Legislators / Emily Buss
Emily Buss
Forward Party · Senate District 11
Hear from them directly
Contact Sen. Emily Buss
- Email: ebuss@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-598-4734
- Office: 350 N State Street, Suite 320, 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.
Emily Buss serves on:
- General Government Appropriations Subcommittee
- Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee
- Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
- Transportation Interim Committee
- Senate Government Operations Confirmation Committee
- Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee
- Senate Health and Human Services Committee
What they've said
77 remarks on 32 billsH.B. 89 Use of Polygraph Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks whether the amendment would allow police or prosecutors to ask or require suspects of sexual assault to take polygraphs.
▶ Watch at 52:02Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Um, for the amendment, are we going to ask or acquire suspects of sexual assault, uh, to take polygraphs?
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Supports the bill, citing a sibling who started smoking as a teen and concern about young people's access to tobacco.
▶ Watch at 2:04:35Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. I rise in support of this bill. I think if we're gonna tax something, it should be something that is harming us and our kids. And, um, I have a sibling who started smoking when they were in middle school and if it was more expensive and harder for them to access, maybe they wouldn't have been smoking for 20 years by now. And, um, I worry about my own young children and their ability to, um, stay away from these harmful substances and I think we should continue to make access to them more difficult for our young people. Thank you.
S.J.R. 17 Resolution Encouraging Innovation in Legislative Analysis and Information Services · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Presented SJR 17, which encourages other state departments to explore responsible use of AI, building on the LRGC pilot tool that helps write plain-language bill summaries and analyses. Asked whether there was public testimony and then paused for committee action.
▶ Watch at 40:05Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, this resolution is just encouraging, um, other departments to follow the lead of LRGC. Um, they've been working on a small pilot program, um, to create a tool that helps, um, the analysts use AI to make, um, better bill summaries and analyses that are written in more plain language for constituents to understand. Um, this is something that they've been working on for a while. It is, it has oversight from the department and, um, this just encourages other departments within the state government to explore ways to responsibly use ai. That coll collegiate presentation it does. That was actually much faster than I thought it was gonna be. Oh, okay. So a good …
S.J.R. 17 Resolution Encouraging Innovation in Legislative Analysis and Information Services · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Said AI tools would have built-in parameters, with department staff reviewing outputs for accuracy, and that plain-language summaries would help constituents and be tested on interim bills.
▶ Watch at 42:36Read what they said
Um, so they would have parameters built into the AI tool. They've been working on it for, I think, six months now. And there would still be someone in the department that is reviewing everything for accuracy to make sure that there aren't incorrect facts in there. So this would help make like the highlighted provisions, um, be written in plain language, because currently it explains a little bit, but it's still filled with a lot of technical jargon, and a lot of constituents have a hard time actually deciphering if the bill's going to impact them or not, because they don't understand it all. Um, so if it, it's written in plain language, then they can use plain language …
S.J.R. 17 Resolution Encouraging Innovation in Legislative Analysis and Information Services · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Said an LRGC staff member has been developing a tool for the department that it already has access to.
▶ Watch at 43:46Read what they said
Um, there is a tool that there is one person from LRGC that's been working on developing a tool specifically for their department. So it's something that they already have access to that they've been working on perfecting. Okay.
H.B. 328 Water Usage Modifications · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Buss thanked the sponsor, called the bill a good start that should include residential development, and said she would support passing it out favorably.
▶ Watch at 50:52Read what they said
Um, I would just like to thank the sponsor for this bill. I think it's a great start. Um, and it doesn't do nearly enough. I think we should do more and have residential development included, but I, uh, would support passing this out favorably.
H.B. 328 Water Usage Modifications · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Buss said the bill is not anti-turf, applies only to new development, requires developers be notified of requirements, and that defining non-functional turf in statute has been requested by water policy stakeholders.
▶ Watch at 53:11Read what they said
Yeah. These, these are amazing, uh, people that have worked with us on this and that support this, and also the people who oppose it have been great to work with. I, I respect and admire and appreciate the work that our, uh, turf farmers, uh, provide to us. Uh, um, they have had some suggestions. The, uh, the idea that this is an anti turf bill, i, I don't think is, is accurate. Uh, there's a lot of turf out there, a lot of great places to have turf where it should be watered overhead and in, in a way that property owners, uh, deem to be most efficient or however they want to do it. I will, I …
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Presents Senate Bill 189, which creates an optional funding framework for high-growth school districts, and says the fiscal note is zero.
▶ Watch at 7:46Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. I presented this earlier today. The fiscal note caught up and it is zero. Um, this just creates a framework for, uh, funding options for high growth districts in the future that they can choose to adopt and there's no fiscal impact on this. That concludes my presentation. Thank you. Do we have discussion?
S.B. 247 Road Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Moves her amendment and says she will circle the bill while the fiscal note is updated.
▶ Watch at 1:18:32Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. I have an amendment online in my name that I'd like to move and then I will circle it while the fiscal note catches up.
S.B. 247 Road Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Explains amendment two, which changes the rack price from the current 2.67 to the reduced 2.39 for next year, and says that is the entire amendment.
▶ Watch at 1:18:44Read what they said
Um, amendment two just changes the rack price from today's rate of 2 67 to next year's reduced rack price of 2 39. That is the entire amendment.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Explains that the fourth substitute replaces a state-administered loan program with a zero-cost framework that lets school districts create voluntary loan arrangements, with the state tracking and reporting outcomes.
▶ Watch at 1:37:49Read what they said
Okay. So the thank you Mr. President, the fourth substitute, um, it takes this to a zero cost framework approach instead of creating a state administered loan program. Um, so it just creates that legal framework in place so that school districts can voluntarily create their own loan arrangements if they choose, and then the state would track and report those outcomes. So it's, it would be a zero cost. We're just waiting for the fiscal note to catch up.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Says the substitute is now essentially the whole bill and moves to pass it if there are no questions.
▶ Watch at 1:38:45Read what they said
Uh, thank you, Mr. President, um, that the substitute is basically the whole bill now. So, um, if there are no questions, I move to, uh, pass this bill.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Responds that the fiscal note is still catching up, that the cost will be $0, and that the substitute removes the funding component entirely.
▶ Watch at 1:39:28Read what they said
You know, Senator Buss. So we're just waiting for the fiscal note to catch up. It's going to be $0. It removes the funding component entirely.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Says she was unsure whether another senator's question was resolved and that she will probably take a motion to circle the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:39:54Read what they said
Uh, thank you. I wasn't sure if someone else had a question or if that was resolved. I, I'll Probably take a motion to circle.
S.B. 247 Road Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Explains that the bill sets a lower gas tax rate starting in January, after a six-month reduction ends, and does not interfere with another bill.
▶ Watch at 1:48:52Read what they said
Uh, lower rate. And, uh, this does not interfere with the speaker's bill. It's, it starts after his six month, uh, reduction ends and then it is at the lower tax cut for the gas tax starting in January. That concludes my presentation.
S.B. 317 Opioid Terminology Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Sen. Buss moved to pass the bill out favorably.
▶ Watch at 56:15Read what they said
Uh, Senator Bus, I, I admit That we, sorry, I move that we pass this out. Favorably.
H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP to Establish the Weight Management and Obesity Pilot Program · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said she has appreciated Rep. Barlow's careful work and wished him well as he leaves the Legislature.
▶ Watch at 1:18:39Read what they said
No discussion to the motion. My discussion would be, I, I have always appreciated this good representative, his intentional, careful analyzing and what you've done. I just want to give you a shout out. And you'll be missed here on the hill as we get through this next week that you have to make it through this week though. But past that, we'll certainly miss. Thank you.
H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked why perimenopause is not named in the bill and requested that it be added.
▶ Watch at 2:05:25Read what they said
Is there a reason why, uh, perimenopause isn't stated specifically in the bill? It's just associated with the general menopausal symptoms. Okay. I was just wondering if it would be possible to add perimenopause in there specifically, because it's so hard to get a doctor to even take perimenopause seriously. Yeah. So I was wondering if that's something that could or should be added.
H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Proposed an amendment adding the word perimenopause on line 38 and restated the motion wording.
▶ Watch at 2:08:12Read what they said
Okay. So I would like to make an amendment to add, uh, the term perimenopause on line 38 so that we will read that it treats treatments to relieve perimenopause and menopausal symptoms. Treatments per, that's, And this the new language. Oh, pairing. It's gonna be a verbal. Okay. We want to get this right. So it's talking to staff here. So you wanna state that again? Uh, yes. Line 38. Yes. So we're adding just the word perimenopause and so it'll read, uh, line 38. It'll read formulary HRT treatments to relieve perimenopause and menopausal symptoms. Okay. So we're inserting perimenopause. Perimenopause and, and Perimenopause or perimenopause. The second, Yeah, I will completely defer to anyone else on this …
H.B. 455 Peace Officer and Dispatcher Standards Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the bill strikes a good balance between protections and second chances, and moves that it be sent out with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:16:51Read what they said
Um, I just think this is a great bill and I appreciate the provisions that have been put in place to find the balance, uh, between protections and second chances. And I move that we send this out with the favorable recommendation.
H.B. 294 Employer Verification Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Supports the bill, saying her son's Social Security number was stolen and used for work and that E-Verify could have caught it.
▶ Watch at 1:41:08Read what they said
Um, I would just like to say that I do support this bill. Um, my son's social security number was actually stolen and used for unemployment in Vernal, and he's 12 years old and we were notified he's been working and not paying taxes for several years. So if, uh, the number that, uh, for employees, if that was lower, that you had to do the E-Verify for this, could have been avoided because this criminal was not a smart criminal and used his own name with my son's social security number. And that would've been very easy to find that that was fraud. So I, I do support this bill.
H.B. 294 Employer Verification Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says 100 was a compromise reached with stakeholders and that she wants the bill to pass.
▶ Watch at 1:46:00Read what they said
Um, I was just gonna say that it wasn't initially one 50 and so 100 was a compromise. It was originally 50, and our current is one 50. So 100 was the compromise after talking to all the stakeholders and, you know, is, is 1 25 going to make that big of a difference compared to 100 When we see that there's not that many people actually speaking against this bill, but I am also wanting this field to pass. So if, if that has to be the number, then I'm open to any movement.
S.B. 297 School Social Worker Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says the bill is a code clarification and that she presented it fully the previous day.
▶ Watch at 28:29Read what they said
Okay. This is just a, uh, code clarification and I presented everything yesterday, so I think I'm good. So I call the question,
H.B. 416 First Responder Health Modifications · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says she would have made the same motion, strongly supports the bill, and cites cancer cases among people affected by the September 11 attacks.
▶ Watch at 1:02:35Read what they said
Um, I was gonna make the same motion. Oh, okay. Um, but I was just gonna say that, um, I strongly support this. Um, I grew up in Connecticut. I was there for nine 11. I knew many people who lost loved ones from cancer that came long after nine 11. Um, and I think we need to do everything we can to support this.
S.B. 297 School Social Worker Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents S.B. 297, a code cleanup with USBE that aligns the statute with 2024 changes by replacing vague 'other' counselor, social worker, and psychologist classifications with specific titles and certifications.
▶ Watch at 1:12:56Read what they said
Um, so this is, um, a code cleanup I was working on with, uh, USBE and it just aligns the USBE statute with, um, some changes that were made when SB 26 expanded the scope of practice for certain behavioral health professionals in 2024. Um, so it removed, uh, the vague classification of other counselor, other social worker, and other psychologist, and then it has their clear titles listed with reference to, uh, the certifications. And that concludes my presentation.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents S.B. 189, a revolving loan fund to help high-growth school districts pay for capital needs such as transportation, infrastructure, and land, and notes a substitute bill is available.
▶ Watch at 1:15:29Read what they said
a revolving loan fund for school districts who are experiencing, um, an exponential percentage of the state's new enrollment growth. Um, and this is just, uh, driven for capital needs only. So transportation, infrastructure and land for future schools. Um, it's, so it's a revolving loan fund, um, so that it is paid back after the one time investment from the state, and it continues to help multiple districts. Um, and it will help districts across the state from Brigham City, uh, Southern Utah County down to St. George. Um, so it's targeted for high growth school districts, um, because schools are part of our infrastructure and some areas are growing at unprecedented rates. And that concludes my presentation. Thank …
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Explains that the substitute clarifies the definitions of high growth and the State Board's role in prioritizing applicants.
▶ Watch at 1:16:38Read what they said
Uh, the substitute just, um, clarified some of the definitions for high growth and then it also clarified the state board's role in determining how to prioritize if there are more than 10 or less than 10 applicants for the funding.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Responds that repayment includes interest and is managed by the State Board, and says she was told legislative intent language would address repayment if a bond is issued.
▶ Watch at 1:17:37Read what they said
Um, I was told that there would be some legislative intent language added to the funding if approved, that if there was a bond, they'd be required to pay it back with a bond. Um, let me just pull up the bill, but it does include interest and it is managed by this, this state board here,
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Suggests Senator Sandall clarify the repayment language.
▶ Watch at 1:20:20Read what they said
Senator Bus? Thank you, Mr. President. I think, uh, Senator Sandall can clarify that a little bit.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Responds that the state has not done this in high-growth areas specifically, but has created revolving loan funds for charter and rural small districts.
▶ Watch at 1:21:35Read what they said
Senator Bus? Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, not in high growth areas specifically, but they have stepped in to create revolving loan funds for charters and rural small districts. Um, so it isn't necessarily an unprecedented situation, it's just unprecedented growth and an innovative solution to work with them.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Summarizes that the bill can apply to multiple areas taking more than 10% of statewide enrollment growth, such as St. George and Brigham City, and moves to call the question.
▶ Watch at 1:25:54Read what they said
Summation and a motion. Uh, thank you. And I would just, uh, like to point out that, um, like some other Senator Vickers have mentioned that this, um, can apply to multiple areas, areas that are taking on more than 10% of statewide enrollment growth. So areas like St. George and Win Brigham City has, uh, the power plant come online. Those areas are gonna be experiencing exponential growth as well. Um, and for that, I call the question
H.B. 58 Insurance Code Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Explains that the fourth substitute only adjusts appropriations and that this is the only change.
▶ Watch at 1:32:51Read what they said
All the substitute does is just adjust, uh, the appropriations so as soon as it's adopted it'll switch, it'll flip to yellow. Okay. Thank you. That's the only change. Thank you.
H.B. 22 Vintage Vehicle Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Explains that the bill ends the vintage vehicle program, eliminates emissions testing for older vehicles, creates a classic car category for pre-1982 vehicles driven under 1,500 miles a year, and standardizes the definition of replica vehicle.
▶ Watch at 1:33:29Read what they said
Yes. So this was an interim committee bill that addresses issues with the vintage vehicle program identified by the tax commission. Uh, currently the program is being used by daily drivers as a loophole to avoid emissions tests and is impossible to enforce. So to solve this problem, the bill eliminates the vintage vehicle program and makes three key changes. It eliminates the emissions testing for older vehicles. It protects true collectors. Um, it's, we're now calling it the classic car category for vehicles um, older than 1982. Driven less than 1500 miles a year and it standardizes the definition of replica vehicle to ensure the law is consistent and enforceable. And that concludes my presentation.
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Buss asks why the bill is necessary, since property owners can already choose to rent only to females or males.
▶ Watch at 1:23:36Read what they said
Had a question on some further clarification I guess you'll yield. Yes. So had, he's already agreed to yield, Um, so isn't isn't this kind of already happening with individuals who own a house and they'll say they're only gonna rent to females. So if, if that's the case, I guess I'm having a hard time understanding why this is necessary.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks whether to explain the differences in the substitutes now or move to circle the bill.
▶ Watch at 3:31:27Read what they said
Okay. So is now when I explain the difference in the substitutes or do I just can motion to circle it? Yeah, no,
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains that the bill was changed from a grant to a revolving loan fund, with technical corrections to two definitions that Sen. Fillmore pointed out.
▶ Watch at 3:31:35Read what they said
How you explain it. Sorry. Um, so this bill was originally written, um, as a grant, but we have switched it to be a, uh, revolving loan fund and um, I'd like to thank Senator Fillmore for pointing out some technical corrections that needed to be made to, uh, two different definitions from a drafting error. So we corrected those and it is now a revolving loan fund and that is the difference.
S.B. 297 School Social Worker Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Sen. Buss says there is a substitute bill online and asks to speak to it.
▶ Watch at 1:50:43Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, there is a substitute online and I would like to speak to that.
S.B. 297 School Social Worker Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Sen. Buss explains that the first substitute changes one word that the attorney caught.
▶ Watch at 1:51:27Read what they said
Yeah. Substitute one just changed one word to another word that the attorney caught, uh, substitute.
S.B. 297 School Social Worker Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Spoke on the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:51:43Read what they said
Okay. So, sorry. Do what did you want me to do? Yeah, Go ahead. Okay.
S.B. 297 School Social Worker Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Sen. Buss presents the bill as a technical correction to clarify the roles and credentials of qualifying school personnel, aligning it with SB 26 from 2024, and says the second substitute adds USBE-requested credential language.
▶ Watch at 1:51:50Read what they said
Um, yeah, so substitute one, the drafting attorney just accidentally used the wrong word for one word and switched it. Um, and then, uh, so this bill is a technical correction to improve clarity and cl and clearly delineate the specific roles and professional credentials included under qualifying personnel, all of which are positions that are currently funded. Um, so after SB 26 expanded the scope of practice for multiple roles in 2024, the qualifying personnel statute was not updated. Um, and this bill aligns the language with that change. And then, so, uh, sub two, um, is from the USBE got back to us right after the bill was numbered and asked us to add, um, even more technical …
S.B. 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks how the bill interacts with existing federal conscience protections and what gap it is meant to fill.
▶ Watch at 1:22:59Read what they said
Okay. Uh, sorry if this was already asked when I was, uh, trying to defend a bill and committee. Um, so I'm just trying to understand how this bill would interact with existing federal protection since federal law already provides certain conscience uh, protections for healthcare providers. Um, if you could clarify what gap this bill is intended to fill and or whether we're duplicating or expanding beyond those protections, that'd be helpful.
S.B. 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Shares a personal experience of delayed treatment for an ectopic pregnancy and says she is concerned similar delays could affect others.
▶ Watch at 1:29:24Read what they said
Thank you, chair. That answer your question? Um, yeah, I guess I'll just, uh, statement I have, um, um, I, I have serious concerns from, uh, I personally experienced a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, and my treatment was delayed for several weeks because the provider was concerned about treating me too early because of abortion laws. And so just different feelings about that, um, make me concerned that this could happen to other people who may be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, uh, because I almost lost my life because of that.
S.B. 291 Student Transportation Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presents SB 291, which would let students living within two miles of their school qualify for existing state transportation funding when their walking route is hazardous, citing dangerous crossings in her district and in Granite School District.
▶ Watch at 1:44:29Read what they said
Thank you for not making a joke about my last name being passed. I didn't, I, I was tempted, but no. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, SB 2 91 is a straightforward student safety bill. It does not create a new transportation program or acquire, uh, new funding mechanisms. It simply allows students who live within two miles of their school to qualify for existing state transportation funding if their walking route is clearly hazardous. Right now, there's no exemption to the two mile rule. Even when students must cross high speed roads, multiple lane highways or a high crash intersections, districts, uh, have to cover 100% of that cost to bust those students, and many cannot, uh, just …
S.B. 291 Student Transportation Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Says she is working with school districts to narrow the definition of hazardous and preparing a substitute so districts can opt in rather than face a statewide mandate.
▶ Watch at 1:53:08Read what they said
Okay. Um, and I would just like to say that I have been working with, um, multiple school districts to get, uh, the, the right, uh, terms to narrow down hazardous for their most dangerous areas so that it's not too broad of a description. Um, and I am working on a substitute to make sure that this does not come out as an unfunded mandate if the appropriations fail to meet the funding threshold. Um, because the local school district, um, a lot of them can't handle paying for that on their own regardless. Um, and so we're, uh, working on a substitute to make it so that the districts can opt into this and, um, not make it …
H.B. 71 Health Provider Directory and Access Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether penalties and license requirements for marriage and family therapists were removed from the bill's substitutions.
▶ Watch at 44:44Read what they said
Um, I see there have been a few substitutions and I just wanna make sure, um, have all of the, uh, regulations or penalties for like marriage and family therapists been removed, like the license requirements if they don't update within 14 days, like the letter against their license. Senator Cullimore?
S.B. 65 Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Explains a no vote, saying many constituents have described the bill as a money laundering bill, so she cannot support it.
▶ Watch at 1:04:48Read what they said
Senator Bus, I wanted to explain my vote. Um, I've had this, uh, bill, uh, explained as a money laundering bill by many of my constituents, and for that reason, I cannot support it.
S.B. 194 Election Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks how the provision allowing poll workers to challenge citizenship would not encourage racial profiling at polling places.
▶ Watch at 1:32:55Read what they said
Uh, um, I have a lot of concerns about the poll workers being able to independently challenge citizenship. Can you, um, help me understand how that isn't going to encourage racial profiling of the polling place?
S.B. 194 Election Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Says the citizenship language still appears on lines 28 and 29 and asks whether she is looking at the wrong version.
▶ Watch at 1:33:38Read what they said
Uh, okay. I thought I was seeing it on line 29, 28 still, or am I looking at the wrong version?
S.B. 194 Election Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Explains her vote, saying some sections make it seem Senate seats belong to parties rather than the people, and says she will vote no.
▶ Watch at 1:38:43Read what they said
Um, I just wanted to explain my vote. Um, I feel like these sections that have not been discussed, that were about how I was, uh, pointed, um, really make it come across that Senate seats belong to the party, not the people representing them. Um, and my seat belong to a Democrat, a Republican, and now a Ford Party member. And for that reason, I'll be voting no Thank you.
H.B. 22 Vintage Vehicle Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Presents the bill, which eliminates the vintage vehicle program and its emissions testing exemption for older vehicles, and creates a classic car category for pre-1982 vehicles driven under 1,500 miles a year.
▶ Watch at 1:44:38Read what they said
Thank you. Um, so this bill is an interim committee bill and addresses issues with our vintage via vintage vehicle program identified by the tax commission. Currently the program is being used by daily drivers as a loophole to avoid emissions tests and is impossible to enforce to solve this problem. The bill eliminates the vintage vehicle program and makes three key changes. Um, it eliminates emissions testing for older vehicles. Uh, it removes that requirement for all non OB D two vehicles and that was requested by local health departments because old testing equipment is too costly to maintain for the small number of cars remaining, it protects true collectors. Um, we're creating a classic car category for vehicles …
S.B. 247 Road Funding Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Sen. Buss presented SB 247, which freezes the gas tax floor at the current rate of 37.90 cents per gallon, and said the other changes are technical.
▶ Watch at 37:26Read what they said
Um, I have amendments online. I'm gonna speak to the amendments. Um, SB 2 47, um, is a bill that is freezing the floor that already exists on today's gas tax. So it's not increasing the gas tax, it's just keeping it at today's rate. Um, in 2023, uh, the legislature temporarily capped the tax at HB 3 0 1 and it inadvertently introduced a mechanism that allowed the gas tax to decrease year over year. Um, and this reduction comes at a time when transportation projects are becoming increasingly more expensive. So, SB 2 47 just corrects that issue by resetting the floor to the current rate of 37.90 cents per gallon by updating the floor rack price. All …
S.B. 247 Road Funding Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Sen. Buss said the amendment corrects a number the drafting attorney had carried over from a previous year.
▶ Watch at 49:26Read what they said
Um, I think the drafting attorney had just used the number for a previous year when they were looking at it. So it's just inadvertent. Okay. Mistake. So it's just correcting to the current one.
S.B. 247 Road Funding Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Sen. Buss said the fiscal analysts are waiting for the amendment to be adopted before updating the fiscal note. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 50:58Read what they said
Yeah. They're waiting for it to be adopted so that they could update it with the right number, I guess.
S.B. 60 Income Tax Rate Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Asks how much school districts would have to raise property taxes to make up for the income tax cut.
▶ Watch at 14:33Read what they said
So how much will school districts have to raise property taxes to make up for the difference?
S.B. 60 Income Tax Rate Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says school board members have told her districts would need to raise property taxes, estimating about 680 dollars for her home, which she considers more than the income tax savings.
▶ Watch at 14:45Read what they said
So I've been talking to multiple school board members who are saying that they'll have to raise it, uh, 2.2 increments. And for my house, that would be $680. And in my opinion, that's not worth the $45 savings for income taxes. That a, is that a question?
S.B. 60 Income Tax Rate Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says high property taxes could make homes unaffordable and limit how many people can live in Utah.
▶ Watch at 17:13Read what they said
Um, I was just gonna say that if the property taxes make homes so unaffordable, I don't know how many people are going to be able to live here.
S.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Pediatric Care for Autonomic Disorders · Senate floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Sen. Buss rose in support of the bill, saying she has POTS and that insurance should cover related costs such as compression socks.
▶ Watch at 1:22:11Read what they said
I'm just going to rise in support of this bill As someone with pots. Those ugly socks are $45 a pair and insurance should cover them.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Sen. Buss said the funding model does not account for sustained high-growth school districts and described a grant program for districts with disproportionate enrollment growth to fund land and transportation needs.
▶ Watch at 1:32:52Read what they said
Okay. So, Utah's public Education funding model's not currently account for sustained high growth school districts. While many districts are experiencing declining enrollment, others are growing at unprecedented rates with no end in sight and there's no mechanism to support them. Severely overcrowded schools and classrooms have measurable impacts. They lead to larger class sizes, reduced individual attention for students strained transportation systems, increased safety and supervision challenges, and higher burnout and turnover among educators and staff. SB 180 9 establishes a small targeted grant program for school districts experiencing disproportionate enrollment growth. This bill creates clear eligibility criteria and allows qualifying districts to apply for funding to support land acquisition, transportation infrastructure, and other growth related needs. With ongoing …
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Sen. Buss said each district would be assessed individually by its net enrollment compared to the state's net enrollment change.
▶ Watch at 1:43:25Read what they said
Yes, it would be a fixed number. A and compared to the statewide fixed number, right? Yeah. So each district will be assessed individually based on Yeah. Their net enrollment And compared to the state's net enrollment gain,
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Sen. Buss said a separate loan bill has already been drafted.
▶ Watch at 1:48:44Read what they said
That's actually a bill we've already written, Senator. We're working on it Separate from this Yes.
S.B. 189 School District Funding Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Sen. Buss said the bill would help rural communities such as Cedar Fort and Fairfield as well as high-growth districts.
▶ Watch at 2:03:46Read what they said
I was just gonna mention that like for high growth districts like Lake Mountain in particular, um, it, it also includes rural cities in our community, um, like Cedar Fort and Fairfield, who had to lose a school because we couldn't keep it open with their enrollment. Um, so it, and it does have implications to help communities all over the state, so thank you.
H.B. 33 Political Signs Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Asks whether the sign disclosure works like the disclosure required on paid mailers, and says larger signs should carry the same disclosure.
▶ Watch at 49:23Read what they said
Yes. Um, so is this similar to how for paid, um, mailing advertisements we're supposed to have it, uh, the disclosure about who's sponsoring it, because those are much smaller. So to me this makes sense that something larger would require the same disclosure.
S.B. 194 Election Modifications · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Sen. Buss asked which lines would be removed to align with Rep. Maloy's bill.
▶ Watch at 1:43:34Read what they said
Um, can you clarify which lines are being removed, uh, that are, uh, coincide with Senator Malloy's bill or Representative Malloy's? Bill,
S.B. 194 Election Modifications · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Sen. Buss asked what proof is required for domestic violence victims to qualify as at-risk voters.
▶ Watch at 2:13:16Read what they said
Uh, I just had a question about the, uh, protected class. What are you defining as, uh, the proof that's required for domestic violence?
S.B. 194 Election Modifications · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Sen. Buss said she is concerned that public voter records in a polarized climate would reveal where people who voted each way live.
▶ Watch at 2:17:23Read what they said
I just had one other concern about the voting records. Um, I have a lot of concerns that with how polarized, uh, politics has become, we're basically giving everyone an access to, this is where everyone who voted this way lives, this is where everyone who voted the other way lives, and that makes everyone's information available in that sense. Um, and yeah, that was my, one of my biggest concerns with that.
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks whether the bill applies to mental health professionals employed by the state, such as at the state mental health hospital.
▶ Watch at 2:30:08Read what they said
Um, does this also apply to like, mental health professionals that are state employed, like at the state mental health hospital?
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Says she received concerns from mental health professionals that the bill would prevent licensing complaints against providers who are unethical, even when unrelated to whistleblowing.
▶ Watch at 2:30:51Read what they said
Okay. Um, I just wanted to bring forward, I received a few concerns from, uh, some mental health professionals about that because sometimes there are unethical mental health providers, um, and if they are reporting with something as a whistleblower, they're still not able to have something reported against their license, even if it's has nothing to do with being a whistleblower itself, if that makes sense.
S.B. 52 Substitute Teaching Requirements Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Asks whether the current definition of substitute teacher as an employee of a school district would be a problem for contracted substitutes.
▶ Watch at 27:46Read what they said
Um, I just had a question about the language. Um, so it's currently, um, says that a substitute teacher means a licensed or all licensed individual who's employed by a school district. Um, and I was wondering if that is going to be a problem for like the contracted, uh, substitutes like Alpine and multiple school districts use ESS for their substitutes. So Senator, the language need to be amended or does that conflict at all?
S.B. 52 Substitute Teaching Requirements Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Says she wanted the sponsor to be aware in case the language is a problem.
▶ Watch at 28:31Read what they said
Oh, yeah. I just wanted you to be aware in case it is a problem with the language. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate that.
S.B. 158 Recreational Therapy Program Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Describes Camp K, a 70-year-old summer camp for severely disabled children and adults that also gives families respite, and notes its 24/7 skilled nursing needs and high cost.
▶ Watch at 55:37Read what they said
Um, camp K is a 70-year-old facility that where people with severely disabled, um, adults or children can drop them off. Um, and it's a summer camp for them, but it's also a respite for their family. So maybe the rest of them can go to Disneyland. And then they have horses. They have, they have swimming pools, they have a splash pad. Now they have, um, ropes courses. These, um, uh, disabled individuals, they have the time of their life and they're with their peers, but it's also, they have to have skilled nursing facility staffed 24 7. It's an expensive facility, but, um, it, it really, they're, I believe they're doing God's work, uh, at Camp K. So, …
S.B. 49 Natural Organic Reduction Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said she shares the same views, citing Utah's value of choice and support for choice in end-of-life care.
▶ Watch at 2:00:27Read what they said
I was just gonna say a lot of the same things. And I think Utah as a state that, uh, values, uh, choice of life here. And I think we should also be pro-choice end of life care.
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 7) · Jan 26, 2026
Explains her no vote, saying the lower court support is tied to Supreme Court expansion during a lean budget year, and that she is listening to constituents.
▶ Watch at 36:25Read what they said
Just wanted to explain my vote. Um, I don't like that it feels like we're holding the lower court support hostage. Um, we can only add the support they need if we add to the Supreme Court. And I think that in a year when we have such a lean budget, we're having to make 81.5 million cuts in health and human services. Um, this money could be better allocated if we had an implementation and expanded the Supreme Court at a later date if that was still desired. Um, and I will be listening to my constituents who've asked me to vote no.
S.J.R. 4 Joint Resolution Concerning Federal Term Limits · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Supports term limits for Congress and the legislature, arguing that pressure from the states will lead Congress to act.
▶ Watch at 2:43:52Read what they said
I just wanted to also make a comment that I support term limits for Congress and for the local legislature as well. Um, I think Congress is a problem and they need us to apply pressure so that they'll fix the problem themselves and not risk a convention. They'll set terms that are more favorable, um, than all of the states would choose for them. Um, and that's why I would support this.
S.B. 50 Anesthesia Dosage Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Asks whether the bill covers only medically necessary anesthesia for procedures and whether it includes out-of-network anesthesia.
▶ Watch at 38:36Read what they said
Okay. So does, is this just the medically necessary anesthesia for the procedure, or is it al does it also include, um, like the out of network anesthesia?
S.B. 87 Naloxone Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Says this is only her second committee meeting and prepares to comment on the motion.
▶ Watch at 48:59Read what they said
I'd like just to comment on it. Yeah, this is only my second committee meeting ever. So you
S.B. 87 Naloxone Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Supports the bill, sharing a personal experience of being saved by an expired EpiPen.
▶ Watch at 49:04Read what they said
Um, as someone whose life has been saved with expired EpiPens, I support this a lot, so,
S.B. 87 Naloxone Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Asks what 'wave' means in the procedure and says she has no further comment. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 49:34Read what they said
What does that mean? Wave means you don't have any further comment. Oh, Just part. Okay. Yeah. Waive.
From the official recordings' automatic captions, with speakers and summaries identified by AI. Use the ▶ links to check the recording before you rely on a quote.