Legislators / Joseph Elison
Joseph Elison
Republican · House District 72
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Joseph Elison
- Email: jelison@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-657-1006
- Office: 350 N State St., Ste 350, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114
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Watch or join a meeting
Every committee hearing and floor session is open to the public and streamed live on le.utah.gov. Each committee's agenda has the link to watch or join online, and how to sign up for public comment.
Joseph Elison serves on:
- Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Education Committee
- House Ethics Committee
- House Revenue and Taxation Committee
- Education Interim Committee
- Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee
- Retirement and Independent Entities Interim Committee
What they've said
70 remarks on 14 billsH.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Presents the resolution, citing federal and state commitments to help restore the Great Salt Lake and calling for partnership and a shift away from scarcity.
▶ Watch at 2:12:14Read what they said
to call your attention to this resolution. This resolution came about after the White House and President Trump recognized that the Great Salt Lake needs some help and we're willing to do as a nation and as a state and maybe a region. What, what needs to be done to make sure that the Great Salt Lake stays in existence. This resolution calls out the importance of the Great Salt Lake and all of the things that it does for our environment, for our community, and for our lifestyle. In the there fours, we resolve that the legislature in the state of Utah and the President Congress and the Executive Branch provide substantial and timely assistance dedicated to stabilizing and …
S.B. 296 Student Consent Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Moved to pass S.B. 296 substitute out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:48:28Read what they said
I make a motion that we pass out with favorable recommendation for substitute to Senate bill 2 96.
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Presents the resolution, which calls on Congress and the President to join the state in revitalizing the Great Salt Lake, citing recent philanthropic and church water commitments.
▶ Watch at 2:00:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will be brief. Um, recently, well, we all know the concerns around the Great Salt Lake recently. Is there an issue? I think we all know what the issue is, right? Um, we've had some wonderful Phil philanthropic folks that have, uh, committed $200 million to the cause. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has committed tens of thousands of acre feet of water to the Great Salt Lake. And most recently, president Donald Trump had a conversation with our Governor Cox and has said he wants to make the great Salt Lake great again. So this resolution is calling upon Congress, calling upon the president to follow through on that commitment …
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Says the resolution calls on the President, Congress, and federal partners to engage with the state.
▶ Watch at 2:01:49Read what they said
It is calling upon the President Congress, our federal partners, to, to engage with us. Alright.
S.B. 119 School and Classroom Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Moved to adopt the fourth substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:55:28Read what they said
You, Mr. Chair. Uh, I make a motion that we adopt, you said fourth sub? Fourth sub, fourth Sub.
S.B. 119 School and Classroom Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Moved to hold the bill, saying he likes the idea but is concerned about relying on the same national vendors, the lack of career and technical education content, a definition issue, and the $64 million taxpayer cost.
▶ Watch at 1:56:16Read what they said
Okay. I think I'm gonna make a motion to, to hold on this bill. Alright. That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it? I would, I think this is a fantastic idea. Um, I've only been up here for four years and for four years I have been advocating for something similar to this with many, many individuals. But I have, um, a lot of concerns with this bill as, as it is. And the reason why is I say this, um, I think that we do have amazing talent in this state. I, I do like the idea that we would be tapping into a lot of our local talent. I am super concerned about …
S.B. 119 School and Classroom Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Opposed the substitute motion, raising unanswered questions about ongoing costs for curriculum updates and who would pay for them.
▶ Watch at 2:03:12Read what they said
Um, good arguments. I still feel strongly that we should, should hold on this, um, for the reasons I mentioned before. Um, and another question that I did, I did have that didn't get answered, and, and perhaps in, in the, the ponsor sum might mention too, is, is ongoing costs too, as changes are made to curriculum as adoptions? I mean, is there, is there a funding mechanism for that? And who's gonna pay for that? Is that gonna be up to the districts? Is that gonna be up to the state to come back and ask for more money from the state? Because again, there's nothing free, man, this is still taxpayer money, whether we pay for it …
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · House floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Elison said the second substitute corrects wording so the resolution better reflects what it is meant to say.
▶ Watch at 50:21Read what they said
Yeah. There was, uh, the difference between this and the original, uh, version of the bill. There were just several, uh, words and, and, uh, word crafting that needed to be done to better reflect what we were trying to actually say in this resolution. And so this, uh, substitute just updates the correct wording that we were looking for.
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · House floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Elison gave a closing summation, saying the resolution is impactful and that he looks forward to collaboration with federal partners.
▶ Watch at 54:53Read what they said
Thank you colleagues for the opportunity to present this resolution. I think this is very impactful and I'm excited to see the kind of collaboration partnership we're gonna have with our federal partners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Presented the first substitute to H.C.R. 9, which follows up on the President's commitment to help revitalize the Great Salt Lake with federal, philanthropic, and state support.
▶ Watch at 36:56Read what they said
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Vice. Vice Chair. It is. We will be speaking to the first sub, um, that was, uh, posted, so I apologize that, uh, that sub did Go ahead. Okay. Thank you. Sorry, Mr. Vice-Chair. Um, hope you had a chance to read the, uh, the copy that I gave to you earlier in the day. Each of the committee members, there's only a couple word differences, and I'll point that out in what is posted now on the website. But just to give you a little bit of context, uh, last weekend, uh, president Donald Trump was visiting with our governor, governor Cox. And as part of their conversation, the topic of the Great Salt Lake …
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says the President did speak on the issue, did not give dollar amounts, and offered to use federal resources, and offers to read his post.
▶ Watch at 43:23Read what they said
He said that they want to, yes, he did. He didn't promise amounts, but he did say that they want to use federal resources to help us with this. But I can actually read you his post if you'd like me
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Reads the President's Truth Social post about saving the Great Salt Lake and making the lake great again.
▶ Watch at 43:35Read what they said
Okay. This was on Truth Social on, uh, 2 21 says, very important to save the Great Salt Lake in Utah. This is an environmental hazard that must be worked on immediately, and immediately is in all caps. It is a tr it is of tremendous interest to me. The people of Utah are spectacular, especially Representative Monson. I'm just kidding. That's not in there for the record. And they deserve to be helped. I am dealing with your very caring governor, Spencer Cox, and we are going to make it all happen. And then in all caps, make the lake great again. President Donald J. Trump,
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says no dollar amount was committed in the conversation, only interest in providing resources and federal agency and delegation support.
▶ Watch at 44:16Read what they said
No, that was in the conversations that they had. Oh, okay. Yeah. So I, I don't believe that he committed any dollar amount. He just said that we are interested in, in providing resources as well as federal agencies and our federal delegation to help make that happen. Thank you. You're welcome. Okay.
H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Explains that the original resolution did not address this topic, so the substitute replaces its body and title.
▶ Watch at 45:02Read what they said
I'll, uh, the sponsor. Yeah. So the original concurrent resolution had nothing to do with this topic, and thus it needed to be substituted body and title.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presented HCR 7 to adopt the updated corridor management plan for the State Route 9 scenic byway, noting that five municipalities and two counties passed supporting resolutions.
▶ Watch at 38:02Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members of the committee. Um, I do have a couple folks online that are more so as a, a dial a friend if I need to. Um, we'll try to keep this brief, 'cause I know you guys like to, to get things moving along. Uh, but just to give you a little background, so this is regarding a state Route nine, which starts on the west, on the west side at I 15 down in Washington County. Goes all the way through Hurricane La Verkin, Virgin, Rockville Springdale, up through Zion National Park over to Kane County at, uh, state Route 89. So we're all familiar with this route, right? We've all driven it many, …
S.B. 164 School Construction Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Asks whether districts using DFCM can participate in bidding, and worries that DFCM use could raise costs for efficient districts; DFCM director Andy Marr responds that districts retain local control over selection of contractors and architects.
▶ Watch at 1:10:56Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you for your presentation on this. So let's say that a district does want to hire D-D-C-F-M to, to help with the project. Do, can they use the, can the district say, Hey, we wanna use, will they help in the process of getting bids, I guess, from construction companies? Or are these gonna be bids that go out to relationships that D-D-C-F-M uses? Um, how does that work? And you may have already covered that, and I missed it 'cause I was presenting another bill on another committee. Sorry about that. Thank you. Representative Andy Mar, DFCM director currently. Um, I think that process would be, uh, collaborative process with the LEAs where …
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to circle the bill and says he would like to speak to the motion.
▶ Watch at 1:08:24Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to circle. Motion is to circle, we'd like to speak to it.
H.B. 463 Special Education Funding Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Elison asked whether the provision allowing 25% of the money to support general education is already happening.
▶ Watch at 39:31Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair, you may have just answered the question, but on line 1 35 and may help educate me, 'cause maybe this is already something that's going on where it talks about 25% of the money distributed goes to support general ed. If this is special ed focused, um, is that already happening? Is that why that's just kind of a carryover or can you kind of explain that?
H.B. 463 Special Education Funding Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Elison asked to reserve the right to make a substitute motion after speaking.
▶ Watch at 1:06:56Read what they said
Uh, Ms. Chad, like to reserve the right to make a substitute motion, but speak to it before I do. Is that okay?
H.B. 463 Special Education Funding Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Elison made a substitute motion to pass the bill out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:07:38Read what they said
No, I'm not gonna do that. Well, okay, then I will make a motion that we, um, a substitute motion that we actually pass this out favorably, but I'd like to speak to as to why.
H.B. 463 Special Education Funding Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Elison asked for guardrails ensuring the money, including the 25% general education portion, actually goes to special education, saying otherwise he favors holding the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:07:57Read what they said
Okay. So I hear what everybody's saying in the committee, and I do agree. I guess my question would be to move this forward, how do we ensure guardrails around the funding? Right? And then number two, I, I'm specifically concerned about that 25%, maybe fixing some of the wording on that where it goes to general ed. I struggle with that because I think a lot of people always have that fear that, okay, we're going to do special ed funding, but then we carve out 25% that can go. And I understand why, right? Because of the question I asked earlier. But the way that's worded, it really doesn't have to go that way. Right. And I'm very …
H.B. 463 Special Education Funding Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Elison asked whether there has been any funding momentum in the Executive Appropriations Committee.
▶ Watch at 1:11:35Read what they said
May I ask her a quick question before I do? Go ahead. Um, so where are we at with A EAC? Has, has there been conversations already in terms of funding? Is there any kind of a sense of momentum here at all? Yeah,
H.B. 463 Special Education Funding Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Elison withdrew his substitute motion, saying he supports the goal but agrees funding is unlikely.
▶ Watch at 1:11:56Read what they said
Okay. Um, Mr. Chair, I think I might withdraw my emotion. Um, for the purpose of, uh, I think the arguments are good that this, obviously everybody fills that this is something we need to do, but you're right, if it's not gonna get funded, um, yeah, we, we probably need to put a little bit more emphasis on that so that we can get this. 'cause I'm, I totally want this to happen, but if we don't have the funding, then I, I agree with that mo with that, uh, sentiment. So I think I'm gonna withdraw that motion.
H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Presents HB 243, which adds proposition betting to the state's definition of gambling, and introduces Attorney General Derek Brown to speak.
▶ Watch at 1:04:11Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair, members of the committee. Um, this bill is actually very small in words, but it actually has pretty big impact. Uh, as you've probably seen in the papers. Uh, gambling, sports, gambling, online gambling has become a huge issue. It's actually, uh, uh, a new significant threat to especially young men in our country. Um, it's a multi hundred billion dollar business, uh, throughout the country. And, and so we're trying to address one specific thing here for the state of Utah. This simply, uh, as you all know, in our constitution, it's illegal to gamble in the state of Utah. All this bill does is simply adds to the definition of gambling. That proposition …
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Presents H.C.R. 7, which adopts an updated corridor plan for a scenic byway on State Route 9 through his district, and points to the plan's QR code.
▶ Watch at 1:44:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, you were handed a piece of paper on your desk, and this is my gift to you with this bill. There's a wonderful QR code that will lead you to a corridor plan that was part of a scenic byway going through my district, which takes you from Hurricane all the way to Mount Rummel Junction, right through Zion National Park. Within that corridor plan, it's gonna tell you all the cool places to go visit all the hiking trails, all the biking trails, all the amazing things that that corridor offers. So what HR seven HHCR seven is, is this is an adoption of an updated corridor plan. So by state law, when a …
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Says the resolution is binding because a corridor plan cannot be officially adopted without a concurrent resolution adopted by the House, the Senate, and the governor's office.
▶ Watch at 1:45:41Read what they said
So it, it is binding in the sense that a corridor plan cannot be officially adopted unless there is a concurrent resolution adopted by the house, the Senate, and the governor's office.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Rep. Elison presented HB 250 as a way for small businesses without retirement plans to offer one to employees through a private-sector platform.
▶ Watch at 35:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you members of the committee. I know you have a lot on your agenda, so we will try to be very, very brief. This is actually a, a very exciting bill. And just to give you a little context as to why this is important, um, right now in the state of Utah, we have over 700,000 employees who work for smaller and very small companies, and they don't have access to a company, uh, retirement plan. And so, as a result, most of these folks are not contributing to their retirement savings and preparing for their future financially. Uh, we all understand and know the challenges that social Security is running into, into …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Rep. Elison described a portal where employers answer basic questions about company size and contributions to be matched to a plan type.
▶ Watch at 42:47Read what they said
So it's, it's pretty simple. So what'll happen is we'll create the portal, right? 'cause we have the technology to do that. The employer will go onto the portal and they'll just basically say, ask very basic questions. You know, what size of company, how many employees do you wanna contribute to your plan? And it'll, it'll narrow 'em down to either just a, an a kind of an Otto I or a type plan where that's just strictly employee contribution.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Rep. Elison said the treasurer's office would select the platform and set guardrails, and any provider meeting them could be added.
▶ Watch at 43:20Read what they said
Yeah, so, so the, the goal here is, is that, uh, the government would choose the, the treasurer's office would choose that PLA platform where everything went on and then set the guardrails. And then any provider that could fit within those guardrails would be able to be added to that, to that platform.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Rep. Elison said some red states are watching Utah's approach and that the treasurer could speak to other states' interest. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 44:43Read what they said
Well? So from red states, so there have been some blue states that have done that. So the red states are kind of watching what we're doing. And, and, and Treasure Oaks can speak to that because they, they were in favor of this federal push. Mm-hmm. When, when he actually spoke up and said, Hey, Utah, we're running HP two 50. Watch what we do. 'cause a lot of states could actually jump onto our platform and or copy our platform. Okay.
H.B. 575 Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether the bill's tax changes on natural gas, liquefied natural gas, and hydrogen help offset the revenue loss.
▶ Watch at 1:40:33Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Just a quick question and tell me if I'm reading this wrong on the bill. It looks like we are, are increasing the tax on natural gas, liquified natural gas and hydrogen. Is that gonna help make up any difference? Or tell me if I'm reading that wrong.
H.B. 365 Taxation Notification Requirements · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Reserved the right to make a motion and asked the sponsor how much the June 1 date would delay public notice.
▶ Watch at 2:34:36Read what they said
I'd like to reserve the right to make a motion, if I may. It's an order. Yep. Um, so I'd like to speak to the bill sponsor. So it sounds like, based on what we've heard from testimony, that potentially the earliest we can possibly do this to really accomplish the goal is first to mid-May. Um, representative Corinne Peterson, there's already the 1st of June, kind of gimme a fill, if it's okay. Um, is that still significant to give an extra two to three, maybe even four weeks, or where, where are you at right now with, with what you've heard?
H.B. 365 Taxation Notification Requirements · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Said he is still confused about the dates and moved to hold the bill so he can better understand how the dates affect cities and districts.
▶ Watch at 2:37:33Read what they said
Okay. Thank you for that explanation. So, I'm gonna admit something right here. I'm, I'm still a little bit confused on all of these dates. Uh, just on a personal level, maybe you all caught all that. Um, my, my motion I'm gonna go ahead and make would be to hold, and the reason why, 'cause I, I love what you're saying. I love the idea of, of disclosure and, and, and giving the public time to be able to have, you know, comment and so forth. But, but I, for my sake, I'd like to know these dates a little bit better, because if it's only gonna buy us a few weeks, I don't, I don't know how significant …
H.B. 365 Taxation Notification Requirements · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moved to adopt Amendment No. 1 to HB 365.
▶ Watch at 2:38:46Read what they said
Okay. Then I will make a motion that we, uh, adopt amendment number one to hb, what is it? Uh, 3, 3, 6, 5.
H.B. 179 Milk Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Speaks in support, sharing his experience growing up on a dairy farm and asking how far regulation should go.
▶ Watch at 17:41Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I actually rise in support of this bill on that. I want to just kind of give a little bit of a per of a perspective, and I'm not, I'm not suggesting that some of the arguments made aren't valid and, and we definitely do need to consider, and I don't know where the bill sponsor's gonna wanna go going forward, whether they work together or not, with the representative from Wasatch, uh, county. But just a little perspective as, as a child. And, and in my youth, up until I was a freshman in high school, I lived on a dairy farm and I can remember as a very young child, um, putting the …
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Presents HCR 7 to update the corridor plan for the scenic byway on State Route 9, noting the plan was adopted by all five municipalities and both counties and needs concurrent resolution approval.
▶ Watch at 43:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Thank you. Members of the committee. So we are revisiting this now, uh, Mr. Chair and Mr. Vice chair, does there need to be a motion that it be, um, where it was held? Is there a motion that needs to be taken place? Okay, perfect. So what this resolution does, just to kind of recap from our, our previous discussion. So back in 1990, uh, state Route nine from I 15 on the west side to state Route 89 on the east side in Cain County, was designated as a scenic byway. There was later a, a corridor plan that was adopted, and there has been a new corridor plan that needs to be …
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Responds that the committee could find out why the process exists and eliminate the step if it is not needed.
▶ Watch at 45:40Read what they said
I, that's a good question. And I think that might be something that we try to find out why. And if there is a good why, then I think it's a good process. But if it's something we can eliminate to save us some time, I'm all for that.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Says that people involved in the public process can answer questions and that all municipalities and both counties passed resolutions in favor.
▶ Watch at 46:16Read what they said
Uh, yeah. So I've got, there's several people on mine that if you would like to ask them, and we might refer to some of them 'cause they're the ones that handle that. I've also got some friends here in the back that can answer that too. 'cause they're the ones that facilitated all the public comment. So in terms of dissent, every, all three or all five municipalities in both counties have signed their, their, um, resolution saying that they are in favor of this.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Says he was not at those meetings and can only speak to the municipal and county approvals.
▶ Watch at 46:46Read what they said
I can't tell you 'cause I wasn't in those meetings, but in terms of the municipalities or in agreement as well as the two counties.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Says no appropriation is requested and the resolution only approves the corridor plan.
▶ Watch at 53:29Read what they said
Yeah, there's no, there's no appropriation being requested at all with this. It's just simply to approve the corridor plan.
H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Explains that the bill adds proposition betting to the state's definition of gambling and gives an example of such a bet.
▶ Watch at 34:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I had a, uh, a company reach out to me and asked if I wanted to place a bet whether or not this bill was going to pass. And so I thought, well, maybe I should try it out and see if it was gonna work, whether or not the bill was gonna pass, yes or no. That would be an example. Colleagues of a proposition bet. Our state constitution is very, very clear. We do not allow betting or gambling in any form, any, any shape or form in the state of Utah. All this bill does is it simply adds the definition of proposition betting to the definition of gambling in the state …
H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says the matter may be decided by the courts and that the Attorney General's office indicated proposition betting would likely not be considered gambling under current law, so the bill would clarify it.
▶ Watch at 36:34Read what they said
Thank you for the question, Mr. Speaker. So that is for the courts to decide. The, uh, this has been in con I've been in contact with the, uh, ags office. They've been a part of this conversation. Ultimately this topic and many others are going to be coming to the courts, um, whether we like it or not. So under technicality, I'm not an attorney, but they said that most likely in a court of law, it would still be considered, um, not gambling. This just provides very clear distinction that it is not to be, um, used in Utah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Summarizes the bill as addressing a serious issue, citing reported sports betting totals and saying the bill would require companies to follow state law.
▶ Watch at 41:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really appreciate the, the conversation. I really appreciate the colleagues who spoke, uh, just behind me to this bill. This is a serious issue. Um, many of you may have or may not have read the recent article in the DET News where they showed that just the NFL alone in 2025, there was over $38 billion bet in our country just tied to the NFL. All sports betting was over $150 billion in 2025. This is a significant issue. The addictive behavior of gambling is just as serious and just as devastating as addiction to pornography or drugs or alcohol. It is a big issue. We as a state have to stand up for …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Introduces H.B. 250 and asks whether a substitute will be offered for adoption.
▶ Watch at 43:26Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, house bill two 50 colleagues is one of those moments in, in time when we are going to look Representative Monson. I'm Sorry, do you have a sub that you'd like to adopt? I would. Can I call on a colleague to do that for me? Please?
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Explains that the first substitute removes two lines that the treasurer's office requested be removed from a fee structure.
▶ Watch at 44:05Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Yeah, this just simply removed some line, uh, just actually two little lines that the, uh, the, uh, treasurer's office asked us to remove when it came to some fee structure to remove those out.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Elison said the substitute removes two lines that the state treasurer's office asked to be removed from a fee structure.
▶ Watch at 44:05Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Yeah, this just simply removed some line, uh, just actually two little lines that the, uh, the, uh, treasurer's office asked us to remove when it came to some fee structure to remove those out.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Summarizes H.B. 250 as creating a multi-employer platform where businesses without a retirement plan can offer private-sector-managed auto IRA or 401(k)-type plans through salary deduction, on a voluntary basis.
▶ Watch at 44:49Read what they said
Or Thank you for presentation. Thank You for, for that, Mr. Speaker. Appreciate you keeping us in line. So again, colleagues, this is one of those moments in our time here as colleagues on the Hill that we can look back and say, did we make a difference in the lives of our citizens in the state of Utah? And this bill is one of those pivotal moments. We all know the challenges facing our country, facing our citizens as it comes to providing secure retirement for each of our families. So many folks are dependent and continue to be dependent upon social security. We can see through many, many articles and through our own government telling us that social …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Elison presented the bill, saying it would create a platform where businesses without a retirement plan could offer employees salary-deduction retirement plans on a voluntary basis, in response to concerns about Social Security and retirement savings.
▶ Watch at 44:49Read what they said
Or Thank you for presentation. Thank You for, for that, Mr. Speaker. Appreciate you keeping us in line. So again, colleagues, this is one of those moments in our time here as colleagues on the Hill that we can look back and say, did we make a difference in the lives of our citizens in the state of Utah? And this bill is one of those pivotal moments. We all know the challenges facing our country, facing our citizens as it comes to providing secure retirement for each of our families. So many folks are dependent and continue to be dependent upon social security. We can see through many, many articles and through our own government telling us that social …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Thanks Representative Thompson, identifying him as co-sponsor, and asks for support on the bill.
▶ Watch at 50:35Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. And I do wanna recognize my wonderful colleague that just spoke. He has been, he's actually the, uh, the co-sponsor. I wish there was a way we could put us both on this bill. That way he has been totally locked step working on this and I really appreciate his efforts. Um, colleagues, this is a pivotal point. We don't need to belabor that. Uh, I would appreciate your support on this bill.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Introduces HCR 7, a concurrent resolution approving the Zion Scenic Byway corridor management plan, and says the presenters will explain it.
▶ Watch at 46:00Read what they said
Oh, Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Thank you members of the committee appreciate you letting me be here. I've also got, as part of the presentation, uh, mayor Bru, uh, Barbara Bruno from the town of Springdale. And also, um, Emily Friedman, who is the coordinator of the Zion Regional Collaborative. And they will be part of my presentation. So once they are here, there we go. So, uh, members of the committee, this is a, uh, this is actually a concurrent resolution that oftentimes we say in our body that resolutions aren't binding and don't mean anything. Uh, this is actually a, a resolution that actually is critical and, and you cannot complete in certain things without this being …
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asks for Springdale Mayor Barbara Bruno to speak on how the plan affects the town.
▶ Watch at 50:29Read what they said
And, and then Mr. Vice Chair, if we can have Mayor Bruno, just share a little bit how this impacts, uh, the city of, or the town of, uh, Springdale.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Says the plan was a collaborative measure that all cities and both counties along the byway approved, and closes the presentation.
▶ Watch at 51:38Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. So, um, this has been, like they said, a very collaborative measure. Again, all cities within the jurisdiction and the two counties within the jurisdiction, all favorably approved the corridor plan. And so with that, that's the end of our presentation.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Explains the byway was already designated and that the resolution is the final approval step of the plan, which also requires Senate and governor concurrence.
▶ Watch at 52:23Read what they said
Yeah, and I'm gonna defer to Emily just a little bit on this question, but I'll just point out to, so this, this particular resolution, so the scenic byway has already been approved. This is just to approve the col, the, the plan so that it can then be finalized, which requires concurrence with us, the Senate and the, and the, and the, uh, um, governor. And so the Byway has already been approved, but Emily, if you wanna address that just for information's sake. Um, 'cause again, the quarter's already been approved back in, I think 1990.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Says the sponsor also learned during the process that a concurrent resolution was needed to approve the plan.
▶ Watch at 54:24Read what they said
I, that's a, that's an awesome observation. I didn't know that either until we were going through the process, and then we found out, um, that we have to actually get a concurrent resolution to approve the collaborative plan. So,
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Turns the question over to the coordinator, saying there is a link to the plan.
▶ Watch at 54:48Read what they said
Emily, I'll let you, I, there, there is a link. I, but I'll, Emily I'll let you answer that. Go ahead.
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Explains that the county commissions and municipalities along the byway approved the plan locally before this legislative approval step.
▶ Watch at 56:43Read what they said
Yeah. So just, just to kind of reiterate what she said. So the process in, in getting the plan approved, so the approval comes from the, the, um, it requires all the municipalities, including the two counties. So Washington County commissioners approve the plan. And all of this took public comment, right? It took all the public comment from all the municipalities, from everybody in the two counties. So the County commission in King County, as well as the County Commission in Washington County, as well as the legislative body in each of the municipalities, Hurricane La Verkin, and Virgin Rockville, Springdale, all of them approved the the corridor plan, which that's who it's going to affect. And so this …
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asks the coordinator to explain the approval rules and whether any technicality applies.
▶ Watch at 1:00:54Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you. Um, I, I, I mean, I'm gonna ask if Emily can respond to that a little bit too. 'cause I, I need to know the rules behind it and she would actually know the rules because I think the, I think who actually approves the quarter plan? The, I think this is just the follow up here is just for the final approval. So the governor's already concurred, they, they agree with the plan. Um, the Senate has to and we do. But, but Emily, is there any technicality that I'm missing on that as far as, um, as far as the approval process? Can you add to that?
H.C.R. 7 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Scenic Byway Designations · House Transportation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Says the affected counties and municipalities already approved the plan, so this step is largely a formality, and suggests the statute could be changed.
▶ Watch at 1:01:37Read what they said
Yeah. So I mean, if that's what the body wants to do, but I think we're gonna find out that, um, where both counties and every municipality who is actually this affects, they've already approved that. I, I think this is just a formality. And that could be something we might need to change in code that do we really need to have the corridor plan come back to the legislative. But right now in code, it just says we have to approve the corridor plan. And I figure if it's good for all those cities and counties, who this is who it affects. I think we approve it. But I'm open to the, whatever you guys wanna do as …
S.B. 17 Credit Card Processing Fees Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Presents S.B. 17, which responds to a 2024 audit by letting higher education entities join a state credit card processing contract, without requiring them to charge card fees.
▶ Watch at 37:07Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. So Senate Bill 17, this is a, a government operations, uh, interim committee bill, and it was in response to a 2024 legislative audit. And in the audit they found that, um, there was an item that was overlooked. Uh, we have a state contract that allows entities to be able to participate in, um, credit card, uh, fees and so forth throughout the state. And one area was left out and that was, uh, higher ed. Um, uh, the issue was left outta that. And so what this bill does is it says that it, it actually will allow them to be part of that con that state contract, which they were not part of, …
H.B. 117 Organ Donation Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Shares a view that a choice between opt-in and opt-out may be less useful than a two-box option, says he is not proposing an amendment, and supports the bill.
▶ Watch at 11:55Read what they said
Uh, thank you. Uh, years ago I ran an organ donation bill and a policy that I wrestled with as to whether it should be opt-in or opt out. And as I thought about over the years, I think maybe the best option is neither You could check one of two boxes. I'm not gonna try to amend your bill, but, uh, I'm just throwing that out there as a policy to consider, because there's pros and cons with opt-in and opt out. If it's simply, you know, select one of the boxes below, I think it'll cause people to be a little bit more thoughtful about it. But it's just a, something to think about. That's all. I like …
H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Presented HB 243, which adds prop betting to the statutory definition of gambling, and described the amendment that extends it beyond sports.
▶ Watch at 36:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Members of the committee appreciate you giving us the opportunity to come and, and speak to this bill. You've probably been watching in the news, you've probably been hearing all over the place that, um, gambling is not a new thing, but it has become a huge thing nationwide. There's been a lot of controversy on what defines gambling. There's been a lot of challenges between states. There's a lot of litigation going on in a lot of areas throughout the country, um, over gambling issues. So this bill is actually very, very simple. And, and I, and I'm not gonna spend a committee, if it's okay, I'm not gonna spend a lot of …
H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said the bill addresses a growing national topic and strengthens the state's position. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 44:19Read what they said
I think we've said it. Thank you for your consideration. I think this is important because this, this is gonna be a topic that's gonna be hitting even bigger nationwide, and I think this just enforces our position a little bit better as a state. Okay.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Introduced HB 250 as a voluntary state retirement exchange that lets small businesses offer payroll-deducted retirement savings to employees without required employer contributions.
▶ Watch at 45:12Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, we do have a handout. Would it be okay if my intern were to hand that out? Yes. Okay. Thank you. So, HB two 50, uh, just to give you a little bit of background as to why this is an important issue. And I, and I do have Nate Glassy here, I also, and with our Treasure Marlo Oaks, and I'll let them introduce themselves at the time that they will be presenting. They will be part of my presentation today. So, just a little bit of back of a backdrop to this issue. We all understand the challenges economically that we're facing as a country. Uh, one of the biggest challenges that we …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Concluded the presentation and opened the bill to questions.
▶ Watch at 53:42Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So that is our presentation. We are open to any questions. The hard ones go to my right. Softball questions go to me. All right, thank you.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Agreed to respond to the concerns and handed off to Glassey.
▶ Watch at 1:07:54Read what they said
We, we would love to do. So, um, do you, uh, is there anybody else that wants to speak first? Dr. Public? Okay. Yeah, we'll go ahead and address those issues. Um, do you wanna start?
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said the parties plan to remove the fees to the treasurer's office, with fees instead paid by providers to the contracted organization.
▶ Watch at 1:16:00Read what they said
Uh, so we, we actually just met about these. And, um, those fees were put in there as to if the state treasurer needed to take a fee from that. And the discussion, and maybe you can speak to this more than I can, but the discussion is to remove those lines. Um, that, that there doesn't need to be a fee going to the state treasurer's office. All the fees would be paid to the organization that won the bid on this. Those fees would be paid by the, the plan sponsors, uh, by the funding companies that were put on that list, but no fees would be paid to the state. You wanna touch on that more? Did …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked the committee to discuss the reasons for holding the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:21:27Read what they said
Can I ask the committee to have a discussion about that as far as why?
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked for a chance to respond.
▶ Watch at 1:21:36Read what they said
I'd like to be able to respond if, if that would be okay. Mr. Chair.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Compared the bill to Utah's 529 plan, said a mandate would require new legislation, and argued the private sector is not serving these workers and the state faces over a billion dollars in future welfare costs.
▶ Watch at 1:24:28Read what they said
Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, and we'll respond to a couple of those concerns. Let go back in history a little bit here. I think you're all familiar with our state's 5 29 plan, correct? This is probably the exact same discussion that was had when that was started, right? Our 5 29 plan is the envy of the country. It was very much, very similar to this concept in the beginning. There was obviously questions around that. Um, this provides an opportunity that other states would actually be able to participate with, just like our 5 29 plan. But some of the concerns as far as that, so to Representative Fifi's, um, comment, in order to make it …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Thanked the committee, said he opposes government intrusion but the moment requires action, and asked for support.
▶ Watch at 1:32:15Read what they said
I really appreciate the dialogue. I think these are important issues and the questions that have been brought up, I, I feel like this bill answers and, and kind of helps. Hopefully everybody feels good about that. I, everybody knows I'm as conservative as it gets when it comes to no inner intrusion of the, of any kind of government into my life. But as the treasurer has mentioned, as Nate has mentioned, and we've mentioned here together, this is a moment in time, we do need to act. I, I am not in favor of, of a federal intrusion. I'm not in favor of leaving behind all my brothers and sisters in the state that don't have access to …
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