things, do we have that online or do I need to do something other than plug it in? Oh, that's not, hold on. Okay. Technician sees it. Are we close to getting …
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Says the bill protects Utah children from people who deliberately go around Utah laws.
▶ Watch at 1:48:27Read what they said
Sure. So that's the difference that we are protecting Utah children from those who are deliberately going around our laws, um, to take advantage of them. So that's the difference.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Responds to the question and defers a legal point to Tanner Jensen. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:49:26Read what they said
Those are, those are really important questions. I would say this doesn't focus on every single aspect of crime. I know. I mostly looking at Tanner. It's a good question. Yes.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Says the bill applies only to Utah resident minors. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:50:12Read what they said
It doesn't, does it? No. This is, this is strictly Utah residents, uh, that are children. Right. So if they're international laws, that's, this is just Utah citizens that are, that are minors.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Says the bill would still apply to an online marriage involving a Utah minor. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:50:32Read what they said
Yeah. The, the way I've looked at the bill, I think that would still pertain, um, to an online marriage if it does involve a Utah citizen. That is a minor.
H.R. 2 House Rules Resolution - Standing Committee Duties · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Ballard explains that H.R. 2 would require new licensure recommendations to go through the Office of Professional Licensure Review and the Department of Professional Licensure before reaching the Legislature.
▶ Watch at 24:20Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Speaker. The legislature has charged LER the Office of Professional Licensure Review and dopple the Department of Professional Licensure to make sure they review all of the business licenses and regulations across the state and it with this direction from the legislature, we wanna make sure that all of the new licensure that is recommended has gone through their process before it comes to us. Instead of having this be at the whim of any legislature who legislator or who wants to implement new licenses, it's really in keeping with what this legislative body has requested of Doppel and ler.
H.R. 2 House Rules Resolution - Standing Committee Duties · House Rules Committee · Jan 20, 2026
Rep. Ballard presented the resolution, which asks the standing committee to oversee business licensing, including having the Office of Professional Licensure review whether new licensure is needed before a new license is created, and to streamline applications.
▶ Watch at 56:42Read what they said
Thank you so much. In the, uh, standing committee business and Labor, we have charged the Office of Professional Licensure and also the Office of Professional Licensure Review to oversee, um, various business licenses around the state and, um, making sure that they are streamlined and regulated properly. Um, and this legislation was really brought forward because instead of being at the whim of any legislator who wants to open up a new business licensure, um, this, Oh, sorry, Go ahead. This does speak, um, to the role of opular to ask them if they have done a review, if that licensure is needed and created a sunrise or not. It's, uh, streamlining just the, the application and, and, um, …
H.B. 29 Unfair and Deceptive Pricing Amendments · House floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Supports the bill, citing Utah businesses that have worked to eliminate hidden fees and the value of disclosing restaurant and online order fees.
▶ Watch at 1:02:11Read what they said
You, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill for a number of reasons. There are multiple Utah businesses who have really tried to set this standard of eliminating hidden fees. I compliment the automobile, uh, industry who has been working for, uh, a few years to be able to have no hidden fees across the industry. It's mostly there for, uh, uh, for this culture change. But if you go to restaurants, there are many times where you look at the total and think, where did this fee come from? And it's not disclosed or online orders. I think this is really good for Utahans. This is really good for them to know where and, and what the …
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