Legislators / Verona Mauga
Verona Mauga
Democrat · House District 31
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Verona Mauga
- Email: vmauga@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-573-8279
- Office: 350 N State Street, Suite 350, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114
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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.
Verona Mauga serves on:
- Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
- House Judiciary Committee
- Judiciary Interim Committee
- Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
What they've said
37 remarks on 12 billsH.B. 34 Victim Rights Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Introduces H.B. 34, saying it incorporates lessons learned from implementation, and offers to answer questions.
▶ Watch at 32:03Read what they said
This incorporates lessons learned from implementation. Uh, be happy to answer any questions Mr. President.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend SB 248 and says she supports the bill because access to reliable childcare is a daily concern for parents.
▶ Watch at 1:46:56Read what they said
Can I make a chair or am a motion? Mr. Chair? You may. Okay. I would like to make a motion to favorably recommend SB 2 48 Childcare Expansion Act. That motion is, or would you like to speak to it? Yeah, Just, I support the bill and I appreciate the sponsor bringing it forward. I mean, access to reliable childcare is something that parents face every day, and I think this is a great solution for partnership. Thank you.
H.B. 86 Restricted Person Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Presented HB 86, which would restrict possession of firearms for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or incompetent to stand trial regardless of whether the offense is a felony, to align Utah law with federal law.
▶ Watch at 1:36:51Read what they said
I thank you chair and thank you committee. Uh, you know, this is a bill I actually brought to your committee last year and we passed here, um, but it died on the last night. It's a simple fix to our restricted person's statute right now in Utah. If someone is found guilty, um, not guilty by reason of insanity or found mentally incompetent to stand trial, they are restricted from possessing a firearm, but only if it's a felony. This bill closes that gap and aligns us with federal law. Um, if a court has already determined that someone is insane or not competent to stand trial, this just applies that same standard across the board and that's all …
H.B. 86 Restricted Person Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Gave closing remarks that the bill relies on a robust system for determining incompetence or insanity pleas and includes a clear pathway to restore firearm rights.
▶ Watch at 1:40:11Read what they said
Thank you for your time, Mr. Chair and committee. I, I think just one last point I'll make is that, um, not only do we have a robust, um, system to determine if someone is mentally incompetent or if they're gonna plead insanity, um, but there is also a pathway to receive your, your rights back. And I, I think that's an important note. Um, because sometimes we are, um, sometimes we, there are situations or times in our life where we, we do need additional supports or, or we're incapable of, um, of, of standing trial in our own criminal case. And, um, and then you get better. And so I just wanna point that out that there is …
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Mauga said she would move to concur with the changes the Senate made to the bill.
▶ Watch at 9:37Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'd like to concur with the changes made in the Senate.
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Mauga said the bill addresses animals held in overcrowded shelters after impoundment in criminal cases, and that the Senate changes allow placement with the Humane Society, a family, or a friend, and asked for continued support.
▶ Watch at 9:47Read what they said
Yes, just briefly. Um, this is my animal amendments bill. The issue that we are trying to solve is that once animals are impounded because they are part of a criminal case, um, they are stuck in limbo at our overcrowded shelters. Um, what our friends in the Senate did was they helped me clean this bill up a lot. And so if you look at the old bill and you look at the new sub, um, it just does a very simple thing. It still resolves the issue that we have, but it just makes it so that now there's an opportunity and options for animals to be placed not only in a shelter, but they can go to …
H.B. 183 Sex Designation Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Thanks those who testified, says the substitute is improved but she still has concerns and will vote no.
▶ Watch at 2:36:38Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I also just wanna thank everyone who showed up. Uh, you know, it takes a lot to a lot of courage to come and be vulnerable. I appreciate everything you share today. Um, and I also wanna say to the Bill sponsor, I appreciate the improvements in this substitute. It's remarkably better than where it started under Ripley. Um, but my job is to look at how this affects all people. And, and so when I'm looking at this, I'm thinking about our entire state. I'm thinking about my district and I'm thinking about my trans brother-in-law who lives with me. I still have a lot of concerns in this bill. I think it opens us up …
H.B. 331 Criminal Offenses Modifications · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asks how unlawful road obstruction would be distinguished from people caught in a crosswalk during a protest.
▶ Watch at 1:38:57Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, may I ask a question of the sponsor? Yes, thank you. Okay. I, I totally understand why you're running this bill. It makes sense to me. Um, but there are some things that I do have questions about. How do we distinguish between unlawful road obstruction and a protest where people are trying to follow the guidelines, um, but maybe they get stuck in the crosswalk and we know how it is when there's a lot of people crossing at the same time and the light turns. Um, we may have 50 people or so caught in the middle of the crosswalk. Do they now get a felony?
H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presented HB 172, which moves the food safety manager certification cycle from three to five years to match the national standard and clarifies that licensed food businesses donating food to nonprofit fundraisers do not pay duplicate fees, and asked the co-presenters to introduce themselves.
▶ Watch at 1:26:50Read what they said
Yes, I do. Is it okay, Mr. Chair, if they present with me? Certainly. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair and committee. Um, HB 1 72 Food Safety Amendments is a bill that actually came from a small business owner, um, Chad Pritchard, who is sitting right here. Um, he expressed to me, um, that certifying multiple food safety managers every three years was being costly. As a restaurant owner myself, um, I could totally relate to it. Spoke with other restaurant owners and, um, this was something they were also fill, filling in their pockets. As I looked into this issue, I learned that the certification exam updates every four years, which is why the national standard for this …
H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments · Senate Business and Labor Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the bill addresses a gap in the food safety code and aligns Utah with the national standard.
▶ Watch at 1:32:48Read what they said
Yeah, this just addresses a gap in our food safety code and, and again, it just aligns us with the national standard. Thank you for your time.
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Presented HB 87 to create a court process for judicial review of custody of lawfully impounded animals while criminal cases are pending, saying it keeps due process and does not expand seizure authority.
▶ Watch at 1:19:55Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And committee HB 87 addresses a gap in current law involving animals that are lawfully impounded in connection with criminal animal cruelty cases. When someone is charged with an animal with animal abuse, the criminal case can take months or even years to resolve. During that time, the animal involved often remains in a shelter with no clear legal mechanism to determine long-term placement. This places a strain on already. Overcrowded shelters impact the wellbeing of the animal and can become a significant burden on taxpayers. In some cases, the cost to house and care for a single animal during a case can reach tens of thousands of dollars. This bill creates a defined court process …
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said she did not believe it was a higher standard, noting the process goes through an actual court hearing.
▶ Watch at 1:22:42Read what they said
Um, I, so this is, I I don't believe so. And, and hopefully I I think there's others in the room who might be able to answer it better than I can. Um, but this actually goes through an actual court hearing. I believe when it has to do with the children, it doesn't, there's a judgment that can be made that doesn't go through trial. And, and this does go through a court procedure,
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the court can transfer those rights only if the animal rights were already forfeited as part of the criminal case.
▶ Watch at 1:23:12Read what they said
Well, it does, but it says in line 2 98. Only if, if they have already ordered the animal rights to be forfeited as part of the criminal case. But yeah, you're, if, if, if they do go through that, it does say that.
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the bill addresses animals involved in animal cruelty cases so courts can address their placement sooner.
▶ Watch at 1:23:52Read what they said
So, so what we're, what we're wanting to address in this is if the animal is involved in an animal ac cruelty case and it's, it's been abused. And so while the case is pending, the judge, the courts are able to address this part that would normally be addressed. Um, it just makes it so we can address it sooner than later.
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks whether limiting appeal rights could create fiscal or legal litigation risk. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:24:18Read what they said
Thank you. Um, just a question around possible fiscal or, or legal risks. I mean, any, any time we, um, seek to remove or limit or amend, um, rights to appeal, um, are we opening perhaps any litigation risk in this case?
H.B. 94 Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the third substitute of HB 94 to the full House.
▶ Watch at 3:00:33Read what they said
I'd like to make a motion to Fab favorably recommend HB 94 criminal accounts receivable amendments to the full body
H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Presents H.B. 172 as changing the renewal period for certified food safety managers from three years to five years, and says food handler permits are not affected.
▶ Watch at 24:17Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. HB 1 72 Food Safety Amendments is a narrow bill that does just two things. First, it updates the renewal period for certified Food Safety Managers from three years to five years. And let me be clear, this only applies to certified food safety managers, not food handler permits. Moving to a five year renewal brings Utah in line with the National standard. The certification exam itself is updated every four years to reflect current food science, which is why the National Renewal Cycle is five years. This change doesn't lower any food safety standards. It simply reduces unnecessary costs and paperwork, especially for small businesses while keeping the same public health protections in place. Sorry,
H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Explains that the bill also clarifies that restaurants donating food to nonprofits or community organizations do not need certification or extra fees and may use their restaurant license.
▶ Watch at 25:22Read what they said
Okay. Thank you, representative. Thank you. And second, the fa the bill clarifies food safety exemptions. So if you are a restaurant and you're donating to a nonprofit, a community organization, it makes it so that you don't have to get any certification or pay any additional fees. You can use your restaurant license when you're donating foods. And really, that's it, that's all the bill does. It's a simple clarification. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions.
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Presents HB 87 as creating a court-supervised legal process for animals seized in cruelty cases to shorten the time they are held in shelters, and says it does not expand seizure authority or change criminal law.
▶ Watch at 2:09:32Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. This bill creates a clear legal process for animals seized in cruelty cases. Um, sometimes, well, oftentimes it takes years, um, months for animals who are in trapped in a cruelty case. Um, during that times, animals are often held in shelters, um, stuck in limbo. This creates an overcrowding strain on our shelters. It also creates a burden on taxpayers as we are the ones who end up footing the bill for animals in, in the shelters. Um, it also establishes a court supervised process, um, and, and it respects due process at the same time. Um, this bill protects owners' rights for all addressing animal welfare. It doesn't expand seizure authority. It …
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says the bill does not include hunting dogs, that existing protections for them remain in place, and that it does not affect farm animals.
▶ Watch at 2:11:16Read what they said
No. It, it does not. Those protections are still in place and it doesn't affect, um, hunting dogs or animal farm animals.
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says the bill only speeds up the process in animal cruelty cases involving pets and dog fights, and thanks Representative Albrecht.
▶ Watch at 2:11:37Read what they said
Again, all this bill is doing is speeding up the process when a case involves animal cruelty for pets, dog fights. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative Albrecht.
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
In closing, says the bill addresses a specific issue, describes a dog that stayed at a shelter for three years in a case, and asks for support.
▶ Watch at 2:11:56Read what they said
Um, again, this is just addressing a very specific issue. Um, I had the opportunity in November to visit the animal shelter and, um, I'll just share one incident from that visit. There was a dog there that had been there for three years. Um, it was involved in a criminal case that involved a lot of different things. Um, but because we couldn't address the animal cruelty part in court, um, we spent thousands of thousands of taxpayer dollars. It was a strain on the shelter, and this is happening all across our state in different animal shelters. Um, and with that, I ask for your support on this bill. Thank you.
H.B. 86 Restricted Person Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Presents HB 86, which treats a person found not guilty by reason of insanity or incompetent to stand trial in a criminal case as a restricted person for dangerous weapons regardless of felony or misdemeanor, aligning Utah law with federal law, noting the restriction is not permanent, and stating it applies only to criminal cases.
▶ Watch at 38:05Read what they said
Representative Mauga. Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro tem HB 86 is a narrow clarification to Utah's restricted person statute relating to dangerous weapons. This bill says that when a court finds someone not guilty by reason of insanity or mentally incompetent to stand trial in a criminal case, that individual is considered a restricted person for purposes of possessing dangerous weapons, regardless of whether the underlying charge is a felony or a misdemeanor. Right now, Utah law applies that restriction only when the case involves a felony. HB 86 removes that distinction and instead focuses on the court's mental capacity finding. I wanna be very clear about what this bill is and what it is not. First, this bill respects …
H.B. 86 Restricted Person Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Responds that such a situation would probably not be affected, because findings of incompetency or insanity require a thorough evaluation and a judge's determination.
▶ Watch at 42:20Read what they said
Yes. Thank you for the question, Mr. Speaker. Pro tem, uh, that particular situation probably wouldn't, um, be affected at all. These findings only happen after thorough evaluation. Um, again, it's a rigorous evaluation process and the judge has to determine that this person is mentally incapable or they plea insanity.
H.B. 86 Restricted Person Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Gives closing summation, calling HB 86 a clarification bill that aligns federal law with Utah law and creates a pathway to restore rights, and asks for support.
▶ Watch at 44:55Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker Pro tem HB 86 is a clarification bill. It just aligns federal law with Utah law, um, and it it's a good bill. It, it creates a pathway. There's also already a pathway to restore your rights. Thank you. I ask for your support.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Mauga asked why parental leave is optional for school employees when past efforts aligned it with state employees, and how the impact would be evaluated.
▶ Watch at 26:34Read what they said
Thank you. And I wanna thank Representative Defay, um, and policy project for all the work you've been doing. Thank you. Emily. Uh, we spoke earlier and I said I didn't have any questions, but I'm just checking my email and it looks like my constituents have questions. And so I just wanna ask if you could help us understand the policy goal for making parental leave optional for school employees, especially since prior legislation efforts work to keep parental leave aligned between state employees and school employees, and how we would evaluate that impact.
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Presents HB 87, which would create a court-supervised process for animals held in shelters while a related criminal animal abuse case is pending, without expanding seizure authority.
▶ Watch at 1:51:43Read what they said
This works out. Thank you. Alright. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Committee. Uh, this is another bill that I brought to you all last session. Um, it passed here, just died on the last night. Um, and so this bill has one clear goal. It's to create a court supervised process for what happens to animals after they're lawfully seized. While a criminal animal abuse case is pending, it applies only to animals held in connection with a criminal animal abuse case. And it doesn't change existing livestock or agriculture exemptions under animal cruelty laws. It also doesn't apply simply because an owner is incarcerated. It's narrowly tied to existing criminal animal abuse statutes. Law enforcement already has the authority …
H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Rep. Mauga explained how to pronounce her last name.
▶ Watch at 2:46:31Read what they said
It's manga, the G There's, imagine there's an N in front of the g Manga.
H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Rep. Mauga presented the substitute bill, which extends the food safety manager certification renewal from three to five years to match national standards and clarifies that licensed businesses donating food to nonprofit events with a certified manager on site need no extra licensing.
▶ Watch at 2:46:46Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee. I'll be speaking to substitute one, HB 1 72 Food Safety Amendments. It's about keeping people safe while removing unnecessary barriers for small businesses, nonprofits, and community events. This bill does just two things. First, it updates the Food Safety Manager certification renewal period from three years to five years, which aligns with national standards. The certification exam itself is updated on a regular cycle approximately every four years to reflect current food safety, science, and best practices. Hence why the National standard is five years instead of three. This change doesn't lower or alter any of the food safety standards. It just reduces unnecessary administrative and financial standards, um, burdens on small businesses …
H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Rep. Mauga confirmed that licensed establishments donating to events with a food safety manager on site would need no additional licensing.
▶ Watch at 2:56:15Read what they said
That would be correct. It would just mean that if you own a food establishment and you're already licensed under your establishment and you're donating to these events and you have a food safety manager on site, you won't need any additional licensing because the license that you have for your, your restaurant or your establishment is enough.
H.B. 172 Food Safety Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Rep. Mauga said the bill does not weaken food safety and that she consulted the Health Department, which agreed it follows national standards.
▶ Watch at 3:01:11Read what they said
Sure. I just wanna say thank you guys for your time and, and hearing us out this afternoon. And I'll, I'll just state again that this doesn't weaken food safety standards. Um, this is also a bill that I took to the Health department. I wanted to ensure that there wasn't something that I was missing. Um, and we all agree that this follows national standards and, and it makes sense to follow that. So thank you.
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Asks whether there is a practical difference in qualifications or certifications between a finance officer and a county auditor. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:00:35Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, Madam Chair, uh, forget the question. It's really, uh, based on my unfamiliarity between the terms that are being equated here, but is there a defacto difference between, uh, a finance officer and an auditor in terms of professional qualifications or certifications in practical day-to-day operations? That's
H.B. 274 Sentencing Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Mauga supported prioritizing victims and public safety and said she would vote to move the bill out of committee to keep working on it, but is not yet a yes on the floor because defense attorneys are a necessary part of sentencing policy.
▶ Watch at 1:33:44Read what they said
Okay. Thank you. Um, chair, I don't know if I'm doing this right. I, I have something to say. I don't know if it's discussion to the motion. Um, I, I would like to speak To the, and I apologize for pronouncing your name incorrectly. Manga? Yes. Thank you. Okay. I appreciate it. Um, speaker, I just wanna say I support the concept and the effort to strengthen public safety and to prioritize victims' voices. The work that I am prioritizing this year, and and I've always prioritized, is the voices of victims. Um, they often, too often they go unheard. And so I wanna say thank you to the victims who showed up today to share your personal stories …
H.B. 86 Restricted Person Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Presented HB 86, which treats a person found not guilty by reason of insanity or incompetent to stand trial as a restricted person for weapons purposes regardless of whether the charge is a felony or misdemeanor, aligning Utah law with federal law.
▶ Watch at 2:39:40Read what they said
This is House Bill 86. Thank you Mr. Chair and colleagues. Um, this is the bill I brought to your committee last session. Got a lot of really good feedback from you all. We were able to make some adjustments, um, and then it passed here unanimously. Hoping to get, um, some support and answer any questions you guys have today. Uh, this bill addresses when someone is prohibited from possessing dangerous weapons after a court has determined that they aren't mentally capable of understanding or participating in their own criminal case, or not criminally responsible to due to mental illness. What this bill does is straightforward it, if a court finds an individual not guilty by reason of insanity …
H.B. 34 Victim Rights Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Presented HB 34, a cleanup bill to a 2024 victim's rights law that places the victim's rights coordinator role in statute and codifies an improved process; it has no fiscal note.
▶ Watch at 1:48:02Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, this is HB 34 Victims' Rights Amendments. It's a bill that, um, was heard in the interim and passed unanimously. It, it's a cleanup bill, uh, from HB 3 0 8, which passed in 2024. After a year of using that process, a few clarifications were needed. So that statute reflects what's working in practice. And so the bill just codifies an improved process to better support victims alleging violations of their rights. It places the victim's rights coordinator role into statute a position that already exists and is functioning, and it incorporates lessons learned from implementation. Um, it doesn't expend victim's rights or authority and it doesn't carry a fiscal note. It just brings …
H.B. 86 Restricted Person Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks to lift HB 86 from committee and refer it to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee, after working on it with members of that committee.
▶ Watch at 39:33Read what they said
I am asking if we could lift this bill and, and move it to criminal justice. We've done some work on it with some of the members on that committee. And so it, um, it's a bill that died last session, but passed the house and committee, so I'd like to take it back there.
H.B. 34 Victim Rights Amendments · House floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Presents HB 34 as a cleanup bill to victim rights committees, formalizing the victim rights coordinator role, clarifying definitions and who may file complaints, organizing the complaint process, and clarifying how court-related complaints are routed; she says it does not expand victim rights.
▶ Watch at 1:29:13Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker House Bill 34 is about our victim's rights committees, which operate in each of our eight judicial districts. These committees have been around since the 1990s, reviewing questions and complaints from victims, and issuing findings that are focused on support and accountability and helping v helping victims find resources. After a year of using the updated process, it's become clear that a few parts of statute need to be cleaned up so the process is clearer and more consistent statewide. And that's what this bill does. It's a cleanup bill from HB 3 0 8, and so it doesn't change or expand victim rights or create anything new. It does force simple things. It puts the …
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