Legislators / Luz Escamilla
Luz Escamilla
Democrat · Senate District 10 · Minority Leader
Hear from them directly
Contact Sen. Luz Escamilla
- Email: lescamilla@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-550-6434
- Office: 350 N State St., Ste 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.
Luz Escamilla serves on:
- Executive Appropriations Committee
- Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee
- Health and Human Services Interim Committee
- Judiciary Interim Committee
- Retirement and Independent Entities Interim Committee
- General Oversight Committee
- Legislative Audit Subcommittee
- Senate Business and Labor Confirmation Committee
- Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel
- Senate Education Confirmation Committee
- Senate Health and Human Services Confirmation Committee
- Senate Judiciary Confirmation Committee
- Senate Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee
- Legislative Process Committee
- Legislative Management Committee
- Medical Cannabis Governance Structure Working Group
- Native American Legislative Liaison Committee
- Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Coordination Committee
- Senate Revenue and Taxation Confirmation Committee
- Senate Legislative Expenses Oversight Committee
- Veterans and Military Affairs Commission
- Senate Ethics Committee
- Senate Health and Human Services Committee
- Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee
- Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
- Senate Rules Committee
- Subcommittee on Oversight
- Utah Behavioral Health Legislative Policy Committee
What they've said
363 remarks on 111 billsS.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that the changes separate the Office of Inspector General's audit component from the legislative auditor's role, which remains with the legislative audit committee, and that the changes add more auditing.
▶ Watch at 34:39Read what they said
Of course, Mr. President. Thank you. You know, this has been a, a, a very, um, delicate process to try to get us to the right approach with the Office of Inspector General that we, I think collectively realize needs help. But we also understand how important the role is of this office in our state. And that is, uh, prevention fraud, um, waste and abuse when it comes to our, our Medicaid funds. And we, um, the original bill as it passed to the house had a, you know, a role of lac, which is our legislative auditor's, um, office. And, and at one point it was in conflict with, um, the Office of Inspector General that we felt …
H.B. 559 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that H.B. 559 would set statewide standards and training for healthcare facilities supporting families after pregnancy or infant loss, including memory-making practices and access to grief counseling, and moves to call the question.
▶ Watch at 54:45Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Um, this bill recognizes a, a unique but very hurtful and painful, um, situation that many families unfortunately experience in the state of Utah related to the passing of a child or an infant. And, um, you know, what this bill is trying to do is just asking for a process to be in place regarding practices when individuals experience pregnancy or infant loss at, at a healthcare facility. So providing a, a framework of work so the parents can have a memory making experience and access to grief counseling. It's been, um, you know, it, it, it's, it's terrible and we're just trying to create a way that it, it it sets the standards of …
H.B. 467 Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks the sponsor to explain why a provision in the new substitute about private schools is being removed.
▶ Watch at 2:24:32Read what they said
Questions to the sponsor. Senator Cullimore, will you yield? Yes. Senator Escamilla. Thank you Mr. President. Just wanna clarify on line 4 49, uh, on this new substitute, which is substitute five, are we now removing, um, that provision and if you, if the sponsor can explain why, I mean, what that provision is and, um, as it's being now removed
H.B. 467 Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks whether the program manager would still verify that a school is a credible private school once the provision is removed.
▶ Watch at 2:25:39Read what they said
Follow question president. Yeah, just, and, and, and to be clear, um, and I do recognize there are multiple schools that are by choice not wanting to participate and there's always this question, so I wanna make sure it's clear. So right now, this bill, even though it is right now, runs as is being removed, will allow the manager to have, um, the authority to make choices for the parents if they choose to apply. And the, and I guess the manager will check that the school is a credible private school. Is that, is that how it's gonna be and where, because if it's being removed, um, is is that still in the bill Senator Cullimore?
H.B. 493 Consumer Products Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks the sponsor whether the bill defines the listed ingredients and where those definitions appear in this version.
▶ Watch at 2:47:39Read what they said
Senator Pro temp, uh, question to the sponsor. Will sponsor yield? Yes. Yes. Proceed. Thank you, Mr. President Pro tem. Um, as we are adding that other bill that, um, the good sponsor made reference to in that, in, in that original bill, it actually define what those, um, ingredients are. Yes, it does. And in this one it doesn't. Am I not seeing where those in, in ingredients are labeled in this legislation?
H.B. 493 Consumer Products Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks to confirm that the bill has not been changed from what passed in committee.
▶ Watch at 2:48:41Read what they said
So I just wanna make sure, because it was a pretty, you know, debated bill and I wanna make sure we're not changing what was, you know, passed in committee.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves to concur in the House changes to S.B. 181, saying they were based on funding and required changing the implementation date.
▶ Watch at 3:42:01Read what they said
Escamilla. Thank You Mr. President. Motion to concur The changes were based on funding, so we have to change implementation date. Those are the changes.
H.B. 259 Parental Access to Children's Medical Records Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks the sponsor to explain the exceptions to parental access, including child abuse and emancipated minors, and how facilities would know and what process applies.
▶ Watch at 10:28Read what they said
Thank you. So on the, just try and understand the process for protecting those, um, I think you ex, uh, the good sponsor explain what are the exceptions? Um, so a child abuse or, um, if the child's emancipated, are there specific, um, requirements for them? Do they have a timeline to show those documents? How would the facility know that that is the case and what's that process looks like?
H.B. 259 Parental Access to Children's Medical Records Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks whether a facility that turns over records by mistake, without knowing an exception applies, is still liable for a fine.
▶ Watch at 11:42Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. President. So the fine is when the, the fine that's described in the legislation in the proposed legislation is only if the facility does not turn in those, um, records and no, do not follow the law, but if they turn them in by mistake because they didn't have the information that, you know, whatever the, those exceptions are, they're, are they still accountable for a fine at that point?
H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks about a provision in the bill that increases a towing fine, and asks why it is being increased and where the money goes.
▶ Watch at 1:15:10Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Prote. Um, just as we are looking into the current fourth substitute, just to be clear mm-hmm. Um, there is a portion of a, uh, in the bill in it changes or increases the rate for the towing as a fine. Mm-hmm. Can you explain a little bit more the policy, why we're increasing that and where is that money going to?
H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks to confirm that the fee is rising from $425 to $600 and asks where the increased administrative impound fee will go.
▶ Watch at 1:15:58Read what they said
Senator Escamilla follow up? Yeah, Follow up question, Mr. President Prote. So just to be clear, we're increasing it to from $425 to $600, and where will that administrator pound fee go to? He wants to know where the Senator McKay, she wants to know where the increased fee will go to
H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks what the Department of Health and Human Services reinstatement fee covers and what reinstatement means. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:16:19Read what they said
Thank you to DHHS for reinstatement. I'm, I'm sorry. He said to DHHS for reinstatement DHHS. Just to clarify, Mr. President Prote Department of Health and Human Services Yes. And for reinstatement, can, can you expand on what that means?
H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says she is surprised the testing costs $600 and asks how the $425 to $600 fee was determined.
▶ Watch at 1:16:55Read what they said
Okay. Thank you Mr. President Prote for that answer. I, I'm shocked that it will cost $600 to do that and I, I'm trying to figure out where that 425 to $600 per fee comes from. And just one follow up question about fees Mr.
H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks where the $187 portion of the administrative impound fee, deposited into the Department of Public Safety restricted account, comes from.
▶ Watch at 1:17:14Read what they said
in lines 3 42, it says, $187 of the administrative impound fee says under subsection seven, eight, um, nine A shall be deposited into the Department of Public Safety restricted account. Can you explain to me where that fee comes from?
H.B. 48 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Changes · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks a question of the sponsor of amendment one.
▶ Watch at 1:25:59Read what they said
Yes. Thank you Mr. President. Question to the sponsor of the motion to amend Senator Weiler.
H.B. 48 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Changes · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says constituents have concerns about the bill and asks whether amendment one allows the board to review a minor's status after a judicial decision.
▶ Watch at 1:26:08Read what they said
Thank you. And I, we did discuss this bill in committee. I wanna make sure I'm understanding 'cause I do have constituents with a lot of concerns on this bill. What this language adds in line 1 96 is that if a minor ends up being put in this, um, scenario that the board agrees to review the status. Is that what it is? I mean, after it's been put by a judge decision, A judicial decision, I guess, yeah,
H.B. 48 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Changes · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks whether the amendment gives the board discretion to review or not review a minor's status, and asks for confirmation that the board is the Board of Pardons.
▶ Watch at 1:27:10Read what they said
Okay. So it would give the discretion to the board to review the status or not to review the status. Um, Follow up question, Mr. President and, and thank you for that answer. Okay. Um, just when, just to be clear, the board is board of Pardons, correct?
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks whether the bill's language would affect AI tools used for mental health help and assistance, including for people who lack access to services.
▶ Watch at 1:47:58Read what they said
Thank you. Um, and I guess I'm trying to find if, if you can point on the, on the language of the bill that specifies with companionship or relationship, there is, um, a lot of AI being utilized for mental health, um, help and assistance, um, many of them with the technology that you can do around the world to help people that may not have otherwise access to those services. Will that interfere with that, that relationship that could be built as they're assisting people in some of this services?
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Worries the language is not clear enough to avoid interfering with AI services that expand access to care and translation for people with limited English proficiency.
▶ Watch at 1:49:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. President. I, I think to me that's where the concern really is. I, we have to be very precise on not interrupting innovation. And AI has created a lot of problems, but it also solved a lot of problems. And it's a, it's bringing, uh, businesses and services to individuals that otherwise will not have access. So I, I worry that I, I don't find the language clear enough that it will not inter interfere on services that are needed. And in some instances, with limited English proficiency for many AI is what's bringing them the services because of language, um, barriers that they may have. 'cause AI can then do simultaneous interpretation and translation as they're …
H.B. 365 Taxation Notification Requirements · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asks whether the bill's notice requirement will apply consistently to all government entities, noting a related bill on notice periods that did not advance.
▶ Watch at 50:30Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm sorry. We're trying to be in multiple committees. Um, so I just wanna make sure we're consistent on policy because this is only applies to the, to cities. Correct. Uh, from what I heard from the good sponsor and, um, you know, we've Senator, um, weer had a bill that unfortunately didn't make it out of committee yesterday with regards to also notification of 48 hours versus 24. I mean, I'm sorry, 20, um, do extra, you know, days for notification. And part of what the conversation has been is that is not for everyone. So is the sponsor planning to have this expand to every, um, government entity at one point? Or is it …
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Asks whether the exemptions for interim storage of nuclear waste in the substitute are still included or have been removed.
▶ Watch at 1:10:20Read what they said
The motion to substitute Senator Escamilla, Mr. President Pro temp questions to the sponsor. Will you yield Senator Raws? Certainly. Go ahead. Thank you. Um, I'm looking in the comparison between, um, the previous substitute. I don't know where we are, but in this first substitute, um, in lines 56, so that section exceptions, are those still gonna be part of the new substitute or are those removed?
H.B. 390 Veterans PTSD Clinical Research Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Says she is fine with the motion and asks for time to review the bill before it is recalled.
▶ Watch at 1:32:18Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Prote. I'm happy, I mean I'm okay with the motion. Just asking if there will be a minute to circle that bill so we can review that. Of
H.B. 590 Child Therapy Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 590 as setting requirements so DCFS foster children can keep their mental health therapist when they move between placements or leave custody, with insurers offering a single case agreement for out-of-network care, and says the bill has broad stakeholder support.
▶ Watch at 3:35:12Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President HB five 90 for substitute. Just establishes requirements. So our, um, system of DCFS can ensure continuity of mental health for children entering and leaving custody of foster care. This is a challenge with our, our children that are being taken care of as they're in the system and as they're exiting it and or entering again, uh, it just makes it really hard to have that continuity of care. This bill recognizes the opportunity for kids in foster care to maintain their care with their therapist as they move from one family to another. This just makes it so our kids that are in the most difficult situation can get, uh, continue to get the …
H.B. 590 Child Therapy Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Responds that the bill applies only to children in DCFS foster care who are currently receiving therapy, so their care can continue with the same therapist after a move.
▶ Watch at 3:36:56Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. This will only be related to children that are in foster care with DCFS and they're currently in therapy getting and receiving treatment. So when they move from one place to another, the care can continue with the same therapist and you don't cut the care. Thank you President. Thank you.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said the substitute addresses airport leases shorter than 10 years that have unique provisions.
▶ Watch at 41:16Read what they said
Yeah. Yeah. Very briefly. All what we're doing here is handling, um, handling, um, uh, the situation. An airport might be doing a short, uh, a lease that's less than 10 years. Uh, they have provisions where there's some unique provision, there's some unique provisions we're trying to accommodate for them. So it's, it's an airport specific provision. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Thanked the sponsor for the airport changes, noted Salt Lake International Airport is in her district, and asked why the 10-year lease threshold was chosen.
▶ Watch at 41:57Read what they said
Thank you. Um, and I, I appreciate those changes into the, uh, airport. Salt Lake International Airport happens to be my district. So it is critical. Just, um, wondering about the 10 years, is that kinda like best practice or where was that 10 year?
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said the answer addressed her question and that the airport issue was only recently brought to attention.
▶ Watch at 42:48Read what they said
The intent. That answers my question, Mr. Chairman. Just thank you, um, to, for addressing that part. It was, you know, just seeing it makes me feel much better And we didn't know about it literally till today. So we were happy to get it addressed. It just wasn't something that was brought to our attention. And, and I think that there, over time we'll probably find there's some other, uh, very, very unique, uh, issues that we may need to deal with. But, but we just barely found out about that one today. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
H.B. 561 Use of Motorized Vehicles by Minors Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Sen. Escamilla spoke against holding the bill and moved to pass it favorably so the sponsor can clean it up, asking for the same courtesy given to an earlier presenter.
▶ Watch at 1:07:30Read what they said
Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. And I'll speak against the motion and when, uh, when, uh, adequately I will like to make a substitute motion that's An order. And, and I'll just say as we're seeking more info on the, on the fees, we just pass a major bill giving opportunity for the sponsor to clean it. I know the good, uh, representative can clean this bill and get it to the place where I think most people agree. I think she's worked really hard. It's an issue that needs to be addressed because we do need, I think, more framework on how to manage this situation to start new things as technology changes, we're gonna be dealing with this …
H.B. 561 Use of Motorized Vehicles by Minors Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Sen. Escamilla summed up, saying the sponsor will work on the language, and thanked the committee.
▶ Watch at 1:19:33Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I know the good sponsor will work on the language and we'll make sure we get information for the good Senator from Utah County on the on the bike, the bike gang name. And thank you for the consideration as we've done for other members in the legislature. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
H.B. 112 Political Advertising Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Escamilla said the bill adds needed transparency for digital and social media advertising, including AI-generated content and third-party ads, and supports the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:40:53Read what they said
I just, I mean, I think to be clear, one, one of the things that's important about this bill is actually talking about advertisement from that digital perspective, which we have not updated our code. So I think that's a one piece of the bill that's needed and very important. Um, and the, the part about which we had like a lengthy debate on the floor about the political science. It has, you know, like the senator's face and his large name, I'm guessing he's paying for it, right? Um, I don't, I don't use my face on the science, but I do use billboards over there. But, um, I think the biggest concern is in, in social media. I …
H.B. 112 Political Advertising Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Escamilla moved to favorably recommend H.B. 112 third substitute to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 1:45:20Read what they said
Chair, make a motion that we favorably recommend third substitute a 3 1 12 to the Senate floor.
S.B. 286 Interior Designer Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Presented S.B. 286 as a simple bill aligning commercial interior designer certification with the International Building Code.
▶ Watch at 1:27:27Read what they said
Thanks. Oh, thank you. Very friendly. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Committee. Um, SB 2 86. It's a very simple bill, and it has to do with a volunteer certification of, of commercial interior designers. So I, I know the, the title may be, uh, not very clear on what we're trying to address here, but what we're doing in this bill is basically aligning Utah code of the commercial interior designer certification to adopt the international building code. Things change in our international building code, and this is what the bill does. Um, it takes a minute to work not only with the commercial interior designers, which Amy's here representing them, but also we work very closely with …
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Sen. Escamilla presented SB 180, which would extend school meal eligibility from 185% to 200% of the poverty level, funded through a share of liquor tax revenue and a $5 million appropriation, with added reporting requirements.
▶ Watch at 38:20Read what they said
I apologize. Your mic is now on. Time Is yours. Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee, and thank you for the time. Um, so as SB first substitute, SB 180 180, sorry, I have 180 1 too, so I apologize. 180 School Nutrition Amendments is, I think it's a continuation of our ongoing conversation of what are we doing to, um, address the issue of hunger and food insecurity amongst our kiddos. And, um, this bill does one thing. It moves the, um, who children will be covered from one 85% of the poverty level to 200%. Um, we currently are at 180 5 only for kindergarten to sixth grade. And the way we we do this is through different …
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said the bill is in the Senate and would be a Senate-funded bill, so its funding depends on how it proceeds in the House.
▶ Watch at 46:10Read what they said
It's in the Senate. As a Senate minority leader, we get to negotiate this pieces, but it will be a Senate funded bill. So it depends on how it goes here in the house clearly.
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Sen. Escamilla responded that the current 185% funding is one-time, explained the 5% share of liquor revenue and the reporting provisions, and asked the committee to consider the bill as an investment in children's nutrition.
▶ Watch at 50:38Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Now take a minute to answer some of the comments because I wanna make sure it's very clear. So first, the current funding up to one 85%, it's just a one time. So just to be clear, and it was an RFA actually this year by Representative Clancy to, and they gave them 2.5. So we will not be funding what I think was stated as a current policy of the threshold, um, in it, in its completion, just to be clear. Um, and then to the second comment about the 5%. So the 10% that we get, it doesn't, so it's all on the sales revenue that, um, DASP collects from liquor sales and that …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Presents SB 248 as a public-private partnership that would retrofit a state-owned building for a childcare center, with half of the slots reserved for state employees, military, and community members.
▶ Watch at 1:32:07Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair for the time. Um, so, um, I'll just, there is a, a paper that we wanna ask if it could be distributed. Thank you. Yes, that would be fine. To your committee members. I appreciate that. And this, this bill has had multiple modifications throughout the years. And our goal, again, as we are trying to identify solutions, not all of them are gonna be the perfect solution for everyone. In the issue of childcare, uh, one of the things that is critical in addressing childcare deserts is access and affordability. So with this bill, and we worked during the summer and, uh, fall with, um, Senate President Adams was instrumental in helping us …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Says the bill applies to one already-designated building, and that the state pays only for the retrofitting.
▶ Watch at 1:36:27Read what they said
Thank you. And so, just to be clear, this bill will only apply to one building, which has been already designated. And so we found the, the, kinda like the perfect location, the retrofitting is the investment of the state, and that's what we paid as a state. And then we get the 50% of the slots available of childcare. So We're paying for the retro, The retrofitting only. Yeah.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Defers to DFCM to answer the location questions.
▶ Watch at 1:36:53Read what they said
Yes. And I'll let DFCM if that's okay, Mr. Chair, to proceed with those answers. Thank you.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Explains that the employer-contracted half of slots would serve that employer's employees or a business co-op, and that the other half would serve state employees.
▶ Watch at 1:37:50Read what they said
So that will be, so in my bill is very clear. So one, the employer that takes a 50% will be for their employees, or it could be a co-op of businesses coming together. By the way, the other 50% is state employees. And if you have been at the tax commission, you have the tax commission and you have DHHS across the street. So we do have, and Department of Health, another Department of Health, Canon building a block two blocks away. So we do have an oh, department of natural resource. Multiple departments are in that, um, location, community, uh, surrounding areas of community and military. Thank you. Do you anticipate there will be any open slots for …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Says the other bill is separate and that this bill affects only one state-owned location, so it would not impact individual childcare providers.
▶ Watch at 1:41:08Read what they said
Um, Mr. Chair, if it's okay, thank you. Yes, please. Um, just to be clear, this is a different bill representative. So the other bill stands on its own. Um, that's a separate bill. So this bill will only impact one location that is state-owned facility just to create a private public partnership and work with the state. So it will not impact anything related to individuals trying
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Says the bill would affect people in the Salt Lake Valley area and explains that few state buildings are currently available for this use.
▶ Watch at 1:41:43Read what they said
Mr. Chair, if it's okay, um, yes. This bill, it's only, will only impact people in Salt Lake Valley area. Correct. Is, and, and if I can expand, Mr. Chair, if you follow some of my other bills that I've worked on, I was at one point when we were in, in, um, different employment, um, structure during CO and after COVID for a long time we were having a lot of the work done remotely. There were a lot of vacant buildings that we own as a state that we were keeping maintenance on the states buildings. I was hoping that we could use more, and specifically I was looking at specific rural areas. Most of those buildings have …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Says the bill requires a Utah-licensed provider, that state employees face access and affordability concerns, and that the state is investing in infrastructure to lower prices.
▶ Watch at 1:44:24Read what they said
That's a great question. Representative. We, we work, so one of the things we did is we specifically asked in the bill that they have to license with a licensed provider from Utah. 'cause we wanted to protect first our, our, you know, providers for our state. But I will answer by the reality is, especially for our state employees, where we're hearing their biggest concern is access and affordability. This will bring down the pricing because what is very expensive on this initial childcare centers is the investment on infrastructure. And that's where we, that is where we investing as a state. So I, I, I believe that, um, you know, there's space for multiple, there's so much need …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Says the bill is a Senate funding priority given session timing, and waives closing remarks to the motion maker.
▶ Watch at 1:47:26Read what they said
None. We'll go to the sponsor. I Appreciate that. Mr. Chair. Just to be clear, because of the timing in the session, this has been prioritized by the Senate. Like I said, it's, uh, an important priority of the Senate for funding. Thank you. And to the maker of the motion, I'll waive. Thank you.
S.B. 2 Public Education Budget Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Asks whether the change in lines 392 to 394 lowers the WPU base.
▶ Watch at 55:43Read what they said
Thank you, president. Um, just, I'm, I'm trying to make sure I can facilitate information to my constituents related to lines 3 92 to 3 94, where this is a policy change on, um, the way we value the WPU. This was not in, this is not in our statute. So this bill would add this process to the statute, and I think it ref goes back to, um, make reference to what the good senator, uh, Fillmore made a comment with the 3% versus a 4%. So the question to the sponsor, Mr. President, is in this case, are we lowering the WPU base on the language in 3 94 in lines 3 92 to 3 94,
S.B. 2 Public Education Budget Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Says the change means the lesser of two measures applies, so fiscal year 2026 would use 3% instead of 4%, and expresses concern about it.
▶ Watch at 56:49Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. And that's, um, I appreciate that sponsor being, um, direct to the answer. And that's a concern, right? We're moving now from a a 3%, from a 4% to a 3%. This, this statutory change on the, on our, on our code will now make it so it will be the lesser of those two pieces. And in the case of 2026 fiscal year, it will be a 3% versus a 4%. Thank you.
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Supports the bill, citing public concern about impersonation of police and a need for officers to identify themselves during traffic stops, and says the bill does not restrict undercover work.
▶ Watch at 1:01:50Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this bill was discussed at length. Our, our committee and I, I believe this is a, a need for this bill, actually is addressing a need. And that is an increase of impersonation of law enforcement and a very increased fear specifically by women when encountering individuals that are not in unmarked vehicles and unmarked clothing, which is actually happening. And it happens more often than what we think. Um, I know the sponsor agreed to work and I think he's made changes to make it very, very clear. No one is trying to stop law enforcement to do their job, but I, there are expectations of identifying themselves. There's nothing more fearful than driving …
S.B. 314 Sleep Disorders Education Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks the committee to consider placing the bill on the consent calendar because of timing.
▶ Watch at 52:57Read what they said
Um, for an opportunity to have to live this bill because of the timing, would the committee consider consent for this bill? It seems pretty straightforward.
H.B. 15 Medicaid Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend second substitute HB 15 to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 1:03:28Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Pr. Uh, Mr. Chair, make a motion that we favorably recommend second substitute HB 15 to the Senate floor.
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend HB 468 second substitute to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:13:04Read what they said
Thank you, Senator. Make a motion that we, um, favorably recommend second substitute HV 4 68 to the Senate
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the bill has support from everyone and no fiscal note, and asked whether the sponsor is agreeable to placing it on the consent calendar.
▶ Watch at 1:13:48Read what they said
That. And Mr. Chair, I mean, I know we're in a role on the, the con, um, consent. Um, this is a, it is been supported by everyone. I saw that check. There was no naval. So are you okay if we make a motion to place it on consent?
H.B. 559 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the bill is a good opportunity to support families, noted existing state policies on similar situations, and moved to favorably recommend the substitute HB 559 to the floor.
▶ Watch at 1:32:41Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chair. Um, this is a, a really good bill and it's an opportunity to, um, provide process as people are healing in something so painful that I don't think has an explanation. So, without Mr. Chair, I make a motion that we favorably recommend for substitute HB 5,559 to the floor. And if, if I could add something, Mr. Chair, I think we've had some, um, already track, uh, policies of where we are addressing and recognizing this, uh, very unique situation. For some families, we've, um, taken care of other issues related to that certificates, so we don't make it so difficult on, on many of these families that are going through the, a horrible …
H.B. 559 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved that the bill be placed on the Consent Calendar.
▶ Watch at 1:35:48Read what they said
Mr. Chair with timing and the sensitive, um, conversation. Uh, I hope the wanna make a motion and see if the committee will Recognize this bill motion is appropriate for to pass this with a place.
H.B. 471 Social Services Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks the sponsor about the bill's alignment with federal law and about the reporting provisions in the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:45:51Read what they said
Oh, thank you Mr. Chair. Question to the sponsor. Um, so I'm looking at your bill. So you added an F right on 93 a line. So just to be clear, you're codifying, um, HR one mm-hmm. Which is thank you, uh, for doing that. And then, um, you do have you from your previous, from your original version, you did remove the reporting piece. Am I correct
H.B. 471 Social Services Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks what the added provision in the bill refers to.
▶ Watch at 1:46:32Read what they said
And then I think the piece that you, that the f is, is that the homeless?
H.B. 471 Social Services Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether the work requirement aligns with federal law and with the state Department of Health and Human Services plan.
▶ Watch at 1:46:48Read what they said
And, um, is this correct to say that the work requirement in this bill not only aligns with HR one, but also aligns to what the State Department of Health and Human Services plan was working on? Yes. Is that correct? Okay. Yes. Yeah.
H.B. 471 Social Services Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks a follow-up question about following federal law and what reporting the substitute contains.
▶ Watch at 1:47:03Read what they said
Um, follow up question, Mr. Chair, if that's okay. Just, I wonder, but I may makes sense. And then, um, you're following federal law, which is for those programs is already in place. Mm-hmm. So they should be following that. Right. And then, um, just I guess my last question. What type of reporting, if any, is in your bill currently in this first substitute?
H.B. 471 Social Services Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says federal law must be followed to protect the program, thanks the sponsor for the changes, and moves to pass the bill favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:49:02Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I am, I appreciate, um, I know the, the good sponsor worked in making changes to put it where it is. I think this, uh, regardless of how we feel about HR one, it is federal law and we have to follow that law in order to make sure, um, we don't jeopardize our program. So I, I do appreciate that you were open to make those changes. And, and for that, I'll be asking my colleagues to move this bill favorably to the, to the Senate.
H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Supported the bill and asked the sponsor to consider adding perimenopause to the language.
▶ Watch at 2:06:40Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I, and thank you to the sponsor. I think, I mean, full conflict of interest as a PhD recipient and perimenopausal, but I, I think the, the wording of perimenopause, and I think that was intent is that you are, um, addressing this and the, now with all the information that came FDA now and, uh, CDC all coming out saying they're safe. I think that was always a hesitation. And the more information we have, it's heartbreaking how many moms and grandmothers are not able to get access to care when it's there and it's safe. And I, I think, um, BHP is always a great place to start. It's something that we have more …
H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether placing the bill on the consent calendar would speed up its path to concurrence.
▶ Watch at 2:10:05Read what they said
Mr. Chair, about timing, based on going back, if this goes to consent, will that make it, I mean, you've done this a lot of years that if we put the bill on consent will then make it faster to get a consent.
H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether the bill would go to concurrence rather than the consent calendar.
▶ Watch at 2:10:33Read what they said
So this will then go to concurrence, but not consent? No. So we, we put it in consent right now, then it, it will get a for sure concurrence in the house, right? Is that the way? So 'cause the house has to concur with a senate amendment.
H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Began a motion to add the bill to the consent calendar.
▶ Watch at 2:11:06Read what they said
Okay? Okay. To, uh, Mr. Chair, make a motion that we, um, add to the consent calendar. Oh,
H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend HCR 10 as amended to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 2:11:31Read what they said
I make a motion that we favorably recommend HCR 10 as amended to the Senate floor.
H.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved to place HCR 10 as amended on the consent calendar.
▶ Watch at 2:12:16Read what they said
Okay, bill, pass this, it'll be, do we need to Motion to add this, um, HCR 10 as amended to the consent and
H.B. 565 City Library Property Tax Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether using other funding to draw down federal funds would require those funds to be state funds.
▶ Watch at 35:10Read what they said
Um, in terms, I think that the comment about whether other funding can be utilized to draw down funds from the federal government, will that require that those are state funds?
H.B. 565 City Library Property Tax Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Restated the question of whether federal draw-down funds must be only state funds.
▶ Watch at 35:28Read what they said
So, in order to draw down the federal funds that you were mentioning in your presentation, does that require those to be only state funds?
H.B. 565 City Library Property Tax Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said she understood the answer and that matching funds are important to the conversation.
▶ Watch at 35:40Read what they said
I I would too assume that. Perfect. Thank you. Just, I just wanted to clarify that. 'cause I think that was part of the conversation, right? I mean, that, those matching funds are important. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend first substitute H.B. 537.
▶ Watch at 51:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we favorably recommend, uh, first substitute HP 5 37.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the bill moves in the direction of the commitments made to the community and state regarding the Olympics.
▶ Watch at 51:11Read what they said
It's a great bill. I think it's moving us in the right direction, what we promise the, the community and the state when we start moving in the direction of the Olympics. Thank you.
H.B. 362 Tax Payments with Gold · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks for a response about the Jordan River water quality situation, which is in her district and concerns her.
▶ Watch at 1:45:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can you respond to the Jordan River situation? I, that just alarmed me a little bit. That's in my district, so any help will be greatly appreciated. Sure.
S.B. 281 Senior Nutrition Private Donation Incentives · Senate floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says the wording addresses unintended effects on some districts and groups while keeping seniors' food access in focus; supports the changes.
▶ Watch at 54:46Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Pro Temp. I just wanna thank the good sponsor for his patients. As we were trying to make sure that the intent behind this, this policy is being met and didn't have, uh, unintended consequences on some districts, some counties or, um, groups that already are meeting their needs, but they're, you know, doing a huge effort to get there, that they wanna be part of the solution as well. I, I think this, this wording, uh, really meets that criteria of not harming at the same time providing opportunity for everyone to participate and be part of the solution and keep more of our seniors accessing, uh, food, which is food security being a big …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Presented SB 180 second substitute, which sets physical safety standards for seclusion rooms, adds video, addresses timing when parents cannot be reached, covers student privacy, and offers a retrofit grant.
▶ Watch at 1:17:50Read what they said
Is yours. Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Committee. Um, second substitute. SB 180 1 is a second part after last year's, um, seclusion rooms work that we did in the legislature. You know, it's, um, we, we learn, I think a lot, we heard a lot from parents. This bill moves into a more comprehensive physical safety standards for the rooms. So it is now that we have this in place that we've define, um, how this emergency safety interventions look like in our schools. Um, the bill says, this is how the rooms need to look like and have the safety mechanisms in place to make sure that it is meeting certain physical standards. We heard very …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Explained the bill sets physical standards for seclusion rooms, including size, and requires video so parents can see what happens.
▶ Watch at 1:20:18Read what they said
Sure. So the, this is the second part related to the actual room. So how does that look like? The standards? Part of what we learned, um, representative is that a seclusion room looks very different in every place. And I don't mean by the color of the wall, I mean by size. And so we've had some very concerned, uh, parents, uh, that they had almost a, a very small, almost closet size situation versus another one where it's, you know, it's safe and kids are safe. So the bill just says, this is what those standards will look like for, um, if you're gonna have a school that chooses to, you know, have seclusion rooms for the purpose …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Said the funding will come from the Senate and is a priority.
▶ Watch at 1:21:31Read what they said
Yeah, this is, will come from the Senate, um, and it's, you know, it's a priority for Okay. For us, and yeah.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Said the intervention rules already exist and this bill sets physical room standards that will be put into rule.
▶ Watch at 1:22:13Read what they said
Mind? Yeah, no, and I think, just to be clear, again, going back to the first question. So in terms of interventions itself and what to do with a child, we already did that last year. It's already in rules. This is now establishing the standards of the actual physical room. So they will then put in rule, uh, based on what we put here in statute.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Said the standards aim to keep students, staff and others safe.
▶ Watch at 1:22:48Read what they said
We don't want any child or any student or administrator to be hurt and hurt the themselves or others. So that's the point is keeping everyone safe.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Closing remarks said prevention and specialists are needed, that reaching parents can be difficult, and that the bill adds transparency and accountability while keeping local control.
▶ Watch at 1:37:34Read what they said
The motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for being so gracious with time. Um, as a good representative mentioned in the, uh, floor sponsor, we also need to invest on intervention and prevention and all the work we need to do. What this conversation has open is an opportunity to understand that our teachers and educators are being asked to do everything. And, you know, we are supporting some other work with RFAs related to, you know, more prevention pieces and having actual specialists that are trained to deal with this type of behavior because it is happening. And to the, you know, some of the comments made, this is a very delicate piece we hear from the special ed, um, …
S.B. 286 Interior Designer Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Sen. Escamilla presented S.B. 286, saying it makes a minor change to align state code with the International Building Code by removing two statutory limitations, and that architects were consulted on the language.
▶ Watch at 20:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President, this is your favorite bill. Yes. And excited to just make a, um, a minor change to put us up to code with the IBC. Um, just wanna make sure I got it correctly. Gimme a minute. But, um, again, we've had this certification for commercial interior designers. This is just amending the code to remove two statutory limitations and aligning the language with the new adopted international building code. That's what the bill does and this is also with consultation of the architects where their scope of practices work very closely. We always work with them to make sure they're okay with this language and it was a compromise. Bill. With that, I'm open for …
H.B. 309 Juneteenth Observance Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Asks colleagues to respect the importance of Juneteenth to the community, and says date alignment matters for parents dealing with custody arrangements.
▶ Watch at 1:12:28Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. President. And I know this is Friday and we're a week away from the end of the session, but I'm gonna ask, um, some respect. This is a really important, um, piece of history related to Juneteenth and, um, it's very important for a very, uh, a large community here in our, in our state. So the point about the alignment and making sure that it, it makes sense and I, you know, maybe some individuals haven't experienced custodial situations where you have to align dates and it has caused some problems because it doesn't match. So I don't know. When we talked about the courts, it didn't necessarily mean the courts like the, the justices …
S.B. 285 Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Explains that S.B. 285 would create a restricted account fund through the University of Utah dental program to pay for dental care for uninsured children, that private philanthropic funds could be added, and then asks for the question to be called.
▶ Watch at 1:25:28Read what they said
Um, This bill is, um, addressing the increasing need for dental care and the impact it has on children, especially as we are ready to invest on our education system for their reading and reading at grade level. The number one reason why our kiddos miss school is for toothache and oral health related, um, medical issues. We know we're gonna be, uh, losing kiddos from, um, insurance coverage, uh, after 2027. So what we are, you know, addressing here with the University of Utah Dental, uh, program that is the provider for all of the network, and not only of the University of Utah Health Systems, but also Medicaid and chip, is that we use the same network and …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Presented SB 124, which would create a court-authorized investigative warrant allowing DCFS limited access to a child when there is credible concern of serious harm, citing the death of Gavin Peterson.
▶ Watch at 1:28:52Read what they said
Yes. Uh, good afternoon, Mr. Chair and committee. You guys have a heavy agenda today. Um, sorry, this is not an easy bill to present. This is Gavin Peterson and, um, this is a Gavin Peterson bill. This is a young boy from West Haven, Utah. DCFS interacted with Gavin between 2013 and 2024. There were multiple reports. There were concerns, there were red flags, and yet for a year, for the last year of his life, DCFS was unable to get eyes on him. I serve on the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Committee alongside Representative Acton from this committee and other members of the legislature. We were brief on given, um, Gavin, um, Gavin Peterson's case. There's some details, …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Explained amendment number one, which removes certain drafting language so the warrant is limited to investigative purposes and not removal.
▶ Watch at 1:54:50Read what they said
Thank you. It's amendment number one under my name. Um, and it, what it does, it, it raises lines 7 21 to 7 23. That was not necessary. It was more of a drafting situation. We really do not need that language. I'm trying to make it as clear as possible what we're trying to do, and be very, uh, precise on that investigative tool only for investigative purposes, not for removal.
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Spoke in support of the motion, saying the bill was developed over two years by the child welfare oversight panel and is precise in allowing safe eyes on children.
▶ Watch at 1:57:19Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Chair. I know it's late and I just wanna thank the time. Um, our legislative Child welfare oversight panel took two years on how to address this issue. It was not easy. Um, the Senate had a lot of feedback from our, um, judiciary committee and all of our attorneys. This took a minute to get us here. Uh, there was a letter that we shared last year, all of our, um, panel to all of you as colleagues on how we needed to take action. And we have two very, um, public cases. Some have multiple, um, you know, series and documentaries, but these are children's lives we're talking about. And there is a role …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla introduced the bill as one of several childcare measures, creating a public-private grant process to help home-based providers open, focused on childcare deserts mostly in rural Utah.
▶ Watch at 34:29Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know we were upstairs trying to get all the bills, so I appreciate, um, the chair and, and the committee members' Time. Um, this, this bill is, is, it's a, it's a very simple bill as part of our, um, solutions to a very complex issue, which is our, our childcare, um, situations in, in our state. And there's not gonna be a, a, like a one silver per blood solution to this situation. And what's exciting, Mr. Chairman committee members, is that you're gonna see probably four bills, very focused, um, in a bipartisan way to try to find this, this, some of those solutions. This bill is focusing on home base. This is …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said home childcare has thin margins and the up-to-$5,000 grant is an incentive to cover items like training, CPR classes, association registration, space changes and toys.
▶ Watch at 39:26Read what they said
Let me, let me start. That's a great question, um, representative, and I'll start by saying it's from a business model, and I spent 14 years as a vice president for Science Bank helping small businesses. It's, it is one of those businesses where the margin is very small. It is, it's expensive to take care of children because it's very exhausting as you can imagine. We will probably, many of us have been parents here and recognize that part. So the grant, which is a, a, an amount $5,000 amount, but I'll let her explain more, is really focusing on a incentivizing actually more people to open their homes into this process. And, you know, for whatever situation they …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said the fiscal note is $2.3 million with a private-sector match.
▶ Watch at 42:16Read what they said
Well, the RFA is for two point, um, 2.3, 2.3 million. That's what the fiscal note is. Mm. And the match will come from the, from the private sector. Oh, The other part. Okay. So It's 2.3 million, which is already, we have Senator Stevenson behind me already. Great. Listen, he knows in the funding process.
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla explained that providers caring for four to 10 children would have to register, with fingerprint background checks and CPR training, while licensing rules stay the same and the limit rises by two children.
▶ Watch at 42:55Read what they said
That? So let me, that's a, that's a great question, Mr. Chair. So right now it's unregistered. So the, the thing we are adding in this bill is you have to register now for up to 10 children. So we are adding two kiddos in the policy, just to be clear. So right now, you're correct, you can take care with no registration whatsoever. And you don't even have to say you are taking care of kids, even though you are and having a business transaction relationship with the parents or the, the, you know, the guardians. This bill says, everyone now has to register if you're taking care of kiddos between four and 10, it used to be eight, …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said HHS would educate providers and allow grace periods, but those notified who still fail to register could be barred from providing care for two years, with crimes handled by law enforcement.
▶ Watch at 44:51Read what they said
Everyone is. Good question. And we actually have, but some people have not actually. No, that's for sure. They, I'm sure there's not thousands of people right now listening. And we have HHS if you want a technical answer, but I, I will give it a shot here. So what happens is there is an interaction. I mean, a lot of people are not gonna know. It's gonna take a minute to get everyone to get educated on this. HHS will usually through complaints or questions, and then they have a list of people that were listed before. We used to at least have them register before we're trying to say, Hey, this is important. Um, we've actually had, unfortunately …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said the request is scalable and acknowledged careful budgeting by appropriators.
▶ Watch at 46:13Read what they said
Or, you know, everything is scalable and it's, everything is possible till the last minute of the session. And I'll tell you, um, Senator Stevenson knows how passionate we feel about this and if he feels it every day. So, but we recognize there's a fiscal nod on times where our, you know, we are being very, um, diligent and careful on our, our funding. Of course.
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said the limit moves from eight to 10 for both registered and licensed providers as a negotiated number, that it applies only to paid care not family, and that Utah falls in the middle among states.
▶ Watch at 1:07:18Read what they said
Chair, can I, Yes, please. Thank you so much for the time and thank you for letting me clarify it. I, I know this is, this is complicated and complex. So currently we have up to eight of not related children. This will move up to 10 and it moves everyone to, to kiddos. Now, the, this is a very, um, heavily negotiated number and, um, I think the, the chamber where I'm sitting right now presenting to feels strongly to provide more, more latitude to have more kiddos. Um, I, we spent a lot of time with the Good Department of Health and Human Services in their childcare office, licensure office, and NCSL doing research. It is hard, I …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla asked HHS to answer.
▶ Watch at 1:11:53Read what they said
No, let me have an answer. The, the licensed people because then I I will be Okay.
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla asked HHS to answer the technical question.
▶ Watch at 1:13:39Read what they said
So, um, can we have HHS again? I'm gonna have them technically answering your question. And I am so sorry I missed your question.
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla clarified that providers caring for four to eight children are currently not required to register.
▶ Watch at 1:15:19Read what they said
Mr. Mr. Chair, just to clarify, four to eight on, on registered, sorry. Yeah, please do. That needs to be Clarified. Yes. To clarify, we, if you, right now between four and eight, you are not required to register.
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said a paid provider caring for five unrelated children would need to register, pass a background check and have CPR training.
▶ Watch at 1:16:22Read what they said
Yeah. So yes, they would just have to register and have a criminal background checked on and a CPR training. Okay. Um, And just to be clear, this is five unrelated children through a business transaction, right? They're contracting for a service. So not a grandmother, you know, or a aunt or whatever. I'm talking about a business, right? I'm childcare provider. Uh, five non-related kids before, plus their own children. Um, they will have to register, get a criminal background check and, and have a CPR training. Yeah.
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said Utah ranks fifth for childcare deserts, the bill gives parents choice and basic safety assurances for paid care, does not affect informal neighbor arrangements, and does add two slots.
▶ Watch at 1:18:42Read what they said
Re really quick 'cause I wanna be respectful of your time. And the representative is talking about of a real, um, conversation. And that's why we want to give parental choice and options. Some people like home base, they may not like childcare facility of 200 kids, other parents may feel more compelled representative. We are number five in the nation when it comes to childcare deserts. And we did a very comprehensive study. I co-chair the Women in the economy subcommittee for multiple years here in the state legislature. And two years ago we actually, uh, unveil a whole, um, study. And our rural Utah areas are hurting on childcare. So our I appreciate that you're so supportive of …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla offered to work with Rep. Shelley on language for the floor and noted House leadership was involved in the negotiations.
▶ Watch at 1:23:06Read what they said
Mr. Chair? Can I offer an idea to the good representative? Yes. Um, and if we can, and I'm more than happy to work with him, um, to get any language that he feels comfortable for the floor. I will also be, um, share with the, the good committee that leadership has been involved in these negotiations very specifically in your chamber related to, um, the importance of helping. So I I can go back to leadership and work. Um, any language if you know, with a good representative, uh, I mean, I'm more than happy to do that representative, but I will say, let me go back to the consensus at the, at the above my pay grade, um, …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Escamilla said she would work on the issue and thanked the committee.
▶ Watch at 1:24:40Read what they said
Uh, I'll work on that. Mr. Chair. Thank you, committee. I appreciate your Time. Thank you.
H.B. 89 Use of Polygraph Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Notes that many states explicitly bar law enforcement from asking victims to take polygraphs and that federal VAWA grant conditions also prohibit requiring them.
▶ Watch at 57:38Read what they said
Um, I am seeing that there are a number of states that explicitly bar law enforcement, um, from asking, it looks like Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Um, so I'm, I didn't know, I didn't know that, uh, that many states had done that. Um, and I guess on the federal level, 34 USC section 10, 4 51 prohibits them from serving, uh, receiving, um, Vic, uh, VAWA stop grants, uh, if they require victims to take polygraph tests.
H.B. 465 Juvenile Court Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Moves to replace HB 465 with the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 2:21:49Read what they said
We first adopt, correct. Mr. Chairman? Yes. Make a motion that we, uh, delete embody entitled HP 4 65 and to be replaced with second sub HP 4 65.
H.B. 465 Juvenile Court Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Moves to pass the second substitute of HB 465 out favorably.
▶ Watch at 2:22:12Read what they said
All right. Now we have a second motion to, Um, motion. Um, so move Mr. Chair to pass second sub P 4 65 with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 354 Rescue Tracking Equipment Offense Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Moved that the committee favorably recommend H.B. 354.
▶ Watch at 2:26:27Read what they said
recommend HB Sorry, I'm looking for it. 3 54. 3 54 With a favorable recommendation.
H.J.R. 15 Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules to Address Sanctions and Dismissals · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Moved that the committee favorably recommend the first substitute of the resolution to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 2:27:35Read what they said
Committee for action. I Ready Mr. Chair? Yes. Make a motion that we favorably recommend HHGR 15 First substitute to the floor.
S.B. 281 Senior Nutrition Private Donation Incentives · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says she has heard concerns from her county about a change in the funding formula affecting multiple counties, and asks whether the second substitute addresses them.
▶ Watch at 13:48Read what they said
Senator Escamilla. Thank You. And I, I know this bill came to committee and I applaud the efforts. We want more, um, you know, access to our, our seniors and meals for our seniors. Just we, I'm hearing from my county, I mean, in the, the largest county in the state, which is county, that they have some concerns. I want to check with the sponsor if his sub addresses that concerns, uh, related to multiple counties that are already, you know, prioritizing on, on funding on this piece. That the formula, the change in formula may have an impact. I don't know if the second sub addresses that concern.
S.B. 281 Senior Nutrition Private Donation Incentives · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Asks to confirm that the second substitute addresses only private funds and leaves current state funding mechanisms unchanged.
▶ Watch at 14:48Read what they said
Thank you Senator Escamilla For the follow up question if that's okay. Go ahead. Just to clarify, on the second sub, and I'm reading it, it says only private funds. So am I clear to say that the second sub only addresses the private funds and it doesn't touch any of the current, um, state funding mechanisms? Yes.
S.B. 286 Interior Designer Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says S.B. 286 is a cleanup bill that aligns certified commercial interior designer and architect scope of practice with the international building code by removing two statutory limitations, and opens for questions.
▶ Watch at 36:48Read what they said
Yeah, and this is a, just a cleanup bill, Mr. Um, president that we work very closely between the commercial interior designers that are certified in the state and our architects, which work very closely to make sure we keep everyone happy and within their scope of practice. What this bill does is removes basically two statutory limitations so we can be aligned with international building code. That's all the bill does. And with that, I'm open for any questions. Mr. President,
S.B. 205 Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says she circled a bill over a fiscal note appointed by the presiding officer the previous day, that the fiscal note is now available, and moves to uncircle first substitute S.B. 180.
▶ Watch at 44:44Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Prote. I did circle a bill because of a fiscal note that you appointed as president Pro temp last yesterday and I think that fiscal note is available. So with that I'll make a motion to encircle sb first substitute SB 180. The motion is to uncer first substitute Senate Bill 180.
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents S.B. 180, which would expand school meal access for kindergarten through sixth graders with household income from 85% to 200% of the poverty level, funded by a 5% share of current alcohol tax revenue and a $5 million one-time fund from the public education economic stabilization account, and notes the fiscal note now available.
▶ Watch at 45:17Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Um, president Prote. This bill again, uh, creates a more children accessing, uh, meals at school kindergarten to sixth graders. Um, one 85% to 200% of poverty level. And what we do is, um, we're asking to work within a 5% of what the current revenue, um, is of them, which comes from alcohol tax and then creates a fund of $5 million for the other kiddos, um, in that group, in that category. Just to be ready. If they need extra funds, they can apply for those and that those $5 million are one time from um, public education economic stabilization restricted account. Mr. President Prote. That is what was not available yesterday, which now we …
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it protects vulnerable populations and clearly describes where the tax funds will go.
▶ Watch at 1:07:08Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. President. I also rise in support of this bill. It's, you know, bills that are focusing on protecting as much as we can, are more vulnerable populations, and having a really, um, explicit description of where that tax, uh, those tax funds are gonna go. It is, I think, the, the right approach and it's responsible, it's transparent, and I applaud the sponsor for this. Great Bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
S.B. 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Supports the substitute, saying the changes address concerns about payers, employer protections, and disclosure and transparency.
▶ Watch at 1:50:42Read what they said
For the, we're on the motion to substitute. Thank you. And, and I, I wanna thank the good sponsor in listening and working with some of those concerns. Um, this is a, I think it's a delicate, um, process to allow people to have this, um, beliefs and their conscious to be protected, like I think it's intended, but the biggest concern was related to payers. Those are large companies, and the concern was, who, how do we make sure and we regulate those pieces. I, during committee, he answered, and I think he put enough protections on the individuals in terms of how their employers will have to deal with that. And how is in, kinda like before time …
H.B. 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the second substitute to H.B. 265, saying it moves Utah in the right direction for youth protection and education.
▶ Watch at 15:46Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we favorably recommend first substitute HB 2 65. And I know there's a lot of PTSD from some of my colleagues on, on this issue. I got, I got you. I hear too. Yeah. Oh, second sub. Got it. So second substitute HB 2 65. And as someone that's been, you know, doing the medical cannabis for years and to your point, uh, Mr. Chair, I think this is one that we will probably see a, a bill every year. Um, some of the big hits in the biggest, um, we carried some of the biggest pieces like, um, Senator Plumb and others. This is moving us in the right direction. …
H.B. 70 Correctional Health Services Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend third substitute HB 70 to the Senate and said the bill is a good investment that addresses corrections resources and recidivism.
▶ Watch at 22:30Read what they said
13. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, make a motion that we, did we already adopt it? Sub three? We did correct. Thank you. Just checking. Um, um, make a motion that we favorably recommend to the Senate, um, third substitute HB 70. Okay. That's an order discussion to the motion committee members. Um, That's a gigantic, uh, lift and thank you representative. Um, your work speaks for itself, but we need, this is part of how we address, uh, history with corrections and really proactively making sure we're giving the resources. So, you know, recidivism decreases all the things that you said that are huge. ROI. So this is a good investment. Thank you. It's a good bill.
S.B. 187 Renter Credit Reporting Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moved to pass the bill as amended.
▶ Watch at 1:04:43Read what they said
Yes, I'm, I'm ready. Mr. Senator Escamilla. Okay. That'd be great. Thanks. Senator Escamilla? Yes. Senate Bill 180 7. Thank you Mr. Chair. Mm-hmm. Yeah. I'm so moved to pass the bill as amended. Okay.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the second substitute of HB 190 as an excellent bill.
▶ Watch at 1:54:47Read what they said
You Mr. Chairman. Make a motion that we favorably recommend second sub HP one 90. It's an excellent bill.
S.B. 261 Pharmacy Practice Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Begins presenting S.B. 180, School Nutrition Amendments, which would move meal programs for children to a range of 185% to 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
▶ Watch at 37:21Read what they said
Senator Escamilla. Thank you sir. Thank you Mr. President Pro Temp, uh, what this bill does, it, um, moves, um, meal programs for children, uh, within the one 85% to 200% of federal,
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Escamilla explains that the bill lets kindergarten through sixth grade students in the 185% to 200% federal poverty range receive school meals using existing funds plus a new account, and says reducing hunger helps students learn.
▶ Watch at 37:33Read what they said
within the one 85% to 200% of federal, federal poverty level. And it's only for kindergarten to sixth graders. Um, this is just asking them to work within their current, uh, funds that they get and then, um, adds a, a portion in a new, um, account. We've been doing this for, for, uh, we, there's been efforts to do this and we are working with the house, um, sponsor as well. And it's just, you know, kids that are not hungry will learn better. And as we continue to invest in our grade education system, um, this is just an opportunity to make sure, uh, food is insecurities is not what keeps them from learning and thriving. With that, …
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Escamilla says the funds for the new meal program come from the education stabilization restricted account, which is funded by the state liquor tax.
▶ Watch at 38:30Read what they said
Um, yep. To, for changes to data collection, does this mean that there will be no additional spending on lunches? No, It will be from the, um, education restricted stabilization restricted account where the funds will come From the state liquor tax.
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Escamilla says the existing 10% liquor tax share is unchanged, LEAs would first use 5% of those funds for meals for students between 185% and 200% of poverty level, and then could draw on a new $5 million stabilization account.
▶ Watch at 38:53Read what they said
No. Um, good question. So it doesn't change the current 10% that comes from the, um, dasp, which is the liquor tax that still continues the same. It's actually asking the LEAs to utilize 5% to begin with, of those funds to start, um, addressing the meals for kiddos between 185% to 200%. But after they run out of that money, then it comes, they can then tap into the new account of the $5 million of the stabilization account. And
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Escamilla apologizes, says the $5 million may not appear on the fiscal note because she worked with LFA, and asks to circle the bill.
▶ Watch at 39:29Read what they said
I am Sorry. Let's, I'm gonna circle that Bill. We just, I was with LFA so it may not not be reflected. Can I circle that bill?
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Escamilla thanks the Senate and says the bill continues last year's work on seclusion room processes.
▶ Watch at 40:07Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Prote. I am not running away. I'm here. And, um, this is, um, continuation from our seclusion rooms, um, process. We now have, as you know, you all participated very proactively Thank you last year
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Sponsor explains the bill sets physical safety standards for school seclusion rooms, including minimum size, structure, lighting, video, reporting, and cleaning, and creates a one-time matching grant for local education agencies.
▶ Watch at 40:22Read what they said
and just putting, um, standards of how seclusion rooms work. We're now establishing a comprehensive physical safety standards within the rooms. We wanna make sure we know how is the minimum size the structural requirements, proper lighting and video. Um, you know what also has some mechanisms of reporting and it's also cleaning from last year. What happens when we are not? Um, schools are not able to locate parents and the child is still under distress. That it allows the schools to make a decision at that point to continue potentially using the seclusion room in those emergency or urgent situations. Um, it creates a one-time grant to make sure the LEAs get a matching grant to get our …
S.B. 258 Infant at Work Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Presents S.B. 248, which would create a public-private partnership to expand childcare capacity in an existing state-owned building.
▶ Watch at 55:47Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President ProAm. Um, SB 2 48 creates a private public partnership to expand childcare capacity in a very, um, um, existing state-owned building is actually
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Described the bill's plan to add childcare availability in an existing state-owned building, with the state handling retrofitting and a private licensed provider running operations, and said half the slots would go to employees, community members, and military families.
▶ Watch at 55:57Read what they said
existing state-owned building is actually the tax commission. We've been working, um, with leadership on during the summer and fall to get us to a place where we can, um, provide just extra availability for childcare. And um, you know, I presented at length yesterday, I won't do that, but it's the role of the state is the retrofitting, that's the investment. The rest contracts operation and hiring a Utah based licensed childcare. We'll all do through the private sector. We take 50% of the available slots for employees and community and also military. Just to be clear, um, the goal here is to create more childcare and access. And with that I'm open for any questions. Mr. President ProAm.
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it protects birth mothers, adoptive parents, and children and makes adoption agencies nonprofit.
▶ Watch at 1:05:00Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you Mr. President ProAm. I rises in support of this bill and the important work of many, many years. And I know the, um, Senate, the senate sponsor and myself both have been working on this issue for, for years now. And I, and also, um, Senator Weiler, I, I know this has been a labor of love to try to make sure we are protecting, uh, biological mothers, uh, uh, adoptive parents, but also those children and those kiddos need to make sure that their integrity is protected. This bill is moving us in the right direction to make sure the industry is, um, it has some protections and regulations that keep everyone safe and it …
S.B. 74 Motor Vehicle Civil Action Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Asks to make a motion to reconsider the Senate's earlier action on SB 248 Childcare Expansion Act, saying she voted on the prevailing side.
▶ Watch at 1:39:47Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Uh, motion to, uh, reconsider our actions on SB 2 48. We have a motion to reconsider our actions having voted on the prevailing side. Is that correct? Having voted on the prevailing side. Thank you. On Senate Bill two, excuse me. 2 48 Childcare Expansion Act. Correct. Senator? Correct. Mr. President, thank you.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Thanked the presiding officer, described the bill as a public-private partnership to expand access to child care, said the bill did not pass committee earlier, and asked for a summation and vote.
▶ Watch at 1:41:49Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Um, just needed to count my votes. I apologize. We're back here in private public partnership to get more access to childcare. And with that I'm open for questions. Mr. President, Thank you again. I, we heard this bill earlier. Apparently we, it didn't make it through the process. I don't see discussion on it again right now, so I'm gonna go back to you. Wait, Summation and call the question.
H.B. 48 Criminal and Juvenile Justice Changes · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Asked whether CCJJ discussed a number of affected minors that would prompt revisiting the concept, and raised concern about minors housed with violent adults.
▶ Watch at 56:38Read what they said
Mr. Chair. A follow up Question? Yes, Mr. Strong, uh, Senator Escamilla. Thank You. Was there any conversation in, so is there like a, where do we draw the line, I guess how many miners need to be impacted to say this is not a good idea? I mean, any conversation like, is it five, is it 10? Is it a hundred? I mean, do we have a, a number of humans, Sorry. So like, if something bad happens, right? And because it happens, right? I mean, we're acknowledging that things happen in this situation. I know our goal is to prevent any, um, violence against anyone right. In our facilities. But when you have a a a child, it's …
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Asked whether a person who marries a minor after taking them out of state would face a penalty, and what proof would be needed to show intent.
▶ Watch at 2:57:30Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Chair and I, because that was, I was the Senate sponsor on that bill when we put the age brackets years ago, like maybe 10 years ago. So, just to be clear, is whoever is actually marrying this person's, if they're not following the current statute, now they have a penalty, correct? Yes. Because the, the law already says who can get married, who can't. And, and what it will take to have minors get married will take parents and, um, the, whoever, you know, the judge to say it's okay, but the only just to be clear is if, what is a threshold? I mean, to meet intention for removing the minor out of the …
S.B. 285 Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Confirms readiness to take up the bill.
▶ Watch at 28:36Read what they said
Always ready, Mr. Chair. This is true. And now we see we have a sub here.
S.B. 285 Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Explains that the substitute moves the bill's funding source from a transportation-related fund back to the general fund.
▶ Watch at 28:51Read what they said
Uh, we have a quorum so we can move that if you'd like. Um, yes, that will be, if that's appropriate. Mr. Chair. Um, okay. If I can speak to that. Yes, go ahead. Um, so we're just, um, the original bill had the fundings coming from a specific fund that's related to transportation. And after some due diligence with other members of, of the Senate leadership, we, uh, it was important to bring it back to the general fund. So that's what the, the changes do in the first substitute.
S.B. 285 Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presents the substitute bill, which creates a restricted account of about $5 million for dental and oral health care for uninsured K-12 children, and cites data on children's dental disease, missed school, and access to care.
▶ Watch at 29:38Read what they said
Excellent. Thank you Mr. Chair and committee. So, um, just this, a simple bill in a way, and I'll just explain why. It is a simple bill that has a fi a $5 million fiscal node to create a restricted account that will provide dental, um, and oral health for children in our K 12 system that are uninsured. So that's what the bill does. And Mr. Chair, anyone that has had any tooth issues knows that it is impossible to be able to focus and do anything else, is very, very painful. And when you think about how about 20% of our Utah children have no dental insurance in the state of Utah currently, and with some of the …
S.B. 285 Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Moves that the committee favorably recommend the substitute bill to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 36:13Read what they said
I I appreciate the time from the committee and, uh, that I make a motion that we favorably recommend for substitute 2 85 to the Senate.
S.B. 285 Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Responds that the goal is to be as open and broad as possible, that the bill directs funds to the University of Utah School of Dentistry network, and that additional language could be added to bring costs down.
▶ Watch at 37:05Read what they said
I appreciate that. Thank you, Senator. I think the goal is to be as open and broad as possible, senator. And if we need to add anything that will make us be creative on how we actually get help to these kiddos. And the reason why, if you look at the, the bill, it goes to the, um, university of Utah School of Dentistry. They, they are now doing most of the delivery of care, I mean, as a network for the entire state. So I think the opportunity, especially addressing, uh, the fact that, um, you know, um, now we need the gummies for the kids that are not having access to, uh, fluoride and so forth. So anything …
H.B. 417 Patient Interfacility Transportation Requirements · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Moves that the committee favorably recommend H.B. 417 to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 46:26Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we favorably recommend HB 14 to the Senate floor.
H.B. 383 Department of Health and Human Services Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Escamilla moved to favorably recommend the second substitute of HB 383 to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 56:11Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, make a motion that we favorably recommend. Um, its first substitute, correct? Sorry. First Substitute. Second. Second Substitute. Second substitute. Sorry. HB 3 83 to the Senate.
H.B. 383 Department of Health and Human Services Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Escamilla said this technical work is needed every year to clean up provisions that are no longer needed.
▶ Watch at 56:29Read what they said
Is, uh, we need this technical work every year to clean whatever is not needed, as in the Department of Health. Thanks.
H.B. 390 Veterans PTSD Clinical Research Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the first substitute of the bill and says it is a careful approach that needs further research.
▶ Watch at 1:16:24Read what they said
Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, make a motion that we favorably recommend first substitute HB three 90, and if I can speak to that, Go ahead. Um, and I, you know, this is, uh, a labor of many years and I applaud the Senate. Uh, the representative, uh, actually I was the first one to introduce legislation trying to address specifically, uh, PTSD for our veterans. And I think where this bill is, is, is a ride, um, balance, uh, between being very careful of something that, you know, it still needs more research. And we are not as familiar in the United States as other places in the world are, and things in other places are working great …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Presents S.B. 248, which would have a private employer operate a licensed childcare center in a retrofitted state-owned building, with half the slots reserved for state employees and military members.
▶ Watch at 29:00Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Um, SB 2 48 creates a public private partnership to expand childcare capacity by retrofitting one existing state-owned building and leasing it to a private employer that will contract with a licensed Utah childcare provider to actually operate the center. We have worked for years and just trying to find solutions. I know this is not gonna fix all the problems, but it's one specific area where we have a lot of state employees. It's in the tax commission building. And, um, we've been working during the summer and fall to figure out what is a location that could provide this opportunity. As you know, uh, Utah's declining fertility rate is directly tied to the lack …
S.B. 268 Religious Curriculum in Schools · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Asked how the bill would work with two recently passed laws that include religion in their protected-class provisions.
▶ Watch at 1:05:15Read what they said
Thank you. Just, um, there were a couple of bills that we have passed in the last couple of years, and one is by a former representative, um, gymnast, and then another one was a bill related to anti DEI that have a provision related to protected classes including religion. So can, how is this gonna combine with those bills that are already in our state code?
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Presents the first substitute to S.B. 180, which expands free school lunch eligibility for low-income students, allows schools to use up to 5% of current funds for meals, and creates a new $5 million ongoing appropriation, and introduces Amendment One.
▶ Watch at 1:27:28Read what they said
Um, first substitute expands free lunch, uh, for school for low income kiddos moving from one 85% to 200%, but it's very narrow to just kids in kindergarten to sixth grade. And what we're doing with this bill, Mr. Um, president is again, you know, it's for them, for the schools to use up to 5% of their current funds to pay the cost of the school meals and opens a new, um, area of funding to cover by providing $5 million into a, an account for the extra, um, school meal program. This will come again. The first portion will be obviously from the Li Liquor revenue describing subsection 53 F dash two dash 4 2 3. And then …
S.B. 246 Utah Homeless Services Board Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Explains that when the Office of Homeless Services or the Homeless Services Board recommends a homeless service campus, the bill requires appointing a community member from that area to the board, to ensure transparency and representation for nearby residents.
▶ Watch at 1:28:03Read what they said
that when the u the Office of Homeless Services or the Homeless Services Board announces or recommends a homeless service campus, that at that point they have to bring a community member from that area to be part of that, um, board. And more than anything, this is an issue of transparency and representation. Um, there's been made an announcement that impacts my district directly and I think, um, not having a representation from that area, um, makes very uneasy for the constituency and my community that they may be, uh, they, that they're thinking of building a 1500 bed facility in their community. And that there was, there is a very close process to actually make this recommendations that …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Presents S.B. 181 on seclusion rooms in schools, covering a grant program, video, reporting, privacy, and a 30-minute extension, and moves to substitute the bill with a second substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:31:40Read what they said
related to the rooms in schools. And we recognize, uh, that is hard for all the rooms to be retrofitted. And so that's what this bill does. Not only does it describe, but it also has a one-time grant program, um, that will help the LEAs modify their existing seclusion rooms. We are clear that there needs to be video, um, in those rooms. Parents are asking for transparency on this issue. And, you know, we don't have seclusion rooms in every school. Just to be clear, we're also making sure we can do more reporting on actually knowing how many seclusion rooms. At this point, we don't know how many seclusion rooms are out there. So this bill is …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Says the bill was developed with USBE and educators, balances parent concerns about transparency, adds a physical safety standard and a grant, and concludes her presentation and calls the question.
▶ Watch at 1:34:24Read what they said
Perfect. Thank you. Yeah, just again, we've been working with USBE and, uh, special education instructors and educators. We wanna have that balanced parents that feel strongly about, you know, making sure there's transparency when it comes to, um, utilize utilization of these rooms. And I think this bill is getting us closer. This is a physical safety standard piece on, and we have a grant to help schools get there. And I think it's moving us in the right direction. We're working on other issues related to prevention, but those you'll see in different, um, RFAs and bills. With that, I, this is concludes my presentation and call the question Mr. President.
S.B. 309 Single-family Home Rental Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked whether a fiscal note has been prepared for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:02:54Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I don't see a fiscal note. Do you have a fiscal note senator on this bill?
S.B. 309 Single-family Home Rental Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked how the excise tax could affect renters and rent costs given current efforts to stabilize renters.
▶ Watch at 1:03:03Read what they said
Okay. I'm not sure what it is. And then one more question, Mr. Chair. So, um, on this, Um, so the, this excise tax and, um, do you foresee a, an impact on renters? I mean, so we've been talking about trying to stabilize renters, right? Just we need people with housing. Uh, we all want the ultimate goal, which is single family home ownership. I, I, I, I, I appreciate that. And, and being, I think, clear that there is a, it's not an equal footing, you know? Um, the corporations certainly have other pieces, and I spent 14 years of my career in banking, not on, on, on this type of lending, but, um, we're enough to know …
H.B. 290 Child Tax Credit Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend HB 290 to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 2:08:57Read what they said
Oh, thank you, Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we favorably recommend HB two 90 to the floor of the Senate.
H.B. 290 Child Tax Credit Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Said the bill is a great tool for helping families and is one part of a broader toolbox.
▶ Watch at 2:09:04Read what they said
That's an order I'd like to speak to that. Um, this is a great bill. We just need to keep helping families and is one tool in our toolbox.
H.B. 263 Heavy Duty Vehicle Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moved that the committee favorably recommend HB 263 to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 2:26:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Make a motion that we favorably recommend HB 2 63 to the Senate.
H.B. 263 Heavy Duty Vehicle Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Said she has worked on this issue for years, supports moving in this direction, and believes Utah is disproportionately affected by pollution from other states' dirtier vehicles.
▶ Watch at 2:26:28Read what they said
I, I've been working for years of this issue and I'm glad we're moving in some direction. There is an impact when everyone else sends their dirtiest stuff to Utah and we seem to be the dumb place for that. So at one point, we need to really be serious when we have, just because of geological situation where we stand, um, just disproportionately impacted by pollution and we need to do something. So this is moving us in the right direction. Thank you.
H.B. 351 School Vision Screening Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents H.B. 351 as a cleanup that would let schools and nonprofits tell families about free vision exams and possibly free glasses, and asks for the question to be called.
▶ Watch at 9:47Read what they said
And, um, this bill is a simple, uh, cleanup of the original intent of this bill. And as a result, currently our schools and nonprofits cannot directly inform families when there's actually free exam or glasses when it comes to, um, you know, vision screenings, which have, we've worked for years to make sure more kiddos have access to vision screening. So what this bill will do is, um, because it restricts information sharing, it will just allow for the, the nonprofits that are allowing and helping families that they can just inform the, the, the families that they can get free exams and also potentially even free glasses. That's what, that's all the bill does. And I'm open for, …
S.J.R. 11 Joint Resolution Recognizing National Blood Donor Month · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents S.J.R. 11, recognizing January as National Blood Donor Month in Utah, and notes the work of the American Red Cross and ARUP laboratories in supplying blood.
▶ Watch at 43:52Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Prote. This resolution recognizes, um, the month of January as National Blood Donor Month in Utah. More than anything, this designation allows us to be reminded of how important it is, uh, to encourage UANs to donate during a time when blood supplies are historically at their lowest. At the same time, we recognize two incredible institutions in our state that are keeping us all safe and sound if needed with the blood, um, supply that is the American Red Cross. And, um, they've been around for a hundred years doing incredible work and as well as ar UP laboratories, recognizing that they're the sole provider of blood to the University of Utah Health and the …
S.B. 190 Trailer Registration Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Escamilla introduces her home-based childcare bill, saying it aims to increase the availability of childcare.
▶ Watch at 1:20:58Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Pro Temp. The, um, home-based childcare bill is just trying to increase more availability
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents S.B. 214 to expand home-based childcare access through grants for providers, criminal background checks for caregivers, and raising the unlicensed home-based provider limit from eight to 10 children, with a focus on rural Utah.
▶ Watch at 1:21:07Read what they said
of home-based childcare at homes. We wanna provide parents with more choices. What we're gonna do here is provide a, um, increasing access to childcare by having grants for home-based providers. So they can get, um, their business in place open and running. And, um, this is at the same time, we're gonna make sure that all the individuals that are gonna be taking care of kiddos just get their, um, criminal background checks. That's just basic, um, um, minimum criteria. So we know that these individuals can do that. And, um, we're moving the unlicensed home-based providers from eight to 10 kids. So again, more kids, uh, places like homes. If parents wanna do that, which is important, um, …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Explains her vote, saying she supports the goal of reading by third grade and the delayed implementation, and will vote aye.
▶ Watch at 2:12:31Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Um, when I explain my vote, I, I appreciate the work put into this bill. Um, and I think I a hundred percent agree that it's, it is a policy piece to have all of our children be able to read that level. We'll also, just because my district, I've been hearing from my district, there is some concerns and, um, some of the pieces have been added on delayed of implementation and, um, you know, starting with the kindergarten group moving forward, I think will help, um, you know, address some of those concerns. At the same time. I, I think you, you know, um, the good senator, uh, from Ogden that's been working for …
S.B. 105 Use of Force Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Escamilla moves to replace the bill with the first substitute of SB 105.
▶ Watch at 1:39:59Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we, um, delete, embody, entitled SB 1 0 5 and substitute with, um, uh, first substitute SB 1 0 5.
S.B. 105 Use of Force Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Escamilla moves to favorably recommend the first substitute of SB 105 to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 1:41:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Make a motion that we favorably recommend first substitute 1 0 5 to the floor.
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said impersonation of law enforcement is a concern, especially for women, and said she supports the bill as a way to protect both officers and the public.
▶ Watch at 1:49:44Read what they said
All right. Uh, Senator Escamilla, uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and, and thank you Senator for, uh, being responsive to, um, an actual fear I think of, of especially women and I the account makes sense. There's also been an, an increase on impersonating law enforcement. Mm-hmm. Uh, unfortunately. And the, um, women tend to be disproportionately impacting. And, um, you know, and, and this, um, bad apples are, you know, individuals that are using vehicles that are unmarked, but they put the demo lights or whatever they do, and unfortunately, it's some horrible things that happened to those victims. I think this is a way of protecting both law enforcement as well as individuals that may be interacting. And …
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked law enforcement to address public fear about being unable to see who is stopping them, especially for women, and asked whether officers can call colleagues instead of stopping drivers.
▶ Watch at 2:00:33Read what they said
Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. And, uh, and, and the same goes to the highway patrol. No one is addressing the fear factor. So can, can you just, and, and look, I will love to hear from women, I mean, in your law enforcement agencies, because I have four daughters and I'm, I'm afraid when I cannot see who this person is, and I've been pulled over by, you know, I shouldn't say that, but I have been pulled over and I'm, I'm okay having an interaction with an, an officer that I can see what the car is and interacting. This is not a safe world. So, I mean, this idea that, oh, trust us. Like, I'm like, trust …
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked whether the substitute bill gives officers enough protection to act in emergencies, such as a suspected drunk driver.
▶ Watch at 2:03:18Read what they said
Just one last question, Mr. Chair, please. Yeah. I appreciate the time. So are, and, and maybe just now be practical in terms of the policy in the second sub, uh, sorry. First substitute. You don't feel you get that protection for the emergency pieces. 'cause I, I mean, I'm listening to you and I'm thinking, okay, if you think this person has, you know, is driving under the influence or there may be like a, a, a serious criminal activity happening, by all means, at that point, you know, we've had people save lives of humans by being off duty and, and being a, a peace officer and acting, and we applaud them and we want them to do …
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked whether law enforcement and the sponsor could work out language that allows undercover work while addressing public safety concerns.
▶ Watch at 2:10:08Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think this is a very important bill. I want it is a question to Nate. Um, because he, I know he represents, um, a lot of the law enforcement agencies and I, do you think there's a way of giving enough, um, place for the activities that you guys are discussing that I don't think anyone disagrees are important, that undercover work? I mean, I just wanna hear that there is a solution to a real problem. And if the public, I'm hearing from my constituents, I, I I'll say my constituents are, are I love representing my district. This is something that I've been hearing from them because they care 'cause they're afraid. So …
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said the bill should keep moving, asked the sponsor to refine wording so officers can act when needed, and asked whether the substitute must be adopted.
▶ Watch at 2:15:43Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I, I, you know, I, I think you're, we're getting somewhere and it's not gonna happen in this meeting, but I, I think the bill needs to keep on moving 'cause of timing. I will say, um, and ask the, the good sponsor to hopefully get to that wording that gives that law enforcement the peace of mind to act when they need to act. I, I, I do believe there's still, um, things that we can do to make sure, um, we are protecting also people's ability to feel safe in interacting with unmarked vehicles. And I think that's what the bill does. And with traffic violations, I think that's small enough. But I …
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Moved to adopt the first substitute to SB 262.
▶ Watch at 2:16:36Read what they said
So, um, well, no, but let, let me adopt it 'cause it's better, I guess, for them at this point. And I wanna, Here's, here's what I, oh, sorry. Um, so let me make the motion to adopt that. Um, and I just lost the bill. I don't know if it's the
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said she would participate in negotiations with law enforcement and would still move forward with her motion.
▶ Watch at 2:17:54Read what they said
Um, um, and Mr. Chair, thank you. If I can respond to that and, and I appreciate that part. And I, I will say, Senator, I, if I have to be part of those conversations, I'll be happy. Yeah. And I feel this shows good faith to the law enforcement community that I think both of us respect. Um, and, and we wanna work with 'em. So I, I will still move with my motion, Mr. Chair, but I
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Moved to support SB 262 favorably and recommend it to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 2:18:44Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Chairman. Make a motion that we support, um, SB 2 62 favorably, uh, and recommend to the floor.
S.J.R. 11 Joint Resolution Recognizing National Blood Donor Month · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Introduces the resolution on National Blood Donor Month and a substitute adding A RUP alongside the American Red Cross as blood supply partners, then moves to substitute the resolution.
▶ Watch at 1:00:22Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. President. Um, this is, um, a resolution that addresses National Blood Donor month, which is in the month of January. But more importantly, racist awareness about this very important, um, you know, piece in our lives, which is making sure our, um, donor, um, blood supply is ready when hopefully none of us, but it could happen. Um, our loved ones or one of us needs blood for whatever medical reason that we are just increasing awareness of how important this is. And I do have, um, a substitute Mr. President, uh, that I will love to adopt. And in the substitute, basically we are adding A RUP, which is to be recognized as a sole …
S.J.R. 11 Joint Resolution Recognizing National Blood Donor Month · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Summarizes blood transfusion needs and donor rates, the American Red Cross share of the nation's blood supply, and A RUP's role, and encourages public education on blood donation.
▶ Watch at 1:02:03Read what they said
So any further explanation? Um, Just to end, um, my presentation, Mr. President. Thank you. It's just be reminded that a blood transfusion in our country is needed every two seconds yet, um, only 3% of age eligible Americans donate blood, um, in our household. It's something that we, um, do very regularly because we think it's very important and just alone. The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation's blood and blood components. And like I said, air up in our state is a sole provider for University of Utah Health and Cancer Institute. And with that, I encourage people to continue educating our public and our communities about the importance of blood donation. Thank you.
S.J.R. 7 Joint Resolution Regarding Utah's Protection and Advocacy Agency · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains her no vote, saying many constituents value the agency's work, that the agency is limited by its federal mission, and that the resolution is not the right approach without an alternative.
▶ Watch at 1:53:54Read what they said
Um, thank you, Mr. President. Um, can I explain my vote? Go ahead. Thank you. Um, and, and I appreciate the, the sponsor is a, he, he knows how to run bills, and he's very thorough. He did have a very long, um, committee hearing, and I appreciate that. I think there was, you know, equal numbers, at least for, in my case and my constituents saying how much DLC has meant to them. So there's a lot of people are very satisfied with the work they do, and there's also others that have raised concerns, and those need to be addressed. I, I completely agree. What's important to understand with the process, and, and the sponsor has been very …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Presents S.B. 214 as part of a bipartisan childcare package, saying it adds a grant program with matching philanthropic funds for up to 6,000 home-based childcare slots, prioritizes rural areas, lets home providers care for up to 10 unrelated children, and adds safety transparency for parents; she then moves Amendment 1 so the Department of Workforce Services manages the grants.
▶ Watch at 3:10:04Read what they said
Pro Tem. Um, this bill is one of the, um, package of bills that we've been working during the summer. In a bipartisan effort to try to address our childcare, uh, situation in the state, we, you're gonna see multiple bills coming from the house and the Senate. Um, Senator Baldry and myself have been in involved from the senate side and some of the conversations and finding solutions. What this bill does is, um, just create a mechanism to increase the number of home base, um, childcare, uh, availability. And it has a grant attached to this with philanthropic money matching the funds. So it's a great private public partnership. Um, the goal is to create up to 6,000 …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Thanks colleagues for their efforts, previews more childcare bills, asks for support, and calls the question.
▶ Watch at 3:14:50Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. President Prote and I just wanna, again, thank the efforts and you'll see those bills coming and, and Senator Valerie has some of them. So happy to continue this conversation and hope for your support. Thank, thank you. Call the question.
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Presented S.B. 147, a response to the 2025 legislative audit, which adds Government Operations oversight and performance metrics for the Medicaid Inspector General, adds reporting requirements, creates a sunsetting advisory board, and lets the legislative auditor perform certain Medicaid program integrity audits.
▶ Watch at 34:26Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chair and Committee. And I apologize for that late as I was running from the Senate. Um, and I so happy that my, um, house sponsor is also here. Um, second substitute SB 1 47, office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments. It's a, um, bill in response to, um, in the audit. And I know you probably have seen the audit. I, I think came out in October of this year. Um, and just a little bit of background, 'cause this is important. What we're trying to do here is it modifies the responsibilities and very specifically brings some oversight of the Office of Inspector General. The bill adds responsibilities for the Department …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said involving the legislative auditor, directed by the legislative audit committee, is expected to make the main difference by ensuring timely audits in response to concerns.
▶ Watch at 41:06Read what they said
Um, Mr. Chair, if I can respond, thank you. Uh, and the, the good representative, um, has been very involved in this conversation as well. And I know he, um, he's worked with some of these conversations was part of them. He's correct. And I think I, I give, um, credit, uh, where the presiding officers had, um, the thing that they think is gonna make the big difference to address this is all lag involved at this point. Um, you know, we, we rely heavily on our legislative auditor's office, and I know they're here in case there's some just more technical questions and maybe they can answer how they will direct an audit for that type of work. …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Deferred to her House sponsor to explain how the new structure would work better.
▶ Watch at 43:18Read what they said
I, I'll let my colleague here, um, respond better. I also have an idea of how that will work better now through the structure
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Added that coordination through the advisory board and monthly legislative audit committee review will turn red flags into actual audits and increase legislative engagement.
▶ Watch at 44:23Read what they said
Group. It's coordination, coordination, I think it's the coordination and through their, um, program integrity component, some of these red flags are coming. It's just then how did that translate to an actual audit? I think that's the missing portion of some of this. I think all like now involve and the advisory board reviewing the, how they're prioritizing assessments and evaluations is where I think we're gonna see the difference. Um, but it's a valid question. I, I I trust all, again, again, legislative, the legislative audit committee will also be engaging, um, monthly because we do meet monthly that committee to review those priorities and all a will be, you know, reporting back through that process to that …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said the advisory board has that authority and that the Government Operations executive director will be responsible for performance metrics.
▶ Watch at 46:02Read what they said
I, I believe that authorities there within the advisory board remembering and, and just keeping clear that the Department of Government operations and their executive director at the end res is responding for, you know, metrics and performance pieces. So that right now we were not having that anywhere. And I, I, I think that is a critical piece from an operational side. I know many of you guys have experience as COOs or operation pieces, when you have no one to held accountable, it makes it really hard. So I think that side of metrics and operations is through the Department of Government ops and that executive director will now be responsible to making sure those metrics are being …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Explained the office has always been in the executive branch and will now be a division of the Department of Government Operations reporting directly to its executive director.
▶ Watch at 47:00Read what they said
Yeah, I mean, it's, it will be now. Okay. So it's always been part of the executive branch. Just to be clear, at one point they were part of the governor's office, um, of, uh, like budget. And part of it is they've changed the names. The governor, when they changed governor's, we changed names, some of the stuff. But it was part of the governor's office. Then it moved to, um, a, a department. Okay. Here, so it was part of 2011 when this whole thing started originally established within the government's office of planning in 2013, it was changed as an independent entity. And we don't have that many, I think they may be the only one now …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said most audits will be done by the legislative auditor, with the Inspector General keeping federally related audit duties, and that many layers of oversight preserve independence.
▶ Watch at 48:17Read what they said
Um, you know, part of it is all lag coming in and running. Most of those audits will be through all lag. So I think they, they will, um, we are leaving some of the audit responsibilities that are related to the federal, kinda like federal pieces to Inspector General. And, and part of it is because all, like also has a very defined role based on our constitution. So we have to make sure that all that was not, you know, getting outside of his, of the lane of all actg based on our constitution. That's why it took a minute to get the bill drafted to this point where Olag will be able to review all of that …
H.B. 269 Ambulance Provider Payment Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moved to pass the second substitute of HB 269 favorably to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:14:04Read what they said
Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I apologize. Um, make a motion that we move second, substitute HB 2 69 favorably to the Senate.
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moved to replace the third substitute of HB 51 with the fourth substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:21:31Read what they said
Um, make a motion that we, um, substitute, embody and title HB 51, substitute three, and to be replaced with fourth substitute HB 51.
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked about the consortium, including whether it would be housed in DHHS, whether it is independent, and how it would be established legally.
▶ Watch at 1:29:23Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Chair. And I, I do have a couple of questions. And first just appreciate your, your work on this. I'm, I was in the judiciary, so I got a little bit of, of your process and your journey. I've run a lot of bills related to adoption before, so I'm familiar with, um, the universe. It's a pretty unique place. Yes. It's, so thank you for the work you've done and I, I like the process. So I have, my first question is, um, your consortium, that was not part of what we discussed originally, um, in judiciary. So tell me more about the consortium. Is that, um, is that gonna be housed on HHS and …
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked whether all adoption agencies would become private nonprofits.
▶ Watch at 1:30:55Read what they said
So consortium and then all, all adoption agencies are moving to private non-for-profits, correct? Five one C threes non for
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked how many agencies are currently for-profit and would need to change.
▶ Watch at 1:31:05Read what they said
And so, so all of them, how many are, will be having to change? How many do we have that are actually for profit currently?
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Raised concern about the bill requirement to disclose Medicaid received in a previous state and asked about its purpose.
▶ Watch at 1:31:25Read what they said
And then, you know, and this is something I expressed to you in committee, and you know, this is kinda like the only thing where I, I do have a little bit of an issue and it's, which is, I don't think it impacts what you're trying to do with a bill, but I do take, um, issue with your lines, uh, 3 43 on the having to disclose that someone had Medicaid in a previous state. Like if I'm, you know, I, I recognize we control Utah Medicaid, and we should not be giving Medicaid for anyone that's coming for the specific practice, but I, why would they have to report that they had Medicaid back home and I, …
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said she remains uncomfortable with the Medicaid disclosure requirement but supports the bill overall, citing the nonprofit transition and consortium.
▶ Watch at 1:32:41Read what they said
Yeah. And follow up Mr. Chair, and why I say this is because we are making on the next line, right on, I think it's e cannot get Medicaid in Utah. So we're already saying we're not gonna give you Medicaid if you're coming here for that, for that purpose, which I actually agree with that policy. I don't necessarily disagree that based on all the history we've had of being, you know, perceived as a state that, you know, does this, uh, for business situation. But it, again, it, we, I feel uncomfortable. It's like, I don't know that the data related to someone's situation, especially because every state looks different on their Medicaid and their criteria of who …
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the substitute HB 51 to the floor.
▶ Watch at 1:44:33Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we, uh, favorably recommend for substitute H 3 51 adoption amendments to the floor.
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Spoke in support of the bill, saying the nonprofit transition and consortium add safeguards, though she still has concerns about the data collection piece.
▶ Watch at 1:44:45Read what they said
Yeah, I mean, I, this is a, a, a very, it's a, it's a unique place and I, I think the more, um, safeguards we put, I think the not-for-profit is gonna change the whole process. It is gonna have a different feeling. I think we're a very, for adoption state. We, we, we, we, it's something that's very unique to Utah, but at the same time, there are always the bad apples that unfortunately, uh, bring a different level of reputation to our state. This will bring tons of safeguards and more importantly, won't take a year to address them because the consortium will be able to raise some of them. And I, I think the consortium is, is …
H.B. 148 Tax Return Donation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Explains that the bill adds an optional donation field to state income tax returns so people can help families pay school lunch debt, and opens for questions.
▶ Watch at 57:48Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Pro Temp. Um, this bill is fixing, you know, trying to fix one of our biggest issues that we have in our state, which is a lot of the student debt, um, related to school launch. Um, the sponsor has been working on this for a couple of years. We represent, we share a big portions of districts together and we know this is a big, um, issue in our districts that we, um, share those constituents. And sometimes the barrier for helping is people wanna provide, uh, assistance. They just don't know how to do it. So the, the build through the good, um, work of the, of the sponsor creates a solution by simplifying …
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Asks whether the bill raises constitutional concerns about housing discrimination.
▶ Watch at 1:21:25Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. President Amp a question to the sponsor. Will you yield? Yes. Yes. Proceed. Thank You. Um, and I know the, the good sponsor is, is an attorney, so he can be helpful here. Are there any concerns of, uh, constitutionality issues related to housing discrimination with his language, Senator Brammer?
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Asks how the sex designation would be applied and determined in a real situation.
▶ Watch at 1:23:21Read what they said
Yeah, follow up question, Mr. President. Go. Thank you. And in, in your view, how will this be implemented in a real scenario, how will that look like to have that determination be made? Thank you. Sure.
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Asks who would determine whether a tenant is a biological male or female.
▶ Watch at 1:24:05Read what they said
Senator, Well, last question, Mr. President Pram, thank you for the time. So at that point, the determination was made by the landlord, um, to determine whether this person is a biological male or female. Correct.
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Restates the question of whether the landlord would determine if a tenant is a biological male or female.
▶ Watch at 1:24:23Read what they said
Yes, sorry about that. So, um, just to make to be clear, the landlord will make that determination at that point whether that person is a biological male or female.
H.B. 404 Sex-Designated Housing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Expresses concern about how far a determination of sex would go, what evidence would be used, and how people perceived as a different sex could be affected; announces her vote.
▶ Watch at 1:25:07Read what they said
Thank, thank you, Mr. President ProAm. And I'll just end by saying, I, I think that to me that's a lot of what there's so much, um, concern is how far will someone go to determine that and what type of evidence will there be? Um, is it gonna be pictures? Is that gonna be public information? I mean, I just, it is a little bit, um, concerning that, um, someone will make that determination based on, I don't know what evidence. And if someone, um, based on a cultural background, um, looks or be perceive as something of a different sex, to me, that's where we are, where the line is very concerning and, and will be raising concerns …
H.B. 174 Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Sen. Escamilla noted Dr. Smith's claim that the report committee members were biased.
▶ Watch at 1:32:20Read what they said
It's Escamilla Escamilla. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, and if, um, Dr. Smith, is that correct? Mm-hmm. So you made a, an interesting part of your statement. I listened very carefully. Um, you said that you felt, and it seems like that's the case with the questions that were asked by my colleague, that there was their bias that these individuals that were part of this presentation were biased.
H.B. 174 Sex Characteristic Change Treatment Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Sen. Escamilla, citing her service on the Primary Children's Hospital board, objected to discrediting absent physicians, said she disagreed with his position, and asked when government should intervene in medical care.
▶ Watch at 1:33:19Read what they said
Okay. A follow up question, Mr. Chair, please. Thank you. So, um, I'm not a physician, but I've served 12 years in the board of Primary Children's Hospital. So a great institution has saved the life of my children, multiple kids. So I do take a little bit of offense when they come after the doctors that have gone through the same professional career. Maybe not exactly as yours, because I don't know your resume. I haven't seen your resume. Dr. Smith, I'm sure if you were a provider and you're in the chair of the licensure board, you are a respected member of your medical community. But I do take offense and those doctors are not here. So I, …
H.B. 105 Child Welfare Revisions · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend first substitute H.B. 105 to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 36:39Read what they said
Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanna make a motion that we favorably recommend first substitute HP 1 0 5 to the Senate floor. And if I can speak to that
H.B. 105 Child Welfare Revisions · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Praises the sponsor's work on child welfare and says she will ask colleagues to support the bill.
▶ Watch at 36:51Read what they said
I, you know, so nice to have the good, um, representative here, and I think you gave a, a good description of how she brings so much light to the room. She's also, um, works very tirelessly in, um, the child welfare panel. And I have the pleasure of serving in that, in that committee with her and I, I know where her heart is on this. And this are, this is how we learn is through those, uh, individuals connecting with us and learn, letting us know that we are maybe missing the vote. Something here. And I, I appreciate this modification. I think it makes sense. And with that, I'll be asking my colleagues to support this bill. …
H.B. 171 Physician Assistant Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the substitute bill to the Senate floor and says it is a good cleanup.
▶ Watch at 40:17Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we favorly recommend first substitute HP 1 71 to the floor, to the Senate Motion is an order. Would you like to speak to it, Senator? No. It's a good cleanup. And thank you, uh, representative.
H.B. 117 Organ Donation Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend H.B. 117, first substitute, to the floor.
▶ Watch at 48:10Read what they said
Senator Escamilla. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Make a, a motion that we favorably recommend organ donation amendments to the floor. A uh, sorry. That will be HB one 17 first substitute.
H.B. 117 Organ Donation Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Says public education and family conversations about organ donation are important and that government has a role in providing information.
▶ Watch at 48:37Read what they said
Um, no. This is such an important work and I, the more we can raise awareness and educate our public about process and allow us to have conversations with loved ones, as I know that part of the, of this process will include the family and loved ones to make, um, a decision as well. And there's nothing probably more shocking than not. Being prepared for this type of conversation is never easy. But I, it saves lives and, and I think there is a critical role for government to just educate and provide tools for people to be better informed when making decisions.
S.B. 281 Senior Nutrition Private Donation Incentives · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Escamilla asked whether private donations would go to a restricted account or the general fund.
▶ Watch at 54:41Read what they said
Um, thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you so much, Senator. This is such a critical gap in our, in our current services and to a very vulnerable community. Um, just a question. Do we have a restricted account or where those, if private funds actually come in private donation, will they go to a restricted account or to the general fund?
S.B. 281 Senior Nutrition Private Donation Incentives · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Escamilla asked a follow-up question, said she supports the bill, and noted that the substitute's appropriation changes add flexibility.
▶ Watch at 55:13Read what they said
You have a matching fund follow up question, Mr. Chair, if that's okay. Please. Thank you. Uh, I love it. Thank you. This is a, a great way of also of encouraging, um, the public to support, and it gives, um, you know, a, a good mechanism to do that. I noticed you did change, uh, some of the appropriation pieces, which I think just gives more, uh, flexibility as things may look different pending, um, how much money we get. So, I, I, I think that's important just to note on, on your sub, but I, I think this is a great bill.
S.B. 281 Senior Nutrition Private Donation Incentives · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Escamilla moved to favorably recommend the first substitute of the bill to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 56:44Read what they said
Um, Mr. Chair, if it's appropriate, I wanna make a motion that we favorably recommend first substitute 2 81 to the Senate.
S.B. 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moves to replace the first substitute of S.B. 174 with the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:02:11Read what they said
Um, sorry. Of course. I would make a motion that we, uh, substitute, embody, and title, first substitute SB 1 74 to be replaced with second substitute 1 74.
S.B. 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks how the advance notice process works and where the lists of services and providers would appear in the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:11:39Read what they said
Thank, thank you, Mr. Chair. I do have a couple of questions for the sponsor, and that's an order process. Thank you. I'm trying to follow the, the mechanism for notification to the public, and if you can take me by lines on the bill, I wanna make sure that I'm clear on how, um, if a, um, a provider, healthcare provider will, they have to in advance delineate what, um, type of, um, medical provider, I mean medical services, they're willing to, they're gonna be not providing. Is that the intent? Like there will be an an in advance notification and if I'm the doctor, I will say I'm not willing to do the following, um, services. And then …
S.B. 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks a follow-up on whether provider names and locations would be listed for services not provided.
▶ Watch at 1:14:36Read what they said
Follow up question, Mr. Mr. Chair. Thank you. So I'm, I'm reading those lines. Thank you, um, Senator for that answer. So I, it says, for each healthcare service that a healthcare provider or a healthcare institution does not provide due to exercise of the right or religious belief or conscious maintain information. So this will be the actual names of the providers that will be listed on the website. Am I, am I understanding this clear? The, the location and, and and the name again, this, this, this is somewhat unique. If, if there's individuals in a facility that that's one thing, it would, there there would be a workaround. And the reasonable is, is, uh, Dr. Wilson stated, …
S.B. 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Confirms that emergency room services are excluded and asks whether a provider could stop a procedure without notice.
▶ Watch at 1:15:30Read what they said
Okay. So I yeah, that, that Question in non, in I, I don't know if this was clear, it's in non-emergency as well. Correct? The the emergency room is exempted out. Yeah. So emergency, just to be clear, Mr. Chair, emergency room. So Tala overtakes over proceeds that? Correct. Thank you. So we're not dealing with the emergency room. It's a good, um, clarification. But in this one, it will just be any other services outside of emergency. There will be a full disclosure prior, so that doctors have to be forced. So they cannot suddenly wake up one morning and in the middle of a, a procedure and be like, oh, my conscious tells me not to do this …
S.B. 286 Interior Designer Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presented SB 286, saying it updates the interior designer statute to align with the International Building Code, removes outdated occupancy limits, and does not change structural or architect and engineer licensing.
▶ Watch at 46:46Read what they said
Good morning, Mr. Chair and Committee. Thank you. Um, it's a little bit chaotic out there outside. Um, and SB 2 86 Interior Designer Amendments is a, basically removes some statutory limitations, uh, related to occupancy restrictions. And it adopts the International building code. It's an update, um, to, you know, this international, uh, interior designer, um, cons, um, certification that we put in place in 2017. So, um, 10 years ago. And, you know, things have evolved. So we're trying to just keep it more clean and, um, we've, this is a, a work of a lot of hours in, in collaboration really with the architects as they're, you know, we wanna make sure we keep the scope of …
S.B. 151 Public Safety Funding Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Says she will vote aye while the sponsor continues talks with firefighters about funding concerns, and that she expects the funding issue to be worked out.
▶ Watch at 47:30Read what they said
Senator Escamilla President. I, I know there's, um, uh, still conversations happening as a sponsor. Just, um, express, um, that they're working with the firefighters and I, you know, we, as a co-chair with Senator Vickers of, of the, um, the caucus, the Firefighters caucus, we, you know, we just, I think they're gonna get to that place. So I'll be voting. Aye, knowing that there'll be that mechanism to protect their funding so it doesn't interrupt with what he's trying to do. I think this is, is a good policy. We were just concerned about where the funding is coming, but I, I know, um, the good senator will work it out to make sure that we're not impacting, …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Presents S.B. 124, which would let courts authorize limited access to children when there are serious, evidence-based child safety concerns by creating an investigative warrant, and invites questions.
▶ Watch at 48:56Read what they said
This bill, um, creates a very narrowly tailored legal tool that would allow courts to authorize, uh, limited access to, uh, have children be seen when there's serious evidence-based concerns for the child safety. So it creates an investigative warrant. Um, this is in response, uh, from the child welfare panel for the last couple of years after the terrible loss of Gavin Peterson in October 10th, 2024. And we're just trying to address this in a way that is very respectful and careful. Um, eyes on Children is a priority and we've had some discussion on this Bill and I, I hope I can get the support without Mr. President open for questions. Thank you. Open for questions.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explains that the substitute bill clarifies the definition of a homeless shelter at the request of the Department of Workforce Services.
▶ Watch at 38:06Read what they said
Absolutely. Um, you know, the, uh, the, um, so I'll speak to the whole bill because there were some just technical changes that needed to be made, but, um, if, if that's okay, well let, okay, lemme just say the changes were asked by the Department of Work for services just to define clearly what a homeless shelter is. And we didn't have any, you know, encompassing other institutions that we're not trying to be impacting with this legislation. This is truly for what we consider a homeless, uh, homeless shelter. So that's what the substitute is.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the definition applies only to future shelters and not retroactively, and refers to a proposed 1300-bed facility in her Senate district.
▶ Watch at 38:55Read what they said
So we define, um, here what the homeless shelter is. And, um, this bill will be, cannot be retroactive, so it will be moving forward for future shelters. And it's part of my presentation, the one that was announced that was considered for that is still considered for a 1300 bed facility. It's in my Senate district, which is why I am running this legislation. So it is really for purposes of our conversation, what we will consider a homeless shelter. Okay. So this is going forward for new homeless shelters that are built. Correct. And you're clarifying what a homeless shelter means in the substitute. In The substitute. Correct. Okay.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explains that Amendment One adds public health provisions on mosquito abatement for staff and visitors in the plan.
▶ Watch at 40:34Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, in Amendment one, one of the pieces that are is, that is critical, at least in the current location, is just the situation related to mosquito and mosquito abatement. Um, where we have the biggest mosquito, uh, abatement issues is in the west side of Salt Lake City because we're on water. So, um, one of the pieces that we added was the public health piece of staff and visitors related to mosquitoes as part of the plan. Okay. So, um, the amendment, uh, does include that.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Describes the bill as setting a comprehensive plan, oversight, and reporting process that must be in place before a large homeless campus opens, and asks Rep. Hollins to speak.
▶ Watch at 41:35Read what they said
Is your Thank you Madam Chair and Committee for your time. So, you know, we've been through a lot, um, as a legislature in the last 10 years trying to address our issues, uh, related to individuals experiencing homelessness. We, um, lived through Operation Rio Grande. We went into a spoken hub hub approach. And I, you know, there's still a lot of things that we need to work on, and I think the multiple committees are addressing the multiple needs. But in, uh, October of this year of 2025 of, you know, the year 2025, there was an announcement made that was the, or the advisory board. Uh, thus, uh, just to be clear, the Office of Homeless Services, …
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Responds that the provider ratio applies only to high-acuity mental and behavioral health cases, that the facility serves all people experiencing homelessness, and that the bill does not address civil commitment.
▶ Watch at 48:21Read what they said
Um, thank you for that question, madam, if I can proceed, please. Thank you. Please. So the entire, the way the recommendation for this new facility is, um, senator, is that it's not all mental behavioral health. So this ratio is only for the mental behavioral health, um, acuity cases. But the, the 1300 bed facility, it's actually to serve all types of individuals experiencing homelessness. So this, um, this ratio is evidence-based, kinda like best practices, but just to be clear, those 1300 beds were not all intended to be mental behavioral health, um, high acuity patients or individuals. So that, that's a great question because, uh, actually the vast majority will not be probably that type of, of, …
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the goal is to ensure services are adequate and notes a statewide shortage of providers.
▶ Watch at 51:06Read what they said
Um, we just wanna make sure that the services are adequate. But to your point, I mean, it, it is, if there's 1300 people with mental behavioral health that is impo, we don't have enough providers period.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the issue can be addressed and that she will make the necessary changes.
▶ Watch at 51:25Read what they said
Mm-hmm. Yeah, and we can address that for sure. I'll make the change necessary changes for that.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the bill should move forward to start the conversation on oversight and safeguards, and agrees to remove the staffing ratio language.
▶ Watch at 57:37Read what they said
Yes, Madam Chair. Thank you. And, um, you know, it's, it's been interesting. I mean, the C group has a very special interest on this, um, facility, so I never heard from them. So it's interesting, um, the, they come after the bill has been there for a minute, but here, here's the bottom line. I, and I'm gonna remove that. I, I agree that that ratio, uh, is too premature on the situation, but we were moving forward. If it doesn't move forward, it's because there's no funding. I mean, right. I mean, and it, what's interesting is for the west side of Salt Lake City, that both the good representative I are proud to represent, and we live …
S.B. 246 Utah Homeless Services Board Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explains that the substitute restores the definition of what a homeless services campus is not, so those facilities are excluded.
▶ Watch at 1:03:11Read what they said
Uh, yes. Madam Chair. And if I can speak to that. Yes. Um, that again, just brings back the, the definition of what the Homeless service campus is not. So that does not include those facilities. That's all the changes are to that bill, to that substitute. Okay.
S.B. 246 Utah Homeless Services Board Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the bill would require community voices on the board of future facilities, such as a West Side Coalition seat, and introduces Rep. Hollins.
▶ Watch at 1:04:14Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair and Committee. This basically just says, look, if you're gonna go to a community with a, uh, a service like this, you should include the community voices on the board. Again, this is a non-elected board, so it just says, moving forward, if you're gonna be building a facility, maybe it's in any of your districts, um, you know, then they will have the voice of the community being represented. We do specify that in the case of the West side, 'cause we do have the West Side Coalition. It's not, um, you know, unprecedented. We've done it for Power District and other special districts, or you put a specific organization there. Um, and again, it's …
S.B. 246 Utah Homeless Services Board Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says she is open to working on language changes and that the community voice needs to be included.
▶ Watch at 1:10:30Read what they said
Wave summation out, and I'm open to always work on whatever language needs. I just think that voice needs to be there. Thank you. Okay.
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend SB 287 to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:17:24Read what they said
Mr. Chair. Uh, I wanna make a motion that we favorably recommend SB 2 87 to the Senate.
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says companies have benefited from targeting children and that the bill would create revenue to address youth issues, and asks colleagues to support it.
▶ Watch at 1:17:38Read what they said
Um, yes, I think it's, you know, it gets to the point where we need to have a better understanding of just how much, you know, people take advantage. And companies have been getting a pretty nice deal here of, um, targeted specifically children and minors. And I'm interesting to see a process where we get to actually create some revenue that will help us tackle some of those, um, really complicated issues. And now we are having to address as a crisis. I think this is putting us in the right direction to help us in that process. And without, I'll be asking my colleagues to support the bill.
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Mentions coming from another committee meeting.
▶ Watch at 1:25:35Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I just came from another committee where murdering was happening, so like, like it's brutal over there. Um,
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Presents SB 279 to create a non-refundable property tax credit for neighbors of large homeless services campuses, explains the 500-bed amendment, and moves to adopt Amendment 1.
▶ Watch at 1:25:49Read what they said
So the state homeless campus neighbor tax credit, it's a, a opportunity to address, um, you know, the possibilities of having really large homeless services campuses in multiple communities. And this is in response to, uh, my district. So in, during the fall of, uh, 2025, they made an announcement. Uh, the advisory board, uh, within the Homeless Advisory Board made an announcement that they have decided to build a 1300 bed facility in the west side of Salt Lake City. You can imagine both, um, Representative Hollins and myself as the, uh, legislators representing those districts. We spent a lot of time with our constituents. It was very painful to see the concerns, um, people crying. There was no …
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the amendment currently applies to the 1300-bed facility announced in Salt Lake City.
▶ Watch at 1:29:54Read what they said
Um, no. Right now it's just the one that was announced by the, um, homeless Advisory Board on the northwest quadrant of Salt Lake City. And that is a 1300 bed facility.
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explains the bill is meant to address her district's facility and that its wording could apply to other campuses of that size.
▶ Watch at 1:30:09Read what they said
Because this means that in the future, any facility that gets built that has 500 beds now has this, that goes into it all over. Yeah. It has to be a homeless service campus. Yeah. But if there's another homeless service campus that's built now, this bill does the same thing for that one and we don't get to look at it. Yeah, and that's, that's a great question. Um, Mr. Tara was trying to be equitable in the sense of if anyone is gonna have a 500 bed facility in their district, I think that one mile radius will be very directly impacted if it's the homeless service campuses that we are discuss by description, by definition here. So …
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says she will check the hypothetical and that the state designates these shelters. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:31:31Read what they said
Um, I, I think, oh, um, I can check that. These are the ones defined by like the state has to put the homeless shelter.
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says she does not mind narrowing the bill to the specific facility.
▶ Watch at 1:32:06Read what they said
Means sense, you know? Yeah, no, that makes sense. And Mr. Chair, I will say, I, I don't mind making those changes. This is to address a 1300 bed facility in my district. Yeah. So I, I don't mind if it narrows it down to have people feel more comfortable it. And so that's what I'm trying to target at this point. Yeah.
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explains the state should be responsible for mitigating impacts of shelters it designates and that the income tax source was chosen during drafting.
▶ Watch at 1:33:39Read what they said
Yeah. Yes, it does make sense, Mr. Chair. I, so one, let me say why I think, you know, um, the state is making this determinations on the shelters, um, and I think the state should be responsible for mitigating impact. So that's to answer why, um, the state, um, and, you know, and ongoing, because you are having to deal with the impact forever, as long as that facility is in place. Um, and in terms of the, the income tax, I was, um, you know, determined through the drafting, I didn't get any red flags. I can see where you're coming from, Mr. Chair and I, I'm happy to discuss if it has to come from a different …
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says she will review how LLC owners would claim the credit and get back to the senator.
▶ Watch at 1:37:43Read what they said
Um, I don't wanna, I will have to review that and get back to you, Senator. I don't, I don't know that process. Um, my, I'm guessing, so the way I envision this is it will be after you file your taxes and everything happens. So, uh, but you may need more, more information than what I'm just providing. I, I, I would love to get back to you on that. Yeah,
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Thanks the senator for the feedback and says she would like to explore how it works in practice.
▶ Watch at 1:39:32Read what they said
Yes. And, and I will, Mr. Chair, if that's okay, I I appreciate that feedback. I, I think you're making a great point. I would love to explore more how that looks like in actual life. Like real life. 'cause you're correct. If it's, um, 'cause commercial purposes, you know, I think for a homeowner like that, I think this makes more sense in that sense. But, um, the other ones will be different. So I, yeah, I mean, I'll love to get to look more into that and get back to, I mean to all of you, I, I think it's, you know, it's a good part of the conversation. Well,
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explains that traffic and transportation concerns affect residents east of I-15 and that farming families to the west are also affected by the facility.
▶ Watch at 1:41:34Read what they said
Um, so if, okay, so what's interesting about the location itself is the actual exit. There's only, so the roads and transportation is one of the biggest concerns actually for this specific site. 'cause there is not infrastructure, roads and any transportation to get there. And so the people that live east, um, of i of the two 15, which is kinda like what you're saying on, on that circle of one mile radius will have a, will be impacted tremendously in terms of that traffic, uh, component. And then on the, the west, which is, there's a lot of farmers actually, and they're the ones that really spoke, um, our constituency. I mean, it's devastating for their, for their, …
S.B. 279 State Homeless Campus Neighbor Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Thanks the committee for the discussion and says the bill is meant to address her district.
▶ Watch at 1:44:24Read what they said
very educational, thank you. Okay. For the consideration for my district. Thank You. Yep. Okay.
H.B. 56 Vehicle Registration Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to pass H.B. 56 first substitute favorably and asks whether she may speak to the motion.
▶ Watch at 2:03:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we pass, um, as as, okay, sorry. HB 56 for substitute vehicle registration amendments. Okay. Is, that's in favor, that's in order. Do I speak to that?
H.B. 56 Vehicle Registration Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the bill addresses transparency and fairness for people who sell vehicles and pay fees again, that a 3% impact is manageable, and that she supports the policy.
▶ Watch at 2:03:33Read what they said
Um, you know, I, I think it's always tricky when you're addressing, um, those budgets, but this is an issue of, of transparency and it, this is a big investment when people, you know, change vehicles, they're, they're gonna have to make all this to pay again. And if they just did the whole registration in their car, I mean, I, I've actually wonder about this. So I'm glad someone is addressing this. And it's also important too, so the community knows how much is the, those funds, right? I mean, we're, those funds are gonna be lost. I think it's 3% is manageable, but I, um, I recognize as, you know, we're losing part of on, on a budget. …
H.B. 148 Tax Return Donation Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend substitute HB 148 to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 2:19:05Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. And I wanna make a motion that we favorably recommend for substitute HB 1 48 to the Senate.
H.B. 148 Tax Return Donation Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the bill gives people a way to donate for school meals and includes a threshold under which the fund is removed.
▶ Watch at 2:19:14Read what they said
Yeah, I, you know, we're trying to get creative here in how we help and allowing people to make that choice. And it has good safeguards in terms of if you don't meet certain, um, threshold, it eliminates on its own. Uh, it's a really good opportunity to help people and sometimes people wanna help. They just dunno where to write a check. This allows people to make that choice if they, if they choose to and, and help, um, kiddos with a meal. Yeah. Thank you very much. Um, okay.
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the substitute HB0087S01 to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:40:07Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we, um, recommend for substitute HB 87 Animal crime victim amendments to the, to the Senate.
H.B. 110 Offender Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether the fiscal note reflects the third substitute, and asked about the Board of Pardons' new authority to review the facts of new offenses before parole decisions.
▶ Watch at 1:49:55Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, representative, just checking on your fiscal note is, is that already updated to your third sub? The, The, the amendment reflects the fiscal note discussions. Um, right now the Utah Department of Corrections is sharing with the fiscal analyst that they don't believe there'll be a fiscal impact because it's with existing resources. The fiscal analyst office is maybe in disagreement with them with this amendment. If you choose to adopt it as a committee today, that should resolve the fiscal, no. And it should be at the very least under $20,000. But the, the hope would be zero because we'd be using existing resources. Follow up question, Mr. Chair? Yes, please. Thank you …
H.B. 110 Offender Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the bill is in a good place while noting concerns about the sex offender registry provision, and moved to favorably recommend the third substitute as amended.
▶ Watch at 2:02:28Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. I, you know, this is, this is, this is a big bill. Um, and I, I know the sponsors work really hard. I, I think you're addressing some pieces. I, I feel comfortable moving the bill. I I'm sure there's, we're gonna hear more about some of that concern on the sex offenders list. I'll, I'll review, but I, I feel it's in, in a good place and without, I'll make a motion that we, uh, recommend favorably. Third substitute as amended HB one 10 to the Senate.
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend first substitute H.B. 248 to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 2:20:09Read what they said
Thank you. I wanna, um, make a motion that we favorably recommend first substitute HB 2 48 to the Senate, if I can speak to that.
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, saying stricter enforcement is needed for large arrears and thanking parents who shared their experiences.
▶ Watch at 2:20:20Read what they said
Thank you for the thoughtful process. This is an ongoing conversation every time we deal with child support or alimony conversations. But the reality is by the time you hit $35,000 in debt, you probably have other problems that are not related to income at that point. And if you are involved in some of this cases or you meet people you recognize, there needs to be a stricter way of enforcing. We've tried everything. We've tried fishing licenses, um, um, you know, one point is like we should start discussing passports. I mean, it's just insanity sometimes. What is happening here? So I, first I wanna thank the, the, the parents that are engaging and, and are speaking up …
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asks the sponsor whether the November 30 ORS public-hearing reporting date in the bill could be moved to August 30 so an interim committee has time to act.
▶ Watch at 2:21:32Read what they said
Thank you. Um, representative, I have one question. Um, you have ORS reporting back, uh, on their public hearings in line 2 88 on November 30th of each year. Seems to me if that was changed to like August 30th, then the interim committee or a member of that would have time to maybe open a bill file based on the comments. Are you, how tired are you to the November 30th, um, deadline? N
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves a verbal amendment to change the reporting date on line 288 from November to August.
▶ Watch at 2:22:10Read what they said
Senator AMI to change November to August on line 2 88. Um, so Move Mr. Chair.
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to pass first substitute H.B. 248 as amended to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 2:22:34Read what they said
So move that we, um, pass first substitute HB 2 48 as amended to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation.
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Moved to replace the first substitute of S.B. 147 with the second substitute and asked to speak to the motion.
▶ Watch at 43:33Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. President Pro temp. I and I do wanna, um, make a motion to, uh, sub substitute, no sorry to the lead, embody and title. First substitute SB 1 47 and re to be replaced with second substitute 1 47. If I can speak to that, Mr. President ProAm,
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Explained that the second substitute, developed with direction from the Speaker and Senate President after audits, moves some audit duties from the Office of Inspector General to the Legislative Auditor General, places the inspector general office under the Department of Government Operations, and creates a sunsetting advisory board and employee processes.
▶ Watch at 43:56Read what they said
Thank you. And I, this will be basically the presentation. This is a bill that, um, comes after the, um, audits that have been happening in the last couple of years related to the Office of Inspector General. And we had, uh, the original bill that was a committee bill, uh, presented, but we, um, from direction both from the speaker and the president of the Senate, well we end up doing is this second substitute Mr. President. And the difference that we're doing is moving some audit responsibilities from the Office of Inspector General to the office of the Legislative Auditor General. And it took us a minute to, you know, be able to put com comprise all of …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Called the question and said her earlier remarks were her full presentation.
▶ Watch at 46:04Read what they said
Call the question Mr. Uh, president Pro temp. That was my presentation. That concludes my presentation, I guess.
S.B. 100 Federalism Revisions · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks why the bill changes the word violates to may violate on line 204.
▶ Watch at 50:15Read what they said
Um, just looking at line 2 0 4, you change the, there was a change in the word from violates to may violate. Can you ex expand on why we're changing that term to a may?
S.B. 100 Federalism Revisions · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Sen. Escamilla asks why the bill changes the word "violates" to "may violate" on line 204.
▶ Watch at 50:15Read what they said
Um, just looking at line 2 0 4, you change the, there was a change in the word from violates to may violate. Can you ex expand on why we're changing that term to a may?
S.B. 100 Federalism Revisions · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks whether the legislature must confirm a potential violation after an agency gives its opinion, and what oversight follows.
▶ Watch at 50:54Read what they said
Follow up question, Mr. President ProAm? Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for that answer. And I, just to clarify, will there be an, uh, within that process, so after the agency provides its opinion on a potential violation, will it come back for the legislature to confirm that violation before the letter or, I mean, it, it said, is there a process after that where there's a, a oversight of the legislature to engage at that point?
S.B. 100 Federalism Revisions · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Sen. Escamilla asks a follow-up on whether an agency's opinion on a potential violation returns to the legislature for review.
▶ Watch at 50:54Read what they said
Follow up question, Mr. President ProAm? Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for that answer. And I, just to clarify, will there be an, uh, within that process, so after the agency provides its opinion on a potential violation, will it come back for the legislature to confirm that violation before the letter or, I mean, it, it said, is there a process after that where there's a, a oversight of the legislature to engage at that point?
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to replace SB 124 with the first substitute for SB 124.
▶ Watch at 1:09:30Read what they said
Senator Vickers in that committee. So I do have the sub, and if I wanna make a motion, Mr. Um, president pro tem that we substitute body and title SB 1 24 and be to be replaced with first substitute SB 1 24. Thank
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Explains the substitute: it defines credible threat, connects to an existing juvenile code definition, and clarifies that an investigative warrant only allows checking whether a child is safe.
▶ Watch at 1:09:48Read what they said
Absolutely. So the, in the changes, basically, Mr. Presser, Punam, what we did is we first define what credible threat is. And that definition is in page five of the new version of the bill. Lines 1 61. Uh, number two, it actually connects directly with, um, another definition of threat that's already in our, um, juvenile code. So that's why the bill increased significantly on pages is because it made that reference. And it actually adds very explicit provision that when we're doing an investigative warrant, um, that is a judiciary custody warrant, that we're not removing a child, it makes it so it's very clear on the, on the, on the statute that if there is enough, uh, …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Says the bill gives DCFS a tool to see children and confirm their safety, citing the Gavin Peterson case and a recent DCFS performance audit, and that it is limited to investigation purposes.
▶ Watch at 1:11:19Read what they said
Okay. Thank you Mr. President ProAm. This is a, this is a complicated topic and it started, um, I serve with Senator John Johnson as well. Our, we're part of the child welfare panel and, you know, we had, uh, some terrible cases since 2024. One of them was, um, you know, the, the child that passed away Gavin Peterson, and we learn a lot through that process of what we can do to be more proactive and provide DCFS with the tools they need. This last, um, month, we had, uh, DCFS had a, a very complex, um, performance audit that was presented in multiple committees. I think many of you guys have read and participated in some of …
S.B. 243 Tax Increment Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend SB 243 as amended, saying it is a measured fix to a complex issue that should not affect projects already in place.
▶ Watch at 1:17:07Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Motion, I wanna make a motion that we favorably recommend SB 2 43 as amended. Uh, and if I can speak to that Mr. Chair. Yeah, thank you. And I, you know, I appreciate, um, just a comment a minute ago from the League of Students and Towns, and you know, I, I don't envy their role. There's a lot of legislation that comes, um, that will have an impact. And, but we, we created this monster in a way, and now it's our job to try to make sure it works the way I think it was intended. And as we are developing and things are moving, we're seeing some, some, some things that …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Explains Amendment 1 as a technical clarification to liability language so the bill can be implemented.
▶ Watch at 35:23Read what they said
Of course. Thank you Madam Chair and thank you. Committee. Um, amendment one is a technical change that was requested, uh, for just clarification in terms of, I think it's a, um, liability pieces, so just technical so we could actually implement what we want to do. Do.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Presents the amended bill as a public-private partnership in which the state would fund a retrofitted facility leased to a private employer that would run childcare, with 50% of seats reserved for state employees.
▶ Watch at 36:21Read what they said
You, Madam Chair. And, um, and thank you committee again for this opportunity. This bill has had, um, an evolution in the last three years, and I think all of you have participated in some of the conversations and what we ended after this last summer work. Um, and we had multiple people participating and trying to get us to a place where we can continue to be, uh, bring solutions to the toolbox and tools to that toolbox addressing, uh, workforce need. And that workforce need has to ties directly to family. And that is how do we, um, assist and make sure that our workers that we're investing in have an opportunity to provide high quality childcare for …
S.B. 63 Assault Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield for a question, and the sponsor agrees.
▶ Watch at 52:56Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Uh, question for the sponsor if Yeah, agrees. Senator Brammer, will you yield? Yes, I will.
S.B. 63 Assault Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Recalls the 2020 strangulation law as a negotiated bill with stakeholders and law enforcement, and asks what problem the current bill addresses and what statute issue the sponsor is seeing.
▶ Watch at 53:03Read what they said
Thank you. Um, you know, the, that bill was, um, that we passed in 2020, I believe it was, uh, a lot of work. And it was one of the very few bills where you have two Senate sponsors. Senator Vickers and myself were the sponsors of this bill. So I, it was a delicate balance. There was a lot of work done between all the stakeholders and law enforcement. So I'm trying to understand, uh, what the problem is or if there's a specific case where we're now having to review something that was work with hours and countless hours via Zoom, because we were not meeting, we were in shutdown and we had all the sheriffs and police. …
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to pass SB 93 with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:21:41Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we pass SV 93 with a favorable recommendation.
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to adopt Amendment #1 to SB 93.
▶ Watch at 1:22:34Read what they said
Absolutely. Thank you. So I would draw my original motion, Mr. Chair and make a motion that we, um, substitute, no, we just pass, um, amendment number one under the sponsor's name.
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to recommend SB 93 as amended to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 1:22:58Read what they said
Alright, now, Senator Escamilla Okay. Um, without Mr. Chair, make a motion that we pass, um, we recommend Senate Bill 93 as amended to the Senate floor.
S.B. 143 Utah Exemptions Act Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend SB 143 to the floor.
▶ Watch at 1:31:55Read what they said
Senator Escamilla. Um, thank you Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we favorably recommend S I'm sorry, I'm trying to find, oh, Senator, oh yeah. SB 1 43 New Exemption Act amendments to the floor.
S.B. 143 Utah Exemptions Act Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says she will work with committee members and the body to reach an acceptable number if the bill moves forward.
▶ Watch at 1:32:27Read what they said
I, I deprived you of your I was just gonna say, if, if we are fortunate enough to move this forward, I'm, we'll work with the other committee members and, and members of the body to get to a number that's acceptable.
H.B. 274 Sentencing Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to replace the first substitute of HB 274 with the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 2:11:16Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we delete, embody and title. Um, is it first substitute HB 2 71 and be replace, Actually second substitute? Yeah, so delete first substitute and And replaced with second substitute HB 2 74. 74.
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Supports the bill as a gradual step toward full coverage and moves to pass HB 108 favorably to the floor.
▶ Watch at 1:10:07Read what they said
Um, um, thank you Mr. Chair. This is a really important bill and I'm glad we're moving to as much as we get closer to full covering that piece and, um, you're doing gradually, which is, is smart as well. So, with that, I'll make a motion that we pass favorably HB 1 0 8 minors in state custody amendments to the center floor.
H.B. 139 Female Genital Mutilation Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to pass the first substitute favorably and spoke in support, saying the sunset review is being removed and the education piece is no longer needed.
▶ Watch at 1:12:24Read what they said
Oh, thank you Mr. Chair. I, I wanna make the motion that we move favorably, um, h hp first substitute HB 1 39. And if I can speak to that, I that motion's in order. And feel free to speak to It. Thank, um, as, as one of the original sponsors of this bill, is getting rid of the Sunset Review, I think it's critical. Makes sense. It's been working. We haven't had any problems. That education piece was, you know, for people to have some concerns and I think we, we don't need it anymore. So this is great ways of how we develop, continue to evolve good public policy. So it's a great bill and, and thank you …
H.B. 356 Drug Distribution Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Sen. Escamilla moved to favorably recommend HB 356 to the floor and said the bill addresses a piece of a complex issue that needs fixing.
▶ Watch at 1:25:45Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we favorably recommend, um, drug HB 3 56 drug distribution amendments to the, to the floor. And that's in order so I Speak to it. Yeah, I, you know, this, I, I know this is a complex issue and we've had multiple years discussing this. I, I think this is addressing a piece that needs to be fixed and moves us in the right direction. So thank you for the bill.
S.B. 175 Health Insurance Revisions · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to replace the bill with the second substitute of SB 175.
▶ Watch at 1:26:46Read what they said
Um, thank, thank you Mr. Chair. I make the motion that we delete, embody and title SB 1 75 and, um, substitute that with second substitute SB 1 75.
S.B. 175 Health Insurance Revisions · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to pass SB 175 second substitute favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:39:06Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Um, chair, make a motion that we pass favorably SB 1 75. I know this, um, Senator Juab has been working on this and is always willing to, um, get where people can meet and the stakeholders. So I trust her that she can navigate that as we move towards, uh, the Senate floor. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Escamilla opened her presentation on SB 180 and said she has a substitute bill she would include in her remarks.
▶ Watch at 1:12:27Read what they said
Good morning, Mr. Chair. Thank you for and committee for the opportunity to present on SB um, 180, correct? Is that, which one is first? Sorry, I have two with That. SB 180. Perfect. Thank you. Thanks, Mr. Chair. Um, and I, I do have a substitute, but if I, I'll just include it in part of my presentation, if that's okay, Mr.
S.B. 180 School Nutrition Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Escamilla presented the substitute, which limits eligibility for free school meals to children in kindergarten through sixth grade in families with income between 185% and 200% of the federal poverty level, and described a funding plan using liquor markup revenue and up to $5 million from the public education stabilization account.
▶ Watch at 1:13:30Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I was here, um, last year in your committee, and you guys were very gracious to listen to my presentation on, um, all kiddos access to school nutrition meals. And as you all remember, we had a really robust conversation of just a complexity of covering all children. K 12. Um, we discussed, um, $53 million cost. And I, I, I recognize that's a, a big lift. The chairman was very kind to say, maybe let's think about incremental steps. Let's go back to very, very, where the needs are. And, um, this is what SB first substitute SB 180 does. It really narrows to, um, the eligibility of just children kindergarten to sixth grade and, …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presented the substitute bill, which sets construction guidelines for seclusion rooms, adds video cameras, and opens a $2.5 million grant for schools that want to retrofit.
▶ Watch at 1:21:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The first substitute SB 180 1 is the second part of what we did last year. You guys were instrumental in this committee. We had a lengthy discussion on, um, seclusion rooms. So the policy's in place now, but what was, uh, missing? And what we work with, um, the State Office of Education during the summer and fall is really to put a framework of how those rooms actually need to look like. And it sounds, I, I think simple in a way, but it requires a certain type of infrastructure. And so what the bill does, it gives the guidelines. So moving forward, when schools are built, and the school districts make a decision …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Said the sponsor is still working with schools on details, and thanked parents for their concerns.
▶ Watch at 1:32:36Read what they said
You for the time, Mr. Chair. Just know we, we are working on any changes or details with the schools and complex issue. I appreciate the parents that come forward with their concerns. 'cause they obviously want the best for their children. School's the same full commitment. We're just getting closer to a place where there's enough balance to keep everyone safe. Thank you.
H.B. 209 Voting Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Explains her vote, saying the bill's burdens fall on US citizens and that only citizens have the right to vote.
▶ Watch at 1:33:33Read what they said
And thank you Mr. President. I just wanna rise and ex explain my vote. Uh, this bill was presented at the committee that I participate in, and I, I think what worries me is a conversation. Um, I don't know that there's any debate on our current, not, I mean, laws in our state that only US citizens have the right to vote. And I haven't met anyone that disagrees with that premise and is what the law is. I think the concern that I've been raising through this whole conversation is, um, suppression of US citizens able to exercise the right to vote, the more difficult you make, it's a burden on US citizens. This is not a conversation …
S.B. 249 Public Employee Negotiation Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to recommend Senate Bill 249 to the floor.
▶ Watch at 1:08:27Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. I, if it's okay, I wanna make a motion that we recommend SB 2 49 public employee negotiation amendments to the floor.
S.B. 249 Public Employee Negotiation Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Expresses support for the bill as a way to give workers and employers a structured mechanism for communication.
▶ Watch at 1:08:39Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. I, I appreciate the good senator bringing a process to this conversation. I think we've, we've already, as a body, have gone through trauma after what happened with, um, how difficult it is sometimes to handle, even if there are disagreements, sometimes we need a mechanism to have, um, you know, uh, workers and the ability to have these communications in place. I think this is a, a really proactive approach to get us there. And I think it's a great idea. So excited to support this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
S.B. 121 Medical Cannabis Program Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill and the bipartisan stakeholder process behind it, and says the state's medical cannabis program is considered one of the best in the country.
▶ Watch at 44:32Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. I just wanna rise in support to, of this piece of legislation and more importantly, the process. I, I appreciate the, the discussion and I think Senator Bickers said it well at the end, where this is really a great example, a case study on how good public policy can happen when you bring everyone together. And it's not easy. And this is a all year conversation. Um, this group continues to work with the stakeholders throughout the whole year and, and it's been by design and we have evolved and it just, I think it's been one of, to me personally, as one of the group has been part of the group, one of the …
S.B. 112 Utah Exemptions Act Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Asks whether the second substitute is replacing the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:18:10Read what they said
Senator, just wanna check that we're, we are replacing the first substitute with second substitute,
H.B. 209 Voting Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Sen. Escamilla noted the Lieutenant Governor's review found more than 99.9% of verified voters were U.S. citizens and asked if the witness wanted to add anything.
▶ Watch at 1:25:35Read what they said
Oh, yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I, I would just listening to you, your statement, um, if we go back and focus to Utah, where more than 99.9% of voters that were verified were US citizens. Just to make sure we're clear, because this just came out January 23rd of this year by our own Lieutenant Governor's office stating a review of 2 million people. I mean, our population is 3.5 million, 2 million, and 99.9% of those voters are verifiable US citizens. And I, I'm, you know, I think that's the point, right? You were making, like in Utah, we don't have a problem. And that, that, you know, that's according to our Lieutenant Governor's office. So is …
H.B. 209 Voting Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Sen. Escamilla explained her no vote, citing concern for U.S.-born citizens whose names changed through marriage or adoption being delayed in voting.
▶ Watch at 1:46:50Read what they said
Yeah. Okay. Sorry. I'm ready to explain my vote. Okay. Am I ready? Okay, thanks. Um, just I think I'm not as concerned of naturalized citizens being able to prove, 'cause you have to go through so many, such a long process. Everyone has their naturalized, um, certificate. I mean, I, I'm not that concerned about that group. I'm actually concerned about US citizen born in the United States that have changed their last names sometimes through adoption, sometimes through marriage. And now they're gonna get stuck in a situation where they're gonna be delayed for their, their right to vote, to be their vote to be counted. So that's my biggest concern, is how many then US citizens should …
S.B. 154 Protection and Advocacy Agency Reporting · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Asked how much state funding the organization receives.
▶ Watch at 1:59:09Read what they said
Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, is it your recommendation for, I mean, I just wanna be clear, um, in your position, um, how much, I mean, maybe if you know, how much funding does this organization receive from the state?
S.B. 154 Protection and Advocacy Agency Reporting · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Followed up that the organization appears to receive no state funding.
▶ Watch at 1:59:37Read what they said
So just I wanna follow up 'cause there's no funding, uh, uh, from the state to this organization. Okay. I recognize the role that you're mentioning from at the federal level Yes. And as a protect. So I'm now gonna follow Mr. Terry if that's appropriate with a, uh, just a follow up question.
S.B. 154 Protection and Advocacy Agency Reporting · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Asked whether the state has an oversight role when the organization receives no state funds, and said she supports the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:59:52Read what they said
Um, so is it your understanding, and I'm, by the way, I'm gonna support the bill. I think that reporting reporting always helps. I'm just, you know, it seems to me we're, what we're, it's a little bit concerning is when there's no state funds attached, but there is a very specific responsibility that this organization has Sure. For this community. But I, I feel like they, the accountability side seems to be like it's an accountability based also on funds from the state. So just recognizing, do you think there's a role for the state on oversight when there's no state funds attached to it?
S.B. 131 Charter School Eligibility · Senate floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks why the bill uses the term political subdivision rather than LEA or school district boundaries, and whether other political subdivisions could apply.
▶ Watch at 30:43Read what they said
Thank you. We just wanted to clarify on the presentation. It does say political subdivisions. I believe the sponsor mentioned LEAs or school districts as a political subdivision boundary. Is there a reason why? Um, are there more political subdivisions that could be boundaries at this point? Or is there a reason why we didn't just say LEA boundary Senator Balderree?
S.B. 60 Income Tax Rate Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Explains her no vote, citing recent social services budget cuts, the loss of federal funds, and that this is not the year for tax cuts.
▶ Watch at 1:09:39Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. President. If I can just explain my vote. I, we just went through a very traumatic social services last, um, meeting, um, and voting on the budget cuts, the 5% that was asked by the by EAC and to see those families in pain and hurting. This is not the year to do this type of tax cuts. We've, I mean, we've been doing it for the last five years. I think it's been explained before, but we are also dealing with the loss of $300 million from the federal government and that tax cut. So I, I just will say to be cautious, um, families are hurting and they just, uh, funds cover the programs. …
S.B. 148 General Oversight Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Explains her yes vote, saying the committee needs more members given its heavy workload and expressing hope that presiding officers will appoint a minority member to one of the new seats, though the bill does not require it.
▶ Watch at 47:13Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Pro Temp. I just wanna, um, maybe explain my vote and, and, um, talk about this bill because it was in committee and I voted yes on this bill. And by the way, this was a conversation we had in our, um, committee, not in the gen General Oversight Committee prior to the session starting. And I, I just wanna be clear, maybe a, a question to, um, not a question, sorry. As we're moving forward on, on the voting, then my understanding is the bill only says that it will add two members, which presiding officers Choose who those members are. And I, again, I know what the chances are that a, a member of …
S.B. 108 Online Marketplace Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Asks the sponsor to explain what intellectual property the amendment's civil action language refers to.
▶ Watch at 1:22:12Read what they said
Mr. President, uh, question to the sponsor. Senator Fillmore? Yeah. Uh, yes. Thank you. And on the new amendment that we just passed, when it says, um, bringing a civil action to protect the municipality's intellectual property, can you just explain exactly what that intellectual property is?
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Presents SB 214 as an update to last year's bill, including a grant program for home-based childcare, a higher cap for unlicensed providers, and background checks, CPR training and abuse reporting for registered providers.
▶ Watch at 1:13:46Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair, and I appreciate your time. First Timing committee. So, um, Senate Bill two 14, I think, um, many of you guys are familiar with a portion of this bill. We, we already passed last year in, in the Senate, and it's now enhanced and I think stronger and better. And it's a labor of love of working with many stakeholders. And I just, you guys have heard me in this committee come and talk about childcare many, many years. Um, Senator Millner was also co-chair and worked with us in the Women in the Economy Committee for many years as well. This is a top priority for Utahans, and we're just trying to bring solutions. So …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Answers that the Department of Workforce Services will manage the grants and a reporting requirement will target rural areas with the largest childcare deserts.
▶ Watch at 1:21:56Read what they said
Thank you for that question. Um, Senator, you're right on. So we are having, um, the department of work for services in the Office of Childcare will be managing the grants. This is where the private sector don't pass the time to them. We'll be bringing a match amounts of money into this. So they already raised those funds. This is where it's so good. And the goal, the goal is to incentivize new businesses to open, but there's a reporting mechanism that will require the department to make sure that it's targeting those rural areas, those zip codes where we know they're bigger childcare deserts. So we're coming in knowing that there's bigger deserts in different parts of the …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Says the grants average about $5,000, will take about two years to draw, and that philanthropic partners may keep investing if the program works.
▶ Watch at 1:24:02Read what they said
That's a good question. So it's 5,000 per, um, and then there'll be some variation based on if they're meeting, you know, off hours nights. So there'll be some additions, but average more averaging 5,000 the funds are, is, you know, the amount of grants are a lot. So you're, we're probably thinking two years. It will take to draw the entire amount. And then that sustainability, I think the policy project and the other partners in the philanthropic community, they, if this, you know, this is testing something new, I mean, I don't know if any other place, if it works, it will continue to invest. And the good thing is our partners with HHS as they will be …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Explains that the grants target home-based providers in underserved areas, that registration will add background checks and CPR training, and that the bill is a compromise to move it through the House.
▶ Watch at 1:49:05Read what they said
Mr. Sir. Thank you. So, I, I, I mean, I wanna be very, uh, clear here because I think the concerns that were being raised, there's multiple pieces to this bill. One is the grant. And that grant, again, is just to incentivize more, um, some more home base, um, you know, high quality providers. And it will be targeting specific areas with, you know, the notion that we can close gaps. The one of the speakers, Abby, from one of the rural areas, a report came two years ago. So those changes that she's talking about now are real. And that's why she was saying the 40,000, you know, 20,000 versus 5,000. That's for centers. We're talking about home …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Responds that parents should be able to choose and that the bill gives parents assurance that home providers have background checks, and asks HHS to explain the history of ratio changes.
▶ Watch at 1:56:29Read what they said
Yeah. So, uh, and I'm gonna bring HHS to get us through the numbers, if that's okay. Okay. So, because I think there's some technical stuff here, but let me start on, on competition. So I think there's, we need to also recognize that there is parental choice. Yeah. And I think that the good senator mentioned some people feel more comfortable in a home base scenario, and maybe that's a fit for your family. Other people like the big centers and, and you know, it, all of it in, in the market is competition. But I think going back to the basics, and here is where the experts from the Department of Health and Human Services, and they'll talk …
H.B. 11 Dyed Diesel Fuel Search Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Rises in support of the bill and thanks the sponsors, especially Senator Harper, for their work.
▶ Watch at 17:39Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I just wanna rise in support and appreciate, um, so much the work of the sponsors, especially Senator Harper for his work on, on this piece of legislation, inspecting vehicles and, you know, for this specific diesel fuel violation is critical. So thank you. We just wanna thank him for all that work. Thank you.
S.J.R. 7 Joint Resolution Regarding Utah's Protection and Advocacy Agency · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Disclosed past professional interaction with the Disability Law Center and asked whether federal law limits a state to one protection and advocacy organization.
▶ Watch at 1:17:04Read what they said
Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. Just, I apologize, I was in a leadership meeting, so I'm, we are, just to be clear, SB 1 54, correct? Or no, we're on SJ Center on The resolution. Sorry. We're both confused. Okay. Um, I, I do, I I've had a chance to talk to the sponsor. This has been, uh, very few items in date, my emails, and I think this is one of them. And as full disclosure, I've, you know, many, many years ago I've had a chance to interact in a professional level with the disability law center. And I'm from many, many years ago, so more than two decades that it's my birthday. And I just felt really …
S.J.R. 7 Joint Resolution Regarding Utah's Protection and Advocacy Agency · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Asked whether the resolution envisions a competitive process for the designation.
▶ Watch at 1:18:46Read what they said
And through the resolution process of SJR seven, what you envision is that it will provide the governor with the authority to basically have a, a, um, competitive process.
S.J.R. 7 Joint Resolution Regarding Utah's Protection and Advocacy Agency · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Asked whether anything prevents the state from having two organizations serving different populations.
▶ Watch at 1:19:22Read what they said
And one last question, Mr. Chair, if that's okay. Thank you. So, um, is there any, do you feel like there's anything that precludes us as a state to create a universe where there's two organizations, so they're helping to separate types of populations within the
S.J.R. 7 Joint Resolution Regarding Utah's Protection and Advocacy Agency · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said she will vote no because it is a major change better suited to interim discussion, while supporting the reporting and transparency piece in the next bill.
▶ Watch at 2:16:05Read what they said
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair and I, this is, this is a really, um, there's a lot of complexity to this, and I, I think part of what we've heard is a very, you know, a lot of concerns and issues. And if you're in social services and, uh, many of us observe or are serving in that committee, we are struggling right now as we are making those budget cuts. And there is issues related to resources, but I think because the, the senator is presenting two bills, uh, related to the same issue, I, and I've had a chance to talk to him, to me, this is, this is a major change on something that's very critical and …
S.C.R. 5 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Pain Medication · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Asks whether the fiscal note would come from the general fund rather than a restricted account.
▶ Watch at 39:59Read what they said
Ahead. I, I appreciate Mr. Chair. I just wanna go back with, I've had a chance to work with PHP. So is this fiscal note, it doesn't come back to general fund?
S.C.R. 5 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Pain Medication · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Confirms understanding that the cost would come from current general fund appropriations and thanks the chair.
▶ Watch at 40:15Read what they said
Okay. From, from current, like current general fund. Okay. Got it. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
S.C.R. 5 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Pain Medication · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend SCR 5 to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 43:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we favorably recommend concurrent resolution, um, Senate concurrent resolution five to the Senate.
S.C.R. 5 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP Regarding Pain Medication · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Supports the resolution as a way to provide prescription alternatives to opioids, citing state bio-technology developments and proactive approaches.
▶ Watch at 43:21Read what they said
I, I think, you know, um, I appreciate the bill. We are, we've been doing so much work and effort to reduce opioid consumption and any opportunity to provide an actual prescription that could help individuals. And with the technology and the changes in, in our bio-technology that we have in the state of Utah, we should be, uh, working towards getting more access to those. So I think PHP is a place where we can, um, act and, and take proactive approaches. So I'm looking forward to supporting this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
H.B. 199 Health Data Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the first substitute of HB 199 and spoke in favor, citing the audit and the value of the data authority and the all-payer claims database provisions.
▶ Watch at 50:34Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Chair. I wanna make a motion that we favorably recommend HB HB 1 99, substitute, first substitute HB 1 99 to the Senate. And if I can speak to that, That is in order. Go ahead. Um, thank you. And I thank you for those changes. I think the, the audit was very helpful to understand that we needed to keep up with some of the changes needed and, and also just a highlight of how important this office is. And that data can certainly help us coordinate all the different things that we're doing. So I am excited to see what the changes, how we're gonna be able to do better. And, you know, those …
S.J.R. 11 Joint Resolution Recognizing National Blood Donor Month · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Presented SJR 11 to recognize January as National Blood Donor Month, citing blood shortages in Utah and nationally and the need for more donors.
▶ Watch at 52:35Read what they said
Thanks. Senator Weiler left his Coke here. Sorry. That'd be, that sounds about right. Name is caffeine. No, I dunno what. It's okay. Thank you Mr. Chair and thank you committee. So nice to be for the first time presenting here this session. Um, my, you guys know my name? Sorry. It's been a long day. Okay. Okay. We can do this. Um, SJR 11 National Blood, um, donor month. And it's, um, this is a resolution and it's really to increase awareness of, um, recognizing January as a national blood donor month in Utah. And this designation is not new. I mean, it's a national designation, but why the importance and why the timing of doing it right now, …
S.B. 222 Right to Try Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Asks staff whether the bill changes the IRB process and whether the same process would apply.
▶ Watch at 1:08:14Read what they said
Just thank you, you, Mr. Chair question maybe to staff. So does not change the I-I-I-R-B process, correct? No. So it will follow the same process like you would do
S.B. 222 Right to Try Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Moves to pass SB 222 favorably to the Senate, noting the medical association's feedback and expecting changes on the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 1:10:19Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, yeah, I wanna make a motion, uh, we move, uh, to support SB 2 22 to the Senate. And if I can speak to that motion, Mr. Chair, It's in order. Thank you. And I, I appreciate the medical association providing that feedback, and I know if the Senator has committed to work on that, I, I I think it's important that we get that delicate balance. Um, we do wanna move an access, provide people with access to, to all of this, you know, technology and, and, and good stuff that's happening with the framework that's needed to protect them. So I'm looking forward to seeing it in the Senate, those changes. But I, …
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Sen. Escamilla asks the sponsor to explain the new section on genetic data gathered as part of clinical trials being exempt from a subsection.
▶ Watch at 1:17:35Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chair. Question to the sponsor, if that's okay. Um, on, so I'm looking at your new section that you added for the comparison to for two to four, correct? Mm-hmm. Substitute four. You did add, uh, in that line. So I guess subsection DI, genetic sequencing, data gathering as part of a clinical trial is exempt from provisions of the subsection three. Can you just explain that portion? Yeah,
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Sen. Escamilla says she understands the clinical trial provision and thanks the chair.
▶ Watch at 1:18:26Read what they said
Got it. So that, that just takes care of that portion. Yes. Excellent. Thank you. Thank you for that Mr. Chair
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Sen. Escamilla says she has a friendly amendment to be handled on the floor and moves to pass the fourth substitute out of committee to the Senate floor, supporting the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:22:17Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I, I do have, uh, a proposed amendment that's a friendly amendment to the sponsor. If it's, um, appropriate right now to Make it's out. Yeah, that would've to be done during the other process. So we can either hold a bill here and do that next committee, Or do you wanna do it on the floor? I think we can do it on the floor. Okay. So then I remove that, um, comment. Mr. Jaren, I do wanna make a motion that we, um, pass, um, HB 180 2 4 substitute as substituted in the committee to, um, the Senate floor. That's in order. Do you wanna speak to that? Um, no. I, I I …
S.B. 208 Vehicle Emission Inspection Program Revisions · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Moves to recommend SB 208 to the floor with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 33:45Read what they said
Um, perfect. Thank you. Mr. Chair. Make a motion that we recommend SB 2 0 8 to the floor with a favorable recommendation.
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Presented S.B. 124, saying it gives juvenile courts clear authority to issue investigative warrants so caseworkers and officers can check on a child's safety when there is a credible threat and access has been refused, without expanding removal authority.
▶ Watch at 39:32Read what they said
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so SB 1 24 is not new. We actually started this conversation last year in, in the house, and the sponsor was Representative Watkins. And, and as you guys, I emailed some information to the all of you and we're distributing it again with the, the letter that we, that child welfare legislative oversight panel, um, was making reference to the same language that we have now. And this is very simple, Mr. Chair. We've seen an increase of, um, just very tragic cases of child abuse. And it is in our responsibility that we make sure that we do everything. We have, um, tools available to provide to our agency that oversees the …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked DCFS to answer the question as the experts.
▶ Watch at 43:38Read what they said
Can I have DCFS? Yeah, please. Because I think they're the experts. I don't wanna Thank you, Tanya.
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked to check whether DCFS had talked with the courts. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 45:35Read what they said
Can I check with if DCFS had talked to them? I'm sorry, I'm just answering
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Added that a mechanism already exists in criminal code but is slow, described an amendment clarifying no removal, and cited the Gavin Peterson case as an example of why the tool is needed.
▶ Watch at 47:30Read what they said
Okay. But just to clarify, Mr. Chair, if I could add to the answer to that question from the senator is that, um, a, a mechanism within the criminal code is already in place to do this type of interventions. What was happening is, was delaying the ability for the agency to go to get to this war judicial, um, investigative warrants faster. So, and, and when you're seeing the cases of those children, time is of the essence. So I, oh, go ahead. I wanna make sure that it's clear because I think the senator asked that question, um, the chair, is that not possible right now? And I would say yes. It's just very confusing in a different …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Pointed to lines 120-126 for the probable cause threshold and said the bill balances parental rights with child safety, referencing the upcoming DCFS audit.
▶ Watch at 51:57Read what they said
Mr. Chair. Um, if I can just maybe make reference to the lines of what will that probable cause be in, in statute senator will be lines one 20 to 1 26 within the bill that says, what could trigger that? Because I think your question is correct is it can be a, a blanket everyone come and, and use this. So it will have to be credible threat to the child's health. I mean, there is like a threshold, which of course the agency has even policies and ruled a, a authority making that you've been through all of that because you already have this in place. So I just wanna make sure it's not just blanket. And I …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said she has an amendment to move.
▶ Watch at 1:08:13Read what they said
You Mr. Chair. I do have, um, an amendment that I need to move on the bill.
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Explained the amendment adds a subsection clarifying the warrant is only to assess safety, not to remove children.
▶ Watch at 1:08:18Read what they said
It's, um, just adds the subsection or parentis a to make sure that, I know that was confusing on the language we wanted to clarify. There was no interest of removing children. I mean, it's just to assess, um, safety after the whole process. So I had that ready since January 27th. So if we can, um, make
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Moved to amend S.B. 124 with Amendment 1.
▶ Watch at 1:08:40Read what they said
Yeah, I make the motion that we, um, amend SB 1 24 with amendment one under my name.
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Moved to pass S.B. 124 as amended, committing to further language changes clarifying no removal under the new warrant and to work with colleagues on concerns.
▶ Watch at 1:18:59Read what they said
Yeah, Mr. Chair and I, I know this is a very complex issue and I appreciate the questions. We're trying to find, uh, ways to, to make sure we keep children safe. And I I think there are some questions that we need to clarify, um, on some language. I, I heard from some of my colleagues and I, I wanna be very careful on that, the thread of that needle. Um, especially where, um, I think the question, Mr. Chair, that you asked about, will you need an an extra, a different type of warrant at that point if there's gonna be a removal? This is about more intervention and prevention than actual, um, moving into removal children. I …
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Disputed the witness's claims, saying lien-based providers are licensed, are typically paid by lien companies within 30 days regardless of case outcome, and that medical billing follows coded standards making his $50,000-to-$3,000 example unrealistic.
▶ Watch at 2:19:48Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. A couple of statements that were made. So I'm very confused. You gave the example of the the doctor, which is a licensed provider, right? So we recognize this, our professionals that have to meet at standard for their license to be kept, and that because they are put in a position maybe to, in a court case, um, that they will not, um, be truthful because their funding or their payment of that care, it's attached to the case, right? And you said because if not, then no one pays them. So let me go through a scenario, which is a very common scenario in this case when someone doesn't have any coverage, and even …
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said she has not seen such liens either and doctors are usually paid within a week or two. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:29:25Read what they said
Practical, I I'll just say I haven't either. And usually the doctor's paid within a week or two.
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Raised concerns about access to care for injured, uninsured people and objected to characterizations of licensed physicians as unethical.
▶ Watch at 3:02:34Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I just wanna maybe go back to the, because I, we are getting very legally, which is great, but what about access to people, you know, access to, to care? Because what we're missing here is nobody seems to care about access on individuals that just had a traumatic experience in their life. So let me ask you the question. 'cause right now, if someone is completely uninsured, right, what's the access process? So you're, you know, we're claiming this physicians, which are again, are licensed by double like the bar license you guys as attorneys, there's a threshold that you expect of people. So you could always file a complaint if you feel they are, …
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked who pays for an uninsured person's care while awaiting settlement.
▶ Watch at 3:04:03Read what they said
So you're saying it doesn't, that the current, the with the garden situation, it doesn't send a chilling effect on how, who's gonna take the who, who pays for that? If you are uninsured, who pays for your care when you have an accident while you're waiting for settlement?
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked how lien companies are not being cut out of the solution after Gardner.
▶ Watch at 3:04:25Read what they said
Lien. Okay. And you're telling me that a lien company, after you wanna do this with a Gardner case, they want to take what, how is this are for-profit companies? So what, how are you not cutting them from being part of the solution?
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked what percentage of cases go to trial.
▶ Watch at 3:05:52Read what they said
But you can still ask the questions through your process if you go to court. Okay. Because what is so beautiful about this whole process is that you're talking about probably what is the percentage of cases that go to court?
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked how to help the 99 percent of cases that settle, where insurers cite the Gardner decision to dispute bills.
▶ Watch at 3:06:07Read what they said
Okay. And what about the rest of the cases when now you have an insurance company quoting that decision of Garner as people are trying to navigate this process and saying, no, we don't have to deal, you are lying on your numbers because there's potentially a lien involved. Those are what is coming out of insurance company. So tell me, how do I, how do we deal and help the 99% of the cases that are not gonna be in trial? 'cause you just gave me a thank you for answering that. Yeah. How, how is this like, gimme bigger picture because as legislators, we're generalists Sure. And, and very ignorant for what it seems to be perceived in …
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said the decisions have created a chilling effect on providers, that the Legislature must correct a Supreme Court decision exceeding statutory intent, and asked about insurer letters to patients.
▶ Watch at 3:07:19Read what they said
But, so, but the decision is sending a chilling effect. So as a legislator, I want you to understand my position 'cause you're speaking as an attorney that practice this type of law and that's great. Thank you for your service. My job is to make sure my constituents are protected. Yeah. And get access to care. And what we're seeing now since this decision happened is people are now hesitant, less people wanna provide care because it's like, what is this? It's like a witch hunt. And I'm trying to find that, that to your point, like, hey, we're not trying to make it more difficult for people to get transparency, but in the system that you are so …
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Described insurer letters citing Gardner to dispute the amount of care.
▶ Watch at 3:09:26Read what they said
From insurance companies to people about No, because of the Gardner decision in Utah, I really do not believe that that's the appropriate amount of care that you are telling us had just happened. So
S.B. 211 Tort Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said the witness's focus on the 1 percent of trial cases dismisses the chilling effect on everyone else and offered to talk further.
▶ Watch at 3:11:08Read what they said
We, we need to More, I'm thinking, yeah. Sorry Mr. Chair and I usually don't do that, but I'll, I'll just end by saying I think your, your answer to what your, in, within your framework of, of work, of that 1% cases that you're talking about, you're still dismissing the reality of everybody else because this has created a chilling effect. I'm not aware of that. And we're, see, but I'll, I'll share more than happy to chat with you outside. Thank you Mr. Chair for that.
S.B. 188 Construction Trades Education Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Presents SB 188, which would add the Utah Masonry Council as a provider of continuing education for contractor licenses, limited to its members.
▶ Watch at 48:37Read what they said
Good afternoon, Mr. Chair. This is actually my first bill I present in this session, so make it a great bill experience. Thank you. Just putting a little bit of a seed, planting it as I'm looking at Center Musman, because you're just here direct. Uh, thank you for this opportunity. Um, I Think I have a question before you even get started. Yes. Or center mussman. This is the way to start my presentation. That's great. Um, but thank you. This is, um, an overall very simple, um, bill, and it's, it's in line 46, which the Two death points are saying A a constituent brought this to me. And this is a simple bill. Always. Those are always, …
S.B. 188 Construction Trades Education Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Explains that the state moved from open training to a limited set of providers, and that the bill adds the masonry council for its members.
▶ Watch at 56:50Read what they said
Senator, it used to be an open, anyone that could qualify their curriculum with a department, the division of do professional licensure, they will approve your training and you can take it. Yeah. There was a shift based on concerns related to the quality of training. And we moved Only in this section, Again, only in this section. And we moved to this specific where they give the three umbrella organizations a very large organization statewide, that can give all the training. We're not touching their ability to train everyone. And then they listed a couple of more industry specific option for their membership. And we are just saying in this case, because it is a, a unique, not very …
S.B. 188 Construction Trades Education Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Says the listed organizations were added in steps over time and that the bill adds the masonry council for its industry.
▶ Watch at 58:05Read what they said
Thank you for that question, Mr. Chair. If I can answer I going back to history and all these changes. 'cause I was learning the same way. All of you're learning is, again, in the, when we went from open, anyone can train and do the classes as long as they get approved by the division. In this case topple. We Uintah specific organizations line 34, which is I all the way to 41. Were put in as the ones that could do it. I'm sure it was a compromise. I'm not sure who run that legislation then. And then we've been adding the other four for a specific need of industry. So I'm coming here and asking to add …
S.B. 188 Construction Trades Education Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Says the bill is narrow, that trades should be able to train their own members, and that competition is healthy.
▶ Watch at 1:08:46Read what they said
The sponsor. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chair. Now, I guess I'll do my remarks here. Um, I appreciate that Senator Ipson is smart to always try to work and we'll work with, with them to try to find consensus. I think this, I learned a lot through this process. It's been a good educational piece. My take is, it is very narrow and I want us to recognize that it's a industry that's asking to train their own members because we have, as a state not allowed them to do that. So in most of other industries, you're allowed to have this process that, um, Senator Maman described and has been described before that you get doubled to approve …
S.B. 65 Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks about the State Auditor's concern that the bill could put the state out of compliance with accounting requirements.
▶ Watch at 1:31:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanna, um, maybe ask with regards, so I think what we're clear on what the bill does, thank you for your explanation and I, I, I appreciate Senator, your, you being very direct about how things have you guys, there's been multiple attempts to do this, and if I respect someone's persistent, it's persistency. And, uh, I give you that you've been really on, on the message. I do have, um, a question about what the office of the Utah State auditor has raised with the, with regards to the accounting process and whether we will be out of compliance with accounting mechanisms. And, um, I know we have, you know, Gaby and all …
S.B. 65 Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks how the bill relates to current constitutional restrictions on the use of these funds.
▶ Watch at 1:33:51Read what they said
Okay. Um, just one last question, Mr. Chair, if that's okay. Um, in terms, so how do you answer about the current restrictions that are in our const that are in the constitution, that Utah constitution mm-hmm. And the fact that, um, when you look at what's happened, so we're just moving funds from one place to another to be utilized for something that was not necessarily allocated for. Do you find, is that, do you, how do you feel about that?
S.B. 65 Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks for feedback from the State Auditor's office and its audit staff on the bill's structure and accounting questions.
▶ Watch at 1:43:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm actually in, now that you're being, you know, open to having the conversation, and I will be interested to hear from our state auditor's office as well in terms of, I mean, they oversee our audits and if we have to audit this, I Think, but they testified during public comment. I mean, Our state legislative, the legislator, sorry, the ones that are gonna be presenting on Friday, a lot of auditors. So the, our audit, um, staff. 'cause I think if it's about people's different opinions and to the good chair's point, whether they're attorneys or CPAs, you know, the devil's in the detail and I, one, this is a concern in terms of …
S.B. 116 Income Tax Rate Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks how the automatic rate reduction would work in years when budgets are cut to minimum levels and social services needs are not met.
▶ Watch at 1:49:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. A question to the sponsor. Go ahead. Um, so the scenario that you are, um, explaining in like a perfect world, I'm following here makes sense except we don't live in a perfect world. So I'm trying to follow, like, right, let's say the exercise we're going right now through in our appropriations committees of cutting everything, 5% becomes our budget, right? That's what we approve as, as like what the appropriations committees send to me. That's not meeting the minimum needs, uh, especially in social services. So I'm talking with like the social service lens, and some of you have serving that committee is brutal. So if let's say we apply this bill and this …
S.B. 116 Income Tax Rate Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks a follow-up question about whether the bill would stop future tax cuts.
▶ Watch at 1:52:21Read what they said
Follow up question, Mr. Chair, please. Thank you for that answer. Senator. One more question. Does this Bill then stops them for doing more tax cuts?
S.B. 60 Income Tax Rate Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks how the bill fits with recent social services cuts, the expected federal revenue loss, and the timing of revenue figures later in the session.
▶ Watch at 2:15:17Read what they said
Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so trying to reconcile the exercise that we're right now living through in social services. So maybe, um, I dunno how many of you guys are in that committee, but it was pretty traumatic and the public are, it's like scary the cuts on programs. So I'm trying to reconcile that message of, you know, making sure we're gonna be able to serve minimum basic services on social services. So, I, I don't wanna speak on the other committees. I'm not as familiar, I do know when it comes to executive appropriations, but, you know, the exercise of this process and having the public come. So how, um, Senator, how do you, you know, …
S.B. 97 Tax Revenue Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks whether the new subsection 12 language excludes school districts.
▶ Watch at 3:18:48Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Just, I have a clar clarifying question online. I believe it's 6 7 4, subsection 12, um, 6 74.
S.B. 97 Tax Revenue Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Confirms she is reading the subsection 12 language as not applying to school districts.
▶ Watch at 3:19:02Read what they said
And I'm reading on the comparison, just to make sure you added this new language related to the provision of subsection 12 A does not apply to school districts. Correct? Um, just reading through this. Okay.
S.B. 97 Tax Revenue Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Says the bill makes clear that schools are not affected for that purpose.
▶ Watch at 3:19:57Read what they said
Okay. So you're making that clear that the schools will not be impacted for that purpose.
S.B. 99 Emergency Reporting Offense Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Asks Dan Strong whether the commission considered concerns about individuals with cognitive or mental disabilities under the proposed standard.
▶ Watch at 1:42:11Read what they said
Is Senator Escamilla. I apologize. I I do have a question for Mr. Strong. Oh, question for Mr. Strong. Um, a Strong question. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for allowing me to do this. Um, so I, I, I see the sub that I know we will be adopting that gives that extra two, you know, like consistent of two or more connected, I mean like repeated a, any concerns on the individuals with cognitive or mental disabilities in engaging in this process. We talked about that also at the commission meetings.
S.B. 99 Emergency Reporting Offense Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Says people with differing interpretations or disabilities should not be penalized and thanks Strong for his answer.
▶ Watch at 1:43:10Read what they said
Thank you. But yeah, I just wanna make sure we want, you know, we are conscious that there may be individuals with different ways of interpreting this piece and shouldn't be penalized if they happen to be, have a disability or otherwise dealing with other issues. So, thank you. Thanks for that answer.
S.B. 99 Emergency Reporting Offense Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Says she asked to be placed on the next agenda to present her bill and forgot to present it today.
▶ Watch at 1:47:26Read what they said
Uh, no. Mr. Chair, I, I asked to be on the next Agenda. I forgot.
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Explains her concerns about the principle and policy of the bill, says she will vote no for now, and is open to compromise on district court and appellate resources.
▶ Watch at 1:00:06Read what they said
Uh, thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I, I just wanna ex uh, start by explaining, um, the process on this bill because we had a really good committee hearing, but starting with, um, the sponsor has been very gracious to be open, and I've been bothering him a lot in terms of this infrastructure piece that has, I think is being addressed through the bill with the substitutes in the amendments. It's addressing the biggest need. Immediate need. I wanna see more. But I, I recognize, um, the art of compromising is hard. And I, I took a vote yesterday and, you know, I'm, I'm hearing from my constituents, and this is, we all engage in that process. I, …
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Escamilla asked whether adding a judge includes the associated staff and support.
▶ Watch at 1:22:16Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a clarifying question. When we say adding a judge, I mean that's, that includes what you explain, uh, what it was explained by the sponsor. That's everything that comes with a judge, right?
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Escamilla confirmed the added judges include support staff and that the fiscal note would rise by about $1.5 million.
▶ Watch at 1:22:54Read what they said
Okay. Just, I just wanna make sure. So these additions that we're doing on district third, fourth, and fifth with this new amendment will include all of that support staff? Yes. With the judges. Okay. And so the fiscal note that he testified to would be increased if this goes through by about 1.5 million approximately? Give Or take. Okay. Perfect. Thank you. Thanks for the clarification.
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Escamilla said she would speak later and wanted discussion to happen first.
▶ Watch at 1:26:43Read what they said
No, I'm not that interested to discuss. I will get there, but I just wanna make sure we get
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Escamilla asked whether the bar supports the courts' current funding requests and what specific staffing is needed.
▶ Watch at 1:53:32Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you, Kim. Nice to see you again. You as well. Um, I wanna go back to your, your point and, and I appreciate, you know, the bar providing this more comprehensive look into this in nonorganic way. 'cause we've been hearing from the courts constantly every year. Um, not only the judge, I mean the Supreme Court justices themselves and, um, the, the courts as an organization and, and entity independent from the legislative branch. And we have this, this, you know, this relationship. So I wanna go back. So, uh, will you say then that the, the, um, the, that you guys as an organization are in support of what their current request is from the …
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Escamilla asked whether the referenced bill was SB 57.
▶ Watch at 1:56:21Read what they said
Okay. Thank You. And Mr. Chair, just to we Yes. Clarify. 'cause they make reference to your bill. Is that SB 57?
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Escamilla said she would vote yes in good faith as a first step toward lower-court resources, and clarified the bill does not change how judges are appointed.
▶ Watch at 2:33:02Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so one, I I, this has been a, a really good way of engaging in, in the public. Um, I represent the west side of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County West Valley City, Magna. And one of the biggest issues related to family law specifically is access. So I've, for years we've been having this conversation and I wanna first say that I've been pastoring the good senator, the sponsor of the bill on addressing the issues of, of resources has been pretty clear that this will come in this comprehensive way. And I think some of this, uh, clearly the substitute and the amendments, uh, starts addressing that lower court, um, needs. …
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Moves to replace S.B. 136 with the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 2:46:12Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we sub substitute body and title sb sorry. 1 36. One 32nd, 1 36 with second substitute. 1 36. Alright,
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Asks the sponsor to identify where the bill defines the protected sensitive locations.
▶ Watch at 2:50:48Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Chair. And, and thank you Senator. Um, I know this has been a critical issue discuss in our caucus. Just to make sure, if you don't mind just delineating in terms of your bill, the scope on where you're putting this safe, uh, places. Yes. So I think that's the core of your, the real core of the bill and reflects certainly the values of our state. So if you don't mind just in line in what lines you're making reference to those safe locations.
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says the protections for places of worship are especially important so people can worship without fearing for their safety.
▶ Watch at 2:52:34Read what they said
Thank you. And Mr. Chair just, um, is, to me, why this is so critical is not only is that piece, but also places of worship, which I know for this state, it holds pretty, um, close and dear to our hearts and the core values of the state of Utah. And that is people should be free to worship without having to be concerned about their safety. So, thank you, Mr. Chair.
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says keeping the peace in public differs from warrantless arrests, and the bill only requires a warrant process in specific sensitive locations without stopping officers from doing their duty.
▶ Watch at 2:59:56Read what they said
I'm sorry. So, I, I think I'm, I'm concerned that we may be using terminology here interchangeably that is not, um, describing the correct situation. So one thing is for you, for a, any peace officer that's licensed in our state to perform a duty in a public space to keep safety or keep, you know, I mean peace, I guess, versus picking up someone or arresting someone without a warrant. So, slightly different. I think what we're seeing, and again, it seems like we have, we live in part worlds and people are seeing different things. But what I'm hearing from the sponsor, and I'm reading the bill, is that it is providing safe spaces within certain locations. He …
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Asked the sheriff to confirm his 2024-2025 numbers reflect only people encountered by law enforcement, not deportations through other processes.
▶ Watch at 3:33:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just sheriff a, a question and I, um, was listening and I, I walked towards the end of your presentation and going back to just data points. 'cause data is, is important. And just to be clear, the data points in your numbers that you were describing, comparison 2024 to 2025, which is change in administration, only reflect individuals that are encountering with a law enforcement agency because the other deportations are happening through different process. Just to be clear, you're not keeping track on those
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Noted people in his jail are there because of an alleged violation.
▶ Watch at 3:34:29Read what they said
Okay. But I mean, anyone if they're in your jail is because there has been, uh,
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Said his data would not include people deported through civil immigration hearings who never enter the jail.
▶ Watch at 3:34:38Read what they said
Category. Okay. Okay. So, but not the individuals that may have been in an a, um, ice hearing being then deported at that point so everybody else that may have a civil case, that is not gonna end up in your jail. 'cause for them to end up in your jail, there has to be a violation that a presume crime committed in order to be incarcerated in your jail. To be
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Said people not in his jail are not counted in his numbers.
▶ Watch at 3:35:03Read what they said
Oh. Brought up to your jail as well, because you guys have a contract like that, but you are not counting everybody else. That is not in your jail at all. You're not giving track
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Confirmed the comparison numbers are only for his jail.
▶ Watch at 3:35:12Read what they said
From my jail. Just your jail. Just to be clear, those numbers comparison, 24 to 25 is for your jail and what you are obviously, you know. Yep.
S.B. 136 Enforcement Activities Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Spoke against the motion to table, saying places of worship should be protected and the sponsor is willing to work on changes.
▶ Watch at 3:47:36Read what they said
You. As, as a sponsor of the original motion, you know, I, I recognize this is, this our unprecedented times and, um, hearing from law enforcement is important. I think that the, what we're trying to do here is bring some level of protection for communities to feel safe on very, very sacred places. If anything, churches should be protected. And if it's not gonna be in this piece of legislation, I encourage, uh, all of my colleagues to find a way of protecting, um, churches and religious places for individuals to be able to worship freely, which is something we deeply care in the state. Um, I think this bill can have some changes. I know the sponsors willing …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 3) · Jan 22, 2026
Sen. Escamilla described the bill creating an advisory board for the Medicaid inspector general office, noted a technical substitute is needed, and asked to move the bill to the third reading calendar for further talks with HHS.
▶ Watch at 11:58Read what they said
come back and report. But we're also creating an advisory board that will be the experts in the advisory board that will provide the feedback to make sure this office is moving in the direction we need. And remember, this office is very critical to, uh, preventing, preventing and doing intervention when it comes to waste, fraud and abuse. And they do a really good job. We've just been missing some of, again, more of the administrative operation pieces. The bill, um, was presented in our committee, which is, uh, it's not called Administrative Rules Committee, but we're gonna change the name again, rules Review Committee. And was, um, presented and approved with unanimous support A couple of days ago. …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 3) · Jan 22, 2026
Sen. Escamilla moved the bill to the third reading calendar and called the question.
▶ Watch at 13:59Read what they said
Yep. I'll take that. The third. I'll take that motion to move it to third. Perfect. Call the question, Mr. President. Thank
S.B. 130 River Restoration Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 2) · Jan 21, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it encourages cities to invest in river infrastructure and public access, particularly on the west side of Salt Lake City.
▶ Watch at 48:53Read what they said
Thank you. Hello? Oh, there we go. It's kind there. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I am rights in support of this piece of legislation. It's, uh, been very, very, um, inspiring to see what the Power District has been doing the last year. And a lot has been thanks to the support of the, the legislature in terms of cleaning that area of the Jordan River and as we see it in, in how, um, the planning of what's gonna look like and how it's gonna change the entire experience for the residents of the West side. So this bill is moving us into that cultural change that I think the sponsor was referring to of really feeling ownership …
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