Legislators / Jake Fitisemanu
Jake Fitisemanu
Democrat · House District 30
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Jake Fitisemanu
- Email: jfitisemanu@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-633-4546
- 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.
Jake Fitisemanu serves on:
- Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Health and Human Services Committee
- House Political Subdivisions Committee
- Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee
- Health and Human Services Interim Committee
- Native American Legislative Liaison Committee
What they've said
62 remarks on 22 billsS.B. 281 Senior Nutrition Private Donation Incentives · House Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asked why private donations would be relied on instead of more stable funding, and whether wealthier communities could receive more matching funds than rural or lower-income areas.
▶ Watch at 37:07Read what they said
Thank you. Um, just because senior nutrition programs are, uh, crucial, you know, critical services, I guess I'm just thinking about why, uh, we would be trying to rely on private donations instead of just creating more stable private funding. But, um, but the actual question that I have, um, is around parody and maybe whether there is a possibility that, you know, wealthier communities with stronger philanthropic networks, uh, might then receive more matching funds than our rural areas or lower income areas. That the, the language is, uh, negotiated very specifically to address those concerns. Not to discourage those that have the resources, but also provide a formula that allows the, the matching for those that are less …
S.B. 319 Health Insurance Preauthorization Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asks whether enrollees will be notified when artificial intelligence was involved in their individual prior authorization decisions.
▶ Watch at 1:11:56Read what they said
Um, the bill mandates that an insurer, Can you pull the mic down too? Thank you. Sorry. Uh, the bill mandates that an insurer notify, um, whether or not artificial intelligence is being utilized in the process for, um, processing, uh, these requests. Uh, is it also the intent for enrollees to be notified whether they're individual, um, decisions, uh, whether AI was involved in individual approvals or denials, uh, of pre-authorization requests,
S.B. 319 Health Insurance Preauthorization Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asks who reviews an AI-involved decision on appeal and how appeals would work.
▶ Watch at 1:12:33Read what they said
And, and what, what's your thought on that? Is that, is that something that you, I I guess I'm just thinking of how this Im might impact, um, appeals process, right? It like at what part, at what point if AI makes a decision about my, uh, and maybe it's a wrongful, um, denial, um, at what point does a human, you know, actually get to review, uh, what that was and, and who do I appeal to? I mean, where does that lie if AI made that decision?
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Presents House Bill 277, saying it clarifies that traditional healing providers do not need a state license when practicing within traditional services, without removing patient protections.
▶ Watch at 1:45:52Read what they said
Floor is yours. Thank you so much, uh, Mr. Chair esteem. Senator Ipson, want to invite you real quick, take a trip in a time machine with me. Back to your childhood may be a time when you fell off your bike, skinned your knee, uh, maybe you had a tummy ache, maybe you just weren't feeling good. Uh, you wanted to stay home from school. You know, the way our families react to those situations, as long as they're not a a real medical emergency, I'm willing to bet that, um, your caretakers, whether it was your parents or grandparents, probably Uintah some kind of a, maybe a, a family remedy or a tradition. Uh, maybe it was grandma's …
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Responds that the bill is not based on investigations, noting other states practice traditional healing and that the bill clarifies where state licensure applies.
▶ Watch at 1:55:37Read what they said
Not at all. So it's actually the opposite. It's the fact that, um, this is something that is being safely, uh, and traditionally practiced, uh, in many other areas. In fact, other states, neighboring states like New Mexico, uh, Hawaii, Alaska, for example. Uh, so this just, um, establishes and clarifies in our statute, uh, where licensed medical professional, uh, licensure exists and where it does not, and where this, uh, firmly lies within the purview of indigenous communities, including tribal health, Indian health as was mentioned earlier, uh, that that should lie with them and not with the state licensing.
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Says the division has vetted the bill and has a favorable recommendation because it clarifies existing code.
▶ Watch at 1:56:37Read what they said
Yeah, if there's anyone in the room or online from Dapo, uh, they would have the, um, a better answer. But I can speak on behalf of that. Uh, this has been fully vetted by Dapo and in fact, uh, they have a very favorable, um, recommendation for this because, uh, it just clarifies what's in code now. Um, excuse me, that gray area that's in code now.
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Summarizes that the bill supports Utahns' access to care that reflects their traditions, citing support from the Navajo Nation delegates, the Urban Indian Center, and other indigenous communities.
▶ Watch at 1:59:06Read what they said
The policy is a positive step, uh, in the right direction to ensure that all Utahans have the ability to safely access, uh, the wellness care that reflects their traditions and beliefs. Uh, the measure as mentioned, uh, supported by the council, uh, actually the council delegates of the government of the Navajo Nation, as well as the Urban Indian Center, the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition, uh, and various other, uh, indigenous communities throughout the state. And I, I appreciate the motion and the support. Thank you.
H.B. 572 Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and Social Services Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Asks for assurance that justice-involved individuals consent voluntarily to disclosure of their information and are not coerced by probation or court conditions.
▶ Watch at 1:20:11Read what they said
Okay. All right, go ahead. Yeah, We frequently talk about privacy and security, um, especially around sensitive mental health and, you know, substance use issues. And so I, I totally understand the motive and the utility for the data sharing and the standard form. Um, which, but also justice involved folks are particularly vulnerable. And so I just, uh, want an assurance that, um, when folks are consenting to disclose their info, uh, that they're doing so in, in a completely voluntary way and there isn't any way that they could be coerced, um, as a condition of probation or, you know, compliance with the court or something like that. Um, is that a question or just a statement?
H.B. 450 Data Privacy Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asked what new activities or expenses local governments would incur under the bill given the fiscal note's modest cost.
▶ Watch at 56:45Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, the fiscal no-shows of modest cost, um, impact on local governments. It's a cost nonetheless. I mean, can you help us understand what activities or, um, expenses then would be taken on by local governments under the bill that aren't currently being incurred?
H.B. 453 Unspent Funding Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Says public education funding has increased and asks why the bill chooses these three areas over other underfunded needs such as infrastructure, housing, first responders, and DSPD waitlists.
▶ Watch at 1:01:50Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, yeah, and I, I, I'll just comment briefly because of that, that, um, I would say that we have increased, uh, public public education funding quite a bit. And, uh, while there's not a specific line item for that, that that is a big portion of, of where the hiring has been. And I think that's been in the intent of, of some of that funding. But my question comes along to, um, I actually think this is pretty clever and it's very, um, kind of unique way to try to capture some additional funding. My question, and I guess comes to a concern also is that, um, it's not only the concept of how …
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Presents House Bill 277 as an exemption from licensure for traditional healers providing traditional health services, and says it does not replace clinical medicine and has support from several indigenous groups.
▶ Watch at 53:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker ProAm and colleagues. I know it's, uh, middle of the afternoon, so why don't you, uh, take a, a mental walk with me. Uh, back to your childhood, back to a time when maybe you had a tummy ache or maybe you fell off your bike and skinned your knee. Maybe you just weren't feeling great one day, you wanted to stay home from school unless it was a real emergency situation. I'm willing to bet that your parents or grandparents or whoever your caretakers were probably went first to some kind of a home remedy, maybe a family tradition. Maybe it was grandma's chicken soup to make you feel better. Maybe it was a dandelion …
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Says the bill does not change the definition of peyote or its status as a controlled substance, and that it covers traditional healing services as defined in code, not the religious exemption for the Native American church.
▶ Watch at 57:15Read what they said
Thank you, uh, Mr. Speaker Proton for the question. Uh, this is actually, um, maybe an adjacent topic, but, uh, I have vetted this really thoroughly with, uh, our code folks in that this, uh, does not open up anything new, uh, in terms of the definition of peyote or its use as a controlled substance, uh, as a religious practice. Uh, this is solely for, um, uh, which is referenced here in the bill, uh, what we have in code as traditional healing services. Um, sorry, I'm pulling it up here if you would allow me to read. Uh, traditional healing providers means an individual who provides traditional healing services in a manner that's recognized by an American Indian …
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Says rulemaking with tribes and indigenous groups would determine that question, and that the bill does not change existing peyote legislation.
▶ Watch at 58:40Read what they said
If in regards to this, uh, with the, uh, rulemaking that's already here with a dapo and consultation with the Native American tribes or the indigenous groups that are here, uh, they would be allowed to make that determination. Um, but this right here does not involve or change, uh, the current, or excuse me, the previous, uh, legislation regarding peyote specifically.
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
In closing, says the bill does not affect the state's Medicaid waiver for traditional healing services and that the state licensing agency supports the change.
▶ Watch at 59:15Read what they said
I appreciate the discussion. Uh, we've had a lot of back and forth, uh, on this in a very positive way, uh, in the groups that do promote this, including, um, uh, I might also add that this does not in any way impact the Medicaid waiver that, uh, the state also applied for, uh, for traditional healing services. Uh, Medicaid department has made that very clear. Uh, and the licensing, our doppel, our state licensing agency is, is very much okay, uh, with this change as well. Thank you for your support.
H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP to Establish the Weight Management and Obesity Pilot Program · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks what the pilot period is and whether the program is time-limited.
▶ Watch at 1:55:29Read what they said
When we talk about the word pilot, I mean, I hear something around finite timeframe, and so can you tell us about, you know, what is the pilot period? And then at the end of that, no, good job when you analyze, We wonder the same thing.
H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution Directing PEHP to Establish the Weight Management and Obesity Pilot Program · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks what metrics show the program's success.
▶ Watch at 1:56:24Read what they said
Thank you. And then when you talk about, um, it seems like this works very well, I think is what I heard you say. What are some of those metrics of success?
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and asks how the existing county-split process works and why an alternate path is needed.
▶ Watch at 50:26Read what they said
Thanks for bringing this through. I appreciate the thoughtfulness and the thoroughness here. Um, the proposal law creates an, um, uh, additional, or, sorry, alternate, uh, path for a county bifurcation. Can you just talk through a little bit about the existing, uh, process, uh, if any, what that looks like, and then why, um, it necessitates, I guess, the proposal of an additional path?
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks how the one-third threshold protects residents of the remaining two-thirds who may oppose a split.
▶ Watch at 52:07Read what they said
Um, I guess a follow up question, does that, the one third threshold, um, how does that, I guess, protect the voice of the remaining two thirds of residents who, who might be strongly opposed? Maybe?
H.B. 486 Fraudulent Deeds Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to pass HB 486 out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 2:18:04Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. Um, I would move that we pass house bill 4 86 forward with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 486 Fraudulent Deeds Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asked the committee to consider placing the bill on the consent calendar after the vote on the motion.
▶ Watch at 2:18:19Read what they said
Thank you. And I just, uh, if the committee might consider after the voting on this motion whether it would go on consent.
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says a nine-word amendment added in the Senate clarifies that the bill does not include domestic violence shelters.
▶ Watch at 21:52Read what they said
This motion wa this amendment was a friendly amendment we made over in the Senate. Cons, constituting a whole of nine words that we added just to clarify that this, uh, does not include, uh, domestic violence shelters.
H.B. 277 Traditional Healing Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Presents HB 277, saying the bill clarifies that traditional healing providers do not need a state license to serve their communities, and introduces Yvette Romero Coronado to expand on it.
▶ Watch at 1:07:26Read what they said
HB 2 77, traditional Healing Amendments Representative Fat. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, if it pleases the committee, I will be speaking to the substitute on this as well. Um, you know, all of our families and communities have unique and effective, traditional, uh, healthcare practices, healing practices, healing beliefs that have sustained us, uh, our health and our wellness, uh, for centuries. And the bill before you, for your consideration, is a prudent approach, uh, to preserving our indivi individual freedoms to seek healing services that are appropriate for ourselves and for our families. So what this pros proposed measure would do, uh, is simply clarify that traditional healing providers, uh, do not need to be licensed by the …
H.B. 339 Street Medicine Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Fitisemanu moved that the committee advance H.B. 339 as substituted with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:33:31Read what they said
I'd move that the committee, uh, advance house bill 3 3 9 for substitute with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asks about the timeline for notice and meetings before installation.
▶ Watch at 1:02:38Read what they said
Thank you. Um, Mr. Chair, question for the sponsor. Can you just help me understand, um, get a little more clarity on the timeline that we're talking about? So, in my initial reading, it looks like it's, it's very clear about the notification for the community meeting, but at what actual point is the, um, the meeting and or the notification required ahead of the actual installation? So the written notification is required 30 days before, um, before they are gonna be installing it, and I believe it's 60 days, uh, on their LEAs website to allow folks to know that it's gonna be on the agenda for them to, to come. So, uh, please ask.
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asks whether public input would be able to prevent installation.
▶ Watch at 1:03:25Read what they said
And just a follow up question if that's allowed. Sure. Um, I guess what I'm asking is that this is just a, a requirement for a meeting to be held for input to be able to be shared. Um, but that input, even if it was overwhelmingly oppositional, would not prevent an LEA from actually installing the turf.
H.B. 319 Electronic Records Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asks whether inconsistent practices among counties in accepting digitally authenticated documents could cause problems.
▶ Watch at 1:48:57Read what they said
Is it appropriate to ask a question, either of the sponsor or any of the experts, but, um, because documents don't necessarily remain in permanent repository, right? They're, um, commonly replicated or transferred transmitted between agencies. Um, my question is when some counties are early adopters or do, um, choose to innovate and accept digitally authenticated documents, um, but others don't, um, are there any foreseeable issues that may arise due to the inconsistency in practice?
H.B. 436 Moderate Income Housing Infrastructure Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Moved to recommend HB 436 favorably.
▶ Watch at 2:41:45Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, Mr. Chair. I would move that we, uh, pass favorably house Bill 4 36, uh, with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 436 Moderate Income Housing Infrastructure Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said the bill is a measured, incentive-based approach and that its regional parameters could benefit neighboring communities.
▶ Watch at 2:44:52Read what they said
I think it's a measured approach that's, uh, focused on incentive. And I think that the regional parameters to it could have, uh, residual benefits for communities that might not immediately qualify for this point, but are in an area where a thoroughfare, uh, where others, their neighbors might and they would still benefit. So, thank
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Presents H.B. 98, which would require residential treatment homes to notify residents within 300 feet within 30 days before or after a new home opens, describing it as a courtesy many homes already follow.
▶ Watch at 5:19Read what they said
Thank Mr. President, uh, discussed the bill yesterday. This is the one that when you have a residential treatments home that's in an area that you're requiring them to notify the residents within a 300 foot radius within 30 days, um, before or after a new home opens. Um, it's simply a courtesy thing. Uh, it many of them do this in current practice. As you, as you look at the challenges with some of these, these types of facilities is there really isn't a lot of local control on it and because of some better requirements on the licensing and other things. So this is just simply a, as we're thinking that we'd like to put this, that, that …
H.B. 270 Healthcare Worker Post-Employment Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Moved to place HB 270S2 on the consent calendar, citing the unanimous committee recommendation.
▶ Watch at 2:02:32Read what they said
Vice chair. Given the unanimous recommendation of the committee and the over overwhelming support for the bill, I would move that we place house bill two 70 on the consent calendar.
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Presented H.B. 98, which would require residential treatment centers to give contact information to neighbors within 300 feet, and said the bill does not block these facilities.
▶ Watch at 1:51:03Read what they said
Thank you very much. Good afternoon. Um, I've been talking a lot about utilities and, uh, homes. I want you to think about the last time you had to move your family somewhere and what a terrible experience that was. Nobody likes moving, but you know, what is fun when you move into a new neighborhood is when the next door neighbors pop up with a plate of cookies or brownies or something yummy to eat. The bill that I'm introducing to you today is a plate of cookies. Bill, this, um, house Bill 98, um, deals with residential treatment centers, um, what some people may call halfway homes or group homes that are operating in communities across the state …
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Clarified that the substitute adds protections for certain communities, such as congregate care facilities, shelters, and domestic violence centers.
▶ Watch at 1:55:38Read what they said
Only the clarification that this does add protection, uh, for protected communities. So you'll notice that this is not a requirement for congregate care, which are facilities that take care of youth, uh, folks under 18, as well as, uh, shelters or domestic violence centers that are protecting, uh, women and families and children, uh, in those very vulnerable, uh, times of their lives. Thank
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Said the drafters asked this question early on and that information from municipalities and operators indicates no federal conflict.
▶ Watch at 1:57:39Read what they said
I don't know if there is or isn't. It's a good question. And it's one that we've asked early on from drafting the bill. Okay. And from all the information we have, uh, including from the municipal side as was mentioned earlier, uh, as well as from these operators, uh, that is not the case. Okay.
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Gave closing remarks, thanked the committee for its discussion and critiques, and concluded his presentation.
▶ Watch at 1:58:03Read what they said
I think we've had a great discussion and I appreciate the critiques and, uh, that's my presentation. Thank you. Okay.
S.B. 130 River Restoration Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Supported the motion and asked to what extent the bill consults or involves Native American tribes in the area.
▶ Watch at 2:01:06Read what they said
Not necessarily to the motion, which I'm in favor of, but just a question in general, if that's okay. Go ahead. Yes. Um, when I see the term restoration, um, it makes me smile, uh, but it also makes me think of, um, the original state and maybe the original stewards of the land and the river. Um, to what extent does this, um, consult with or involve, uh, the Native American folks, uh, and tribes in the area?
H.B. 356 Drug Distribution Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Moves to place HB 356 on the consent calendar and asks about the order of operations.
▶ Watch at 32:36Read what they said
I'm also Jake. That's okay. Um, if the sponsor's amenable, I would move to place, uh, house Bill 3 56 on the consent agenda. Um, I think there's no fiscal, um, I don't, what's the, uh, order of operations on that?
H.B. 152 Educational Vaccine Exemption Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said he and his wife completed the 16-minute module, which could use more depth, but for the greater good he opposes the motion.
▶ Watch at 1:25:53Read what they said
Thank you. I just wanna thank everyone for the comments and feedback and the critiques, uh, and the concept. I do wanna let the sponsor, uh, and my fellow committee members know that, that, um, this was something that I took very seriously. Um, my wife and I actually both, uh, together completed, uh, the exemption training as, uh, representative Chevre and others have mentioned. It took me, uh, took us 16 minutes. There were seven quiz questions. And, um, I actually, uh, would say that there could be maybe some more depth, uh, definitely, or maybe some more specifics in some of those, uh, presentations. And I think that's a critique that would be, uh, for any kind of …
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Asks whether the committee is open to questions and discussion or to motions.
▶ Watch at 2:29:35Read what they said
Is this to the committee for questions and discussion or are we open to motions?
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute for HB 248.
▶ Watch at 2:29:43Read what they said
Well then, um, I move to pass house bills. I have a sub. You gotta, yeah, let's adopt it. First, let's go ahead and adopt the sub. I'll make that motion. Thank you. Okay.
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Moves to pass HB 248 with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 2:30:30Read what they said
Sure. Well then now I would move to a pass HB 2 48 with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · House floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Presents the bill, which would require residential treatment centers to share a contact card with neighbors within 300 feet within 30 days of opening, to build good neighbor relations and reduce unnecessary police calls.
▶ Watch at 58:52Read what they said
Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. You know, residential treatment centers support programs, um, some people call them halfway houses or group homes. These are recovery homes that are operating, uh, across the state in all of our communities that serve a really critical, important role in the healing, in the reentry, in the rehabilitation of our fellow community members. The bill before you today supports the successful operation of these residential treatment centers by really building and supporting positive relationships with the neighborhoods where they exist and where they operate. Um, the proposed policy would ask residential treatment centers to provide within 30 days of opening, uh, basically a contact card. All we're asking is for them to be …
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · House floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Says the notice comes within 30 days after opening, after operators have already completed property procurement, licensing and permitting.
▶ Watch at 1:01:35Read what they said
Thank you for the question, Mr. Speaker. This does not in any way impede the right or the, uh, prerogative of operators to procure property to obtain the proper licensing, permitting, and all of that vetting beforehand. Um, they're actually able to provide this notice within 30 days of opening, which means they can, they've already gone through that process. They have 30 days after opening to be able to provide that notice. That's correct.
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · House floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Says there are examples where a police response was not appropriate, and that some operators already knock on doors or provide contact cards with positive neighborhood results.
▶ Watch at 1:05:20Read what they said
Thank you for the question, Mr. Speaker. And yes, I do have multiple, uh, incidents or, uh, examples of where that is the case where a police response was not the appropriate response and this could have been handled in a more, uh, neighborly way as, uh, another of our, uh, great colleagues has mentioned. There are operators that currently already do similar things, either knocking on doors or providing contact cards in those neighborhoods. And in those particular cases, we, they have not, they have had a positive experience with that have not had, you know, pitchforks and mobs coming to them. They've actually been very much appreciated by the neighborhoods. Um, and I would assume also by, uh, …
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · House floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Says the bill is meant to inform current residents, does not prevent facilities from operating, and only asks for a contact card after approvals are complete.
▶ Watch at 1:06:30Read what they said
The, the latter for sure. There's nothing here that, uh, would preclude or prevent anyone from operating these lawful and essential facilities in our communities. Uh, all of the steps that are mentioned in the bill, uh, take place after procurement of property, after licensing, after zoning, after permitting. So this is purely asking them to give a contact card with information of who can I call if I have a question about the facility. It has nothing to do with preventing these businesses from operating.
H.B. 98 Residential Notification Amendments · House floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Thanks colleagues for their questions and critiques and says the bill is a good bill.
▶ Watch at 1:09:10Read what they said
I appreciate the questions, the critiques. I appreciate the discussion. Um, this is a good bill, as everyone likes to say. Some are saying it's the best bill, but, um, I yield
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Presented the bill, describing toy guns altered to look like real firearms and proposing an infraction for knowingly possessing them in public places as an educational deterrent.
▶ Watch at 13:51Read what they said
Thank you so much, chair and thank you committee for the time today. Um, I'm Jake Fitz, house District 30 West Valley City. Always happy to represent now colleagues. Imagine with me, if you will, a picturesque day at the local park or playground with your kids or your grandkids. Um, everyone's having a good time until the fun and relaxation is suddenly disrupted, disturbed by someone frantically yelling, they've got guns. You know, after the commotion dies down and law enforcement has secured the situation, it's determined that, uh, in fact, uh, the firearms in question are toy guns. Uh, and there are essentially children minors, uh, in the playground who are playing with guns that have been, uh, …
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the guns are typically airsoft or pellet guns that federal rules require to have an orange tip, which can be removed or painted over.
▶ Watch at 18:55Read what they said
The ones in the situations I've been describing are actually, uh, non firearm devices. They're regulated under, um, uh, part of our code already, uh, actually federal code. Um, and these are, I guess a lot of you would call them airsoft guns or a lot of these, um, pellet guns and those type of guns that already look pretty similar to a real gun. But, uh, federal guidelines say that you, you've got a, at least when they're sold, they have an orange tip on the end of the barrel. Uh, and so maybe the kids have put black tape or painted over it or removed that tip. Um, or in the case of like squirt guns, right, they're …
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said some altered guns are very convincing, even to law enforcement.
▶ Watch at 19:59Read what they said
Absolutely. And some of these are, are very convincing, right? Uh, to where even law enforcement, uh, is gonna treat them as if they were real guns in that case.
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said most cases involve children playing in public, and that the bill covers public spaces but not toys in private homes.
▶ Watch at 20:23Read what they said
Yes, but I would err on the side of the majority of them are, are kids being kids out in the neighborhood or in a park. Um, the a bill that's before you hear for consideration, uh, actually doesn't touch toys in people's homes or in private residences. We're not looking over people's backyards, you know, kids playing cowboys and Indians or something on their own property. This has nothing to do with that. So this is restricted strictly to public spaces and our state definition of public spaces, uh, which be would be your schools, your parks, public office buildings, you know, restaurants and stores, that type of thing.
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said he would need an expert for a number, but police chiefs have raised the issue in multiple cities.
▶ Watch at 21:46Read what they said
I, I would have to ask an expert on that. I know that the number is enough, uh, that police chiefs have been raising this in parks and rec departments, uh, in multiple cities, but I don't have a good number for your representative.
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said officers would use their discretion, a first violation would typically be a verbal education, and repeated knowing violations could become an infraction.
▶ Watch at 23:17Read what they said
To be honest, I don't know that we know that. Okay. I mean, every response is gonna be the appropriate response from the professional, you know, uh, perspective of the law enforcement who, uh, actually respond. Um, this is more of, and the police chiefs who have raised this and that we've, uh, discussed this particular language with, uh, are talking about when this happens at a playground or a park, someone is concerned, it is determined that it's, it's not a real gun. Um, but this actually allows police officers now, now you, you could cite somebody for, uh, maybe disorderly conduct or some other things, but there isn't anything specific that allows our law enforcement to actually address …
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the bill covers pellet and airsoft guns that look like real firearms.
▶ Watch at 25:12Read what they said
Not even necessarily those, um, I, I should have had maybe a flyer, uh, with some illustrations of, um, but these are your, your pellet guns and your airsoft guns. Okay. Uh, including some that are, you know, even approached like a long barrel type of, uh, firearm look to them, um,
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the main identifier is the orange tip, and federal code also lists color and a clear body as identifiers.
▶ Watch at 25:33Read what they said
And it would just have the orange tip. Correct. That's the, the main one. But there are three different identifiers in the federal code for those guns. What are the three different identifiers again, if might be, the other One is color, like if it's hot pink or something. And obviously it's away gun. Um, and the other is being clear like a water gun.
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Read the bill's definition of public place, which includes streets, common areas of schools, and shops.
▶ Watch at 26:52Read what they said
Uh, so public place, I can actually read it to you. It's not super long, but it does include streets or highways, uh, common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, public buildings, public facilities, transport facilities, uh, like a train station or a bus station and shops.
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said police chiefs wanted discretion in deciding where the line is for activity like playing in a yard or street.
▶ Watch at 27:34Read what they said
It's a good question. And we talked about this with the police chiefs and the other folks we worked with on this, uh, same language last year. Uh, and really they appreciated having discretion in that, you know, when someone's in their yard or puts one foot out onto the curb, where's that line? We really do trust our law enforcement to make that discretion. Yeah,
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the bill covers possession rather than brandishing, and excludes theatrical props and costumes made for other purposes.
▶ Watch at 29:12Read what they said
Yeah. Um, but it does, because the class is very specific as well, the class of these imitation firearms. Um, this doesn't apply to like, um, your theatrical performances. You know, if you had a, uh, some kind of a play where there might be a firearm there or something, um, you know, Comic-Con types of, um, you know, gatherings where you might have some of these, um, but don't fit within that same code. They haven't, they're not imitation guns that have been altered to look like real guns. They've been built for other theatrical purposes that also is not, uh, covered here.
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Thanked speakers and said he is willing to make changes to address the concerns raised.
▶ Watch at 38:55Read what they said
Very briefly? I appreciate the motion. I appreciate all of the comments and critiques, uh, and questions from all perspectives. Um, as, as cool as we like to think we are and as smart as we like to think we are, um, we never come through with a bill that is perfect with every single word, uh, making every single person happy. And so I'm more than happy to work with folks around some of the things that have been brought up to make sure that we are covering some of those blind spots that might be there. But I appreciate the motion and, uh, I'm grateful for the discussion today. Thank you.
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the motion to hold is friendly and he is willing to work with anyone on the bill.
▶ Watch at 44:49Read what they said
Let's, all right. Uh, original bill sponsor, uh, do you have any comments for the committee on this motion? It's a friendly motion. The objective here is not to sail bills through, uh, and to, you know, get as close as we can to pass something. This is the objective is to do something that's positive and has the effect that we want it to have for society. So I'm willing to work with, uh, anybody who wants to help me work on this. And it's a friendly motion. Thank you.
H.B. 164 Health Care Patient Reporting to the Division of Professional Licensing · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Asks whether patients would receive follow-up disclosures annually or only the one-time notice under the bill.
▶ Watch at 38:27Read what they said
Yep. Thank you for bringing this issue forward. Um, my question is just after that initial point of contact, um, should they remain, um, with that, maybe not that same provider, but at the same facility or clinic, um, is there also a requirement for follow-up disclosures annually or something like that? Or is it just the one time?
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Fitisemanu asked whether international organizations currently have any power or authority in Utah without this bill.
▶ Watch at 49:55Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, Mr. Chair, a question for the sponsor, please. Um, in the absence of legislative action that's being proposed, um, do international organizations currently have power jurisdiction or authority in Utah?
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Fitisemanu moved to table H.B. 85.
▶ Watch at 54:02Read what they said
Yeah. Are we able to entertain motions? Go ahead. Yeah. Um, I move to Table House bill 85.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Fitisemanu said he opposed the motion to recommend favorably but would not oppose a motion to adjourn.
▶ Watch at 57:25Read what they said
I would oppose the motion to recommend favorably. Um, I would not necessarily oppose the motion to adjourn.
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