Legislators / Jill Koford
Jill Koford
Republican · House District 10
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Jill Koford
- Email: jkoford@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-300-2532
- Office: 350 N State Street, Suite 350, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114
Constituents get priority, so say you live in their district. Writing about a specific bill? Open it and use Take action for a ready-to-send message.
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.
Jill Koford serves on:
- Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
- House Revenue and Taxation Committee
- Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
- Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee
What they've said
161 remarks on 42 billsS.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the bill applies only to new state-owned properties, is not retroactive, and that it was not specified whether it is limited to the Great Salt Lake Basin.
▶ Watch at 30:26Read what they said
Uh, thank you for the question Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that this is for only new state owned properties. Um, and my Senate sponsor didn't say if it was specific to the Great Salt Lake Basin, but it is for new state owned properties. So it is not retroactive and wouldn't require any new landscape and built in existing facilities. Thank you.
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the bill applies only in the Great Salt Lake Basin.
▶ Watch at 31:11Read what they said
I am clarifying that right this moment. If you'll give me two seconds. My understanding is that it is just in the Great Salt Lake Basin.
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Repeats that the bill applies only in the Great Salt Lake Basin.
▶ Watch at 31:40Read what they said
I said, my understanding is that it is just in the Great Salt Lake Basin.
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says state agencies could do this on their own if they chose to.
▶ Watch at 32:07Read what they said
They could absolutely do this of their own accord if they wanted to. Mr. Speaker, Thank you.
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that distribution uniformity is a measure of irrigation system efficiency.
▶ Watch at 33:19Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker for the question. Yes, that means that distribution uniformity is another way to say efficiency. It would measure the efficiency of the irrigation system, meaning it would need to have a 70% efficiency rate.
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that uniformity is measured by placing cups across the lawn while the system runs and checking how evenly water collects.
▶ Watch at 33:54Read what they said
Um, the information I have is that the way it's measured is by placing cups of water across the lawn, running the irrigation system, and then seeing how uniformly the water is distributed in the cups of water across the lawn. So if those were measuring at a uniform rate 70, they would need to be at a 75% uniform rate with those cups of water.
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Gives closing remarks, saying the state should set the standard for water efficiency and asks for the body's support.
▶ Watch at 35:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the questions and the clarity on the bill. Um, I would agree with my good colleague from Davis County. When we are looking at ways or asking the public to look for ways to be efficient with their water use, I think the state should set the, the standard for that. And if we can come back, then other people should do. Thank you so much Mr. Speaker. I ask for the support of the body.
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves to adopt the sixth substitute of SB 284.
▶ Watch at 47:24Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to adopt sub six of House Senate bill 2 84.
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves to adopt substitute six to S.B. 284.
▶ Watch at 47:24Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to adopt sub six of House Senate bill 2 84.
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Describes the bill as a consensus measure that adds the water planning provisions of HB 439 and land use language from HB 477, covering incorporation, model homes, planning commissions, fees, conditional use permits, bonds, checklists, exactions, third-party remedies, and accessory dwelling units.
▶ Watch at 47:33Read what they said
I would be happy to speak to it. This may take a moment. That's Fine. Take your Time. Colleagues. This this bill has, um, was on the schedule for a house hearing and as I mentioned before, we circled the bill. It did not make it in time because the Senate sponsor was presenting in another committee. So I wanna walk through the changes on this bill and lead with the fact that this is a consensus bill. This bill has been worked on for a long time with a number of stakeholders who have all been at the table to come to agreement on some important changes. Um, the first thing that this bill does is it adds in …
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that the bill is a consensus bill that adds a water planning bill and land use provisions, moves exaction language to a new code section, and describes its major changes.
▶ Watch at 47:37Read what they said
Time. Colleagues. This this bill has, um, was on the schedule for a house hearing and as I mentioned before, we circled the bill. It did not make it in time because the Senate sponsor was presenting in another committee. So I wanna walk through the changes on this bill and lead with the fact that this is a consensus bill. This bill has been worked on for a long time with a number of stakeholders who have all been at the table to come to agreement on some important changes. Um, the first thing that this bill does is it adds in HB 4 39, which is a water planning, um, bill that was also a consensus bill. It …
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains the bill's changes to incorporation, model homes, planning commission roles and recusal, posting of land use laws and fees, conditional use permits, cash bond interest, land use checklists, the exaction move with no change to exactions, and limits on third-party remedies.
▶ Watch at 50:08Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Colleagues. As I mentioned, this is a big bill, um, largely because many of the co, much of the code has to go in both the city section of code and the county section of code. Um, it streamlines the incorporation process so that after the initial incorporation process, owners who haven't been included have the same rights as those who were initially included in that process. Um, in terms of the model home language, um, model homes function very similarly to open houses and they are regulated under the same framework in this new language. When we look at planning commissions, Mr. Speaker, there are, they have a really unique function within a city. They …
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Describes changes on incorporation, model homes, planning commission roles, posting of land use laws and fees, conditional use permits, bonds, application checklists, third-party remedies, and accessory dwelling units.
▶ Watch at 50:08Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Colleagues. As I mentioned, this is a big bill, um, largely because many of the co, much of the code has to go in both the city section of code and the county section of code. Um, it streamlines the incorporation process so that after the initial incorporation process, owners who haven't been included have the same rights as those who were initially included in that process. Um, in terms of the model home language, um, model homes function very similarly to open houses and they are regulated under the same framework in this new language. When we look at planning commissions, Mr. Speaker, there are, they have a really unique function within a city. They …
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says legislative bodies can act as their own appeal process, that the burden of proof for land use applicants falls on third parties, and that ADUs are generally allowed on 11,000 square foot lots as a state standard.
▶ Watch at 53:27Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize. I should speak faster and watch the clock. Legislative bodies can act as their own appeal process. This clears that up. The p of proof for land use applicants is on third parties and ADUs are generally allowed on 11,000 square foot lots as a state standard. And I'm open to questions after that.
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Clarifies the appeal process, the burden of proof for land use applicants, and the lot size standard for accessory dwelling units, and offers to take questions.
▶ Watch at 53:27Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize. I should speak faster and watch the clock. Legislative bodies can act as their own appeal process. This clears that up. The p of proof for land use applicants is on third parties and ADUs are generally allowed on 11,000 square foot lots as a state standard. And I'm open to questions after that.
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Summarizes that the bill reflects extensive stakeholder negotiation, aims to honor local control while increasing housing supply, and urges colleagues to support it.
▶ Watch at 55:52Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I appreciate, um, the comments that have made, been made this bill. The reason there are six subs is because of the many, many stakeholders that have been involved in this. The process has been deliberate. It has been deliberated heavily. It has been heavily, heavily negotiated. Our goal in this is to make sure that local control is honored and yet that we're moving the needle so that we can increase housing supply. Um, this bill is a consensus bill and I am overwhelmed a little bit with it. It's not an easy lift, but grateful to have been able to help with this and I urge my colleague support.
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Summarizes that the bill is a negotiated consensus that aims to honor local control and increase housing supply, and urges support.
▶ Watch at 55:52Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I appreciate, um, the comments that have made, been made this bill. The reason there are six subs is because of the many, many stakeholders that have been involved in this. The process has been deliberate. It has been deliberated heavily. It has been heavily, heavily negotiated. Our goal in this is to make sure that local control is honored and yet that we're moving the needle so that we can increase housing supply. Um, this bill is a consensus bill and I am overwhelmed a little bit with it. It's not an easy lift, but grateful to have been able to help with this and I urge my colleague support.
H.B. 348 Dedicated Water Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Describes HB 348 as clarifying state code on transferring dedicated water from agricultural to municipal and industrial use, with state engineer input, and offers to take questions.
▶ Watch at 2:07:29Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Uh, this bill deals with dedicated water. Dedicated water is typically water being transferred of, uh, in a, uh, joint way between, uh, agricultural use into, uh, m and i. And, uh, it clarifies the, in the code some of the things that need to be done around transferring that water under dedicated rights. Um, state engineer worked on this, on this language and, uh, I'd be open for any questions.
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the bill did not get a House committee hearing because the Senate sponsor was presenting in another committee and time ran out, and a sixth substitute was just released, so members should have a minute to read it.
▶ Watch at 2:25:36Read what they said
I would. Um, this bill has not received a house committee hearing. It was on the agenda, but the, um, Senator was presenting in another committee and we ran out of time. So there's a sixth sub that just dropped this afternoon. We'd like to give everybody a minute to read it.
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Koford said the third substitute adopted by the Senate clarifies that the bill applies to new data centers coming into the state as of July 1 of this year, and makes a few small changes.
▶ Watch at 9:11Read what they said
Yes. Um, we adopted the third sub over there, which just clarified that this would be for new data centers coming into the state as of July, um, first of this year and made a couple of small changes. That's it.
H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves that the House refuse to concur with the Senate amendments to H.B. 410 and ask the Senate to recede from its amendments.
▶ Watch at 1:05:46Read what they said
Mr. Speaker motion to refuse to concur with the Senate and, and that they received their amendments. Thank
H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says some changes made in the Senate are not acceptable to her and that the bill needs to be fixed.
▶ Watch at 1:05:56Read what they said
Uh, there were some changes made that I'm not on board with. We need to fix it
H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the report clarifies leasing language about two of five years and that the fiscal note was cut in half.
▶ Watch at 2:14:37Read what they said
Sure. We just needed to clarify some of the leasing language about two out of five years and the fiscal note was cut in half.
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Presents HB 76 third substitute, which would require pre-construction notice and annual water use reporting from large data centers, with public disclosure for new facilities, and does not ban or cap water use.
▶ Watch at 50:17Read what they said
house bill 76 for substitute Representative Koford data center Water Transparency Amendments. Welcome back to our committee. Thank You so much, chair. Um, oh, ho ho. I didn't see Theresa in back. So yes, I'm grateful that she's here. I actually have a third substitute online. That's the bill that I'll be speaking to. Um, for something that was born out of reporting and transparency, this bill got really complicated, and then I hope that it's gotten really uncomplicated and it's landed in a great spot. Um, it's basically, like I said, a transparency and a, and a, a reporting mechanism for data centers. This would affect people that data centers that are over 10,000 square feet and are using …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Explains that the third substitute differs from the first mainly by applying the July 1 date to new data centers and making technical cleanup changes for the division.
▶ Watch at 52:15Read what they said
and the first substitute of the bill is really, um, Juab the July 1st. Um, it's for new data centers coming online, um, and there's a little bit of cleanup for the, for the division. So,
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Explains that industry concerns about intellectual property led to separating specific and public data, that the 75 acre-foot threshold was suggested by a large water user, and that the bill is a compromise.
▶ Watch at 1:00:55Read what they said
Yeah, so there was some concern from the industry that we would be, um, putting intellectual properties on the, on the, on the forward facing piece to the public. So we tried to bifurcate that a little bit. And I think it's landed in a really good place where it still provides a lot of transparency to the public. Um, in terms of the 75 acre feet, that was actually a suggestion from one of the largest water users in the state as a data center, because they're using, they that would sweep them into that. Mm-hmm. They would have to report at that level. Another thing that I think is really important to know is that the industry as …
H.B. 563 Radon Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the state has not regulated this in seven or eight years and that more time is needed on the bill.
▶ Watch at 38:48Read what they said
Yes. Um, I, I'm inclined to think that in seven or eight years that we haven't regulated this, that perhaps this is a solution looking for a problem. And I just think we need to spend a little more time on it.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved for a positive recommendation of S.B. 254 substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:12:56Read what they said
Mr. Chair, if I may, I'd like to make a positive, uh, motion for a positive recommendation for SB 2 54.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Restated the motion for a positive recommendation of S.B. 254 substitute. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:13:20Read what they said
I'd like to make a positive motion that we, or a emotion that we positively recommend a SB 2 54 Sub one. Sub one.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Spoke in favor of the bill, saying critical minerals are a priority and the committee should move quickly, and thanked the sponsor. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:13:31Read what they said
Would you like to speak to it? I Would actually. I really appreciate the Senator Vickers Good work on this. Um, and we are in an arms race, I think I believe, of our day. And it includes critical minerals. If we don't get this right, we're going to be really sad. Um, we just cannot move this fast enough. So I appreciate all of the good work that's happened in this area.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Koford presented the third substitute to HB 422, describing it as a cleanup bill that aligns her bill with Rep. Roberts's bill, shortens the dissolution notice to 30 days, adds board conflict transparency and annexation limits, and ensures homebuyers know the tax and payment impact.
▶ Watch at 1:27:15Read what they said
I do. I would like to adopt the third sub. Okay. And I'll speak to that. Tell if you like me to tell us what the third sub does and then about the bill. Okay. Thank you so much. Sorry, I ran up the stairs so I could be here on time. Um, this bill is basically a cleanup bill. We had a lot of discussion coming into the session about some concerns from the public about public infrastructure districts or PIDs. Um, I think that there's a place for PIDs. Um, and what this bill aims to do is just put some guardrails around and, and a little more transparency around that infrastructure financing tool. Um, because I wasn't …
H.B. 543 Uniform Commercial Code Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it adds transparency and information for investors about how their securities are held.
▶ Watch at 55:45Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this bill. While I understand my good colleague from Salt Lake's, um, concerns with the uniformity of the code. I believe that what, um, my representative from Huntsville is trying to do is just add some transparency and some information for customers. When you, um, purchase stocks or any kind of security, it's really difficult to register that in your name. And this would just give more information to a person on how to do that so they, they can protect their investments. This is an issue that affects every single person in the state of Utah, every investment in the state of Utah and could potentially put them at risk. …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Raises a point of order asking whether the third substitute has a fiscal note.
▶ Watch at 1:23:08Read what they said
Okay. Point, point of order. Representative Koford, I, I do have a point of order. Is there a physical note on the third sub?
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says a one-word change was made to the bill to clarify it.
▶ Watch at 14:02Read what they said
Absolutely. There was just a small, um, one word change that needed to be made, um, to clarify.
H.B. 124 Veteran Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Explains that the bill simplifies the yearly recertification requirement for the disabled veteran property tax exemption, so veterans file once unless their disability exemption increases.
▶ Watch at 1:16:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's officially the shortest title titled bill this year. Um, this bill is very simple and straightforward. It simply amends the requirements for claiming the property tax exemption available to some our military veterans who are disabled. And there's some of our counties that require them to recertify their disability each and every year. This can sometimes be really burdensome when you're experiencing a disability. And so what this does is remove is, is, is just allows them to file for that exemption once and it is done unless their disability exemption increases. At that point, they could apply for a higher exemption. And that's the bill. And I'm open to questions.
H.B. 348 Dedicated Water Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presents HB 348, which creates a dedicated water application for instream flows, sovereign lands, and Colorado River Basin uses while protecting underlying water rights, with agricultural safeguards and no appropriation of money.
▶ Watch at 1:06:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I have got with me, um, Theresa Wilham, our state water engineer, who is going to help me if you guys have some technical questions, depending on how in the weeds we decide to Hear you. What's that? Put your mic up. Is that better? That's Better, yeah. Okay, there we go. Um, HB 3 48 dedicated water amendments helps to actually clear up, clear a path to deliver water to the Great Salt Lake. The bill creates and clarifies a new type of water use approval in Utah called dedicated water applications. This is mainly for instream flows for use on sovereign lands and in the Colorado River Basin as well. This, this new …
H.B. 348 Dedicated Water Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Gives closing remarks, saying the bill resulted from many months of work by many people and thanking those involved.
▶ Watch at 1:13:45Read what they said
I appreciate this. This bill is the result of many months of work wouldn't have happened without a lot of people in the room thinking, um, about how to solve a problem. And I am just grateful to play a small role in that. So I appreciate the support.
H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presented HB 410, which creates a voluntary, temporary, market-driven state water leasing program mainly for agricultural users, with a $5 million fiscal note, a 2030 sunset, and limits on land use in the program.
▶ Watch at 1:14:30Read what they said
So, um, director Davis has escaped the room and, um, stole a little of my thunder, but this bill goes hand in hand with the last bill. Um, having dedicated water amendments doesn't work unless you have a leasing program to back it up really. And this bill is, um, the result of many, many months of work with stakeholders. It creates a state run leasing program primarily for agriculture users. So they can think a little bit differently about their water as a commodity. Um, it streamlines the process of leasing water. It is voluntary, it is temporary, it is market driven. It provides some funding in the bill oversight and some enforcement to ensure that the LE leased …
H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Summarized by thanking supporters, saying the two-of-five-years limit was intentional, and offering to work with the drafting attorney on any clarifications.
▶ Watch at 1:31:20Read what they said
I really appreciate the, the support on the bill. Um, I do wanna clarify, um, the one question about Specula bringing speculators in. We were very intentional in the two out of five years. If there's some questions on that, I'm happy to work on with the drafting attorney. If we need to clarify anything that's, that's a new concern that hasn't been brought up before. And we've had several meetings over several months with a lot of, um, input from stakeholders across the state. Uh, so I just really appreciate your support. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
H.B. 115 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Supports the bill as good policy and says sales tax is charged repeatedly on the same vehicle, though the fiscal note is high.
▶ Watch at 43:59Read what they said
I just have a comment if I could, I appreciate you bringing this bill. I think it's interesting. Last year we had a bill in front of this committee talking about the, the fact that a lot of people register their vehicles in other states because it's more competitive in other states and in a state to the north of us in Montana, they, they do permanent registrations for older vehicles. So I think that, I, I agree with you. I think we should Brett draw a line in the sand if you've paid sales tax on something, if you don't pay that sales tax over and over and over again. So, but I, I know the fiscal note is …
H.B. 115 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says they want to make an amendment and are looking for the line to propose it.
▶ Watch at 47:28Read what they said
Oh, my mic is still on. Um, I would like to make an amendment, but I don't have, anyway, I first, I'm looking for the line.
H.B. 115 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Moves a verbal amendment changing the age threshold from 10 years to 15 years.
▶ Watch at 48:19Read what they said
I, I'd like to move a verbal amendment on line 8 65 and then 10 years to 15.
H.B. 115 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says the change would significantly reduce the fiscal note and describes it as a good policy path.
▶ Watch at 48:32Read what they said
I appreciate it. Okay. All right. Okay. To the sponsor. I think that's a friendly amendment. I think that'll significantly reduce the, the, uh, fiscal note, which gets us going down a path, which I think is good policy. Okay. Thank you.
H.B. 115 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says they favor broader tax cuts and describes this change as a narrower one.
▶ Watch at 49:35Read what they said
So, well, Maybe I could just explain. I love tax cuts in general. I like 'em to be more broad. This is just cutting out a small portion. Okay. Fair enough. Fair enough. Okay.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Rep. Koford presented HB 150, which would make school speech-language pathologists and technicians eligible for the $500 classroom supply funding.
▶ Watch at 57:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate being here. Um, several years ago, and for actually many years, our speech language pathologist we're eligible to receive supplemental funding for classroom supplies. I think it was about two years ago. Some things changed in our code, and they're no longer eligible for that. Um, our speech language pathologists are classroom teachers in many, many of, many of our elementary schools. They have a class load of 50 to 75 students, and they're working with some of our most vulnerable kids, kids who are non-verbal. They're getting them verbal so that they can read or teaching them skills so that they can communicate, um, their jobs go far beyond just the regular speech. …
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Rep. Koford said the fiscal note was reduced but remains somewhat high, and she hopes it can be funded.
▶ Watch at 58:17Read what they said
Does. I did wanna mention that we worked really hard to get the fiscal note down. Um, and it's, it's still a little on the high side, but we're hoping we can get that funded.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Explains that the second substitute removes a disclosure requirement that was burdensome for community partners, with that step moved earlier in the process.
▶ Watch at 40:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro motion to adopt. Second sub Motion is to adopt second sub house bill 4 22. That's in order. Would you like to speak to it? Uh, the second sub just makes some changes that were discussed in committee about disclosures and, um, it was a little burdensome for some of our partners in the community, so we struck that, that part of it, and it's being done earlier in the process. So it was, it's a good change.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Says the second substitute removes a disclosure provision discussed in committee that had been burdensome for some community partners.
▶ Watch at 40:15Read what they said
Uh, the second sub just makes some changes that were discussed in committee about disclosures and, um, it was a little burdensome for some of our partners in the community, so we struck that, that part of it, and it's being done earlier in the process. So it was, it's a good change.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Says the bill adds transparency to public infrastructure districts by refining governance, dissolution, annexation and withdrawal processes, and tightening disclosures so home buyers learn about them early.
▶ Watch at 40:51Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro temp colleagues. This bill is about transparency in our public infrastructure districts. Earlier, earlier, earlier this year, I was approached by a number of constituents who had some concerns about our public infrastructure district funding. And, um, working with many stakeholders, we found that there were some gaps. And so what this bill does is it refines some of the government governance of PIs, um, the dissolution process and annexation and withdrawal process. It tightens up disclosures and some transparency issues. Um, fundamentally we feel like people who are purchasing a home in a PI should know about that. And this bill ensures that they know early on in the process as they're purchasing a …
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Says the bill adds transparency to public infrastructure districts by refining governance, dissolution, annexation and withdrawal processes, and tightening disclosures so home buyers learn about a district early in the purchase.
▶ Watch at 40:51Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro temp colleagues. This bill is about transparency in our public infrastructure districts. Earlier, earlier, earlier this year, I was approached by a number of constituents who had some concerns about our public infrastructure district funding. And, um, working with many stakeholders, we found that there were some gaps. And so what this bill does is it refines some of the government governance of PIs, um, the dissolution process and annexation and withdrawal process. It tightens up disclosures and some transparency issues. Um, fundamentally we feel like people who are purchasing a home in a PI should know about that. And this bill ensures that they know early on in the process as they're purchasing a …
H.B. 533 Groundwater Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moved to hold the bill and spoke in support of an interim study on groundwater recharge.
▶ Watch at 1:10:55Read what they said
Yes, I would move that we hold the bill. Um, and I'd like to speak to that, if that's, go ahead. All right. I, I agree with everything that that's been said. I don't wanna belabor the point. Um, groundwater is, I think, a critical thing that we need to know and understand. I would love to see this as an interim study and, and be involved in those kinds of conversations. The recharge is important, how that affects everything. And, and some of our aquifers are starting to collapse around the state. So why is that? And what's happening? And, and this is just critical. So I appreciate the representative for bringing this to our, to the forefront today.
H.B. 536 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked whether the full fine amount goes into the new fund and where the fine sliding scale is defined.
▶ Watch at 1:19:17Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of quick questions, if I may. Um, go ahead. Is a hundred percent of the fine going into this new fund? And, and what do those fines look like and what's the sliding scale? I, I imagine it may be a sliding scale depending on the severity of the, of the crime, but just out of curiosity, where is that defined?
H.B. 536 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked for historical information on how much has been collected from such fines.
▶ Watch at 1:20:37Read what they said
Do you have any historical information on how much has been collected in the past
H.B. 536 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Said some damaged sites may not be restorable and that protecting these resources is critical; called on Representative Arthur.
▶ Watch at 1:21:00Read what they said
Coleford. I, oh, excuse me, Mr. Chairman. I was just gonna say, I, I'm sure some of these places are not gonna be able to be restored. I mean, you see what happened in, uh, uh, what's the area where they, the, where the hoodoos were and they knocked rocks off. I mean, you, you're not gonna be able to restore that probably. But thi this is really critical. I think we need to protect our, our, our things. I appreciate that. Um, representative Arthur,
H.B. 546 Public Lands Duty of Care Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asks why the mapping is needed when it is not already being done, and Ivory's answer describes the gaps and forest health concerns along the Wasatch Front.
▶ Watch at 1:59:42Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just, sorry, just a, a couple of quick questions. I dunno why I've lost my voice this morning. All of a sudden, um, you're talking about mapping, is this mapping not already being done? What are the gaps, why? Yeah. And what's the difference between what we have currently or if we have anything currently to what you're proposing and just trying to get a handle on it? Yeah, right. So these jurisdictional categories, this is something that we're just learning. And in fact, this updated study we just got in June. And so now that we understand that this federal study is still good and valid, now we want to map the lands according to …
H.B. 546 Public Lands Duty of Care Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the bill and says it is about management, mapping, and understanding the state's federalism duties.
▶ Watch at 2:23:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 5 46. Okay. That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it? I Would, um, I really appreciate the work that's happened on the Federalism Commission and the work of Representative Ivory and his and, and everything that's happened there. This is really about structure. It's not about politics, it's about management. And in large part, I think it's fascinating because the state worked hand in, in glove with the federal government already on the management of our, of our federal lands. I understand that there's a lot of fear about what this may or may not do, but, but I see this bill as …
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Opposes the bill, citing declining smoking rates, concerns about the tax burden on families, and out-of-state and black-market purchasing.
▶ Watch at 2:38:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, colleagues, at the beginning of this session, both the House majority and the House minority Caucus identified their number one priority, and it was affordability. I would submit to you that that priority didn't come with an asterisk. Rather, it came with a focus to look for ways to lower taxes and to lower the burden on our families. Mr. Speaker, this bill unfairly targets a very small minority of people in our state. I'm not a fan of smoking, and I I would love to see everybody in the state quit, but the reality is, is that our smoking rates have been declining over the last several years. In fact, since ni since 2022, …
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying smoking rates are declining and higher taxes in other states have pushed sales out of state and to black markets.
▶ Watch at 2:38:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, colleagues, at the beginning of this session, both the House majority and the House minority Caucus identified their number one priority, and it was affordability. I would submit to you that that priority didn't come with an asterisk. Rather, it came with a focus to look for ways to lower taxes and to lower the burden on our families. Mr. Speaker, this bill unfairly targets a very small minority of people in our state. I'm not a fan of smoking, and I I would love to see everybody in the state quit, but the reality is, is that our smoking rates have been declining over the last several years. In fact, since ni since 2022, …
H.B. 124 Veteran Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains that HB 124 would let veterans with a permanent disability keep their property tax exemption without recertifying every year, noting some counties currently require yearly recertification.
▶ Watch at 15:22Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This is a very simple bill colleagues. What it does is it, um, allows a veteran who has a permanent disability to keep that exemption on their property taxes every year without having to recertify. Currently we have a few counties that require recertification. Cofer, can I get a hand representative? Can we bring down the volume please? Currently, we have many counties that require disabled veterans to recertify every year. If you have a disability, that can be a pretty big burden. So this just alleviates that. And I That concludes my presentation, Mr. Speaker.
S.B. 112 Utah Exemptions Act Modifications · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Rep. Koford moved that the committee favorably recommend the second substitute of the bill.
▶ Watch at 49:12Read what they said
Thank you. Okay. I would move that we favorably recommend SB one 12 second substitute Utah Ex Exemptions Act modifications. That's a helpful, Oh, say that three times really fast. Just kidding. Thank you. Kidding. Okay.
S.B. 112 Utah Exemptions Act Modifications · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Rep. Koford placed the motion to pass the second substitute of the bill out with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 49:55Read what they said
Uh, I'll place the motion to pass out SB one 12 second substitute Utah Exemptions Act modifications with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 515 Graduate Student Supplemental Loans · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asks where the loan fund money would come from, how the fund would be controlled and what rate it would charge, and reads the fiscal note on swept unspent funds at degree-granting institutions.
▶ Watch at 53:19Read what they said
Um, so just to make sure I understand the program, so, so where's the, where's the money coming from then? What, uh, fund is that? So it would be the, the, the fund itself for the program. Let me just, I was looking at the fiscal note there. Um, pulls out, um, unspent funding at us, yet Yui that had, that they have at the end of the year. And so it puts it into a evolving loan fund, so it becomes self perpetuating. So For the principal of the loan fund, Yeah, I was looking at that and it looked like it brought in millions of dollars from all the school, like millions. Um, it could, but we're giving …
H.B. 515 Graduate Student Supplemental Loans · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moves a substitute motion to hold the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:00:46Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a substitute motion that we hold the bill.
H.B. 515 Graduate Student Supplemental Loans · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says the institutions of higher education have not been part of the conversation and recommends holding the bill to get them involved.
▶ Watch at 1:00:53Read what they said
And I, I appreciate that. What you're trying to do and the reasons why. Um, my concern is that if you, she hasn't been to the table and our institutions of higher learning have not been to the table, and we're going to co-opt their funding, I just think that they need to be part of the conversation. The bill sponsor acknowledged that the bill would come a little bit faster than she'd wanted it to. So my recommendation is that we just hang onto it and get some other people to the table to talk about it.
H.B. 484 Property Tax Changes · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked whether a 5% cap would incentivize local governments to take the full increase every year, noting neighboring states with similar caps are struggling.
▶ Watch at 1:18:48Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I so appreciate what you're trying to do. I hear about property taxes on repeat, and I know that I've shared this, that on many, in many places, in many times, I have in my district, people whose property taxes over the last five years have, have gone up an astronomical amount. These are you, these are, are homes in South Ogden and Washington Terrace, where the home values have just skyrocketed. And their, and their property taxes have kept up and largely because of the increase in the rate on the, on the local level. Um, my question and my, my, my question is, if we, if we tell cities and municipalities that they're …
H.B. 484 Property Tax Changes · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked him to explain why a revenue cap affects bond ratings.
▶ Watch at 1:27:06Read what they said
Okay. Thank you. Chris, I was just hoping maybe you could explain just in a little more detail how and why that impacts the bonding. What, what's that correlation or why does that happen?
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Presents HB 177, which would extend in-state tuition to ROTC cadets, saying it is a simple bill that recruits students and supports future military service.
▶ Watch at 2:12:19Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Welcome to Our committee. Thank you so much. So, um, house Bill 1 77 is a fairly simple bill. And just for a little bit of background, um, for over the last couple of years, we've extended in-state tuition to our active duty military members, to their spouses, and also to DOD employees. Um, I had a, a, a friend and a constituent who works at Weber State, who's over their ROTC program. And he reached out wondering if we could extend in-state tuition to our ROTC cadets. Um, the university would use this both as a recruiting tool and as an effort to help some of our, um, new cadets in the ROTC program. So …
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says an amendment was adopted in committee and that a second amendment may be needed to correct a grammatical error.
▶ Watch at 2:13:22Read what they said
Um, Yes, but I believe that it was adopted in committee. Okay. Amendment two. Okay. Uh, there may be a second amendment because there was a, in an institutional it looks like there was a, a grammatical correction. Yes. Okay. Sorry, it's been a minute since I looked at this call.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Offers to explain why the eligibility language was included.
▶ Watch at 2:14:23Read what they said
I can expand on the reason why that language was included, if you'd like me to.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Answers that a student would have to enroll as an ROTC cadet and meet program requirements.
▶ Watch at 2:15:31Read what they said
Um, I mean, they would have to enroll as an ROTC cadet, and then there are some requirements that they would have to meet to be that, to be in the program and to be a cadet. Um, yes,
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · Senate Education Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says students who join ROTC do so intentionally as a path to service, that the program is successful, and that other states offer similar tuition benefits.
▶ Watch at 2:15:46Read what they said
For them to enroll in the military. Right, Right. But what we're finding is that the students that commit to ROTC or doing that intentionally, I don't think that they would be doing that to get a, they're doing it because they want to be in the ROTC program. They see that as a path to their future. Having been to several of the commissioning ceremonies at Weaver State, it's a great program. This just gives, um, the program some opportunities to recruit to some of our neighboring states. It's been really successful in other states. Arizona does this. Texas does this. Um, I think Missouri is one of the other states that also offer in-state tuition. It, it's just …
H.B. 125 Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Koford said she has taken the course several times, that it includes a quiz, and that she appreciated the exemption for non-motorized paddle boards.
▶ Watch at 32:48Read what they said
Well, only because my name's been used in so many, um, sentences this morning, and it's early. I have taken the course a number of times, actually. And there is a quiz. You have to answer those questions, right? Oh, okay. In order to get your sticker. So just wanna clarify that there, it's not just a random, I mean, there, there's, there's some accountability. So I appreciate it. It's a good reminder every year about in the AC species and I know we're trying to keep them in Lake Powell, so appreciate it. Yeah. Thank you for Clarifying my, but I'm also grateful that I don't have to do that for my blowup paddle board because that's silliness. So …
H.B. 125 Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Koford moved to adopt Amendment #2 to HB 125.
▶ Watch at 33:59Read what they said
Apparently my mic is still on so we need to move amendment. I'm sorry. Is it two? Two? And of course I've forgotten the bill member already. 1 25. Um, I make a motion that we move First Amendment house Bill. 1 25 Second Amendment right. Second Amendment house. Bill, why You said two? I'm telling you, is it eight o'clock this morning? It's, It's early. It's it's early leave for my boat driver. I'll try right now. I would not be by driving a boat this morning. Mr. Chair. I'd like to fix that ahead. I'd move ahead. Two for house Bill 1 25.
H.B. 125 Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Koford moved to pass HB 125 as amended with a favorable recommendation and thanked the sponsors.
▶ Watch at 34:49Read what they said
Gonna do a little better this time. Mr. Chair, I'd like to move house bill 1 25 as amended with a favorable recommendation. And that motion's in order. Would you like to speak to? No, I appreciate the sponsors. Good work on it.
H.B. 512 Land Surveyors Licensing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moved to place H.B. 512 on the Consent Calendar.
▶ Watch at 45:52Read what they said
I was going to ask if it would be appropriate to place this on the consent calendar and to make that motion
H.B. 341 Animal Fighting Penalties · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says her family owns a pit bull and that breeding dogs for fighting is a serious problem.
▶ Watch at 1:02:01Read what they said
Just in my defense, it's a good thing I have brothers, older brothers and have a sense of humor. So, um, and I appreciate this, appreciate this. Um, bill, actually, I, we own a pit bull and adopted him, and he is the sweetest, kindest dog on the planet. So I, I know that this is a problem when you're, you're breeding dogs to do this. It's a terrible, terrible thing. So thank
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks about the cooperative agreement with the Forest Service in the bill's last section and the fiscal note's cost of a few million dollars.
▶ Watch at 45:04Read what they said
Yeah, I'm just looking at, at the bill down on, in the last section lines 5 25, it talks about the cooperative agreement for Forest Service Management. It looks like that there's a transfer or matchup money. So this is not just the retirement and the fiscal note says something about this portion could cost the state a few million dollars. Can you just speak to that change?
H.B. 124 Veteran Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Sponsor says the bill would direct counties to accept a one-time application for disabled veterans' property tax exemptions instead of yearly applications.
▶ Watch at 53:17Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. What this bill does is it, um, instructs counties that if you have a veteran who is disabled, they only need to apply once for their disability exemption for property taxes. Currently, we have a few counties that are, um, requiring that, uh, that application to happen year after year after year. And if you're, if you're disabled and have a permanent disability, that disability is not going away. So in an effort to make things a little bit easier for some of our disabled veterans, um, I had some people ask me if we would consider putting this in line with some of the other, um, disabled exemptions and, and services that we provide just …
H.B. 15 Medicaid Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Koford asked whether there was a substitute bill, and was told the substitute had been handled in rules.
▶ Watch at 1:13:55Read what they said
Is, I'm sorry, is there, is there a sub or were Nope, it was sub in rules. It was Something rules.
H.B. 15 Medicaid Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Koford moved to pass HB 15 second substitute out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:14:00Read what they said
So I would like a motion, make a motion that we approve HB one 15 second sub, Uh, HB 15 Oh h HP 15, sorry, second sub. There were a lot of ones there with a payroll recommendation.
H.B. 575 Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 575 as substituted.
▶ Watch at 1:44:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 5 75 as substituted First sub. First
H.B. 575 Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Supports the bill, saying tax cuts for Utahns are good policy.
▶ Watch at 1:44:16Read what they said
Yes, I would actually. Um, I know that the good sponsor has been working really long on this, and anytime we can provide a tax cut to the people of Utah, Utah, I think that's a good policy. So I support this wholeheartedly.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Introduced HB 422, which clarifies PID governance, dissolution, annexation, withdrawal and disclosure rules, and described a floor amendment requiring public disclosures website posting instead of entity websites.
▶ Watch at 1:52:17Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. It's a pleasure to be back in clinical subs for a minute. I haven't been here since interim. So, um, just really quickly, hb um, I've got the wrong one up. Give me just a second. HB 4 22 came about after some meetings with our state auditor who brought up some concerns about PIDs. And after meeting with several, um, different stakeholders including, um, Ben Hart, who's the director of in LA Port, um, UAC and many others, we decided that there were some gaps in the PID legislation that we could try to close to improve transparency and accountability for public infrastructure districts. So what the bill does is it define fins, the …
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Explained that PID information appears in preliminary and final title reports and in seller disclosures during the diligence period, and that realtor groups are considering more visible listing disclosures.
▶ Watch at 1:55:23Read what they said
So, a couple of things. Currently it's part of a, a preliminary title report and a final title report. So usually your preliminary report is pulled before, during the disclosure period, and that portion would be disclosed to the buyer. Uh, additionally, the Utah, um, realtors require that this is part of the seller's disclosures, and there's some language in the bill that that does require, that it's part of the seller's disclosures up front. So that would be disclosed during the diligence period as well. Typically during diligence is when a buyer can make that decision, whether they pull out without any kind of financial, um, hit to them while they're making the offer. So the idea was to …
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the bill does not require stating the exact amount, only that the property is in a PID, with further steps for buyers to learn the amount.
▶ Watch at 1:56:38Read what they said
But the amount is, I don't think that we specify that they need to just, um, disclose exactly what the amount is, but that it, the property isn't a pi. And then there would be some, some more steps as a buyer that you would need to take to identify what that financial piece of that looks like. So just, just making it part of the regular upfront diligence period is what the goal was.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the bill requires dissolution within 180 days after debt is paid and that bond payments are on fixed schedules.
▶ Watch at 1:58:08Read what they said
That's a really good question. I think the intent is to make sure that once that debt is paid off, they have 180 days and then it must be dissolved, right? Mm-hmm. And that's the notice period. Yes, it's easy to hang onto debt, but if you're looking at a bond, there's specific payments that have to be made on a deadline. You there, it's usually time certain when that payment, when that final payment is being made.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the bill may not fully solve the long-term financing question, but that oversight is the goal.
▶ Watch at 1:58:42Read what they said
I think it's just something we're getting to watch. I mean, I don't know that your bill can solve it for today, but I'm not sure either, because these are long term, you know, financing instruments.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Noted that PID bonds are often 30-year instruments and that the bill aims to provide oversight.
▶ Watch at 1:58:51Read what they said
Because it's usually a 30 year bond that's been taken out. So it's definitely something worth watching and, and, and monitoring. And I think that's part of, of what we're trying to do, is to make sure that there's some oversight.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said she is open to the change after talks with stakeholders and will work on smaller disclosure clarifications.
▶ Watch at 2:05:01Read what they said
I'm actually, um, open to that. We were, I, I had a conversation last night with some of the, um, some of our stakeholders in the real estate world and understand that this is a little heavy handed and that there, like I said, when it shows up in the preliminary tile report, as the good representative said, and with some of the commitments from the Utah Real Estate Association, the MLS listing to highlight that the disclosures to even make it more visible, I'm okay with making this change and working through to see if there are maybe some smaller changes we can make to clarify the disclosures.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Commented on the parliamentary correction. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:06:21Read what they said
Always good to have a parliamentarian in the room to correct us. I appreciate it.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said she is comfortable with removing that part and committed to fixing it later.
▶ Watch at 2:07:15Read what they said
I'm, I'm good with that. I, you have my full commitment to work on that and I'd rather do, I'd rather have it in a place that we're comfortable with to move it out.
H.B. 348 Dedicated Water Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Koford presents H.B. 348, which creates a dedicated water application process to prioritize delivering water to the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River projects, with agricultural safeguards, state water engineer oversight and reporting, and no new funding.
▶ Watch at 1:15:30Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, this bill actually creates a new process to deliver water to some certain very, some very, very important projects and areas. Mainly the Great Salt Lake and the Colorado River projects. Um, it creates a dedicated water application which prioritizes the application. It makes it, um, it keeps it with its underlying right, but it jumps it to the front of the line. So these water rights can actually be dedicated for instream flows where we want them to go. There's some agricultural safeguards in the bill and, um, oversight and reporting with the state water engineer. There's no new funding in the bill. Basically, colleagues, what this bill does is it allows us to …
H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Presents H.B. 410 as a voluntary, market-driven, temporary water leasing program to deliver water to the Great Salt Lake, says agriculture has praised it, and opens the floor to questions.
▶ Watch at 1:17:53Read what they said
you Mr. Speaker, colleagues. This is the second of my great Salt Lake bills for this session. This bill is a water leasing bill. It stands up the, the leasing program, which is voluntary market driven and temporary mainly to deliver water to the Great Salt Lake. Um, I'm happy to report that the bill has been widely and broadly praised by agriculture. They're excited about the bill and the way that it allows them to look at their water differently as a commodity, something that they can deliver to the lake on a split season, on a temporary basis when they need it, they can react quickly to market pressures and market needs, and they can help us actually …
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Rep. Koford made a substitute motion to hold the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:01:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a substitute motion that we hold the bill.
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Rep. Koford said the proposed tax is too high compared to neighboring states, stakeholders have not yet been at the table, and she wants the bill back after more work.
▶ Watch at 2:01:06Read what they said
like to speak to that? I would, I appreciate this sponsor and what you're trying to do, and I appreciate that you're willing to work on this. Um, one thing that's been said over and over is that we need to do the work in committee. And, and I think that the tax that you're proposing is simply too high. I don't think it's in line with other states, um, or our neighboring states. And I'd like to see it back before this committee so that we can discuss the policy. Um, there were a number of people that asked to be at the table, and it sounds like that hasn't happened yet. So while I appreciate the need to …
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Rep. Koford said she would like to discuss both the pouch rate and the $2 cigarette increase, which she considers too high, and that the bill is not ready.
▶ Watch at 2:04:35Read what they said
I, I was actually trying to be sensitive since it's a holiday weekend and a Friday. And yes, I would love to have that discussion about the rate and also the additional $2 per pack tax on, on cigarettes. I think that's really high. I just think that there's more that needs to be discussed and put into the bill. I appreciate that the sponsor is willing to do that. Um, again, I go back to, we have always said, let's do the working committee and let's not pass bills that we think are are not ready out. And I don't think this is ready. I think it has work to do.
H.B. 365 Taxation Notification Requirements · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Spoke against the motion to hold and said the bill should move forward so citizens get notice sooner.
▶ Watch at 2:41:44Read what they said
Yes. Mr. Chair? Um, I would just like to speak, um, against the motion to hold. I think that the good sponsors, I think he's right. I think he, I think that if we want our citizens to be able to participate sooner, then they need more notice. And I would like to see the bill move forward. So I would resist the motion to hold.
S.B. 66 Medical Cannabis Pharmacy License Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moved that the committee favorably recommend SB 66.
▶ Watch at 52:31Read what they said
It's Oh, fer. Sorry. That's okay. We're close. Yeah. Thank you Mr. Chair. I move that we favorably recommend SSB 66
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks for clarification on the tax rate, which is 5% for shorter terms and 10% for longer-term sales.
▶ Watch at 1:54:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to clarify, you said that it, you changed it to a 5% tax, which I see on line 4 47, but on lines 4 49, it says that it's a 10% tax on certain sales.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks why only part of the proceeds go to the litigation fund and the rest to a rural college.
▶ Watch at 1:55:55Read what they said
Okay. And then just a little clarification, you're creating this carbon tax litigation fund, but only 5% of the proceeds are growing there and the other 5% are going to a degree granting institution in a rural county. What's your intention with that?
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Thanks the presenter and raises a procedural point about questioning the committee.
▶ Watch at 1:56:46Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. And I just needed to make a quick point of order, um, just to the presenter. Um, it is not appropriate for you to ask a question of the committee in, in the questioning, So withdrawn.
H.B. 490 Water Optimization Reporting Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moved to proceed to the next agenda item.
▶ Watch at 1:14:16Read what they said
Um, I, I'd like to make a motion that we move to the next agenda item
H.B. 490 Water Optimization Reporting Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Spoke to the motion, saying the issue is important and that getting the data right matters.
▶ Watch at 1:14:23Read what they said
Yes. I appreciate what you're trying to do in, in Weber County. Uh, we've just crossed the threshold where there's more m and I use in water than agriculture. So this is really important. And I think studying it and, and making sure we get the data right is important. Thank you for your work.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Explains that the substitute narrows the bill to speech-language pathologists and technicians after a large fiscal note swept in other educational professionals.
▶ Watch at 1:09:16Read what they said
Yes, Mr. Speaker. We had a fairly large fiscal note on the bill because it was sweeping in some other educational professionals that, um, between the drafter and I, we didn't think were being swept into the policy. And so this just clarifies that the focus of this bill is for speech language pathologists and technicians.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says the fiscal note was large because the bill swept in other educational professionals, and the substitute clarifies that it focuses on speech-language pathologists and technicians.
▶ Watch at 1:09:16Read what they said
Yes, Mr. Speaker. We had a fairly large fiscal note on the bill because it was sweeping in some other educational professionals that, um, between the drafter and I, we didn't think were being swept into the policy. And so this just clarifies that the focus of this bill is for speech language pathologists and technicians.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says the bill restores supplemental income for school speech-language pathologists and technicians for classroom supplies, which they could access before a policy change two years ago, and describes their caseloads and work with students.
▶ Watch at 1:10:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, as I mentioned, this bill extends some supplemental funding to our speech language pathologists and technicians in the school colleagues. These very important teachers are in fact, teachers. They have classrooms. They often have a caseload of between 60 and 90 students, depending on the elementary school or the school where they're serving. They're doing critical and important work with our language learners and with our, well with our young, our, our students as they learn to read and speak and often communicate. Um, so what this bill does is it just gives them the opportunity to access the supplemental income for classroom supplies. For many years, our speech language pathologists were able to do …
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says the bill restores access for speech-language pathologists and technicians to supplemental income for classroom supplies, which they could use for years before a policy change two years ago, and urges support.
▶ Watch at 1:10:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, as I mentioned, this bill extends some supplemental funding to our speech language pathologists and technicians in the school colleagues. These very important teachers are in fact, teachers. They have classrooms. They often have a caseload of between 60 and 90 students, depending on the elementary school or the school where they're serving. They're doing critical and important work with our language learners and with our, well with our young, our, our students as they learn to read and speak and often communicate. Um, so what this bill does is it just gives them the opportunity to access the supplemental income for classroom supplies. For many years, our speech language pathologists were able to do …
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Gives closing remarks that speech-language pathologists help students learn speech sounds and urges support for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:12:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Oftentimes we think of speech language pathologists as the magicians that help our teacher, our students learn their gus sounds or their K sounds or their R sounds. My, I had two of those kids in my family, but they do so much more and I'm, I just urge your support of the important work that they're doing. Thank you.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says speech-language pathologists help students learn speech sounds and do important work, and urges support for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:12:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Oftentimes we think of speech language pathologists as the magicians that help our teacher, our students learn their gus sounds or their K sounds or their R sounds. My, I had two of those kids in my family, but they do so much more and I'm, I just urge your support of the important work that they're doing. Thank you.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says the bill extends in-state tuition to ROTC cadets, following a constituent's request and the university's support, and is open to questions.
▶ Watch at 1:13:41Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, colleagues, this bill came to me from, um, a constituent at Weaver State University. He's the advisor for the ROTC program. And in recent years, as part of our recognition for the great support that our military and our defense families provide to our state, we've extended outta state tuition to those families. What we noticed and what my good college, what my good constituent at we were state noticed is that we weren't giving in state tuition to our ROTC cadets. This bill has the support of YI and obviously the support of my university Weber State to extend in-state tuition to our ROTC cadets. And that's simply what the bill does. With that, …
S.B. 101 Specialized Product Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asks whether the bill only addresses tax and registration consequences rather than the products themselves.
▶ Watch at 1:11:35Read what they said
I just wanna clarify, so this bill is really just looking at tax consequences, registration consequences, not the products necessarily themselves nor detailing any of that.
S.B. 101 Specialized Product Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asks Rep. Dailey-Provost whether the fee was negotiated with the industry.
▶ Watch at 1:13:54Read what they said
So I, I do wanna ask a, a question Representative Dailey-Provost. Um, so when I know you said you, you negotiated the fee, right?
S.B. 101 Specialized Product Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asks what the downside would be of amending the bill to increase the penalty, noting the cannabis fine is $5,000.
▶ Watch at 1:14:21Read what they said
Because, you know, kind of piggybacking with Representative Kyle, I mean, and what we just heard from testimony, I don't know if they did that just simply because, you know, on, uh, cannabis products it's five grand and so hey, why not keep it the same? Yeah. Consistency. I don't if that was Yeah. But I, I do agree with that argument, right? That if it's doing more harm mm-hmm. There probably ought to be a, a bigger penalty. So what's the, what's the downside if we said, Hey, should we amend this thing and, and increase the penalty? I mean, you you, you tell me because I wasn't in on your conversations.
S.B. 91 Motor Vehicle Registration Services Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asked where the ongoing operations and maintenance costs for the Cache County building would come from.
▶ Watch at 1:32:41Read what they said
Thank you. So I see the 500,001 time. What, where is the o and m coming from for ongoing costs for the buildings
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asked how the bill would increase the supply of childcare.
▶ Watch at 1:57:36Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I appreciate what you're trying to do with this policy and trying to solve a problem, which is probably very real for our young families. How does this increase supply of childcare?
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asked about federal uptake of similar programs and whether other states have them.
▶ Watch at 1:58:32Read what they said
So if I may, a couple other questions. Sure. Yeah. So federally, what kind of uptake does this program have nationwide? Are people or are businesses lining up to, to participate in programs like this on the federal level? And are other states doing something like this?
S.B. 46 Water Wise Landscaping Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Moves that SB 46 be passed out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:16:23Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like to move that we pass out with a favorable recommendation, SB 46 waterwise L Landscaping Amendments.
H.B. 348 Dedicated Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Presents HB 348, which creates a dedicated water application process for instream flows and Colorado River projects without changing the underlying water rights, and introduces Teresa Wilhelmsen to add detail.
▶ Watch at 1:36:20Read what they said
Yes, sir. I will. Thank you. And I have with me Theresa Wilhelmson, our state water engineer. Um, just to note, this bill was presented in the Utah Water Task Force and received a unanimous, um, recommendation. And I'm really excited to be able to present this bill. It's the, it's the culmination of several months of work on a number of bills to try to deliver water to Great Salt Lake. This bill creates a new type of water use approval, a new process called Dedicated Water Applications, um, that will be used for instream flows on sovereign lands, the Great Salt Lake. And in the Colorado River projects, it will protect the underlying water right. And agriculture rights. …
H.B. 348 Dedicated Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Thanks colleagues and the state engineer and says the bill was the result of many people's work.
▶ Watch at 1:56:52Read what they said
I, I appreciate all the great comments. I wish I could take credit for everything that happened in this bill, but it was a culmination of a lot of people, a lot of effort, a lot of work, and wouldn't have happened without really the leadership of our state water engineers. So I'm just grateful to be here and be the sponsor.
H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Thanks supporters and invites her backup to speak. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:58:13Read what they said
Thank you all. Thank you for the support. I'm going to thank you. Invite my backup.
H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Presents HB 410, which creates a statewide water leasing program for agricultural water to benefit the Great Salt Lake, with a Great Salt Lake Preservation Fund, a governing board, measurement and reporting, and a 2030 sunset.
▶ Watch at 1:58:19Read what they said
Um, HB four 10 water leasing agreements creates a statewide water program or program to lease water, primarily Ag water for the benefit of Great Salt Lake and also streamline streamlines the process statewide. Um, it provides funding, oversight and enforcement. It creates the great Salt Lake Preservation Fund, um, and does have a $5 million fiscal note. It establishes a new governing board. It protects wa leased water in transit, ensuring that it actually gets to the lake and removes any barriers, um, at the direction of our state water engineer. It also streamlines the process and provides some agriculture safeguards, um, with no more than two or five years of on the same field being able to be …
S.B. 22 Minor Driving Hours Amendments · House floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Presents S.B. 22, which clarifies that for a teen driver with a learner's permit, a parent includes a stepparent or foster parent, to address ambiguity in the code, and opens it to questions.
▶ Watch at 43:58Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This bill simply clarifies that for a teen driver with a learner's permit, their parent is defined as a parent, stepparent or foster parent. So we had a little bit of, um, ambiguity in the code. Wanted to open it up to all parents. And with that Mr. Speaker, I'm open to questions.
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Moved to adopt the second substitute of H.B. 325.
▶ Watch at 27:31Read what they said
Representative Koford, Have we, there's a sub that needs to be adopted, right? Second sub, um, I move that we adopt second sub HB 3 25. That's in order. Um, would you like to speak to that?
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend H.B. 325 second substitute.
▶ Watch at 28:17Read what they said
I would be happy to. I I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 3 25 second sub.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Presented HB 150, which restores classroom materials funding for school-based speech-language pathologists who are classroom teachers, and introduced guest Sarah Cox.
▶ Watch at 1:29:15Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair and members of the committee. And thank you. If you wouldn't mind introducing your guest. Yes, I will. This is with me is Sarah Cox. She is a speech pathologist from the Weber County School District. Has been in the school's teaching for 24 years. I'm grateful to have her here to maybe answer if you have technical questions. So, HB one 50 is a fairly straightforward bill. What it does is cleans up a little bit of the language, um, surrounding who a teacher is and provides funding that we have provided actually for years that was taken away from our speech, our speech therapists, who are also classroom teachers. Um, and it restores the …
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Thanked Sarah Cox and shared a personal anecdote about speech therapy with children.
▶ Watch at 1:32:16Read what they said
Thank you Sarah. Sarah, I appreciate that. Um, on a personal note, I had two of my kiddos that, um, while their speech impediments were adorable, dcy tofu and, um, I won't talk about Alex and his loves for kitties because he couldn't say his cuss sound. It came out as a tough sound. So I don't know that that would be appropriate in our committee, but it was adorable.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Urged committee support for the bill and opened the floor to questions.
▶ Watch at 1:32:40Read what they said
Um, I know firsthand the great work that these professionals do in our school and I would ask for the committee support With that, I'm open for questions.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said the eligibility change was limited to speech-language pathologists and technicians.
▶ Watch at 1:33:25Read what they said
My understanding in speaking with my drafter is that, um, we expanded it specifically to speech language pathologists and technicians only. There. I I think that there are probably other educators that would like to participate in this, but we have narrowed it to that.
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Explained that the removal of the word teacher is a drafting cleanup and that the fiscal note came from the analyst.
▶ Watch at 1:35:36Read what they said
I don't, that's just the fiscal note that our analyst put on it. I did reach out for some que with some questions I haven't heard back in terms of eligible teacher. I think you're looking at the, at section one. Mm-hmm. Where it says an eligible teacher gives the definition and then that entire subsection, 1, 2, 3, um, refers back to what an eligible teacher is. It's just removing the word teacher right there to not, I believe not be redundant. It's referring to the individual, not a teacher. But that individual's definition is that in section A of that, which is the eligible teacher means a teacher licensed educational professional, professional, including a speech language pathologist or …
H.B. 150 School-based Speech-language Pathologist Funding Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said she is seeking help from the fiscal analyst on the funding bucket that has not increased and urged support for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:54:00Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And there are a couple things that I'm clarifying. Um, my understanding is that this, this bucket of money has remained the same for years and, and has not increased even though we decreased the people who qualified for the funding. Um, so I am reaching out to the fiscal analyst to see if we can work on that. I, I realize that this is a tough year to ask for increased funding, but I also understand that that can be part of perhaps the horse trading during appropriations and would encourage you to hopefully support the bill, appreciate the motion, and I don't think I could add anything to what represent the good representative said …
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Presented the bill, which would extend in-state tuition to ROTC cadets from other states who are eligible to enlist, as a recruiting tool for Weber State; said an amendment clarifies the enlistment eligibility requirement.
▶ Watch at 1:57:18Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. This bill is actually a bill that came to me. Um, I serve in at Weber State on the, on their advisory board for the College of Social Sciences and Education. And they have an amazing ROTC program there. I've been to several commissioning ceremonies at the university and in recent years we have extended in instate tuition to DOD civilians, military, and actually even military and I believe DOD spouses. But there has been one segment that's been left out of that. And that is our ROTC cadets. So the university came to me and said, as a recruiting tool, it would be really amazing if we could offer in-state tuition to some of our …
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Explained that the enlistment-eligibility wording is used because cadets differ by year, and described how residency works for students who move to Utah.
▶ Watch at 1:58:41Read what they said
No, we, we wanted them to be eligible to enlist because there are some differences between first and second year and third and fourth year ROTC cadets. So I had someone reach out with a question about legal status of, of potential students and in an effort to make sure that people were eligible to serve. That's why we put that clarification in there. And then under the current system, um, a student that comes to Utah, if they register to be, uh, a resident, so if they switch their driver's license, they get voter, um, the next year they're actually a, a resident student here.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said she does not believe such a requirement exists but would evaluate it.
▶ Watch at 1:59:26Read what they said
I don't believe that there's a requirement to do that, but I would be happy to evaluate that.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said many cadets enlist in their third year, so students could take two years of ROTC and qualify; said a student without legal status would not be eligible to enlist and so would not qualify.
▶ Watch at 2:00:19Read what they said
Yes, yes. And typically those I I can, I can speculate. A lot of kids that enroll in RRTC, that's their path and they, they move forward. I don't have the exact numbers. Most of the, I think signatures happen at a later date when they actually enlist year three. Year three and then year four. Right. So they could do two years of ROTC and still, um, get resident status then, uh, as enlisted or as enrolled at their first two years. So the way the bill is written, they have to be eligible to enlist. So if they didn't have legal status, they would not be eligible to enlist. And that would, that would disqualify someone with illegal …
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said the benefit is a recruiting tool to bring ROTC cadets to Utah programs, and that eligible students would be eligible for the scholarship.
▶ Watch at 2:02:20Read what they said
I, I, I, so the, the benefit is that this can be a recruiting tool with surrounding states to bring ROTC cadets here to our programs. Um, and then in terms of, I'm not sure what she's asking about their par parental state. If they're out of state students, if they're eligible to enlist in the military, which would mean they have legal status, then they would be eligible for the scholarship.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Confirmed that an out-of-state student who enrolls in ROTC would receive in-state tuition, which is the aim of the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:02:54Read what they said
They're, so if an out-of-state resident comes to Utah, enrolls in ROTC, then they would get in-state tuition. Right. That is the full aim of the goal of the bill. Yes.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said the goal is to recognize ROTC cadets as the state recognizes military and DOD members, and that the bill would be a recruiting tool for universities.
▶ Watch at 2:05:12Read what they said
I think the desired outcome is to recognize our ROTC cadets in the same manner that we recognize our military and DOD and those who are willing to serve our country. And we give them an opportunity to get in-state tuition as we do that. A secondary goal would be it, it will be a great recruiting tool for our universities to bring students here to participate both in our OTC where they will let most likely enter the military and continue their education here in Utah.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said her initial reaction is that she does not love the idea but would discuss it further and work toward a compromise.
▶ Watch at 2:06:58Read what they said
My initial reaction is I don't love it, but I would be happy to discuss it further with you and, and work on it to see if we could come to a compromise.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Explained that the amendment clarifies that ROTC cadets must be eligible to enlist in a branch of the military.
▶ Watch at 2:07:44Read what they said
The amendment just clarifies that the, the ROTC cadets must be eligible to enlist in a branch of the military. That's what the amendment does. So it's pretty simple and straightforward.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Thanked the committee and said the bill recognizes ROTC participants and their future service.
▶ Watch at 2:09:31Read what they said
No, I thi I, I appreciate you looking at this. I think it's an important step to, um, recognize the good work of our OTC participants and what they're willing to, to sacrifice in their lives going forward. I appreciate your support. Alright,
H.B. 236 Truth in Taxation Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says the change adds transparency to the process.
▶ Watch at 1:14:03Read what they said
I just wanted to thank the sponsor for her work on this. It's, I think it's an excellent change to a process that could just use a little more transparency and a Tweak that I think will make it better for everyone. Thank you for your work
H.B. 300 School District Taxation Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 300 and says she is grateful for the fix, noting the earlier version was killed in the Natural Resources Committee.
▶ Watch at 1:20:58Read what they said
You, Mr. Chair. You don't have a sub. Right? I would move that we favorably recommend House Bill 300 school district taxation amendments. Would like to speak to that. It was actually on the Natural Resources Committee that killed this, so I am grateful for the fix.
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House floor debate (day 10) · Jan 29, 2026
Presents H.B. 76, which would require data centers to report their water usage to the state water engineer, including a pre-construction report and annual reports, to give the state better data on water use.
▶ Watch at 53:13Read what they said
Thank you so much Mr. Speaker. This bill is fundamental fundamentally about reporting and transparency. It requires an industry that isn't currently reporting up to the state water engineer on their water usage. We were asking for a report pre-construction and then also annual ongoing reports of their water use. I wanna be clear that we have a handful of data centers in the state and some are really good partners and great stewards of their water. They've got some innovative things going in Eagle Mountain where they're reusing their water for outdoor watering. But at the, at the very basic level, we, we just need to have better data and a better handle on how this most valuable resource …
H.B. 37 Used Oil Management Act Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked whether the recycling fee applies to all oil sold statewide and where the fee is imposed.
▶ Watch at 51:45Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Just a quick question. Is this, for the recycling fee on oil sold on all oil sold statewide? Like I, I'm sorry, I'm just misunderstanding maybe. So, uh, at the point of sale for all oil, if you're getting your car changed and they're putting oil in and you're paying for oil, are you paying for it there? Where is, where is the fee imposed? That's what, I'm just trying to understand that I'm doing that. I,
H.B. 93 Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks how large the area is and how its size is measured.
▶ Watch at 1:00:07Read what they said
Sorry, just a quick question. Thank you for the map. I was gonna ask for that. How big is the area out of just outta curiosity? Do you acres or how are you measuring that? Do you remember? I, I love reading all the range and checks, fines and all that.
H.B. 93 Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks whether the state land is surrounded by BLM land.
▶ Watch at 1:00:37Read what they said
Because it is state land. State land, it looks like it's surrounded by all the BLM land. Right?
H.B. 30 Wildlife Management Area Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute as amended and thanks the sponsor for his work on the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:49:16Read what they said
So I would like to make a motion that we adopt substitute one as amended. Okay. That, uh, is in order. Do you wanna speak to it? Just quickly? I wanna thank Representative Shallenberger last session. We all heard a lot about this bill, and when he said he was going to take it up, I told him he was a brave soul. Thank you for your work on this and for bringing so many people to the table to get to what I think is a great consensus. Um, I learned a ton about WMAs, and I'm excited that we're going to have an opportunity to really, hopefully continue to educate the public, so thank you. Thanks.
H.B. 30 Wildlife Management Area Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Begins a motion on the bill and acknowledges the amendment also needs to be adopted.
▶ Watch at 1:50:22Read what they said
Go ahead. I'd like to make a motion that we favorably recommend, um, Per, not, we gotta ask, we got to adopt the amendment too. Oh, didn't I? So I tried to do that all at once.
H.B. 30 Wildlife Management Area Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves to adopt Amendment #1 to the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:50:43Read what they said
So I, it's a little, I know. I got a little more seniority than the rookie crossed the way for me. Okay. Go ahead. I would like, I would like to move that we amend adopt amendment one to house bill 30. Okay.
H.B. 30 Wildlife Management Area Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the first substitute as amended out of committee.
▶ Watch at 1:51:16Read what they said
You. I'm so excited about this. Bill. I'd like to make a motion that we favor favor favorably recommend, um, first substitute, substitute house bill 30 as amended out of the committee.
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Supported the bill, saying it will help deliver water to the Great Salt Lake, and praised the sponsor and state engineer's work.
▶ Watch at 2:26:14Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I was going to ask some questions, but Warren Peterson jumped on and, and took care of a lot of the questions that I was hoping we could clarify and get to. Um, I am working on the Great Salt Lake. It's my number one priority and my number one priority in that space is to deliver water to the lake. I have spent hours working with Theresa on this issue. She is an incredible advocate for what we're trying to do. Um, she wants to streamline this process and make some of the things that we are trying to do work. The biggest barrier that we have, that we have faced and all of …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Presents the substitute version of HB 76, which sets reporting requirements for large data centers' water use, including pre-construction estimates and annual reports compiled into a public report.
▶ Watch at 58:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm happy to be here today. Um, I think that I've got Theresa Wilhelmson here from our, our state water engineer. I think that she is on her way up. Oh, yep. Awesome. So this bill was actually heard by the Legislative Water Development Commission was passed unanimously, um, this summer. In talking about the Great Salt Lake and about an emerging, um, industry that's coming fast and hard into Utah data centers. We discovered that there was a, were some gaps in the information that the state was gathering in terms of, um, water usage and discharge from our data centers. And so, in an effort to focus on reporting and transparency and to kind …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says the goal is reporting and transparency and that she is willing to err on the side of more reporting.
▶ Watch at 1:05:44Read what they said
No, I appreciate that. The point was reporting and transparency and We'll, I'm happy to err on the side of more reporting and more transparency.
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Explains that the 10,000 square foot threshold was chosen because water use is hard to measure and that size corresponds to hyperscale data centers.
▶ Watch at 1:07:50Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you for the question. Um, so part of the challenge in defining large and why it changed is because it's hard to, it's hard to measure. And with the miniaturization of commu computing power, it, it's getting smaller and smaller. So we had, we had aired on 50,000 square feet because in a different part of the code, that's what a large commercial building is considered. But as we started digging into some of the research on the, on what data centers look like in terms of large 10,000 square feet becomes about the size of what they're calling a hyperscale center. There are other measurements, but they're hard to get to. So I went kind of down …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says servers are not being stacked and that the reference is to individual chips.
▶ Watch at 1:09:19Read what they said
Of each? No, it's not stacking, when I talk about stacking and, and computing power that I'm talking about individual chips, no. Okay.
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says the bill does not require data centers to buy water rights before construction, only to estimate their water use, and hands the question to the state engineer.
▶ Watch at 1:12:13Read what they said
Now, I'm gonna let you talk to our state engineer. I did want to clarify one thing though, if I could wa before I forget. Um, Representative Shelley, there, there's no provision in the bill that requires them to buy water rights prior to construction. What we're asking for prior to construction is just an estimate of their water use. It is not regulatory, in my opinion. The bill is not, the bill is about reporting and transparency and really just communicating. And with that, I'll let Theresa answer the question. Yeah.
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says annualized and aggregated data has been ruled not proprietary in court cases, and that data centers can request confidentiality for certain information under rulemaking.
▶ Watch at 1:29:23Read what they said
Yeah, thank you for the question, Mr. Che. So the, in the, in the research that I've done, and some of the court decisions that have been, that have come out in different states, the biggest concern has been monthly data or monthly water consumption. When it's annualized that, that concern drops Dr dramatically, and the court decisions have, have ruled that that's not proprietary information. Um, when I initially started working on the bill, that was a concern. But as we've done, as I've done further research into the issue and, and have watched whether states have done, um, an annualized data consumption report, doesn't seem to be, the courts have ruled that that is not proprietary information, that …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Explains that 10,000 square feet is at the smaller end of hyperscale facilities and that the bill asks data centers to disclose projected water use.
▶ Watch at 1:31:34Read what they said
Can you talk through just the thought process of why you went from 50,000 to 10,000? Absolutely. Thank you for the question. So in doing some research, what I found was that, um, at 10,000 square feet, that's when you enter the hyperscale or what's considered industry wide, a large data center, or actually maybe it's large and then hyperscale. So it is on the smaller end, I guess, of the hyperscale. But it is considered a large data center. Fundamentally, and ultimately, this is an opportunity, I think, for data centers to tell their story. We have, we have data centers who have become good partners. Eagle Mountain testified to that. Um, we're, we're asking for some projected water …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says the intent is transparency and that the legislature would decide any future regulation, and that the bill is meant to keep Utah open for business.
▶ Watch at 1:33:15Read what they said
I guess my response to that would be the legislature decides that, um, that's not the intent of the legislation. The intent is to be open and transparent, and we hold the, the power to make that decision and to decide if we want to become overly burdensome or regulatory. That's not my intention here. Um, I think it's very clear the state is open for business. We're number one for business. We wanna continue being number one for business. We also just want to know how you can be good partners with our, with our resources in the state. That, that's fundamentally at the core of this piece of legislation. I would hope that it could stay in that …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says no reliable water-based metric exists, so the footprint is used because it relates to hyperscale size.
▶ Watch at 1:34:16Read what they said
data centers are pivoting away from being large water consumers. When you look at the NSA data center, or some of our legacy data centers who are actually retrofitting to become more and more water efficient, they're rapidly moving away from being large water consumers. There is concern out there that there are some of these legacy systems out there. So we don't really, to me, a data center's capacity is dependent on their ability, their computing power. And that's even hard to define. So that's why we went with a footprint that in the industry itself, relates back to a hyperscale size. So I'm, I'm, I'm comfortable with the definition if that we have, if that answers your question, …
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Thanks the committee and the motion's maker and expresses appreciation for the favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:36:08Read what they said
Seeing none, we'll go back to the sponsor. Thank you for the time for the conversation, and I appreciate the amendment, um, and appreciate the favorable recommendation. Thank you. And to the maker of the motion, Just thank you for your good work on this and being willing and open to listen to all stakeholders. Appreciate it. Thank you. Okay.
From the official recordings' automatic captions, with speakers and summaries identified by AI. Use the ▶ links to check the recording before you rely on a quote.