Legislators / Doug Fiefia
Doug Fiefia
Republican · House District 48
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Doug Fiefia
- Email: dfiefia@le.utah.gov
- Office: 350 N State Street, Suite 350, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114
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Watch or join a meeting
Every committee hearing and floor session is open to the public and streamed live on le.utah.gov. Each committee's agenda has the link to watch or join online, and how to sign up for public comment.
Doug Fiefia serves on:
- Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
- House Government Operations Committee
- Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee
- Government Operations Interim Committee
What they've said
207 remarks on 55 billsH.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that the bill sets reimbursement for inmate medical costs at the Medicare rate, and that half of resulting savings would go to a restricted account for future inmate medical needs and half to the general fund.
▶ Watch at 25:48Read what they said
some are healthier than others and, uh, some arrive with very serious medical needs. So we don't get to choose the costs, it becomes difficult to forecast. What we're doing here is we're setting the reimbursement benchmark at the Medicare rate. Uh, we work closely with the Corrections, university of Utah Health System and others. The goal is fairness and predictability and how one state entity reimburses another. Recognizing in the end, taxpayers are paying the bill. You'll also create restricted count when savings occur. Because the state pays a Medicare rate instead of a higher rate, 50% of those savings can be set aside for future inmate medical needs while 50% returns the general fund. This helps Department of …
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks to explain the changes to the bill and requests personal privilege before the explanation.
▶ Watch at 36:23Read what they said
Um, yes and I, and I apologize to do this now, but personal privilege during my explanation here, but Well, you
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks the sponsor a series of questions, beginning with who determines what counts as a reasonable alternative under line 32.
▶ Watch at 1:48:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor yield to a series of questions? Representative Loubet, will you yield to a series of questions? Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The bill says that a shelter may euthanize only after if no reasonable alternative exists. Mr. Speaker, can you, can you answer this for me? Who ultimately determines what counts as a reasonable alternative? Will the Mr. Speaker, will you be able to provide the line numbers you're referring to? I believe that's on line 32. Just Line 32. It's two A.
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks about liability protections and what options a full shelter has under the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:50:10Read what they said
Okay. Thank you. And one final question. If a shelter's already at full capacity and no rescue group takes the animal within the notice period, what practical options does the shelter have under this bill?
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Repeats the question about options for a shelter at full capacity when no rescue takes an animal.
▶ Watch at 1:50:24Read what they said
Yeah. If, if, if the shelter is at full capacity and no rescue groups are able to take the animal under the notice period, what other options do does the shelter have?
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the bill has good intent but opposes it over concerns about clear guidance, workable options at capacity, and lawsuits.
▶ Watch at 1:51:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I think this bill has good intent, but I actually rise in opposition, uh, because my main concern is making sure that there's clear guidance and workable options when the, the shelters are already at capacity. Um, and hearing from other of my colleagues who worry about the expense at hand when these are already at full capacity and they don't have workable solutions, and you have these groups that will just sue over it. Thank you.
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Speaks in strong support, describing data collection in targeted advertising and saying the bill is a step in the right direction to protect individuals' freedom of choice.
▶ Watch at 2:04:31Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair Pro temp. Um, I rise in strong support of this bill. Um, I went back and forth on this bill because of the idea of attacks. Um, but having worked for the largest digital advertiser, um, I know the harms are real. And currently I'm on a repentance tour. Um, now targeted advertising is very different than when we grew up. When we grew up, there was a newspaper ad, a billboard, a commercial. It was the same for everyone today. These large advertisers, they are collecting massive amounts of data on all of us. What we click on, what we watch, how long we watch, even when we are vulnerable, what we buy, all that …
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Supports the bill, describing how targeted advertising collects personal data to shape what people see and calling the bill a step in the right direction.
▶ Watch at 2:04:31Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair Pro temp. Um, I rise in strong support of this bill. Um, I went back and forth on this bill because of the idea of attacks. Um, but having worked for the largest digital advertiser, um, I know the harms are real. And currently I'm on a repentance tour. Um, now targeted advertising is very different than when we grew up. When we grew up, there was a newspaper ad, a billboard, a commercial. It was the same for everyone today. These large advertisers, they are collecting massive amounts of data on all of us. What we click on, what we watch, how long we watch, even when we are vulnerable, what we buy, all that …
H.B. 492 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves to circle House Bill 492, which would take the bill off the floor for now.
▶ Watch at 2:08:10Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to circle. Motion to circle is an order sponsors off the floor. Uh, we'll go ahead and place the motion. The motion will be for US house, uh, circle, uh, 4 92 HB 4 92 HB 4 92.
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the amendments move the effective date to give industry an additional year to comply with the law.
▶ Watch at 40:01Read what they said
Sure. We just move the effective date giving industry an additional year, um, to comply with the law.
S.B. 288 Medicaid Provider Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Supports the bill, saying its funds go directly to providers who serve seniors, DSPD clients and foster care children.
▶ Watch at 1:18:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd also like to just rise in support. There's been a lot of discussions about where this bill ended and appreciate the good sponsor from Salt Lake County. This bill is good because the funds go directly to the providers who are taking care of the most vulnerable of our population. Uh, these are people who are our seniors, those who are receiving DSPD services and also our foster care children. And so I'm in, in support of this and ask for your support colleagues.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the substitute moves from setting software standards to having the State Board of Education conduct a study of software and digital tools in schools, due to funding.
▶ Watch at 1:52:19Read what they said
Sure. We, we made some significant changes here, uh, due to some funding. Uh, this moved from actually setting the standard to having, um, the State Board of Education run a study on software and digital tools being used in schools. And so that's the big shift here is we moved from actually stating what those minimum requirements and standards would be to just doing a study.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the substitute changed from setting minimum software standards to having the State Board of Education conduct a study, due to funding. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:52:19Read what they said
Sure. We, we made some significant changes here, uh, due to some funding. Uh, this moved from actually setting the standard to having, um, the State Board of Education run a study on software and digital tools being used in schools. And so that's the big shift here is we moved from actually stating what those minimum requirements and standards would be to just doing a study.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the bill asks the State Board of Education to study software and digital tools in public schools to identify best practices and ensure they are safe, secure, and educational rather than driving engagement or addiction, and opens the floor to questions.
▶ Watch at 1:53:36Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker, colleagues. Uh, this bill is simple but important. It asks the State Board of Education to study the software and digital tools being used in our public schools and identify the best practices for how these tools are being used. Now, our our kids are being in front of screens constantly and it's important that we study what is actually being on those screens. Uh, the software and the tools that they're actually educating our kids and not just use for engagement, which we've seen a lot of these tools being just white labeled and called EdTech. And so what this bill does is it asks the State Board of Education to run a study to …
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the bill asks the State Board of Education to study software and digital tools used in public schools and identify best practices, to ensure they are safe, secure, and educational.
▶ Watch at 1:53:36Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker, colleagues. Uh, this bill is simple but important. It asks the State Board of Education to study the software and digital tools being used in our public schools and identify the best practices for how these tools are being used. Now, our our kids are being in front of screens constantly and it's important that we study what is actually being on those screens. Uh, the software and the tools that they're actually educating our kids and not just use for engagement, which we've seen a lot of these tools being just white labeled and called EdTech. And so what this bill does is it asks the State Board of Education to run a study to …
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the fiscal note would be reduced to $150,000 ongoing and that leadership and EAC have approved the funding.
▶ Watch at 1:54:54Read what they said
Yes. Great question, Mr. Speaker. This will reduce the fiscal note to $150,000 ongoing, and, uh, we've met with EAC in both leadership to approve the funding of this bill.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the fiscal note will be reduced to $150,000 ongoing and that leadership has met with EAC about funding.
▶ Watch at 1:54:54Read what they said
Yes. Great question, Mr. Speaker. This will reduce the fiscal note to $150,000 ongoing, and, uh, we've met with EAC in both leadership to approve the funding of this bill.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the funding would restore State Board of Education staff resources, which were reduced in the budget, so staff can study the tools and software in schools.
▶ Watch at 1:55:22Read what they said
Yes. In our current budget, we have removed some of our, uh, budgets and, uh, staff from the state school board. And I'm told that because of that reduction, they don't have resources to do a study. And that is where that money would go to, is to allow staff to focus on studying the tools and the software in the schools.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains the funding would restore State Board of Education staff time to study the tools and software in schools after budget cuts.
▶ Watch at 1:55:22Read what they said
Yes. In our current budget, we have removed some of our, uh, budgets and, uh, staff from the state school board. And I'm told that because of that reduction, they don't have resources to do a study. And that is where that money would go to, is to allow staff to focus on studying the tools and the software in the schools.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Gives closing summation that the bill is a simple study to ensure tools used in schools are safe, secure, and for education rather than engagement, and asks for support.
▶ Watch at 1:57:36Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Again, this is a simple study. Um, the tools that are in our schools, um, are important to make sure they're safe and secure. As, as a parent of four young kids that are in our public schools and in our schools that we we fund, I want to be sure that what is put in front of them in our classroom is actually there for education and not for engagement. And so I'd ask your for ask for your support.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Gives closing summation, saying the study is meant to ensure classroom tools are safe, secure, and used for education rather than engagement.
▶ Watch at 1:57:36Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Again, this is a simple study. Um, the tools that are in our schools, um, are important to make sure they're safe and secure. As, as a parent of four young kids that are in our public schools and in our schools that we we fund, I want to be sure that what is put in front of them in our classroom is actually there for education and not for engagement. And so I'd ask your for ask for your support.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves to engross the fifth substitute of S.B. 267.
▶ Watch at 2:22:52Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move to encircle fifth sub two 60 SB 2 67.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the word "targeted" was added between substitutes and says the bill should ensure no advertising reaches kids.
▶ Watch at 2:23:14Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. We found just one, one word that's important in here, um, between different subs. There was one word that added in targeted advertising. We wanted to make sure that no advertising is is within our kids. This word targeted, um, is kind of a loophole for industry and we want to make sure that our kids are safe from any advertising.
S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Calls the amendment friendly and says the word "targeted" was added in a later substitute and should be removed.
▶ Watch at 2:25:19Read what they said
This is a friendly amendment. Uh, I, I think this, this was a, a word that was added in the later sub that I, I think needs to be taken out. So I appreciate, um, the good sponsor of the amendment.
S.B. 290 Victim and Witness Privacy Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asks who decides what counts as evidence and what counts as non-public witness data.
▶ Watch at 24:45Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Sorry. There you go. Thank you, Mr. Chair and thank you Senator for your good work on this. Um, who, my question is who decides what counts as, uh, the two categories, evidence and then kind of the witness data, non-public information?
S.B. 290 Victim and Witness Privacy Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asks how the defense would know if relevant data on a phone was not provided to them.
▶ Watch at 25:59Read what they said
So will they have access? Because if, if I don't see the information and data at all, how would the defense know that there's something that, that, that might be missed? Right? There's tons of data and information on our phones. And if I'm just sent what, you know, police thinks relevant as evidence, how would I know that something might be on the phone that would prove innocence of my client?
S.B. 292 Autonomous Systems Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asked how the $100,000 cap was determined and whether it is adequate for serious or catastrophic injuries.
▶ Watch at 43:35Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you senator for your good work on this. I, I think this is the way of the future. Um, even today I use full self-drive, partly because I think it drives safer than me. Um, but I do have a couple of questions here for you. Um, just on the a hundred thousand dollars cap, can you walk through how that was determined? And does that, is that adequate for serious or catastrophic injury?
S.B. 292 Autonomous Systems Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asked why negligence and strict liability were changed rather than reforming existing product liability law.
▶ Watch at 45:32Read what they said
Okay. And then my other question, I know you've spoke at length about this already, and I just wanna make sure I understand. We've eliminated negligence and strict liability. Is there a reason why we did that instead of reforming existing product liability law?
S.B. 292 Autonomous Systems Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Moved to adopt the second substitute of SB 292.
▶ Watch at 49:33Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we adopt sub two of SB 2 92.
S.B. 292 Autonomous Systems Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Moved to pass the second substitute of SB 292 out favorably to the full House.
▶ Watch at 50:41Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we pass out SB 2 92, substitute two favorably to the full house.
S.B. 292 Autonomous Systems Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Thanked the sponsor, said welcoming these companies to innovate is the right step, and said caps could be discussed further but the bill should move to the full House.
▶ Watch at 52:27Read what they said
Yeah, I, I just would like to thank Ian, the senator for this, for this work on this. I know this is, uh, new technology and it's never easy passing legislation around it. I, I think Utah has let out in many ways around technology. And I think welcoming in these companies, allowing them to innovate is the right step. I think there's some good discussion around caps and, and maybe it can be a further discussion, but, uh, for now I think it should be moved to the full house.
S.B. 296 Student Consent Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asked whether the bill requires parents to consent on behalf of a minor who is a college student. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:42:53Read what they said
Yeah, thank you. I appreciate the bill. I just had a quick question. I was reading through this. I think there was a provision about minors, um, and I can't find it now, if, if a college student is a minor, then do their parents consent on their behalf?
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 108, saying it lets the state manage funds in the child's best interest, reduces the benefits the state may use for maintenance costs, and preserves more benefits for the child's long-term future.
▶ Watch at 2:24:27Read what they said
to manage funds in the child's best interest. And then it reduces the amount of benefits that the state may use for maintenance costs, um, preserving more of the benefits for the child's long-term future. Uh, with that I'll yield to any questions.
S.B. 229 State Employee Benefits Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Supports the bill, citing its holistic effort to take care of state employees in a responsible and effective way. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:41:19Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Pro Tem. I rise in support. I appreciate the good sponsors, um, willingness to work across agencies and with stakeholders to create a package that modernizes, um, our employees benefit packages for our state employees. And this is part of a holistic, um, effort to make sure that we are taking care of our employees and we are doing it in a way that is responsible, um, and effective, uh, looking into the future. And I appreciate the good work that's been done. Thank you
S.B. 229 State Employee Benefits Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Rises in support, praising the sponsor's cross-agency work to modernize state employee benefits as part of a holistic effort. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:41:19Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Pro Tem. I rise in support. I appreciate the good sponsors, um, willingness to work across agencies and with stakeholders to create a package that modernizes, um, our employees benefit packages for our state employees. And this is part of a holistic, um, effort to make sure that we are taking care of our employees and we are doing it in a way that is responsible, um, and effective, uh, looking into the future. And I appreciate the good work that's been done. Thank you
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 108, which creates a framework to identify, protect, and manage federal benefits belonging to children in state custody, and moves that the bill pass under suspension of the rules.
▶ Watch at 3:05:34Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. I presented this about a half hour ago. I thought there was amendment but there's not. But it creates a comprehensive framework to identify, protect, and responsibly manage federal benefits that belong to children in state custody. Um, so tacking on my previous, uh, presentation, I'll yield to any questions Again. We heard the bill a few minutes ago or half an hour ago. Seeing no questions on the bill. Gonna go to you for action. Thank you. I moved that, uh, house bill 1 0 8 pass under suspension of the rules.
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Thanked the committee for the opportunity to present the bill.
▶ Watch at 37:24Read what they said
I will take that. Thank you, Mr. Or Madam Chair. Um, appreciate your guys' time and committee for allowing us to be here.
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Presented HB 408 as a follow-up to last year's data ownership law, describing changes for user control, timelines, consent for shared data, and a safe harbor for temporary disruptions.
▶ Watch at 37:49Read what they said
Thank you chair, and I apologize for that. Um, last year we established, uh, the principle that your social media data belongs to you. Um, this was a bill that we passed last year. And having worked in the industry, what happens with our data is they use our data to inform an algorithm. They then sell that algorithm to advertisers for billions of dollars, where we have no control of what happens to that. Um, today, if you post something on your timeline on social media, you don't own it. You don't control it. If you delete it, it's deleted from your timeline, not actual from servers. And what we did last year was ensure that as a user, …
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said the bill does not require a specific open protocol, and platforms may choose one or build their own.
▶ Watch at 40:15Read what they said
Yeah, so we actually don't mandate the open protocol. I think there's about six or seven open protocols available today that, uh, platforms are using that any of these platforms, whether it's meta Google, they can choose which open protocol they want to use, or they can build their own. Um, we didn't mandate that because we wanted, uh, tech platforms to allow them to do it however they wanted and what's feasible for them. And also the most user friendly for their users. And so we don't mandate what open protocol, uh, they have to use. We, we allow them the option to either build it or use one that's available today.
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said users must still follow platform terms of use, compared data portability to telephone number portability, and said the bill tightens last year's law after work with industry.
▶ Watch at 43:45Read what they said
Me. Sure. A couple of, is that okay, chair? Oh, yeah. Uh, a couple of things. Number one is when you transfer your data, you still have to abide by the terms of use for the platform you're going to. And if we're all being honest with ourselves, these platforms want the data moving into their systems. Uh, they may complain and say, well, you're forcing me to take this data. We're not forcing anyone to take the data. They have to follow the, your terms of use. And two, you're incentivized because they want your data. That's what brings these platforms value. Now, the, the example was given out of a key from one brand of car to another. …
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said federal inaction is why states are acting, noted similar bills in other states, and said the bill would open competition for smaller tech companies.
▶ Watch at 48:11Read what they said
I, I appreciate your thoughts on this. And, and I, I know, and I know and appreciate all of your experience in the tech industry also, and so appreciate your comments. I would love the federal government to act, but we know they're in a gridlock and nothing is happening on a federal level. That's why you saw data, data privacy become a state's issue. That's why you see states stepping in and, and running bills around ai. It's because the federal government is not acting. And sadly, these companies will not act if they're not forced. And states are acting. We have five other states running similar bills. And what we'll see is this being done on a federal …
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Urged the committee not to hold the bill, arguing it is a technical cleanup to last year's policy that was shaped with tech companies.
▶ Watch at 52:13Read what they said
Yeah, I think, I think this is an unfriendly motion. Um, I, I just want to be very clear that not passing this bill and these structural changes will actually hurt tech, uh, more than passing it. We've worked with them over the last year to make sure that there was definitions and clarity in this bill. A lot of it are structural and technical changes that were provided by tech companies. And so not doing it doesn't change. The underlying principle of the bill that we passed last year, not passing it will actually hurt tech companies. And so I, I'd urge the committee not to hold this bill and, and to pass it through because we've already passed …
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Rep. Fiefia asked the sponsor to explain the amendment's change regarding ads delivered through a link or QR code.
▶ Watch at 1:05:14Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, senator, can you just walk us through the change from the amendment? Uh, why, what's, what's the reasoning behind changing, um, that it's only through a link or QR code? What was the purpose of that?
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Rep. Fiefia moved to pass SB 287 as amended out favorably to the full House.
▶ Watch at 1:24:39Read what they said
I'll, uh, icontinue make a motion. Yes. Um, I move that we pass out SB 2 87, uh, as amended to favorably to the full house.
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Rep. Fiefia said he struggled with the tax but supports the bill due to social media harms, explaining from his experience at a large ad company that ad prices are set by global auctions, so the pass-through claim is inaccurate.
▶ Watch at 1:24:57Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. I, I just appreciate the senator's. Good work on this. Um, I honestly had a hard time with this bill going back and forth, because I worry about anytime we're looking at raising attacks, especially as it relates to small business in Utah, when we are the state that is friendly to growth and small businesses. But I think with that said, the harms that social media has done, um, not only to all of us, because I think we, we'd like to say just our kids, but even as adults, um, is something that we need to pay close attention to. What we did when social media came out was wrong. We were reactive, and now …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asks to ask questions after missing the question section.
▶ Watch at 1:43:41Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair, are you okay if I ask a couple of questions? I was out during the question section. Sorry.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asks about the measurable return on investment and how many seats the program would create, and whether it crowds out private providers.
▶ Watch at 1:43:51Read what they said
Representative. Thank you, Senator. Um, what is the measurable ROI on this with, with the three plus million here, how many seats does that actually create? Um, it's reaching about 200 seats, so about a hundred that will be for the state to have access for state employees, c community, surrounding area and military. Do you believe that this crowds out private, uh, childcare providers in the area and around the Salt Lake kind of area? Um,
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asks what protects taxpayers from long-term cost escalation if lease revenue and maintenance costs do not align, and requests DFCM answer.
▶ Watch at 1:45:33Read what they said
I may have another question. Um, I guess what, what, what protects taxpayers from long-term cost escalation if lease revenue and maintenances don't align? Can I have the FCM answer that question because I Yes.
S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asked how many districts are participating in the program.
▶ Watch at 2:11:25Read what they said
Yeah. Um, do you have any idea of how many districts are participating in the program? Uh,
S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said excellent teachers throughout the state should not be penalized because their district chose not to participate.
▶ Watch at 2:11:42Read what they said
Um, but again, uh, just presenting this under the idea that we have excellent teachers spread throughout the state. And I, I don't, and those teachers shouldn't be penalized just because their, their district chose not to participate.
S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Noted the bill allocates no new money and asked how much is in the existing fund.
▶ Watch at 2:11:55Read what they said
Thank you. And it looks like we're not, we're not allocating any new money. You're using the fund that already exists. Do we know how much money is currently in that fund?
S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asked whether the program is a three-year program. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:12:05Read what they said
But again, that's a, that's a three year program, right? So it's designed to pay those bonuses out over three years for the length.
S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asked about the original funding amount for the program. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:12:12Read what they said
Sorry, if I may, so the, it was originally a hundred million for the entire program.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the substitute makes minor changes and corrections based on industry feedback.
▶ Watch at 46:30Read what they said
Sure. We just made some minor changes and updates based off of feedback from, uh, industry. Um, we had some errors in the bill that we just changed. Nothing drastic there.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presents HB 438 as setting guardrails for AI companion chatbots, citing concerns about minors, and outlines its privacy, transparency, and child safeguard provisions.
▶ Watch at 46:58Read what they said
Well, thank you Mr. Chair and committee members. Uh, this bill, HB 4 38 se sets guardrails around a new development of ai, which is called what we're calling AI Companion Chatbots. And when I say companion, these are the chatbots that are specifically designed to replace relationships and in some cases, to mimic romance, um, or intimacy. Uh, these are the chatbots, if you've been reading in the news that both adults and children are falling in love with. Um, and these are ones that we want to, to set clear guard rails around, especially as it relates to children. Um, this may seem like, yeah, this is something that people aren't using. Early studies show that 72% of, …
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Explains the safe harbor for chatbots not intentionally built to engage children, and says customer service and general-use chatbots are excluded.
▶ Watch at 52:22Read what they said
So there's, there's kind of two different, uh, i, I guess, ways you would approach this bill. We've, we've set together a, a pretty robust safe harbor that those who aren't intentionally creating tools for engagement with kids, um, can, can safe harbor out of this. And, and that kind of is the balance that we reached of how do we protect children while also allowing innovation. And so the safe harbor is there. And then also a lot of the definitions that we put in there are specifically to make sure that there is an out for any of the customer service related or general use chatbots.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Explains that the definition covers chatbots designed for relationships, and that chatbots not designed that way can safe harbor out.
▶ Watch at 1:04:28Read what they said
or why they're saying that? Sure. They said the definition of chatbot companion is broad. Uh, and the reason for that is we have the safe harbor that companies and chatbots that are for general use or aren't intentionally designed for these companion components, they can safe harbor out. And so those who are have to comply with the law, those who are general use or customer service chatbots, uh, have a way that they can get out.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says customer service and general-use chatbots are not designed to replace relationships and so are not affected by the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:05:09Read what they said
Any, any chat bot? 'cause They're customer service. So any chat bot that isn't designed for replacement of relationships or as defined in our bill has a way to safe harbor out. Um, and so whether that's general use or whether it's customer service, like you're calling into Delta to change your ticket or whether using chat GBT to find a recipe tonight for dinner, um, those are not specifically designed for replacing relationships with children and potentially could expose them to the things that we've mentioned, which are sexual explicit material, illegal material. Um, and they wouldn't be affected by this.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says chatbots within the definition can still safe harbor out by meeting safety protocols, and that industry helped shape the definitions.
▶ Watch at 1:08:23Read what they said
Yes. But that's why also, if you're not, if you fall within the definition, you can still save harbor out by safety protocols. We worked with industry over this past year, coming up with definitions, listening to concerns. A lot of what they liked about this bill was, we were broad with the definition, but they had, they, they already meet the safety protocols that are posted in the safe harbor. And so many of the many, if not all of them, would be safe harbored out already automatically because they already safe go through protocols and safety and security to ensure they aren't a companion chatbot.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the sponsor's office worked with companies and incorporated their input.
▶ Watch at 1:10:52Read what they said
But we, we did put in the time and the effort to make sure that we worked with them.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the sponsor met with and took input from industry, but does not know which companies have taken positions.
▶ Watch at 1:11:05Read what they said
We sat down with all of them and we've taken input from all of them. I don't know specifically if who has said yes we're for or against it. Uh, I don't know that they've even made that known to us.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says industry would need to be asked directly about their positions. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:11:19Read what they said
Um, you'd have to ask them. But we did take a lot of input. I don't know if there's official positions that they've sent out. I haven't seen it, but if you have,
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Describes the supporting group as a nonprofit focused on human-centered AI. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:11:40Read what they said
They're a nonprofit who's looking to help AI be pro-human and not replace humans. Okay.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Urges support, saying the bill narrowly protects children from AI companion chatbots while allowing innovation.
▶ Watch at 1:13:21Read what they said
Yeah, this is, this is super helpful. I appreciate the, the motion here. This is really about protecting children, and we've gone very narrow. We've gone at this with a, a scalpel. The whole idea of what we've done here in Utah is led out with how do we balance protecting consumers at the same time with allowing innovation. This safe harbor has been lauded and, and been pushed in other states because by industry, because they've appreciated our balance of, Hey, if you're not going after kids, we don't want to target you with this law. This is the, the chatbots that are specifically designed to go after our children. The AI race is important. It will solve some …
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Fiefia presented HB 321 as a substitute bill that sets the rate corrections pays for inmate medical procedures at the Medicare rate, creates a restricted account, and splits savings 50% to future inmate medical needs and 50% to the general fund.
▶ Watch at 1:36:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee. Uh, this bill is simple. It also has a positive fiscal note. And so, uh, not only is it a good bill, but we're saving the state some money. Um, when someone enters our correctional system, we're responsible. We're responsible for their medical care. Uh, some come in healthy and some come in with some serious, uh, medical needs. We don't get to choose. We have to provide care. As you can imagine, this makes it very hard for the Department of Corrections to forecast and plan for costs. Um, what we found was that even though, or I guess the, the most high acuity cases can completely disrupt their budget. And so what …
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Presents H.B. 408 as a cleanup bill to the Utah Digital Choice Act, clarifying definitions after meeting with the tech industry, and offers to answer questions.
▶ Watch at 49:44Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker colleagues. Last year we passed the Utah Digital Choice Act. This gave Utahans the ability who use social media platforms to own managing and control their data. We know what big tech doess with our data and Utah took a step in making sure that those who post information and data online, that it isn't being sold for billions of dollars to the highest bidder, but that we control it. And so this bill is a cleanup bill. We met with, uh, the tech industry over the past year. We've got a lot of feedback and this really just, uh, clarifies a lot of definitions to ensure that one, it's clear and they have the ability …
H.B. 558 Elections Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asked whether data from other states shows party disclosure or partisan local elections increase engagement.
▶ Watch at 1:46:01Read what they said
Next. Thank you Mr. Vice Chair. Um, my question is, is there any data or states that have moved to this model or a similar, similar model making these elections partisan or addressing party affiliation that shows or proves engagement increase in engagement?
H.B. 558 Elections Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asked whether the sponsor would still support the principle if he were in the minority party.
▶ Watch at 1:47:37Read what they said
I, I just one more follow up question. I, I think this is maybe probably philosophical, but I, I guess the question I try to ask myself is if roles were to switch, if I were in the minority part party in the state, if I would still vote on this, the principle of this bill. And so I guess I, that, that's my question to you is, yeah, if roles were reversed and maybe you're in a city in the minority party, do you feel like this, the principle behind this bill still stands and and you still support this
H.B. 558 Elections Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Said a recent mayoral race in his district where candidates' parties became public prompted deeper conversation, and he would support further discussion on the floor.
▶ Watch at 2:07:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Look, I, I appreciate this bill and having any ideas around driving more participation in elections because we need that. I, I think the idea of being more transparent, I appreciate, um, I've gotten a lot of concerns on both sides, um, saying people love this, people hate this. But what I go back to is a most recent experience in my district where mayor, oral candidates parties became public and where you would see a very conservative district vote in maybe the le the lesser conservative person. I think what we saw happen in that race was it was a conversation starter and we had to dive deeper. And I, I think that is …
S.B. 69 School Device Revisions · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Asks how parents could reach their children during emergencies or for practices under the bill.
▶ Watch at 31:48Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, one question that I hear from parents in my, uh, my district is just the concern around, around being able to reach their children in the event of an emergency. Can you talk through what that might look like for parents who need to contact their children regularly, whether that's for, um, practice or even an emergency?
S.B. 69 School Device Revisions · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Asks why the benefits outweigh concerns that student phones allow recording and public disclosure of classroom incidents.
▶ Watch at 33:25Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one last question. I I know another concern that's coming up from parents is, uh, there's been cases in the past where things have happened in the classroom where having a student's phone and being able to record has, um, made some of those issues public, uh, which we wouldn't have known if there wasn't a cell phone in the room. Could you just talk through why the benefits outweigh, uh, the cons here in this case? Yeah, thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, I think if you're looking on a cost benefit analysis, uh, the benefits of being engaged in classwork, focusing on your work and not having to switch back and forth, I think …
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Sponsor says HB 321 sets inmate medical reimbursement at the Medicare rate for more predictable costs, that care and medical standards are not reduced, that half of the savings go to future inmate medical needs and half to the general fund, and that no new money is appropriated.
▶ Watch at 1:26:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When someone enters our correctional system, um, the state becomes responsible for their medical care. Now, some walk in healthy, others come in with complex and serious health conditions. And we as a state must provide care in every case. Now, that makes costs difficult to forecast, um, with a fixed budget. And so just a few of the high acuity cases in a given year can significantly disrupt the Department of Corrections medical budget. Now, we sat down and worked with all stakeholders in agreed to use the Medicare rate as the reimbursement standard. Medicare is public, it's transparent and widely understood, and it gives corrections a predictable way to plan for medical costs instead …
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presented the first substitute to HB 408, saying it clarifies the Digital Choice Act so users can export selected data and platforms have clear timelines and technical standards, and offered to answer questions.
▶ Watch at 1:10:11Read what they said
Yes. Okay. Uh, I'll be speaking to the first sub. Great. Thank you. Well, thank you, uh, Mr. Chair and committee. I first have to apologize for my dress. Um, I was in a tuxedo earlier, but didn't want to make you guys feel uncomfortable. So change for you all. Um, this, this, this bill. Last year we passed the Digital Choice Act, which established that Utahans own their social media data and should be able to take it with them to another platform. Uh, this bill is a cleanup bill to make that law work better. It reflects many, many hours, um, of work with industry and stakeholders to make sure that the law is practical and realistic. And, …
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Answered that the bill does not mandate a method, that users would download data from platform settings, and that platforms were left flexible to choose how to support transfers.
▶ Watch at 1:15:40Read what they said
That, that's a good question. Uh, we did not mandate how that works for every specific platform, but every platform will have a different area within settings. Uh, is is probably where I see it, where you'll, you're able to download the DA data and information that you want, um, and then taking it to another platform. These platforms are incentive incentivized to have users, and so they definitely want your data and information on their platform. Uh, we also did not mandate this because there are many, many different ways that you can take in, in data and information. Um, and so I, I think the way that we see it be, uh, working out is today if you …
H.B. 408 Data Sharing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Gave closing summation, thanking members for their work with industry and the Office of AI Policy and asking for support.
▶ Watch at 1:17:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair and thank you committee members just appreciate, um, all the work that went into this last year. When we put this out, we said that we would work with industry and there have been countless hours, as I mentioned earlier, with the Office of AI policy working on this. And so just would appreciate your support.
H.B. 566 Health Care Transparency Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Supports transparency and conflict-of-interest limits and asks how the projected administrative costs and regulatory burden compare with the expected gains.
▶ Watch at 2:17:51Read what they said
Um, thank you. Yeah, clearly I'm supportive of, um, transparency and fiscal responsibility and, um, eliminating conflict of interest. Just wondering, um, with the projected costs here, um, for administrative costs and staffing, you know, for the audits, for the reports, the corrective action plans, et cetera, um, how will we know if, uh, the transparency gains will outweigh the added regulatory burden on the MCOs Medicaid, HHS, et cetera?
H.B. 569 SNAP Funds Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Cites a literature review finding that SNAP incentives outperform restrictions for nutrition and warns that restrictions add stigma.
▶ Watch at 1:49:49Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, we all have personal and political and, uh, moral opinions. And, uh, in cases like these, I really do try to be as objective as I can, even though that is impossible. But in this case, I did lean on, uh, a literature review because I'm a nerd and just looking at controlled, uh, trials that have been done, uh, in a few other states, uh, where they have looked at the differences between, um, SNAP restrictions versus SNAP incentives. Uh, and looking at that, that, that's pretty compelling to me. That, you know, there's, there isn't, uh, great data that shows that restrictions are shown to improve nutrition. Uh, while, um, you know, snap, uh, the …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Expressed full support for the bill, praised the sponsor's work on housing affordability, and said the study is a smart use of state funds.
▶ Watch at 37:28Read what they said
I just would like to think of sponsor on this. Uh, I, I think this is great work. We are constantly looking at how can we find ways to make housing more affordable, and I think this study is a smart way to use state dollars to figure out how we solve this issue. And so I just appreciate your work and, and your creative ideas, uh, that you've brought to the table. So I'm in full support.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked about allowing agencies to spend excess fee revenue without additional legislative approval.
▶ Watch at 49:59Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can we go back to the dedicated, uh, credits question? Can you explain, um, more so around allowing agencies to spend excess fee revenue without additional legislative approval in certain cases? Can you, can you just explain that? I'm just trying to wrap my head around that.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked who bears the loss if an energy infrastructure loan project fails.
▶ Watch at 50:53Read what they said
Okay. Um, I, I have another question around the, the energy development infrastructure fund. Okay. If one of these projects fail, who eats the loss? Is it the company or taxpayers?
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked whether sweeping unspent county rollback tax money after 10 years pushes counties to spend quickly.
▶ Watch at 51:37Read what they said
Okay. Another section I had a question was around the county rollback taxes. Um, I, I guess by taking counties unspent money after 10 years, are we pushing them to spend fast instead of wisely? Like, I guess, can you, can you just talk through that piece and
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked what the bill changes about the state auditor's authority and about related concerns.
▶ Watch at 52:40Read what they said
Okay. I apologize. Maybe I was looking at, I, I read the original last night, so I'm just getting updated. Maybe I have one more question. Can, can you just talk through just the, the auditor's authority and, and just address some of those concerns? I, I just want to understand kind of what, what's being changed here in the bill.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked whether there is a case for the auditor being independent and separate.
▶ Watch at 53:20Read what they said
Would there be any case where it would make sense to have the auditor independent and separate?
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Fiefia asked whether the auditor's authority in lines 957-960 is limited to state grant funds or extends to an entity's overall finances.
▶ Watch at 1:20:46Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I could just ask the sponsor just one more question on lines 9 57 through nine 60. Um, I, I just wanna make sure what this change is doing is, is the auditor's authority here limited to how state grant funds are used? Or does this language allow, uh, review of the, the entity's overall financial practices beyond the grant?
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Fiefia confirmed the intent is limited to state grant funds, not nonprofits' entire budgets.
▶ Watch at 1:21:20Read what they said
It's, it's strictly, or, or the intent of it is just to be on the state grant funds, not the entire budget of these nonprofits and such. Right. Okay. Thank you.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Fiefia said the change warrants a larger conversation and he would vote for the substitute motion.
▶ Watch at 1:28:09Read what they said
This is, uh, this has been a interesting conversation and I, I read it in the bill last night. Um, it, it seems like a non-trivial change, but then after hearing the auditor's comments, I think it's worth a larger conversation. I, I don't feel comfortable changing this language right now when it feels like a big change, at least to the, the state auditor. And so I, I just feel an easy moving forward with this language in there without having a larger discussion. Um, and so I, I, I would be voting for the substitute motion.
H.B. 360 School Athlete Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asks for a walkthrough of the substitute and the reasons for its main changes.
▶ Watch at 1:53:15Read what they said
Us. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Can you just walk us through this, the, the sub and, and why the main changes? You've, you've, we got a ton of feedback from coaches, administrators, athletes, parents, um, it, it seems like this is moving in the right direction, so I just would love to hear kind of what the changes you made and why.
H.B. 360 School Athlete Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asks whether the bill closes transfer loopholes that favor students and schools with more resources. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:55:27Read what they said
Thank you for the, the explanation. So today, in, in under today's rules, we're seeing kids transfer all the time, and there's loopholes available. I, I know people, I, I see it. Um, and, and what we're seeing here is two things, is if you have the means to find the loophole, you can jump right through it. Mm-hmm. And if your school has the means, they can jump through the loopholes. And I'm sorry, but I just have to call out. Schools, not personally, but there are schools who are their donor base or their coaches or schools who are paying for athletes to come to their school, which is not Right. And so does this bill fix those …
H.B. 360 School Athlete Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Opposes tabling, saying the conversation is important and the bill can still be adjusted.
▶ Watch at 2:11:58Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am against the motion to table. I think this is an important conversation. Uh, just a quick, quick, quick story and background. I had a constituent reach out to me who was going to transfer and, uh, had the means to transfer and, and jump through the loopholes that we find ourselves in. I talked to the Utah High School, um, association, sports Association. I spoke to the assistant superintendent about the issue. They decided to go through the rules because they felt like it was gonna be fair, and he sat out five games and other people didn't, and they played immediately. I think this is an important conversation to have. Do I think …
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Sponsor presents H.B. 438, which addresses AI companion chatbots, covering user access to conversations and consent for sensitive data, disclosure of chatbot advertising, and protections for minors such as reminders they are not talking to a human, limits on harmful content, crisis resources, and parental consent for sale of a child's data.
▶ Watch at 1:37:02Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Temp. This is an AI bill that's narrowly focused on what we call AI companion Chatbots. Now, when I say companions, these are chatbots specifically designed to replace relationships, mimic even sometimes romance or intimacy. Now these tools are being used. This isn't something that's rare. Early studies show that 72% of teens have used this once and over half of them have used them or continue to use them regularly. Now this is something that's happening here, even in the state of Utah. As I speak to some of our interns, them and their families are not only using them, but one shared with me. One of their sisters had to drop out of …
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked to confirm that the Inspector General will now be housed in the executive branch.
▶ Watch at 46:47Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I just wanna ensure I I, I understand this correctly. Now, with this change, the Inspector General will now be housed in the executive branch. It's, Is that
S.B. 147 Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked what safeguards ensure the office can review executive actions without pressure from the executive branch.
▶ Watch at 48:00Read what they said
Okay. So I guess my follow-up question then is, are there safeguards in place to ensure that this office is able to audit or review executive actions without any penalties or pressure from the executive branch?
S.B. 108 Online Marketplace Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Presents the bill, saying it keeps regulation of online marketplace platforms at the state level while cities and counties keep authority over the hosts, sellers, and drivers who use them.
▶ Watch at 43:58Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This is a simple one page bill that draws a clear line. Online marketplaces like Airbnb, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, operate statewide and connect buyers and sailors throughout the state and across city boundaries. Uh, they should not be subject to 257 different set of rules. This bill ensures that regulation of the platform itself happens at the state level. At the same time, cities and counties fully retain the authority to regulate the individuals using those platforms within their communities. In plain terms, cities cannot regulate the website, but they can regulate the host, the seller, or the driver operating within their city. It's a simple bill, um, and also has a lot of support, not …
S.B. 108 Online Marketplace Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Says some cities have required platforms such as Airbnb to send them data twice a year, which he describes as unfeasible across 257 jurisdictions, and notes cities can still regulate hosts, sellers, drivers, and users.
▶ Watch at 45:26Read what they said
Yes, Mr. Speaker, there's been cases where cities have required these platforms, specifically Airbnb, to send them data, uh, twice a year in order to meet certain city standards. Um, this is onerous, this is unfeasible for these types of platforms to send it to 257 different cities and towns across the state in order to comply with them. And so again, they can continue to regulate the host, the seller, the driver, the user, but mandating that these platforms send specific data and information to cities based on their, um, city regulations, I think is, um, what's causing this issue and it's happening across the state.
S.B. 108 Online Marketplace Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Says he does not believe the bill allows platforms to reduce features to avoid local rules, and that its purpose is to stop cities from imposing additional requirements on platforms while preserving regulation of users.
▶ Watch at 46:45Read what they said
Mr. Speaker? I don't think so. I, I I don't think that's the intent of the bill, and I don't think that this draws a line where the platform would be able to reduce any of their features or functionality in order to get around this. Uh, again, the purpose is to make sure that cities aren't creating additional requirements on the websites or the platforms, um, while respecting also their ability to regulate hosts, users, drivers, et cetera.
H.B. 498 Utah App Store Accountability Act Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the committee needs to adopt the first substitute and moved to adopt it.
▶ Watch at 44:48Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. It looks like we need to adopt substitute one. I'm speaking to the first sub. My intern said, don't forget to speak to the first sub, so thank you speaking. Yeah. Mr. Chair, I move that we adopt substitute one of HB 4 98.
H.B. 498 Utah App Store Accountability Act Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moved to pass HB 498 first substitute favorably to the full House.
▶ Watch at 45:49Read what they said
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we pass out HB 4 98, substitute one favorably to the full house.
H.B. 498 Utah App Store Accountability Act Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the bill reinforces parental rights and holds app stores accountable, and that updating it as technology changes is the right step.
▶ Watch at 47:09Read what they said
I think this is a good bill. Uh, this continues to reinforce parental rights and holding app stores accountable. And so I, I think this is the right step in updating as we have new information and as technology progresses is important. So thank you for your good work.
H.B. 492 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether shifting $100 million would delay or stop any projects.
▶ Watch at 1:04:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can we go back to the, just the a hundred million? Yeah. With that shift of those dollars, is there any negative consequence of moving that, are there any projects delayed or cut or stopped because of shifting that a hundred million?
H.B. 492 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether there is a clawback if housing units are not built within promised timelines.
▶ Watch at 1:05:34Read what they said
Okay. Another question I have is, is there a mechanism, or have you thought through a potential clawback if housing units aren't built within the promised timelines?
H.B. 492 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks what recourse the state has if a city's repayment source underperforms.
▶ Watch at 1:06:50Read what they said
So, so I guess my follow up question to to your answer is, what if the repayment source underperforms from the city, Um, in terms of what, like recourse back to the state? So I was thinking, so my first question was clawback, you talked about, well, there's payments in place. What if that city's repayment source underperforms and they're not able to pay this, the state back? Is there any type of recourse in place or any thought to that?
H.B. 492 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks how the board will grade projects and ensure transparency and fair distribution, including to high-growth areas.
▶ Watch at 1:09:07Read what they said
Yes. I have one more question, if that's okay, Mr. Chair. Um, I want to talk about this board. Board is created, they oversee these projects. How are they grading? Or is there some type of transparency of how they're grading these projects to avoid favoritism? Because there's gonna be a lot of need and ask for this a hundred million, and I know this is just the beginning, but I know who my favorites are and I would like that money to go to my part of the state. And so how do we ensure that it's going? And I guess, let me throw in my, my, my thought into maybe your answer is I think it should go …
H.B. 492 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Supports the bill as a step in the right direction, saying the state's role is investing in infrastructure and that he will vote in favor.
▶ Watch at 1:32:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I would just like to applaud the, the sponsor on this work. This is super complex and unlike AI issues that I work on, everyone is an expert on housing. Um, and so you can imagine the amount of opinions here. On a previous meeting, I talked about the three kind of legged stool as it relates to housing. You have developers, you have the state, you have the cities, and how we tend to bleed into each other's responsibilities. Um, and as I've mentioned before, I think the state's job is to invest in infrastructure. And so, although I don't think it's a perfect bill, I think it's, it's a step in the right …
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks how long projects can keep capturing future property tax growth and whether there is a hard cap.
▶ Watch at 1:52:08Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, my head is hurting from your bills. These may be dumb questions, but I I I, I am hoping I I understand your bill as I read it. Um, how long can these projects keep taking future, um, property tax growth? And is there a hard cap on it?
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks what keeps the term regionally significant from applying to almost any project.
▶ Watch at 1:53:27Read what they said
Okay. In, in, in your bill, you use the words regionally significant, what keeps that from slowly meaning almost any project?
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks about the state reinvestment restricted account, including what money goes in and out.
▶ Watch at 1:55:19Read what they said
Uh, Representative Cutler, A couple of questions. I'm, uh, struggling a little bit to understand the state reinvestment restricted account that's set up. It seems like only a small portion of the revenue flows to that account, but it also says that account also determines that the, the allowable uses in his own. Can you talk about that account and what money goes in, what money comes out a little bit more? And then I have a Follow up. Yeah,
H.B. 184 Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Thanks the sponsor for good-faith work, says he fears state encroachment on local control, sees the bill as a conversation that should continue, and says he will vote no.
▶ Watch at 2:39:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I would just like to thank the, the sponsor on this. Um, he's worked in good faith. He's listened to feedback from from the committee. Uh, he's tried to work with the league. Um, this is definitely, um, thinking outta the box, which I think we need these type of ideas. I think I've stated my position already pretty clearly and, and directly to the sponsor. Um, I, I fear the state moving in on local control, and I think that's an important piece that cities should keep. But with that said, I think regardless of what happens with this bill, I think what you've accomplished, Representative Ward is this is a conversation that needs …
H.B. 502 School Attendance Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked whether the bill affects grades, and argued that rewarding attendance and that scholarships tied to it conflict with a merit-based approach and that students who master material should be able to test out.
▶ Watch at 3:06:35Read what they said
Yeah. Um, I was wondering, I know you said there's no impact on grades, but then you said could be in the future there, so there, so can you just clarify that there, There are some conflicting, I, I'd like to think that they coexist. Um, but there is a little bit of a conflict with what I said. So, um, if, if this were to pass, I suppose a teacher could include up to 10%, um, as part of the active grade. Uh, and that's true. Um, one thing I didn't say about that is one of the arguments I'll make as a classroom teacher is a significant amount of learning comes from the conversations that you have with …
H.B. 453 Unspent Funding Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks how the bill would work in recession years when lapsing funds are lower and recipient programs may depend on the funding.
▶ Watch at 1:07:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. How are you thinking about this as it relates to recession years where there's less relapsing, uh, lapsing funds and these, um, these groups that are receiving funding now become dependent and reliant on it, and then also the pressure of the following year to then backfill those costs because of a recession?
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Presents H.B. 108, which would require screening children in state custody for federal benefits, place those benefits in protected child accounts, and reduce the state's share used for maintenance costs from 75% to 25%.
▶ Watch at 1:02:49Read what they said
and I, um, passed last year. Um, this will ensure that every child in state custody is screened for federal benefits such as social security or veterans to make sure that no eligible child leaves money unclaimed. And it requires the benefits, uh, to be placed in a protected child specific account like an able account, uh, when, uh, um, able and imposes strict fiduciary duties on the department to manage funds in the child's best interest. And this makes a policy shift by reducing the amount of benefits that the state may use for maintenance costs from 75% down to 25%, preserving significantly more of the for the child's long-term future. And Mr. President pro tem, um, last year …
H.B. 480 Medical Record Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 480 first substitute to the House floor.
▶ Watch at 1:16:41Read what they said
I'd like to favorably recommend HB four 80 sub one medical record amendments to the house floor.
H.B. 480 Medical Record Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Speaks in favor of the motion, saying words matter and the committee should be careful with charged language.
▶ Watch at 1:16:51Read what they said
That? Yeah, I would. I think, you know, it's, we always hear that words matter and, uh, something that I always think about is there's, uh, a movie where they always talk about precisive precision of speech. And I think when there are so many charged words in society today that we need to be very careful in the words that we're using. So thank you very much for bringing this forward.
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Presented the second substitute of H.B. 321, saying it sets inmate medical treatment rates using Medicare rates agreed on by the parties, to help corrections forecast and budget for inmate medical needs.
▶ Watch at 34:46Read what they said
Good morning everyone. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair and committee members. Um, appreciate you allowing us to be back on the agenda and to, to discuss this i, this important bill. Um, we are, are back, and the reason we're back is, uh, I'll be speaking to the second substitute. Um, we brought everyone to the table, both the University of Utah Corrections and PEHP and had a discussion and have reached a point that I think that everyone is, is comfortable with. And, and I think the, the plus side of this is that the taxpayer wins here. Just as a reminder, um, corrections takes in all of those who walk in their doors and have to, or are …
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explained that the second substitute changes the base rate from Medicaid to Medicare, the point all stakeholders agreed on.
▶ Watch at 40:59Read what they said
Yes. This just, uh, changes the Medicaid unsu supplemented base rate to Medicare. This was the Blanding point as we brought all the stakeholders to the table, uh, of where we, where we all agreed To move forward.
H.B. 519 Unclaimed Property Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to adopt Amendment #1 to HB 519.
▶ Watch at 1:14:48Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. I'd like to move the amendment. The motion is to move amendment one for HB five 19 unclaimed property modifications.
H.B. 519 Unclaimed Property Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to pass HB 519 as amended out favorably to the full House.
▶ Watch at 1:15:25Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. With that, I will move that we pass out favorably HB five 19 as amended to the full body of the house.
H.B. 519 Unclaimed Property Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says the bill makes unclaimed crypto handled the same way as other unclaimed property, and expresses full support.
▶ Watch at 1:16:41Read what they said
Would like to thank Representative Teuscher with, uh, on his work on this. This is really common sense. It makes a lot of sense to update our laws to make sure that we're handling unclaimed crypto the same way that we would, um, handle other unclaimed property. And so I'm in full support of this,
S.B. 82 Securities Investor Education, Training, and Enforcement Fund Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asks whether and how often the fund is reported to the legislature.
▶ Watch at 1:26:05Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Chair. Is there reporting to the legislature on this, on this fund? And and how often is that?
S.B. 82 Securities Investor Education, Training, and Enforcement Fund Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves that SB 82 be favorably recommended to the full House.
▶ Watch at 1:27:16Read what they said
And looks like Representative Fiefia. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we pass out favorably SB 82 to the full house. The motion is to favorably recommend SB 82 securities Investor education, training enforcement fund amendments to the full house.
S.B. 39 Investment Zones Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether the bill changes the duration, amount, or scope of tax increment that can be captured compared to current law.
▶ Watch at 1:32:29Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, thank you Senator for your work on this. Does this bill increase the duration amount or scope of tax increment that can be captured compared to the current law?
H.B. 393 Early Intervention for Dyslexia Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asked how the screener would be validated or evaluated and who would do that.
▶ Watch at 1:58:39Read what they said
Um, thank you. Great idea. Can you just talk a little bit about how, um, the pilot or the screener would be, uh, validated or evaluated along the way? Is this an annual review? Are there, and who would be doing that validation?
H.B. 504 Political Advertising Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Asks what counts as AI-generated under the bill's wording and says the term substantially produced seems broad and vague.
▶ Watch at 1:06:10Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I appreciate the good representatives efforts here, and I, I, I like the intent. The, the question I have is just around what counts as AI generated under this bill. Um, I think the term that you use in the language is substantially produced. Um mm-hmm. Something like that. I guess it just seems broad and vague and, and I just, my concern is that we capture AI tools where it's almost integrated in every software, every app today. Um, it just seems a little vague. Can you just explain kind of what is captured
H.B. 504 Political Advertising Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Says the bill could be read broadly enough that a candidate could accuse another of AI use and pursue charges.
▶ Watch at 1:07:57Read what they said
Thank you. I guess that's, that's my point is at what point is too much ai, at what point does it need to be labeled AI versus there's AI in this tool, and maybe I generate part of it or use a filter, but it has ai, I, I think I understand your intent, but the way that the language reads mm-hmm. Is pretty broad, that someone could accuse another candidate and say, this was generated by AI and now we're gonna press charges. And that, you know, there's, There's an issue there. Yeah.
H.B. 504 Political Advertising Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Says it will be harder to tell AI-generated material from templates as AI becomes part of common software. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:12:46Read what they said
Yeah. I think my concern is as AI becomes a part of every software tool we use, it's going to be significantly more challenging to determine what was AI AI generated versus a template. Because templates are all gonna be become AI generated, or many of them will be.
H.B. 504 Political Advertising Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Says he is comfortable with the bill, notes that code already covers audio and video, and suggests clarifying language about intent to mislead voters.
▶ Watch at 1:21:32Read what they said
That's the whole story. So I'm gonna go ahead, give a point of information and, and throw a lifeline to my, my friend here. Um, I, I think the gist of this, which I, the more and more I'm looking into this, I'm okay with it. And the reason being is the code already requires any audio or video content a candidate distributes that uses ai. Mm-hmm. The only thing that we're doing with this bill is just adding in printed communications. Mm-hmm. I think that's it. But I think what we've demonstrated here with our questions is we probably can make it clearer in code for all those three audio visual and printed. Mm-hmm. That there is an intent …
H.B. 504 Political Advertising Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Agrees with the two issues raised and says working on them can make the bill better. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:27:35Read what they said
Uh, representative, uh, I agree with those points and, and just thank you for working on this. I think this is a tough issue. Anytime AI is involved in a bill, welcome to the difficulty around the conversation. So I appreciate you working on a, on a hard kind of topic, but I think we've found some solutions that can make this bill better.
H.B. 302 Government Speech Neutrality Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moves to pass HB 302 first substitute as amended favorably to the full House.
▶ Watch at 1:50:03Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I move that we pass out HB 3 0 2 first substitute as amended favorably to the full house.
H.B. 302 Government Speech Neutrality Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Praises the sponsor's approach as fair, reasonable and measured.
▶ Watch at 1:54:27Read what they said
Oh, you know, I want, I wanna take a second then since we're done here or close to done. Uh, representative Wal, you were exactly right. I had the same fe same thought, man. They are creative. How, and I, because I loved, I love rules. I love to figure out how you can. So that was awesome. Um, I, I, I, I, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't necessarily love it, but it was awesome. What the, what they, but I really appreciate what you've done here because I think you've been, I think what you're, what you've done here is a fair and reasonable, very metered approach that I think is a, this is, I've worked in this …
H.B. 302 Government Speech Neutrality Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Says the state has an interest in neutrality at airports, transit, courthouses and schools, that officials should be accountable to voters, and that the bill protects local and state interests.
▶ Watch at 1:55:20Read what they said
If that's okay. I'll, I'll be very brief. I know we're all itching to get away for that three day weekend. Um, but, you know, my wife and I, um, not long ago we were in Park City during, uh, pride Month, and we, and they had some flags flying. And my, my wife, I hope she's not listening or embarrassed by this, but she, you know, she was just kind of like, Ugh, pride, pride, flag. She didn't like it. And, and I just kind of told her, I was like, what, what do you really care though? Like, what is your, what is your interest here? And it, and it really kind of brought it back to of, …
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presents H.B. 321, saying the state would reimburse University of Utah hospital charges for inmates at the Medicaid base rate instead of higher rates, with savings split between a restricted account and the general fund.
▶ Watch at 1:14:42Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair and committee members, uh, appreciate the opportunity to present this bill. Um, before I do, I'd like to give some context on, on how we got here. Um, I serve as the vice chair on Social Services appropriations alongside Representative Ward, who's our house chair and a few other members here. And we were tasked with a 5% cut, uh, around $80 million we had to find in savings. And as I dug into, uh, where we could potentially save, uh, this, uh, this opportunity came about. Now, this bill is pretty simple. When someone enters our correctional, uh, system, we're responsible for their medical care. Some come in healthy, others come in with ser serious …
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Responds that a state entity paying another state entity differs from private practice, and that the rate should cover costs without profit.
▶ Watch at 1:18:05Read what they said
Sure. I'll, I'll go ahead and let you respond, but I, I think just initially my thought is this is, it's different from a private practice versus a state entity paying another state entity. And so I think if, if the UVU has different rates that would cover costs, I, I'm happy to review that. But from my understanding, this would cover the costs of what it would take to cover state held inmates, uh, to cover their medical costs without making money off of them. 'cause in the end, if they are making money, that's coming from the taxpayer, not from just another entity. And so that, that would be my first response. Any thoughts there?
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the scope could be expanded to include county jails, which can face high medical costs. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:23:04Read what they said
Do you wanna, If I may answer, uh, yes, Yes, please. Uh, no. Well, I think we could definitely expand the scope, um, as, as you are well aware, um, county jails, house inmates, um, if, if they have a significant health issue that could literally bankrupt, uh, a county budget if they're having to pay higher medical rates.
H.B. 321 Inmate Medical Treatment Rates Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the bill could be changed to let a state agency provide services to another state agency, and that the savings are worth taking and the university could come to the table on cost.
▶ Watch at 1:31:38Read what they said
I, I think there's definitely opportunity to make changes to this bill. Um, I, I think as state lawmakers, we can have a state agency provide the services for another state agency. I think that that is well within our rights to do that. We can add that to this bill. Um, I, I think this is, this is savings that we should, should take. Uh, this money would go to other services that we are in dire need of. Um, and when you look at the full picture, this was just 12 high acuity patients. We're looking at overpaying around $5 million annually. So this isn't a small number that we're looking at. Now, if there's, if the University …
H.B. 537 Olympic Ticket Sales Tax Exemption · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute to HB 537.
▶ Watch at 2:15:44Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we adopt substitute two of HB 5 37, I think. I think it's just substitute one. Oh, substitute one. Sorry. Substitute One. Yeah, no worries.
H.B. 537 Olympic Ticket Sales Tax Exemption · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to pass HB 537 as substituted favorably to the full House.
▶ Watch at 2:16:18Read what they said
I move that we pass out HB 5 37 as substituted favorably to the full house.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presents HB 438 as a narrow bill on companion chatbots, citing a child's death, and outlines its privacy, transparency, and minor safeguard provisions.
▶ Watch at 2:17:34Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair and thank you committee members. Um, it's unfortunate that we're here presenting another AI bill and again, talking about another child, uh, who's died. Um, a 14-year-old, uh, boy in Florida, Sewell Zer began using, uh, what is called a companion chat bot. And when I say companion chat bot, this isn't general use chat bots that you would use for recipes or for summaries of long texts. These are chatbots specifically designed to replace relationships. Um, if you've been following the news, these are the chatbots that people think they're in love with. They can mimic relationships. They can mimic romance, intimacy. They are built to feel personal. Uh, what started out as curiosity …
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Explains the handout's rules for all users on advertising disclosure and data access, and the added protections for minors.
▶ Watch at 2:21:51Read what they said
I don't know if everyone has the handout. I think it was passed out earlier, but there are two kind of differences for all Utah users. Um, if you look there at the top, there's two areas that we focus on for all users, that's adults and minors. Um, one is around advertising and making sure that it's clearly identifying as an advertisement, um, and just disclosing any sponsorship there. The other piece for all Utah users is allowing users to download a complete history of the interaction, and that a operator cannot sell or otherwise convey the sensitive data without affirmative consent. Now, when you dive deeper into the children areas, there's a few more guardrails that we add …
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the bill targets companion chatbots directed at children while keeping room for innovation. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:25:49Read what they said
And, and I think that that's the whole idea, is one, those companies who don't intend to be a companion chat bot, that's not where this regulation is going after. We want to, again, continue to be pro innovation and allow our, our developers to develop and, and promote ai, but also we want to make sure those who want to play in this space, that there are strict guardrails that protect our children if, if they are interacting with our kids.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the bill focuses on minors and is open to adding similar provisions for adults.
▶ Watch at 2:26:41Read what they said
That's a good question. It's something that we, I think, reviewed at length, but I, I think right now our focus is on chatbots, um, companion chatbots going for minors, directing their, their products at kids. Uh, I, I think for adults, we, we know the products that we're getting ourselves into and we're allowing people to use it how they would like. Um, but I, I think we're open to the conversation if you think it's something that needs to be added for adults. Yeah,
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the bill is focused on protecting children, is open to adding adult protections in another bill, and asks the office for input.
▶ Watch at 2:27:35Read what they said
I think we're, we're really trying to balance how much to include for everyone versus children. And I think the idea of this bill is, is really no narrowly focused around kids. Uh, I think maybe another bill may come back and, and add in more provisions or guardrails around adults as a whole. But I think really what we're trying to do is protect our children from these chatbots. But again, open to conversation. Zach, any thoughts? Oh,
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says he is open to discussing and possibly adding that provision to the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:29:08Read what they said
I'm, I'm definitely open to having this conversation and seeing if we add it into the bill. Perfect. Appreciate It. Yeah.
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the substitute reflects feedback gathered from industry and changes the state considered necessary.
▶ Watch at 2:32:39Read what they said
No, I, I, I think one thing that Director Boyd said here is we've, we've really tried to take in feedback from industry. Uh, we've gotten tons and tons of feedback and so this substitute is just reflective of what we've heard, uh, and also changes that we thought were, uh, were necessary for Utah. So, thank you.
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presents HB 108, which would set aside 50% of certain foster children's funds in secured accounts for them when they age out of care, and cites statistics on outcomes for youth who age out.
▶ Watch at 1:08:43Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll be quick here. This bill may look familiar because it was the exact same bill as last year that we passed out favorably in this committee and also in both chambers. Um, this is really just about creating a fund to help foster kids who've lost both of their parents. Um, last year it was scaled back and we're back again asking for that same 50%. Just as a quick reminder, uh, last year, 464 kids were affected by this $2.2 million. Uh, were taken away from them and used for the broad, uh, foster care fund. We're asking to set aside 50% of this to go into secured accounts that when they turn 18 …
H.B. 184 Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Asks why zoning rights would vest before a complete land use application is reviewed and raises concerns that a sketch could be enough for approval.
▶ Watch at 1:03:44Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, just have a, a couple of questions here. Um, my first question to Representative Ward is why should zoning vest before a completed land use application is reviewed? Because when we require a completed land use application, that is by itself a very expensive process. We require a lot of up upfront money and preparation, which chases many projects from even being able to be considered. In this particular case, we're we are asking for something that is not a permitted use. Um, and which presumably would in any other circumstance just be told no, you could bring in architectural drawings or engineering or whatever you wanted, and it would just be told no. So …
H.B. 184 Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Asks what prevents abuse or gaming of the 30-day clock.
▶ Watch at 1:07:57Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just have a couple more questions. Is that okay? Sure. Yep. Um, can you talk through, uh, what prevents abuse or gaming of the 30 day clock?
H.B. 184 Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Raises concerns about serial filings and bad-faith filings and asks whether adding limits would change the sponsor's approach.
▶ Watch at 1:09:09Read what they said
or not the idea itself is, is going to be considered. Okay. Just, just a couple concerns with that piece is there's, there's no limit on serial filings. There's no bad faith provision, there's no penalty for strategic filings. I, I think, I think everyone wants to avoid that, but I think that probably should be addressed in some way, shape, or form of just the bad actors of filing and filing and filing and, and having the default yes, is well, I just keep on filing until they miss it, and then it's a yes. So if any of those provisions would make you or any legislator on the committee be willing to vote for the bill, I'd be …
H.B. 184 Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Supports starter homes but says infrastructure rather than zoning is the constraint, and says he will vote to hold the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:48:28Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I, I'd just like to say thank you to the, the good representative for his work on this. I know this is, this is a tough issue and it's touchy for a lot of people. Um, I just, I just have to state where I'm at just so this is maybe more, um, self therapeutic than anyone else needs. But, um, I just want to be clear. I support housing, I support starter homes. I support making housing affordable and for families to purchase their first home. But in my, in my listening to this bill and kind of hearing both sides, one, I'll be honest, I've gone back and forth on this issue, but …
S.B. 90 Occupational Licenses for Veterans and Service Members · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Moved that S.B. 90 pass out of committee with a favorable recommendation to the full House.
▶ Watch at 46:40Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we pass out SB 90 and recommend it with a favorable recommendation to the full house.
H.B. 429 Special Districts Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asks why the meeting between the district and Herriman has not happened sooner.
▶ Watch at 1:01:22Read what they said
Thank, thank you Mr. Chair. Appreciate your, your thoughts here. Um, I think many of us are in favor of not having government interfere. If it was up to us, we would make government smaller and allow cities, municipalities, and service districts to handle these issues on the side. Now, from your comments, you've stated that you're in talks of setting up these meetings and this seems like this should have happened a long time ago. And the fact that you're now in front of us and we have a bill in front of us and a mayor pleading with us to have this happened, um, it seems like that meeting should have been scheduled six months ago. Why, why …
H.B. 429 Special Districts Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Speaks in favor of the bill, saying growing cities like Herriman need a structured process to review services, and praises the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:06:05Read what they said
do you wanna speak to the motion? Yes. Thank, thank you Mr. Chair. Um, I would just like to speak in favor of this bill. I also have the wonderful opportunity of representing Herriman as, uh, a rep in the state house. And we moved there first as a family, as a young family 10 years ago. We were one of the fastest growing cities in the state. And our city looks very different than it did 10 years ago. Um, and our services also need to be different than it did 10 years ago. Our residents expect us to look at every service that they pay for and ask a simple question, which is, is there, is there a …
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Presents the bill, which would require AI companies to publish how they plan to keep users safe and to report certain catastrophic-risk and child-safety incidents, without touching AI development; cites a teen's death involving a chatbot as the reason for the bill.
▶ Watch at 38:25Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, this one is, uh, one of my favorite bills. And the reason being is, um, I have the opportunity to present this in front of my daughter, which is the reason why I run these type of bills. Now, I'd like to start off with a story about Adam Rain. A young teen in California, like many of our kids, used an AI chatbot to help with homework. And those conversations over time led to this chatbot getting very personal and diving into, uh, mental health and then led to self harm. And eventually led to this AI chatbot leading Adam through how to tie a noose that he would then use to hang himself. …
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Says the motion to circle is friendly, that the bill is a hot topic being worked on with multiple stakeholders, and that the goal is to get the policy right.
▶ Watch at 41:11Read what they said
Yeah, that's a friendly motion. We're actively working as you can. As you can tell, this is a very hot topic, not only in the state of Utah, but throughout the country. And we're wanting to make sure that this is the right policy. We're not trying to pass my idea. This is something that a lot of eyes are on and we're working with multiple stakeholders, and so happy to, uh, embrace this motion.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia asked how the 12-week figure was chosen and whether paternity leave for fathers was considered.
▶ Watch at 30:59Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you both for your good work on this. I, I think we can all agree that we want to support strong families, and we also recognize the importance of that critical time when a child is born and the need for that time with their parents in order to thrive. The first question is, is you go from three to 12. Where did you come up with that number and, and how did you come up with it? And, and maybe secondary to that is, um, I, being a father who worked while all my four kids were, were born and had a little bit of time to take off, did you guys think …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia asked what happens when the one-time $3 million runs out.
▶ Watch at 32:46Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, just another question. Um, I, I think I, I like what you guys are trying to do here. My, my number one concern is money. Uh, there's a $3 million one time, um, fiscal note here. What happens when that $3 million, $3 million runs out?
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia asked whether there is a sunset or required reauthorization before the program expands after the pilot.
▶ Watch at 33:58Read what they said
So I guess just one more follow up question, Mr. Chair. Um, is there a hard Sunset or required reauthorization before expansion or any future funding? Or is that, what is, what happens after the pilot? Because I think there can be programs that are put into place, and then it grows year after year. We've approved something and then we've kind of lost the train because we've already promised, you know, teachers and state employees you will have the 12 weeks. And so I'm just trying to figure out, is there a release valve that says, Hey, after this pilot, we are stopping and reevaluating and coming back with the data to ensure that this is what the full …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia asked to confirm that after the pilot no more funding exists unless a new bill is passed.
▶ Watch at 35:48Read what they said
Sure. Sorry, can I just, sorry, I'm, I'm a little slow, so I just want to make sure, make sure I'm very clear on this. After the $3 million is done and the pilot is through, there's no more funding. This program stops until another bill would come forward with an ask of additional funding and an additional program to roll it out statewide and possibly require LEAs to offer this option. Is that, do, do I understand that correctly? Yeah,
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia proposed adding language after line 68 that the program expires unless reauthorized by the legislature.
▶ Watch at 58:10Read what they said
I'm looking for the exact line. Let me see. Line 68. So maybe we add line after line 68, um, that the program expires on July. Well, we can actually December 31st, 2029, unless reauthorized by the legislature.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia clarified the sunset would apply only to the LEA pilot program.
▶ Watch at 59:20Read what they said
It would just be for the LEAs, the LEAs that the program sunsets is unless extended. Yeah, just the pilot program because the other, the other programs are wrapped into costs of other depart of the departments.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia restated his amendment that the program expires July 1, 2029, unless reauthorized.
▶ Watch at 1:00:01Read what they said
Available. If I, if I could re-state again my amendment. Try to again, again. Uh, so I move that we add that the program expires on July 1st, 2029, unless reauthorized by the legislature,
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia said the repeal date would match the reimbursement window and ensure the legislature reevaluates a potentially large program before continuing it.
▶ Watch at 1:00:39Read what they said
Can I speak to it? Yes, please. You can speak To it. So I think it, it fits in line after line 68 because the repeal date matches the reimbursement window, making the statute internally consistent. I think the, the concern that I have is that the reimbursement stops, but not the program. And that changes the way that the legislature views this, as in why are we killing this program versus reevaluating and seeing if we should reinstate it. And I think that nuance actually matters when looking at these programs. Again, I, I think there's already reporting in the bill, which I think is important from the LEAs from the state school board. But I also think because …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia agreed to pursue a substitute at a later date.
▶ Watch at 1:03:34Read what they said
Sure. Yeah. Happy to, uh, adjust and move to a substitute in a later date.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Fiefia said questioning the bill does not mean opposing families, noting cuts in social services budgets, and praised rigorous committee debate.
▶ Watch at 1:07:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And sorry I'm speaking a lot, but I, I, I just want to point out one, we're supportive of families and strong families and just appreciate all the good work that you've done. Representative Faye. I think this discussion is good. I think it feels a little awkward and it feels like, oh, we can't talk bad about families, but I sit three times a week in social services and we are cutting $85 million of programs of populations who need it also. And so when I sit here and question this, it doesn't mean that I'm against strong families and I'm against supporting our teachers. It means that I have to stare families down in …
H.B. 320 Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Moved to favorably pass HB 320 as amended to the full House.
▶ Watch at 2:05:47Read what they said
Thank you. I move that we favorably move forward, HB three 20 as amended to the full body of the house.
H.B. 320 Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Thanked Dr. Boyd and office staff and said other states should add regulatory sandboxes like Utah's.
▶ Watch at 2:06:34Read what they said
No, I, I just appreciate all the, the work that Dr. Boyd has done and Director Bussy on this. This has been, um, an area that we've led in the country and I think just redefining some areas and, um, clearing up some definitions is what's needed here. Um, and, and I think other states, and probably what the country needs to do is add a regulatory sandbox, um, like, like we do in Utah. And so just appreciate all the good work here.
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 108, which would direct federal military, railroad, and Social Security survivor benefits for children in state custody into a fund for youth aging out of care, rather than into the foster care program, and cites outcome statistics for youth who age out.
▶ Watch at 41:39Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. Uh, this is a good bill. It's very familiar Mr. Speaker. Uh, as you probably remember, this bill came through last year and passed unanimously. This is exactly the same bill. Uh, what happened last year is due to budgetary needs, we reduced the funding, uh, to 25%. Now, if I can remind you, Mr. Speaker, what this spending, what these funds are is we have over 400 children in custody of the state, also known as foster kids who've lost both their parents. What we, um, were able to identify was $2.2 million of federal funds being redirected to fund the entire foster care program instead of going directly to these kids. Um, …
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Gives closing summation, stating the bill is a responsible way to take care of children in state custody and asking for support.
▶ Watch at 43:41Read what they said
This is a good responsible way to make sure that we take care of the kids in our custody, uh, especially those who need it the most. And, uh, appreciate your guys' support.
H.B. 243 Gambling Revisions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked what standard should decide whether a game that mixes skill and chance counts as gambling under the bill.
▶ Watch at 40:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, just a quick question. When a game involves both skill and some chance, what is the controlling standard regulators and courts should apply to decide whether it's gambling under this bill?
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked the sponsors to respond to the concerns raised by the opposing testifier.
▶ Watch at 1:07:30Read what they said
Yes. Uh, the question's not for the, the last, um, member of public that testified, but just to the bill sponsors, if, if that's okay. Um, I, I just wondered if you wouldn't mind, uh, responding to the individual who, um, opposed the bill, just some of the, the concerns they raised. It'd be interesting just to hear you guys' point of view on some of the, the points
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked whether administering a retirement exchange is a proper role for state government versus the private market.
▶ Watch at 1:10:05Read what they said
Yes, it does. And I, I have just another question. I'm, I, I apologize 'cause I don't know much about this industry and between yesterday's meetings and today, just kind of coming up to speed. I guess the question I'm an, I'm asking, I think I, I think we can all agree that people should save more. Yes. I think the question is, is should the, should the state be involved in that? And so my question is, is this the proper role of government? I'm trying to understand, is this something the state should be involved in and administer as opposed to enabling the private market to do it? Um, can you, can you just speak to that? That's, …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asked for assurance that the program would not become a mandate on small businesses in the future.
▶ Watch at 1:12:37Read what they said
Okay. One last question. Sorry. Just, uh, the more we talk, the more I just have just additional questions. I think that, that, that answered that question. I think the last thing is just as someone who's a small business owner who's thinking about small businesses, can you ensure me or, or walk through the bill where we avoid creating a mandate now or down the road, just as, as we've seen these bills come through, is we get one step closer and then the next year we come back and ask for more and more. And, and as a small business owner, I, I'm just concerned that this becomes kind of a scope creep where we start now and …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said he still questions the state's role and would prefer explicit no-mandate language in the bill, though he feels somewhat better after the answers.
▶ Watch at 1:23:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think that's, that's my big question also is, is this where the state should be? Is this the role of the state here? I appreciate the, the comments and answering and responding back to my questions, and I feel a little bit better. I also would feel maybe a little bit better if there was a clear language in there that would show there would not be a mandate. Um, as, as a small business owner, I just would like that to be in the bill versus a promise. Um, and so I, I, I think there may be some, some things we can get to a yes today. I'm just, I think probably similar …
H.B. 352 Higher Education Alignment · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said the bill is a good idea but a heavy lift, and asked where the institution presidents stand on it.
▶ Watch at 1:45:43Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for this legislation. I think it's a great idea. I think it brings efficiency, um, workforce alignment, uh, costs, uh, more aligned, uh, cost savings there. Um, I, I, I think this is a, a, a great move, but I think it's also a heavy lift in, in my experience with higher ed, I've seen institutions work in silos and try to be everything to everyone. And I get protective. It's no secret that I'm an Aggie. And, uh, we are the land grant institution, which means we are servicing all 29 counties. And when I see other universities or institutions fringe on that, I, you know, there's, there's a reason why Utah State …
S.B. 29 Child Care Advisory Committee Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend SB 29 to the full House.
▶ Watch at 2:09:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we, uh, favorably recommend SB 29 to the full house.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Asks how much administrative time the change would save.
▶ Watch at 47:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Representative Peterson asked kind of a question around my first, which is just around the cost savings of, uh, the paper. The second question is, um, you talk about reducing some of the administrative burdens. Do you have a sense of how much time this will save? Um, with moving to this model?
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Supports the bill, citing cost savings, integrity, digital provenance, and the need for a date to move toward electronic signing.
▶ Watch at 1:05:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, and I'd like to thank the good representative for your work on this. Um, as someone who has been labeled in the legislature as anti-technology recently because of my bills, um, I think this is the few cases where this makes sense, saves money, it brings efficiency and also fixes a lot of integrity problems that I'm concerned with when it relates to, um, when it relates to elections. It fixes concerns around legible handwriting, duplicate signatures out of county signers, um, weeks or months of verification delays. These are all good things that we need. I know there's, and a concern around cyber, believe me, the last cybersecurity bill that went through my committee, …
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · House floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Has concerns, saying good neighbor practices already happen and that mandating them by government infringes on business owners' rights.
▶ Watch at 1:03:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I rise with concerns about this bill. Um, I appreciate the good sponsor from West Valley and his work on this, but as I speak to constituents who run these type of facilities, this seems like something that a good neighbor should do and many of them already do, but don't feel like this is the role of government to mandate something like this. Uh, this is something as if I were to throw a party in my neighborhood or invite a bunch of people with a lot of cars, I would go and contact my neighbors and let them know. But this seems like we're mandating something that shouldn't be the role of the …
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Presented the substitute bill, recounting the death of teenager Adam Raine after chatbot conversations, and explained that the bill requires the largest AI companies to publish safety plans, disclose risks, report incidents and protect whistleblowers without regulating development.
▶ Watch at 37:51Read what they said
Thank you, vice chair. Uh, I'll be speaking to that substitute, um, Mr. Chair and committee members. Uh, I wanna start off with a story about Adam Rain. Adam Rain was 16 years old, like many teenagers. He initially began using an AI chat bot to help with homework. Over time, that same chatbot became a place where he started sharing personal struggles, personal struggles like depression, anxiety, and thoughts of self harm. Instead of escalating concern or distancing Adam from harm. Over time, the chatbot walked Adam through the full process of suicide, normalizing his thoughts, discouraging outside intervention, and ultimately offering to assist with his final steps. It also insisted that it knew Adam better than anyone else. …
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Cited an AI tool that could undress images including of children and said the bill would require incidents affecting kids to be reported to the state.
▶ Watch at 49:04Read what they said
Thank you, Representative Shelley. And if I could just, just comment on that, um, there is a AI company just recently who was touting and then had public backlash for being able to undress individuals, just posting a regular picture and being able to ress them, including children. And so this is the type of bill that means that if there's transparency, if there's incidents that affect kids, they have to report it to the state. And I think the thing that we've led out with proudly as a state is protecting our children. And I think that's very, very important. So thank you.
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Said activity within Utah would be regulated and that, absent a national framework, the bill could encourage other states to act.
▶ Watch at 50:55Read what they said
If I can also comment to that, if I, if I understand your question, I, I think the idea is yes, everything that happens within the state of Utah will be, uh, regulated in this bill. Uh, unfortunately we don't have a national framework, but I think that's why it's important that we pass this bill to, to help other states have the courage to do the same.
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Said the bill removed audits and mandated safety standards, only requires transparency and incident reporting, and is more restrictive than other states only because it adds child safety.
▶ Watch at 51:58Read what they said
I think there's, there's a couple of things here. Uh, number one is we, the, our starting point of where we started as a state in, in my bill and where we drafted, we pulled all of the onerous regulation that would be on the development of ai. Now, what happened is, in other states, they have different processes. We have a 45 day session. Those two states that you've mentioned are full-time, they have a year process. Uh, New York has a process where it stays on the governor's desk until the end of the year, and they negotiate, and then they get to a place where they feel comfortable, and then it's signed. Well, our starting place happened …
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Explained that this bill covers transparency for frontier AI models while the other targets companion chatbots, and that child safety must stay in this bill so cases like Adam Raine's are covered.
▶ Watch at 54:15Read what they said
Great question. Uh, they're both my bills. Okay. Um, which I'm glad that people are reading and noticing Bills, Bills, which is awesome. Um, the one today is about transparency. And, and that's, that's the focus. And it only pertains to the frontier models. This, these are the largest AI companies in the world. And all we're asking them, again, is to be transparent. The other bills around AI chatbot companions, these are chatbots that are specifically designed to replace relationships to mimic romance, intimacy, um, emotional dependence. That is a, a small targeted approach that we're taking with AI companion bots because we've already seen the damage it's done to our kids. And how many kids are already accessing …
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Explained the substitute directs penalties into a fund for enforcement so the program pays for itself.
▶ Watch at 1:19:42Read what they said
No. What we did is we added in, um, any penalties that were paid to the state would, uh, go into a fund that would continue to fund any reinforcement, uh, and so that this would eventually pay for itself and we wouldn't have to use any ongoing money.
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Said he is open to discussing it but hesitant to remove child and family protections given Utah's different approach.
▶ Watch at 1:24:29Read what they said
It, it's something I definitely consider. I think one thing that's unique about Utah is that we have lots of children here on the stand. We could probably have more than a city in New York. And so we think about things differently. There's a reason why other states haven't added and included child safety, and it's because they don't have to think about it. And so I, I am open to consider what that might look like, but I also think that here in Utah we have a different approach to things, and it typically is around families. The reason why Utah is successful, and we typically are number one or at the top of every poll, is because …
S.B. 25 Retirement Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Asks why the bill includes a retirement option for the attorney general and senior staff that is not available to other public employees.
▶ Watch at 1:51:29Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, just a couple of questions. I noticed that there was a carve out for, um, the attorney general and senior staff at will receiving retirement options that aren't available to other public employees. Is there a reason why there's a specific, um, retirement option that isn't available to other public?
S.B. 25 Retirement Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Recalls a case in which a city managers association provided its own retirement plan instead of URS and asks whether that is correct.
▶ Watch at 1:53:32Read what they said
Maybe I can make a comment on this. 'cause I think I, we had this case where, uh, I noticed one of these exempt employees is certain city managers, and I think there was a city managers association that provided the retirement instead of URS. So they wanted to be exempt from, from URS, is that right? And have those contributions go to their, uh, they negotiated a contract where it would the don the, the, uh, money would go to their, their plan. That's,
S.B. 25 Retirement Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
States support for the bill and asks why the change is being made now, noting that it expands the option to a few more people.
▶ Watch at 1:53:59Read what they said
Some of these employees work in different states. Sure. So it's not a, a Utah Specific. I, I guess now understanding, I'm, I'm, I'm supportive of this. It is just, I'm just curious why this hasn't been included and now why it's happening now. I just, it seems like it should have been included before and what this extra measure does now, instead of, you know, it should have been included always. It's just expanded to a, a few more people. That's it.
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Asked why the state contracts signature verification to a county clerk instead of handling it in the Lieutenant Governor's office.
▶ Watch at 1:17:39Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you Ricky, for your, your comments. Just a question that came up while you were speaking, and this may be a question for you and maybe for Ryan Kelly. Uh, is there a reason why we contract out to a county clerk versus the LGS office just handling it?
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Asked how counties are notified when the signature threshold is met and what the process is.
▶ Watch at 1:19:19Read what they said
Okay. And then if I can just ask one follow up question. Yeah. Uh, based off of Ricky's comments there, is there a mechanism to notify counties when that threshold is met? Because it sounds like there's some confusion and there might be double counting after it's already met. Is there something that the LGS office, it meets it and then you notify them? What's, what's that process? Yeah, we do post those, uh, daily statistics on our website. So clerks could then go and check that. But you've got 29 clerks who may or may not be going to that daily to do that. But those numbers are posted on our website where they could view it. Okay. Thank …
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Asks why only three international organizations are named in the bill.
▶ Watch at 35:07Read what they said
Can you please help us understand why there are only three international organizations that are specifically named and targeted, uh, in this particular proposal?
H.B. 33 Political Signs Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Supports the bill, praises the sponsor's work and stakeholder outreach, and says signs were defaced in his area last election cycle.
▶ Watch at 59:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. I rise in support of this bill and I think, uh, the bill sponsor from South Jordan on his good work and his willingness to listen to all the stakeholders. Now, if you lived in our part of the state, you would have seen a lot of political signs last election cycle, deface, including mine. And so I appreciate the good work that the sponsor has done and support this legislation.
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Presents HB 108 to direct 75% of federal Social Security survivor and disability benefits for foster children into accounts for them, up from the current 25%, with the remainder funding foster care.
▶ Watch at 43:11Read what they said
Is this on? Oh, thank you. Chair Hall. Thank you, colleagues. It's good to see you. You may recognize this bill. And the reason being is, uh, this is a second iteration of it. Uh, I'd like to remind you that you pass this unanimously here. Uh, it was passed unanimously in both committees and in both chambers. And we're not debating the policy necessarily here today, but what we're looking at is increasing the percentage that we're putting into these, these children's accounts. Let me just remind you what this policy is, is when a kid in foster care loses both of their parents, they receive what's called Social Security Survivor benefits. Um, in looking at the financials, we …
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Explains the reduction from 50% to 25% due to budget needs, the reasons for the proposed 75%, and the view that the money should go to the children rather than the state.
▶ Watch at 47:57Read what they said
Yeah. So currently what we, what we passed was 50%, but due to budgetary needs, we had to scale that back to 25%. Um, so that is 25% of the $2.2 million on average that we are taking from these kids. Sorry, I don't know a better way to say it, but that's essentially what we're doing. Um, and so that's 25% of that $2.2 million. Um, that 25% is over $500,000 that is now being dispersed to those 400 plus kids. What we're asking now is to increase that to 75% of those funds that are coming from federal dollars. And the reason being is, again, as I I explained earlier, is when they have one living parent still …
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says the money goes into an account with limited permitted uses and requires financial literacy classes.
▶ Watch at 50:25Read what they said
Or? Yeah, that's a great question. So it's put into an account and there are only certain areas that they can spend that money on, which was intentional. And also they have to take financial literacy classes in order to get that. And so it's not just a, Hey, here's your money, have fun. Um, but that there's only certain areas, education is kind of the largest area where you can spend that money. But then also they have to actually go through a financial literacy class to understand how can I use this money? How can I kind of set myself up for success?
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says he is unsure what the benefit statement requires and believes the money should go to the child, who lacks a safety net.
▶ Watch at 51:15Read what they said
Amount? Yeah, I couldn't answer exactly what it stated, if there's a statement that says where it should go. Um, but I guess my, my personal feelings and thoughts is that it should go to the kid specifically. And what we're seeing now is it's, it's not held specifically for this kid. The same kid who, who has both their parents in foster care is receiving the same care and who has a safety net and who has people to look after them. And, and my argument in this bill is that they should receive extra support. One, that's what this money is being sent for. And, uh, because they don't have a safety net.
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says the state would backfill the money so services stay the same and that the money should go to the children.
▶ Watch at 55:53Read what they said
That's a good question, and that's why the fiscal note is where it's at, is we would be backfilling that money that would then go to the children. So the services would remain the same. Um, nothing would change. And I intentionally did that originally. My heart was like, well, the state should pay for it. Let's take that money and just give it to the kids after looking at it. And, and trying to take a more thoughtful approach is we shouldn't take this money away and it's gonna hinder more kids from receiving the level of service that they've gotten. And so that's why I think the, the state should pay for that money that we have been …
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says future cuts are possible, mentions another bill that would fund this, and says he is ready to scale back if needed.
▶ Watch at 56:46Read what they said
Possibly. I, I think probably in a year where we're trying to cut 5% across the board, um, definitely. And, and I sit as the vice chair of Social Services appropriations. There's a lot of pressure to make cuts. Uh, I actually have another bill that will fund this 10 times over. And so I've been thoughtful about, um, making sure that if I'm asking for money, but I have a cut, uh, that will, um, definitely backfill this. And so the hope is that we don't, um, but, um, I know the way that this works and definitely ready to, to scale back if needed.
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Responds to public comment that he would not push the bill without funding and asks for the committee's support.
▶ Watch at 1:00:01Read what they said
We just appreciate your support on this. And, and just to comment on, um, on the public comment, um, I, I would not push if we didn't have money for this. Um, so there, there would be no scenario where this would be an unfunded mandate. Uh, I would abandon this bill long before we would, uh, make jeopardize the rest of the foster care children. But with that said, this is probably one of the most vulnerable populations in our state. Um, and you've seen the statistics, and I think we can do the right thing thing to make sure that these kids don't become that next statistic that we do care for them. And so I'd appreciate your …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Asks why the threshold was reduced from 50,000 to 10,000 square feet, citing concerns from small innovators.
▶ Watch at 1:31:08Read what they said
Uh, representative. Thank you for your good work on this. I apologize for some of my questions. If you've already reported on this, I was, uh, presenting a bill in another committee. So I, I, my first question is around just some of the public comment, also around reducing 50,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet. And the concern around that this is, um, hurting potential innovators, small businesses that would like to get in this space.
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Asks what limiting principle would prevent the bill from later becoming water use regulation.
▶ Watch at 1:32:52Read what they said
Thank you. I have a follow-up question, Mr. Chair. Yep. I guess my follow up question is, is what is the limiting principle here? Um, and what I mean by that is, what stops this from turning into water use regulation later? Um, all for transparency. Um, but what, stop this. What stops this from being future leverage on water use regulation?
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the first substitute of HB 76 as amended to the full House.
▶ Watch at 1:35:11Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we pass out, uh, what's first sub HB 76 as amended, as amended and favorably recommended to the full house?
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Fiefia asked how hospitals and universities can determine whether equipment is tied to a foreign adversary and whether good-faith mistakes are protected.
▶ Watch at 1:48:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, appreciate this legislation. I think it's important. I think similar to Representative Shelley, I think it's an important conversation we should be having. Um, I just have a couple of questions just around the legislation in practice. Um, the question is, uh, back to your representative, um, on people don't know what's on the hardware. And so I guess in practice, how is a hospital or university supposed to clearly determine whether this equipment or software is tied to a foreign adversary, and are they protected if they act in good faith and still get it wrong?
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Fiefia asked whether the $10,000 fine would apply per patient or sample even while a facility is replacing equipment.
▶ Watch at 1:51:05Read what they said
Awesome. And then just one more question, just looking at it again. In practice, if a non-compliant machine is used, um, does the bill um, leverage that fine of $10,000 for every patient or sample process, even while the facility's actively replacing the equipment? I, I'm just, if this is happening, one, we should replace it, but I, in practice, I realize that it's not something that's just, okay, it's today, let's get it out. Um, just worried about the fines being leveraged and how that's gonna roll out.
H.B. 199 Health Data Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Supports using data to improve health outcomes but wants stronger cybersecurity safeguards before expanding data sharing, and says they will vote no.
▶ Watch at 2:34:52Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'm having heartburn. I want to be clear, uh, just at the start of this is I support using data to improve health outcomes. I'm not opposed to data, and I'm not opposed to coordination. What I am opposed to and have heartburn around is expanding access to sensitive health data without expanding, um, and tightening the guardrails in cybersecurity. Um, and so I, I like the idea, but I would love to be more confident that we're tightening cybersecurity, especially in a day and age, where today about 3000 people globally have the technical expertise to hack into a, in a critical infrastructure, into a government. Now with ai, um, just about any, with …
H.B. 199 Health Data Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Makes a substitute motion to hold the bill and bring it back at the next meeting.
▶ Watch at 2:39:47Read what they said
I'd like to make a substitute motion. Okay. I move to table this and to bring it back next week, um, on, on the agenda next week. So I, I think it's a hold table is basically, yeah,
H.B. 199 Health Data Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says they do not want to kill the bill and want to work on it.
▶ Watch at 2:42:16Read what they said
Yeah. Okay. I wanna Hold. I don't wanna kill it. I, I, I Wanna work on it, but I,
H.B. 199 Health Data Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says they want to support the bill after feeling more confident about cybersecurity, citing recent data breaches.
▶ Watch at 2:42:38Read what they said
I would love to get to a point where I support this and I want this to go to the floor with support. Um, and so I would love to sit down and, and figure out and, and feel more confident. My hesitation is the amount of tax that happen on the state, the amount of breaches we've had on, uh, social securities being released, health data, student data, universities paying ransoms over $400,000. And so my confidence level is not, Hey, we're safe. And so if we are going to share this sensitive data more, I would love to just feel a little bit more comfortable before having a vote no. And having that on the floor.
H.B. 199 Health Data Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Agrees to sit down and talk to reach a point where they feel comfortable with the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:44:41Read what they said
Yeah, I appreciate it. Uh, let's, let's sit down and talk and let's get to a point where we feel comfortable with it. Yep.
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