Legislators / Ann Millner
Ann Millner
Republican · Senate District 5
Hear from them directly
Contact Sen. Ann Millner
- Email: amillner@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 8019003897
- Office: 4287 Harrison Blvd #313, Ogden, UT, 84403
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Watch or join a meeting
Every committee hearing and floor session is open to the public and streamed live on le.utah.gov. Each committee's agenda has the link to watch or join online, and how to sign up for public comment.
Ann Millner serves on:
- Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee
- Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee
- Senate Education Confirmation Committee
- Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Confirmation Committee
- Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Confirmation Committee
- Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
- Senate Ethics Committee
- Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee
What they've said
176 remarks on 49 billsH.B. 170 School Board Referendum Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying referendums should be difficult and this bill makes them easier, while school boards can be held accountable at the ballot box.
▶ Watch at 20:46Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, Mr. President, I'm gonna give opposing view. I I am gonna raise an opposition to this bill and, and I've been really consistent in that I, I think referendum should be hard, if not impossible. I think this bill, I think this bill is a step in the wrong direction. Um, I, I ran a bill making referendum harder, harder when we make decisions with cities, cities dealing with zoning and planning. And I, and I made the referendum harder and I'm glad I we did that. This is making referendum easier. I think we have elections. I think if, if school boards overstep, I think we, we can vote 'em out. Just like we can vote …
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains a few small changes made to the bill in honor of Rep. Watkins and Sen. Hinkins, based on their constituents, and moves to concur.
▶ Watch at 32:50Read what they said
I do wanna explain the changes. Only A couple of small changes made in honor of Representative Watkins and Senator Hinkins, um, based on their constituents. So, um, with that I move to Concur.
S.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Emphasizing Utah's Commitment to Advanced Air Mobility · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Objects to the bill being called infamous and moves to concur, and says she will explain the amendment.
▶ Watch at 41:50Read what they said
Mr. President, I'm, I'm, I'm offended that it's an infamous bill. Um, I'm gonna move to Concur and I'll explain the amendment
H.B. 44 School Security Personnel Standards · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says both school security bills passed through House and Senate committees, and describes the cyber bill as asking the cybersecurity commission to set minimum school cybersecurity standards with a phased implementation; then opens to questions.
▶ Watch at 1:50:13Read what they said
Couple of things I wanna say is both of these bills went all the way through the committee structure, both on the house side and on the senate side, and they all passed out. One of them, uh, as you can see if it's a seventh substitute, had to be refined. But the parties were involved and engaged till we got the language correct. Uh, and the cyber went through pretty clearly. People believe we need minimum, uh, cyber standards established. And what that bill, what that does in there is to ask our cyber security, uh, commission to work with our public ed, uh, people as well as U-E-E-T-N, uh, to establish minimum standards and allows a phase, um, …
H.B. 493 Consumer Products Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that the substitute combines H.B. 442 and H.B. 493, both consumer protection bills, covering enforcement of accurate shelf pricing and disclosure of certain intentionally added ingredients in menstrual products.
▶ Watch at 2:46:25Read what they said
What this does is combined, um, house Bill 4 42 and House Bill 4 93, they were both consumer protection bills. Uh, and the house asked that we combine these two bills. Um, the first bill, um, is really focused on making sure that pricing is accurate so that someone, uh, we already have these laws in place but to, to, uh, make sure we're enforcing that the price that is put on the item itself is actually the price that's rung up at, um, when you go to the, uh, through the line. The second is that if you, if there's certain products that are intentionally put in tampons, uh, that those would be noticed on the ingredients list. …
H.B. 493 Consumer Products Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Responds that this is the seventh substitute, that the ingredient definitions are included in the bill, and that the version matches what passed committee.
▶ Watch at 2:48:09Read what they said
Um, they, this is supposed to be exactly the seventh substitute. Supposed to be the seventh substitute, um, was incorporated into the bill. Um, oh, there, there's a question I can check. Maybe we can move the substitute and then we'll able To, Mr. President, it's, you're li you're correct. Okay. I just, I just found them in lines 1 79. Okay, thank you. So the definition does include those seven items. It Does include the seven items. So it's very specific and it has to be intentional. Okay. And it's exactly what passed from committee.
H.B. 493 Consumer Products Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
States that nothing has been changed and that both bills went through the full committee process, with H.B. 442 revised several times.
▶ Watch at 2:48:48Read what they said
Thank you. We're not changing anything. Both pill bills have gone through the entire process. Um, one of them has been the, the, um, 4 42 was changed several times. So this is the seventh substitute from that bill that was put into house Bill 4 93.
H.B. 493 Consumer Products Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Describes the bill as raising fines for retailers that repeatedly misprice items and requiring certain intentionally added ingredients in menstrual products to appear on the ingredients list.
▶ Watch at 2:49:28Read what they said
So, um, this is a, now a consumer protection bill. It has two components in it. As I said, they both went through the process, um, through the entire committee structure that we have. Um, one of them is about accurate pricing. It does not add any laws about accurate pricing. It just, um, increases the penalty. If you, uh, if a retail organization is consistently continuing to misprice items, um, it will increase the fine. An example I was given of one place where, uh, they had price, uh, they failed their price accuracy, uh, inspections 28 times. So, um, after that it seems as though we should be doing something to enforce that 'cause we're taking, they're taking …
H.B. 510 Municipal Incorporation Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the issue is complex and calls for a long-term approach with all stakeholders, suggesting the work be done during the interim rather than through incremental changes.
▶ Watch at 3:24:20Read what they said
So these are always really complex issues and everyone's, every issue's a little bit different. Um, I I think it's time for us to step back and say how do we approach this for the long term? Bring all the constituents to the table and build a better ongoing framework going forward. Instead of doing incremental things, it feels like this would be something that we ought to be doing during interim, uh, with the right stakeholders at the table.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Describes the bill as expanding the Energy Council by two members with expertise in economic development, utilities, bonding and legal matters, changing its leadership to co-chairs, and establishing an infrastructure service district to allow revenue bonds for the IPP project.
▶ Watch at 43:36Read what they said
Oh. So the purpose of their the purpose of this bill is cut several components to it. Uh, the first component of this bill is expanding the energy council. There have been five members, we wanna expand it by two, bringing in people with expertise in economic development, public utilities, um, uh, bonding, legal matters, et cetera. So just really being able to maybe pull more expertise onto it. It changes leadership of the council from a single chair to co-chairs. Um, and one of which is designated by the speaker. And the president together does not have to be a legislator, but, um, they designate a co-chair and then it establishes this infrastructure Service district, uh, Representative Walter has …
H.B. 68 Housing and Community Development Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the bill took a year or more of work and thanks Senator Fillmore for it.
▶ Watch at 1:16:33Read what they said
Say this took a year or more of work. Um, and this is really good work, consolidating what we're doing. Uh, I just wanna thank Senator Fillmore for that.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the House and Senate have been discussing the bill and it is now time for a conference committee.
▶ Watch at 1:28:22Read what they said
Um, we've been discussing, um, between the House and the Senate and it's now time for a conference committee so we can
H.B. 531 Scarification Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield for a question, and Sen. Kwan agrees.
▶ Watch at 2:36:36Read what they said
Thank you. Will the sponsor You'll do a question. Senator Kwan, will you yell? Yes, I am. Go ahead.
S.B. 229 State Employee Benefits Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says she moved to encircle House Bill 153 and was off the floor at the time.
▶ Watch at 2:38:33Read what they said
Senator ml I I moved to encircle house Bill 1 53. I was off the floor.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Moves to concur in the Senate bill, noting two small changes: an expanded good cause exemption for students with disabilities and a minor budget adjustment.
▶ Watch at 21:19Read what they said
Motion to Concur. Uh, there are only two small changes. One was expanding the good cause exemption for students with disabilities and a very slight tweak to the budget. Uh, with that I would move that we concur.
H.B. 393 Early Intervention for Dyslexia Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that the bill asks University of Utah researchers to develop a free dyslexia screener for schools and creates a pilot program in willing districts under the State Board of Education.
▶ Watch at 1:00:33Read what they said
Thank you very much Mr. President Ian. What this bill does is ask the University of Utah, um, researchers, um, to develop a free dyslexia screener that we can use in our schools. Um, all the dyslexia screening tools out there are fairly expensive and it's, it's very difficult for us to implement that into our schools. We had another example of this a long time ago about early learning. Um, we asked them to develop an early learning screener and now we use it across all of our schools because it's a free tool. So, um, that, that has been substantiated and now is evidence-based. We're asking 'em to do the same thing with dyslexia. Dyslexia, it's only a …
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Moves that about ten House bills be lifted from rules and placed on the Senate second reading calendar.
▶ Watch at 3:33:57Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the following bills be lifted from rules and place after first substitute house bill 5 97 on the Senate second reading calendar in the following order, house bill 32, substitute three house bill 30, substitute one house bill 63 house Bill five 20 house bill 4 37 house bill 4 75 substitute three house bill 3 73. Substitute one house bill 3 37 Substitute three House bill 5 49 substitute one. And finally, house bill 68. Substitute four. That is the motion.
H.B. 437 Environmental Permitting Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that H.B. 437 lets DEQ and the state oil, gas and mining department use a permit process in which licensed third parties can help, while the state keeps final review and approval, then opens the floor to questions.
▶ Watch at 4:09:12Read what they said
Working with DEQ and Dogum, which is a department of oil, gas, and minerals, helps 'em create an X value process for permits without lowering environmental standards or shifting final authority away from the state. Um, but allows them when they can't, when they need to or, or there's, uh, sufficient demand to be able to use licensed, experienced, uh, third parties to help in the process, but they maintain final review and approval for permits. With that, I'm open to questions. Thank You. Looking for
H.B. 373 Higher Education Innovation · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that the bill creates a pilot matching grant program for university applied research in approved economic development areas, funded by repurposed one-time money, and says Utah ranks third lowest in state research contributions.
▶ Watch at 4:15:05Read what they said
Uh, this creates a new grant program, uh, for matching or seed money for our universities for using for research only. Um, it's repurposed from our unearned performance funding and some other one-time funding. It's a pilot project. Um, but we are only going to use these research dollars for areas that are on a list of approved research topics that align with, um, what we're trying to do economic and with respect to economic development state, they would have to be approved by the Economic Development Workforce Services interim committee. Right now we're considering things like critical minerals, aerospace and defense, uh, water, uh, ai, um, energy critical minerals, um, life sciences, health. So those are the kinds of …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Thanks the presiding officer and colleagues and says she did not explain H.B. 502 well.
▶ Watch at 4:22:51Read what they said
You. Thank you President and colleagues. It's, it's apparent to me I didn't do a very good job explaining this bill.
S.J.R. 16 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Ethics Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Presented the resolution, which would clarify when the Legislative Ethics Commission can dismiss complaints, require affidavits, and improve privacy for complaints.
▶ Watch at 53:08Read what they said
Next we have Senator Millner. Thank you very much. Feels like I was just here. So Let me, um, are you ready, chair? You ready? Yeah. Sorry. Go ahead. Whenever you're ready. Okay. Um, this is Joint Rules Resolution, legislative Ethics Amendments. And I think I wanna tell you a little bit about where this came from. Um, we have a ethics commission, um, for the legislature. And if somebody files a complaint, then it goes first to the, that Ethics Commission to determine whether or not that warrants, um, more, um, a more thorough look by either the Senate Ethics Committee or the House Ethics Committee. And so, uh, currently the chair of that is former speaker, Dave Clark, …
H.B. 44 School Security Personnel Standards · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said she had to leave to present a bill in another committee and had come over with Senator Owens.
▶ Watch at 54:48Read what they said
Okay. Um, I'm happy to, Excuse me, but I have to go present a bill in Another, in my committee. Uhhuh. Actually, I just, Senator Owens and I just ran over here from that committee to visit you. I'm not leaving to go, so it's all good. Good luck.
H.B. 491 State Highway Designation Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Strongly supports keeping the five-year period so that time can help decide whether a name is lasting, and says it is hard to decline family or community requests without clear criteria.
▶ Watch at 2:03:51Read what they said
I know. So I'm a strong proponent of five years, um, and having dealt with this, um, this is around, I'm gonna bring university experience to this and university naming opportunities, um, death of someone kind of right there, the emotion of all of that. It can be like, people wanna do something or a family member wants to do something. Um, you just need a period of time, uh, for people to say, is this the right thing? And, and time helps that. So it, there's just, I just wanna encourage us to stay at five years. Um, I think over time we'll make better decisions about roads that we name, et cetera. Because if somebody, if, if it's …
S.B. 296 Student Consent Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Thanks the sponsor, says the committee was comfortable with the framework, and notes the how was an issue that the sponsor worked on with the higher education board.
▶ Watch at 1:51:58Read what they said
So I just wanna thank the sponsor. Um, we heard this bill and committee and their, the conceptual framework I think committee members were comfortable with, but the how was one of the issues and really appreciate the sponsor working with, uh, the higher ed board to get this in the right place.
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presented SB 276, which would give veteran organizations the same sales and use tax exemptions that other nonprofit and charitable organizations receive, at an estimated cost of about $35,000 a year.
▶ Watch at 20:23Read what they said
Thank you very much. Um, what this bill does is say we have tax exempt veterans organizations in the state. Interesting enough, those veteran tax exempt associations, um, have, um, tax exemptions at the federal level, but they don't have sales and use tax exemptions at the state level. So we give that for all of our nonprofits for, um, charitable organizations, et cetera. But not for these veterans associations that are really focused on nonprofit activities. But they have a different number because they're veterans organizations. And what this bill is proposing is that we, um, we give these organizations the same exemptions that we give to other non-profit and charitable organizations in our state. It's not a significant …
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the provision lets veteran service organizations acquire conservation easements, modeled after other states' laws.
▶ Watch at 22:02Read what they said
Um, the purpose is just they'd be able to do, uh, a con conservation easement if they've got a piece of property that's part of that nonprofit Veterans Association. Is that something that happens a lot with No veterans? No, but they're modeling this after other states that have similar legislation.
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the bill matters to veteran organization leaders who serve on a volunteer basis, and that the Tax Commission is fine with it.
▶ Watch at 23:24Read what they said
Um, this is really important to some of our leaders of our veterans organizations like Terry SC and others who I, I know, you know, and they are, um, they work really hard for our veterans. They do it totally on a volunteer basis. And I think this is a small gesture. Um, we've worked with the tax commission and they're fine with it. So, um, with that, I'd just like to see us move it forward. Thank you.
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the language lets veteran service organizations acquire conservation easements, like other nonprofits.
▶ Watch at 24:51Read what they said
No. It just allows veteran service organizations to acquire conservation easements, which give them the same tools as other nonprofits use to preserve. So, So our, our, our land, I, I just don't see that.
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Thanked the committee and said veteran organizations appreciate the action.
▶ Watch at 26:59Read what they said
You very much. I really appreciate that. You bet. And our veterans organizations will as well.
S.B. 327 Occupational Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether Johnson had consulted Jeff Shumway, who is conducting the licensing review work.
▶ Watch at 28:05Read what they said
Have you talked with, followed up with Jeff Shumway or Have I talked to Jeff Shumway in, uh, who does kind of, is doing all this licensing review work?
S.B. 327 Occupational Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether Johnson was familiar with the professions in the bill, noting differences in the levels of training and licensing.
▶ Watch at 28:37Read what they said
Okay. I mean, I can understand some things like interior design. I, I, I don't think the person who helps me has a license, uh, specifically for that. But I wouldn't go anywhere else. So, I mean, I can understand, um, kind of some differences in, um, levels, et cetera. Just, it just like, why these, So, so are you, are you familiar with these and are, are, because obviously you seem to know quite a bit about this. So are you, are you feel familiar with some of these that, that maybe are not?
S.B. 327 Occupational Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Questioned whether training requires licensure, asked whether Johnson had consulted Doppel and Department of Commerce staff, and raised music therapy and the need for different levels of behavioral health support.
▶ Watch at 29:17Read what they said
'cause I thought, okay, that seems like a very specialized skill. Um, and do people need training for that? But do they need training and license, or do they just need training? Um, I mean, it just raised questions for me 'cause it's, I don't know the details of it, which is why I wondered if you talked to, um, to Doppel and to, uh, to Mark Re or, uh, Jeff Sway because they've been working so intensely on this in the Department of Commerce. And then the, the other one that I wondered about was music therapy. Um, 'cause I've been an advocate for a behavioral health tech uhhuh. Um, because on one end we have people who, in …
S.B. 327 Occupational Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether the bill could instead direct a study with recommendations due next year.
▶ Watch at 32:23Read what they said
Good question. Um, I can understand you're wanting to move forward, so, uh, not wait five years. Is it possible that we could change this from, we do it this year to, we are directing them to study it and bring, and so that we bring recommendations back next year?
S.B. 327 Occupational Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved to pass SB 327 favorably to the Senate with a substitute directing LER to study the issue and bring back recommendations next year.
▶ Watch at 34:32Read what they said
Actually, I wanted to make a motion. Um, I'm going, um, make a motion that we probably recommend this to the Senate. I'm gonna ask that you, uh, substitute it in the Senate and direct ler, um, or whatever the right mechanism is to review this this next year. And let's bring back the, um, their recommendations. And I, you know, they're, we do tend to sometimes overregulate and over license, and some of these things can be carefully broken out to levels, and I'm very comfortable with that. But I'd really like to have more thorough review. Perfect. So my motion is that we pass out, uh, Senate Bill 3 27 with a favorable recommendation to the Senate, but, …
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presented S.B. 254, which sets a statewide critical minerals strategy, expedites permitting, creates a mine center and a critical minerals council, and encourages processing in Utah and with neighboring states.
▶ Watch at 58:55Read what they said
Senate Bill 2 54, sub one, uh, critical Mineral Amendment. Senator Millner, welcome. Thank you very much. Um, I really appreciate the opportunity to present, um, uh, Senate Bill 2 54. Um, we have had a working group, uh, working all this year, uh, trying to say we need to think about how we could help in Utah contribute to, um, both mining and processing of critical minerals that are critical for our national security and for our technology. And we, um, had a broad based group that has included both people from state agencies, from industry associations, um, as, um, as well as legislators. Um, and as a part of that process, um, here's the bill that we've come …
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Responded that Utah can lead on critical minerals because of its geology, mining program, industry, and approach, and said the state should benefit Utah and the nation.
▶ Watch at 1:14:33Read what they said
I, I would like to say, uh, I've never talked about a nuclear plant being, um, permitted in 14 days. I have said I'd like for it to be less than a decade. Um, so, um, but that aside, um, uh, I just think this is Utah can be ni this is a place Utah can lead. Um, and we can lead because of the geography and the geology of the state. We can leave because of our can do approach. We can leave because we have, uh, a mining program here and we have a very strong mining industry here. And, um, we should take that opportunity to not only benefit Utah, but to benefit the United States of …
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Introduced the resolution and turned the presentation to the House floor sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:16:13Read what they said
to SCR nine first sub concurrent resolution regarding critical mineral development and funding. Senator, I'm gonna turn it to my, uh, house colleague.
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said a true federal-state partnership would speed up the effort and encouraged congressional staff to help.
▶ Watch at 1:16:53Read what they said
No, I just think, um, if we can create a true federal state partnership here, um, we would be able to accelerate this effort significantly and would want to encourage our congressional staff to help us.
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presented SB 226, saying it was prompted by a constituent's case, and described the bill's requirement that an officer consult a senior officer before deciding whether to seek a blood-testing warrant after a fatal crash.
▶ Watch at 1:17:07Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I don't think I normally run law enforcement bills, um, but, um, SB 2 26 is because I have a constituent who came to me lives in Mountain Green. Um, she, um, her husband was coming home from church on a Sunday, a motor, uh, uh, a truck crossed over into his lane of traffic, hit him head on and killed him. And there was no, um, the, the officer just said at the scene, I don't see any signs of impairment, and there was no further action taken. And she's pretty distraught about that and not having any idea if there was something more than just, um, behind this. She couldn't be here today. But we …
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Responded that Utah is committed to doing the work in an environmentally safe way and that the resolution seeks federal support, and said Utah wants to be a center of excellence for critical minerals mining and processing. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:18:59Read what they said
So, um, I think the purpose of this resolution, I mean, we're going to do that in Utah. I think we're committed to that. We had all the parties at the table, uh, over this past year really trying to make sure we're doing this in an environmentally safe way, but yet we are doing it because it's so important to us. This is really about helping us get some additional support for that. Mm-hmm. And in addition to that, we would, uh, support for the Mine Center, um, there, we would love to be the center of excellence, uh, for critical minerals, mining and processing in the United States. We are gonna start this effort ourselves, but if we …
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Thanked everyone who participated and helped bring the parties together to partner on the effort. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:21:00Read what they said
I, I just wanna say thank you if I can to all of you that participated, everyone that's here and everyone who I pushed really hard to come to the table and figure out how we could partner, uh, on this effort. So, um, thank you.
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Responded that the bill relies on the responding officer's judgment at the scene and that a senior officer may be consulted, including when death occurs later.
▶ Watch at 1:23:41Read what they said
Um, yeah, it's, that question has come out before it, it's hard, um, because they're, uh, I think the still the same judgment, uh, of the police officer at the scene. And based on the criticality of the accident, uh, could consult a senior, a more senior police officer. Um, but, you know, sometimes they die. Someone will die at the scene, but sometimes it's later, and whether it's a day later or a week later, it's hard. So this is just trying to address something where we have more certainty.
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Thanked the attorneys and the Department of Public Safety for their help finding a balance on the bill. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:29:45Read what they said
Thank you. And I do wanna say thank you to all the attorneys, um, and DPS for their help and trying to find a balance that could give somebody in the future, uh, a little more peace, uh, with, uh, the decision that's made.
S.J.R. 16 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Ethics Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Presents S.J.R. 16, saying it improves the process and privacy of the legislative Ethics Commission, and opens the floor for questions.
▶ Watch at 31:14Read what they said
Senator Millner. This resolution as we talked about on Friday, improves the process and the privacy of our, uh, legislative Ethics Commission. And with that, I am open for questions. Thank you for the presentation.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Presents SB 241 to add reading screening in kindergarten through third grade, individual reading plans, paraprofessional tutoring, and a third-grade retention provision with exceptions, and introduces Brandy Webster.
▶ Watch at 1:50:15Read what they said
Thank you very much. Um, appreciate the opportunity to be here. Um, as many of you know, I started this journey on literacy several years ago. Wanna make sure all of our third graders are reading at third grade. By third, the end of third grade. They're reading at the end at third grade level. That's the time that it moves from learning to read, to reading, to learn everything else. That's extremely important. Um, and I wanna make sure that each one of them has the opportunity. Um, the purpose of this bill is to really make sure we have ongoing assessment and screening of students starting in kindergarten. So it would happen three times a year, kindergarten through …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Explains that the bill keeps the existing Acadience screener, that its intent is to build on current practice, and that the goal is to help all students including those already performing well.
▶ Watch at 2:00:47Read what they said
So, um, if you're above benchmark, then your child that's reading and that's not an issue. And one of the things we've done here is to, we started letters in 2022. Yeah. Um, and we put letters in place and we put the Acadian screener in place. We haven't changed any of that. Okay. Okay. So, and what I felt really strongly about is, uh, we can't use something like Rise where they don't get that result of that test till fourth grade. And then we're going to, you know, what are we gonna do? I mean, tell 'em they're gonna go back to third grade. None of that makes sense. So Acadian Willie is a screener, but it's what …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the bill requires evidence-based reading instruction and that a list of evidence-based options exists.
▶ Watch at 2:03:57Read what they said
Well, it does say it, it's the science. It has to be evidence based in the science reading, uhhuh, but there's a whole list of Okay. Things that are evidence based in the science reading, but it does have to be that.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Explains that the bill lists holding students back in earlier grades as a consideration and that the goal is to encourage intervention earlier.
▶ Watch at 2:05:23Read what they said
So, um, the reality, if you look, um, one of the things that says is consider if they're, particularly if they're reading well below benchmark or they're not making typical progress that you consider holding them back in kindergarten, that you consider holding them back in first grade, that you consider holding them back in second grade. So we put that in to say, that should be one of the considerations. I will tell you a number of, uh, superintendents said we try to hold them back in kindergarten or first grade. And for the very reason that you're talking about, um, we'll sit down and talk to the parent. Um, I think this provides some direction, but at the …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the bill is mainly about intervention, with parent communication, reading plans, and paraprofessional tutoring, and that it is not an IEP.
▶ Watch at 2:09:06Read what they said
Yes, it does. Okay. I mean, for me, this is all about intervention, but what it does is focus us. Okay. Um, if we know that here's a time that we're gonna make a decision, um, I don't, I think parents need to know where their children are. I, what this bill says is we're gonna stay in communication with parents. If a child is below benchmark, um, we're gonna sit down with that parent. We're gonna use parent teacher conferences and other things to have conversations. We're gonna try to help parents see the things they can do. We will be able to have, um, paraprofessionals that can support them in tutoring, whether that's during class time, they can …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says superintendents requested trained paraprofessionals and teacher coaching, and that the bill should not go forward unless it is funded.
▶ Watch at 2:11:21Read what they said
Right. Um, that was, as I sat down, I worked with a number of superintendents to put this together and they, um, kind of, they need trained paraprofessionals and then the opportunity for more training for their teachers and coaches. And, um, unless this bill is funded, then it shouldn't go forward. 'cause it's not meant to be a mandate without funding. Um, they need that support.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the benchmark is tied to the nationally normed Acadience test given three times a year.
▶ Watch at 2:12:23Read what they said
It's, it's tied to aca, um, to Acadians, Acadians nationally Norm reference. That's the test that we're using with three times a year, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade. We didn't wanna have like multiple ones out there. So really tried to say, this is what we're gonna use for helping to make sure we're communicating with parents that we're, that we are, uh, supporting the interventions that need to be there to support our kids.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Describes Acadience's color-coded benchmark levels and refers technical questions to a statistician.
▶ Watch at 2:13:09Read what they said
How does that work? It's A, it's a color coded system. So, um, there is, um, well above benchmark, um, which is blue and there's above benchmark, which is green. There's below Benchmark, which I think is yellow, and there is well below benchmark, which is red. They're, they're, they're, those are nationally normed benchmarks that are used all across the country, uh, for ACADIS testing. So everyone really does understand. And if you wanna go back into the technical details, I think Rich Ni is here. He's the statistician in the group. But
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the benchmark is being placed in code for clarity and that the 80% goal is a long-range target.
▶ Watch at 2:14:17Read what they said
or the, the, the goal at the same time? Well, There was a lot of confusion about what the benchmark was, which is one of the reasons to say we're gonna, this is the bench and put it in code. I would probably not normally do that, but we're putting in, in code so it's clear all across all our schools, et cetera. And it's something that teachers know, um, that's the goal of this. And when you do that, actually, um, depending on what measure you're using, uh, we'll probably we're gonna see a bump, uh, in our scores automatically. Um, so this is really saying we can get to this 80% goal using this, this particular, um, benchmark.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says superintendents are comfortable with the goal, that retention would not begin until 2030, and that the goal is a stretch target.
▶ Watch at 2:15:22Read what they said
Our superintendents, were really comfortable with that. If, um, in terms of the, this is long range goal, remember, we're not gonna have, we're not gonna even do retention until 2030. So the kindergarten kids aren't even in kindergarten yet. Um, so we have, you know, well over four years. Um, but it's saying we wanna have a stretch goal, uh, for our kids because it's hard to think about, you think about the kids in your neighborhood, do you wanna go pick out 20% of 'em that aren't gonna read at grade third grade level? I, I believe, um, my passion around this is, this is the most important thing we do is to help kids read. Because from …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the bill provides coaching, training, and paraprofessionals to schools that need support and emphasizes that reading is the most important early skill.
▶ Watch at 2:16:35Read what they said
It, well, that's why we're trying to provide support, um, because those schools do need support. So being able, uh, to get coaching and training out there, to be able to get paraprofessionals out there, um, I wouldn't do this without support. Um, because that, you know, that would just be an unfunded mandate and I would not believe in that. I do think we need to invest in this. I think it's important and just, it's the most important skill that our students need to have to start with. I mean, we can talk about all the other things, but if you can't read, you're gonna have a hard time ever doing history and civics and, um, science and …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says reported scores may rise without a change in skills and points to other assessments, including NAEP and RISE, and to the goal of avoiding surprises for parents at the end of third grade.
▶ Watch at 2:18:07Read what they said
Well, and we're gonna get an improvement without necessarily and seeing an improvement in the actual skills In acas. It will, um, but it's not, I mean, but then we'll go out and still have NAP scores and other things, so we're gonna have other benchmarks out there that we can look at. There will also be, although it's a very different test, the RISE test, uh, that's given at the end of third grade. So, uh, we're just trying to give. But, but if you're only, I mean, the NAPPE test only gets given to a few students, not all students. So that's, that wasn't a good tool for us to use. The rise, uh, is given at the …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Responds to concerns by saying the bill sets a clear and consistent benchmark, that other states have similar policies, and that literacy is a priority.
▶ Watch at 2:29:23Read what they said
So, um, one of the things I'm, I, I, I understand what you're saying, um, but we have to have a consistent, uh, goalpost. And if we don't have a consistent goalpost, um, we're not gonna be able to measure this success over time. Um, and when you have multiple ones, that, that doesn't work. So, um, what I wanna say is what's most important here is that our kids learn to read. Um, and, uh, as I got into this and sat down with a, a superintendent working group and said, how do we get there? Um, we had to work through some issues that were not focused on necessarily the interventions, but how do we make sure we …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Thanks the committee for their time.
▶ Watch at 2:33:02Read what they said
Thank you very much. I appreciate all your time. I know that's late Friday afternoon.
S.J.R. 16 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Ethics Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Explains that the penalty-related language was pulled from the bill because its fiscal cost needed more study, so the bill returns to its legislative ethics provisions.
▶ Watch at 1:02:20Read what they said
of SJR 16 and replace it with second substitute of SJR 16, which is in reality the first version of the bill. Um, we had tried to, um, accommodate the increased penalty, trying to capture some, how do we go about maybe trying to anticipate on fiscal notes the increased cost of enhanced penalties became a little more complex, gonna need more time to work on. So all of that's been pulled out. This is back to, uh, legislative Ethics amendments.
S.J.R. 16 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Ethics Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Describes the bill, which would remove term limits, clarify when the Legislative Ethics Commission can dismiss a complaint, add subpoena power, require sworn affidavits from complainants, respondents and witnesses, and strengthen privacy protections for legislative officials.
▶ Watch at 1:03:36Read what they said
Thank you very much. Um, I, many of you, uh, know that we have an independent legislative ethics commission that if somebody files complaint, it really goes to that independent legislative Ethics Commission first, um, to determine whether or not it, um, has, uh, enough substance to it that it needs to come to a senate ethics committee or a health ethics committee. Uh, speaker Dave Clark has currently been chairing that and as a part of their going through their process, they realized that we could do some things that would actually help tighten up the process. So this first of all says that we're gonna take away term limits. I don't know how many times this group does …
H.B. 276 Artificial Intelligence Modifications · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Asks where the bill falls on the range of protections for individuals and what people can do when a deepfake happens.
▶ Watch at 1:21:54Read what they said
So that's why I'm wondering. So thank you. I mean, we do have to address this and it's really hard to anticipate everything, but I know there are many examples out there of, um, people really being caught in these deep fake situations and they're very intimate pictures, et cetera. And I worry about not just kids, but adults, uh, et cetera, and that kind of environment. Um, as you think about this, is this, I mean, on this continuum, where does this put us on the continuum of being able to at least try to protect individuals, uh, from having experiences like this? Is this more about at least giving them private right of action so they can do …
H.B. 276 Artificial Intelligence Modifications · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says the process depends on takedown requests working and asks how that process is communicated to individuals.
▶ Watch at 1:23:40Read what they said
Okay. So we are kind dependent on the take down request working. Um, and then how are we communicating that to, uh, to individuals?
H.B. 276 Artificial Intelligence Modifications · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says the bill is a good first step, expresses concern about harms to individuals, and asks the committee to keep considering further protections.
▶ Watch at 1:24:05Read what they said
Well, I, I, I don't, and I, but I, but I just think we have, um, this is a good first step. Um, but I worry a lot about our ability to, um, to do things that are harmful, um, to individuals. Um, and when you know it, it's one thing to have political conversations or whatever it is, another to do things that are harmful to individuals, um, and how they are able to, um, be able to respond and respond quickly enough, et cetera. So, yeah, thank you for what you're doing and just keep thinking about what else we do To help. Thank you. Well,
H.B. 276 Artificial Intelligence Modifications · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Describes Amendment 3 as a technical amendment brought forward by industry partners to address some concerns.
▶ Watch at 1:35:41Read what they said
Yes. This is a technical amendment, one that was brought to us by industry. Those who have engaged. Not everyone has, um, we've tried to engage with as many industry partners as possible, but I think this amendment will help alleviate some of the concerns.
H.B. 276 Artificial Intelligence Modifications · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Moves to send the first substitute of the bill as amended to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:36:04Read what they said
Uh, I'd like to move that, uh, we send first substitute of House Bill 2 76 as amended to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 276 Artificial Intelligence Modifications · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says the bill is narrowly focused on worst-case harms and that it is a start to protect people, especially her grandchildren, from bad actors.
▶ Watch at 1:38:53Read what they said
I, I just wanna say, I think this bill, um, is pretty narrowly focused on things that for many people would be like the worst case scenario. If this were your grandchild or someone else that you knew and this happened to you, um, this is pretty narrowly focused on things you're not gonna wanna see happen. Do we have it? Perfect? Probably not. But we don't get most things perfect up here the first time, and particularly things that are very early, but to start to bring some protection around it and to begin to work in the right direction. I would also encourage you to continue to have conversations with people, but I wanna protect my grandkids and, …
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · House Education Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Presents SB 216, which sets a new performance funding model with differentiated measures by institution mission, shifts enrollment funding toward level of instruction, and creates a framework for capacity funding based on wait lists.
▶ Watch at 1:48:14Read what they said
Thank you very Much. Thank you for being with us this morning. Thank you very much. Um, as I look around this room, I know there are a number of you that have participated in these conversations over, um, the interim period. One of the things that Higher Education Appropriations Committee was asked to do was to re-look at our performance funding model. Uh, we had committed to schools that we would keep a funding performance model in place for five years. Um, if we decided to update it, we would do that, um, for the following five years, and we would give them a baseline year because they all need to make adjustments if there's adjustments in the formula …
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · House Education Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Explains that the model ties funding to the cost of instruction rather than prior budget share, and that other states are moving in this direction.
▶ Watch at 1:54:52Read what they said
We're trying to do it based on what cost of instruction is. And so if you're funding a technical college, which has, as you all know, um, very expensive programs that require low student, uh, ratios, et cetera. Uh, but yet we would consider them to be in that, uh, in just general enrollment category. If they're getting funded the same as our English classes, that's probably not sufficient to support technical col good technical college programs. So this is trying to say, let's do this, let's be much more reflective of the level and cost of the instruction. And that's what this model moves to versus here's how we did it. We said, okay, this school got 500 increase …
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · House Education Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says the model uses average costs and is closer to reflecting costs than before, though it will not be calculated for each individual institution.
▶ Watch at 1:56:50Read what they said
It, it uses an average of costs, so it's gonna pick up higher, lower costs. I mean, we're not gonna do it by each individual institution, but it's getting closer than it did in the past.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the bill lets institutions give in-state scholarships to all students in ROTC programs so the country gets future servicemembers, and that it supports their education and ability to serve.
▶ Watch at 34:19Read what they said
Senator Millner, thank You very much Mr. President Pro Tem. What this bill does is allow, uh, our institutions to give in-state scholarships to all students that are participating in ROTC programs. Um, we need the next generation to serve this country and this helps facilitate not only their education but their ability to serve. With that, I'm open to questions
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Thanks the sponsor for a restricted account that would support literacy, mental health and children, and says addictive technology makes this support important.
▶ Watch at 1:03:01Read what they said
I, I just wanna say I thank the sponsor for the thoughtfulness about setting up a restricted account for this that we use to support youth. Uh, so supporting literacy, supporting mental health, supporting, um, our, our kids is really important during this time. And we know that cell phones and iPads and all of those things, um, are generating addictive behavior. We're also, people are selling that. Um, if they're gonna do that, then let's make sure we're able to help compensate and help support our children during that really important time of life.
S.B. 220 Veteran Scholarship Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Presents the bill to expand tuition waivers for Purple Heart recipients by addressing the 10-year limit on the waiver and adjusting the waiver amount.
▶ Watch at 1:10:54Read what they said
Um, the purpose of this bill is we have a number of Prepar heart recipients, uh, in the state of Utah. We give them to tuition waivers at the baccalaureate level. We've given them some tuition waiver at the graduate level. Um, but we put a 10 year cap on it. But we have an example of people who have been returning to, um, war sites and other active duty away from the state who haven't been able to take advantage of with a 10 year time limit. So we're expanding that and also doing an adjustment to the tuition waiver that we allow. Um, I think that's appropriate given the time and the kinda service of the veterans that, …
S.B. 220 Veteran Scholarship Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Says she does not know the reason for the 10-year limit and suggests asking a person next to her who may know.
▶ Watch at 1:11:57Read what they said
I do not know that. So, but, but I, but you might ask, um, the person next to you, I was just told a little story about Oh, no. Um, about that. Maybe either he might know or he can tell you about, um, being subjected to that.
S.B. 220 Veteran Scholarship Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Thanks the committee and says Brian Garrett helps veterans and servicemembers resolve administrative problems.
▶ Watch at 1:14:45Read what they said
Um, just wanna say thank you for your consideration and to Brian, um, who finds these kind of administrative things that get in the way of our servicemen and women sometimes. And, um, always brings them to help, help us get 'em solved for them. So I appreciate that a lot.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Explained that S.B. 276 would give veterans tax-exempt organizations the same nonprofit status that other nonprofits have.
▶ Watch at 58:59Read what they said
Um, what this bill does is give veterans tax exempt organizations the same, uh, nonprofit status as we have for nonprofits
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Presents S.B. 276, which would give veterans organizations state nonprofit status like the federal treatment, allowing sales and tax exemptions and other nonprofit privileges, and says she is open to questions.
▶ Watch at 59:06Read what they said
nonprofit status as we have for nonprofits and charitable organizations. Federal government does this, but for some reason we haven't done this at the state level. So it allows them to get sales and tax use exemptions. Um, and all of the other kind of, uh, privileges that you get if you're a nonprofit, they are totally serving in a nonprofit way. Our veterans organ, our veterans in our community. With that, I'm open to questions, Discussion to the bill.
H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Explains that the bill lets students enrolled in ROTC in state programs qualify for in-state tuition whether they are from in-state or out of state.
▶ Watch at 1:00:34Read what they said
Millner, Thank you very much Mr. President Proti. Uh, what this bill does is say for students that are enrolled in ROTC in one of our state programs, whether they're from in-state or outta state, they would qualify for in-state tuition. We wanna facilitate them participating in getting their college education, but I going into service for this country. Um, with that, I'm open to questions.
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Explains that S.B. 226 was heard yesterday but was circled because the fiscal note had not caught up, and begins describing what the bill does for drivers of vehicles.
▶ Watch at 1:01:26Read what they said
Uh, we heard this bill yesterday, um, but it got circled because the fiscal note hadn't caught up with it. Uh, what this does is to say if as a driver of a vehicle, uh, is in
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Says she has worked through the bill with attorneys, prosecutors, the Attorney General's office and DPS, and expects one more clarifying amendment in House committee.
▶ Watch at 1:01:42Read what they said
hits another car and causes a fatality and the family would like to have a second opinion, they could appeal to a higher level of supervision in DPS on whether or not there should be further testing for impairment. Um, I have worked through this bill with all the attorneys, prosecutors, ags office in uh, uh, DPS and probably will have one more amendment house committee, but that's just clarifying language. Um, and open to questions.
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Explains that the bill requires an officer who declines to seek a warrant to first consult a senior officer, adding another level of review, and describes a constituent's case.
▶ Watch at 1:02:42Read what they said
Okay. Because, because If you go back to the bill and you look at it, what it does is it says that they can request that, um, they go to, uh, could You provide a line number, uh, Just a minute, Uh, line. If you go to section seven line beginning with line 1 0 6 to 1 1 10, it says, of a peace officer investigating a VE motor vehicle accident resulting in the death of an individual believes there's insufficient cause to justify search warrant authorizing a chemical test, the peace officer shall consult with a senior officer, uh, regarding the lack of probable cause before declining to seek a search warrant. Okay, so that just gives another …
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the bill addresses new federal Pell rules requiring program earnings reporting, sets up Workforce Pell for short-term training, and creates a youth apprenticeship council.
▶ Watch at 1:18:15Read what they said
You. Thank you very much. Um, so appreciate being here. Um, let me talk about this bill a little bit. Um, most of you remember that in the summer we had, um, the big beautiful bill that was passed. Um, and in that big beautiful bill, there were a number of changes made to the Pell program. And it's, um, and then after that, rules and regs have been heard on that in the Pell program. It now requires that states, um, will have to report for individuals, um, for programs that we have, what is the earning power of the graduates of those programs. So they will have to make sure that there, we will have to be able …
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the bill is a requirement of the federal bill so that programs can qualify for Pell, by collecting non-anonymized program data on graduate wages.
▶ Watch at 1:22:41Read what they said
Um, I think this is important. This is, um, the big beautiful bill, um, that has been, uh, received much a claim. Um, this is one of the requirements in that bill, and I think we have many students that, uh, wanna be eligible for Pell. This is really trying to get non, uh, non anonymized data, um, that we'll be able then to report. So our programs will qualify for Pell.
S.B. 220 Veteran Scholarship Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Presents S.B. 220, which gives Purple Heart recipients more opportunities for scholarships for graduate programs and modestly increases the scholarship value.
▶ Watch at 12:51Read what they said
thank you very much Mr. President. Um, what this bill does is we discussed yesterday is, um, our Purple Heart recipients. This just, uh, provides them more opportunities to get scholarships, um, for graduate programs and increases by a small amount, um, the value of those scholarships. Um, with that I'm open to questions.
S.B. 210 Nicotine Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Spoke on the bill.
▶ Watch at 25:58Read what they said
Senator Millner, Thank you very much Mr. President Proto. Um, first thing I need to do is
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Moves adoption of the first amendment, which changes 'V' to 'a' and 'person' to 'individual' at the request of DPS.
▶ Watch at 26:04Read what they said
to move amendment one, uh, to first substitute Senate bill 2 26. It just changes a V to a and person to individual, but it was important to DPS that we do that and it didn't get picked up in the first sub, so I'd like to move that amendment.
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Explains that a constituent who lost her husband in a crash wanted further testing, and that the bill lets an individual ask a more senior officer to review the scene decision and decide on additional testing, after work with prosecutors, the AG's office, and DPS.
▶ Watch at 26:39Read what they said
Yes. Uh, as we discussed yesterday, um, this was a constituent who, um, lost her husband at, um, due to a motor vehicle accident on a Sunday. Somebody drove over into his lane, hit him head on, and she wanted there to be further testing. But the officer that was on, uh, if the scene did not make that decision, she asked that there be some kind of capability for a family member to be able to, um, get almost like a somebody else to also come in on that decision. Um, and what this does after working with the prosecuting attorneys, the defendants, the ags office and DPS, what we came to is that an individual could ask that …
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Explains that the bill aligns state tax exemption rules for veterans organizations with federal code, which already gives them the same access to exemptions as other nonprofits.
▶ Watch at 33:49Read what they said
Senator Millner. Thank you very much Mr. President. Um, what this bill does is say we've got a number of veterans organizations, um, they aren't necessarily 5 0 1 c threes, but they are non-profit organizations that are meant to benefit our veterans. Um, our code federal code gives them all the same access to, uh, tax exemption that, uh, the other nonprofits have. But our state code does not do that. So what this debt bill does is to align us with federal code on giving them to tax exemptions that I'm open to questions?
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Describes a Mona Elementary principal's effort to help every child read at grade level by the end of third grade, and says the bill provides intervention, conversation, and support for parents, students, and teachers.
▶ Watch at 33:56Read what they said
President Proti. We had a long discussion about this bill yesterday, um, but I just wanted to share the story of, uh, a principal at Mona Elementary School. Um, her name is Brandi Webster. And what she said is she got her teachers together, they started focusing on how do we help every children, every child learn to read? And she said, we set a goal and we turned around and said to ourselves, how can we leave any child behind? If we look at the children in our schools, how can we do that? Our, our own personal goal is to help every child read at grade level by the end of third grade because we wanna give them …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Thanks colleagues for their work on the bill and explains her aye vote.
▶ Watch at 37:19Read what they said
I wanna explain my vote. Senator Millner, Um, I just wanna say this work doesn't happen. One of the things that I learned very quickly is you're one out of 104. Um, it takes many people and many colleagues here to come together to get anything big done. And I wanna say thank you to my colleagues, uh, for, um, coming along with me and big issues that I think are important for the children of the state. And, but it's also a credit to the entire team of the Senate, so thank you. Aye.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Presents S.B. 254 as a way to develop critical mineral mining and processing in Utah, with critical mineral zones, faster permitting, and innovation, while keeping environmental impact low.
▶ Watch at 54:35Read what they said
Thank you very much. We discussed this bill yesterday. Um, this is critical. Mine Mineral amendments bill is really about, um, our being able to play a key role in helping this country, um, meet its needs for critical minerals, both in terms of thinking about, um, being able to mine those minerals work because we do have 50 of 60 of the critical minerals here in the state of Utah. But also developing the expertise to be able to process them. 'cause it doesn't help if you get them out of the ground and you can't process 'em and have to send them to another country to do that. Um, this is about building our capacity to do it …
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Presents first substitute S.C.R. 9, which calls on the federal delegation to help secure federal support for critical minerals processing, mining, and national security, and opens the floor to questions.
▶ Watch at 58:20Read what they said
Thank you very much. Uh, what this Senator Millner, What this does, uh, for substitutes in SCR nine, uh, calls on our federal delegation to help us, uh, get support from the federal government for, uh, the critical minerals, um, processing that we want to do in the state. Um, making it facilitating the process of being able to do mining, to processing it and making sure that we can then make it available for national security in this country. And with that, I'm open to questions. Senator Millner is open for questions.
S.J.R. 16 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Ethics Amendments · Senate Rules Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Explains that the substitute bill adds a fiscal note requirement for criminal penalty enhancements to account for future incarceration costs.
▶ Watch at 1:14Read what they said
Thank you very much. First thing I'd like to do is to delete entitled body, uh, SJR 16 and replace it with first substitute of Senate Bill 16. The reason for changing this is, um, Senator Stratton, uh, wanted us to address something, uh, related to the enhanced penalties that, uh, we are continuing to increase and the implications of those enhanced penalties on future capital, Sorry, On fiscal note bills. And so this incorporates that, uh, into this so that we in fiscal note bills in the fiscal note, we are capturing that so we have a better, um, sense of what we're doing. So, so That's, that's the sub in a bill that increases criminal penalties in a …
S.J.R. 16 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Ethics Amendments · Senate Rules Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Responds that bills without a fiscal note yet would be affected when the measure takes effect.
▶ Watch at 3:07Read what they said
Well, that would be helpful. No, what my understanding is there's, there's any of those that have not received a fiscal note yet, it would go into effect at that point. So,
S.J.R. 16 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Ethics Amendments · Senate Rules Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Explains the bill's ethics commission changes, including grounds for dismissing complaints, attorney chairing, witness affidavits, and privacy protections for legislators, plus the fiscal note provision.
▶ Watch at 3:40Read what they said
Okay. Um, so the, uh, original purpose for this bill was to really tighten up some, um, we have an independent, uh, legislative ethics commission. Uh, and that is, there are no legislators that serve on that. If there's an ethics complaint, they go to that ethics commission first. Um, Dave Clark, some of you may remember Dave, who was a former legislator and speaker of the house is now the chair of that. Um, he brought to leadership some potential changes just to tighten up the process a bit. And so what this bill does is to address that, it, it really outlines the circumstances under which the commission can dismiss a complaint. Um, allows, um, an attorney to …
S.J.R. 16 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Ethics Amendments · Senate Rules Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Agrees to change the effective date to the last day of the session.
▶ Watch at 8:06Read what they said
I'm also happy to make the, um, change the effective date to last day of the session.
S.B. 49 Natural Organic Reduction Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says she knows of a case where a person was buried in someone's backyard without using mortuary services.
▶ Watch at 31:36Read what they said
I just gonna say, I know of an example of that. Somebody that just, um, did not wanna go through mortuary services, et cetera, and that person was buried in somebody's backyard, so it, it is happening.
S.B. 222 Right to Try Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents S.B. 192, a Legislative Management Committee bill that creates uniform policies for sexual discrimination and committee procurement, noting it was carried over from last year and has been reworked.
▶ Watch at 42:26Read what they said
Thank you. This was the Legislative Management Committee bill. This has been a work in progress. Last year I had this bill came through and, and we we had some auditor changes in this bill and it became contentious and we didn't, we didn't actually pass the bill, so we brought this bill back this year, some move it forward. This deals with creating uniform policies with Legislative Management Committee. Um, we adopt sexual discrimination policies through, through this both the House and the Senate. Together we deal with when, when committees can go out and procure, uh, do procurement. But with that, it's, it's been, it's been a work in progress. And I'm open for questions.
S.B. 222 Right to Try Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to adopt Senate Amendment number one in her name.
▶ Watch at 44:51Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Tim, I move to adopt Senate Amendment number one in my name
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents S.B. 216, which sets the funding formula for performance funding for five years, tweaks the enrollment funding model, and asks the State Board of Higher Education to develop a capacity funding model.
▶ Watch at 1:12:16Read what they said
You very much Mr. President Pro Tem. Um, this bill is one that we worked on through Interim and Higher Education appropriations. It sets for the next five years the funding formula for performance funding. Also tweaks our enrollment funding model and then asks the State Board of Higher Education to develop a capacity funding model if we're going to continue to fund capacity. Um, and with that I'm open to questions.
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents Senate Bill 226, which would let a family member of a driver killed in a fatal crash request a follow-up blood test for chemical substances at the scene, and says the bill was developed with prosecutors, defense attorneys, and DPS.
▶ Watch at 1:17:50Read what they said
her husband was coming home from church and a, um, truck moved over, uh, into the lane that her husband was in, and he was hit and it was a fatality. And she is suffering from the loss of her husband, but also is really, feels like that the person that caused the accident, the driver should have been tested, um, should have had a blood test for substances that may been inhibiting to his, um, ability to act. So this bill, I started thinking this was, um, you know, that this was kind of common sense that somebody that was in a fatal accident, um, that that family would want to know that, um, everyone would want to know. …
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Offers a first substitute for Senate Bill 226 that replaces the original text, noting the attorneys involved have reviewed it.
▶ Watch at 1:20:33Read what they said
Yes. First substitute, uh, I like to delete and tie on body sub Senate bill 2 26 and substitute with first substitute Senate bill 2 26, which is the, uh, all of the attorneys have had an opportunity to weigh in. I'm not sure it'll still be the last time, but, um, I'm open to listening.
S.B. 154 Protection and Advocacy Agency Reporting · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Thanks the presiding officer and moves to encircle S.B. 241, early literacy discussion.
▶ Watch at 1:38:52Read what they said
Thank you very much. I'd like to encircle, um, Senate Bill 2 41. Motion is to encircle Senate bill 2 41 Early literacy discussion.
S.B. 154 Protection and Advocacy Agency Reporting · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Asks to delete the title and body of S.B. 241.
▶ Watch at 1:39:13Read what they said
Okay. Uh, then I would like to delete and title and Body Senate bill 2 41
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to replace the bill with first substitute S.B. 241 and explains the main differences between the two versions.
▶ Watch at 1:39:16Read what they said
and Body Senate bill 2 41 and replace it with first substitute Senate Bill 2 41. Let me tell you what the difference is in the two bills.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Explains the substitute's changes on charter school funding and higher education, and outlines the bill's early literacy goals, testing, reading plans, retention, and exemptions.
▶ Watch at 1:39:25Read what they said
Uh, one is the funding distribution where we were thinking about, uh, initially being able to get charters and our and our public, uh, ed school districts working together decided to separate some of the money out for the charter schools so that the charter schools would get money for a paraprofessionals for training and, uh, also for, um, coaching to be used that would go to the charter school board arthritis or so it can be distributed out. And then the other is that, um, and when we first passed this bill, uh, the first version of this bill in 2022, um, we gave some money to higher education, to higher people was, uh, science of reading expertise. We …
S.B. 34 Public Education Revisions · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to circle Senate Bill 220, Veteran Scholarship amendments.
▶ Watch at 1:42:23Read what they said
Senator Millner, Thank you very much Mr. President Pro Tim, I'd like to encircle Senate bill two 20. The motion is to circle Senate Bill two 20 Veteran Scholarship amendments.
S.B. 220 Veteran Scholarship Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Explained that the bill expands the higher education tuition waiver for Purple Heart recipients to graduate programs, particularly for long-serving veterans, and increases the waiver amount.
▶ Watch at 1:42:41Read what they said
Thank you very much Mr. President. What this bill does is, uh, we have had a higher education tuition waiver for our Purple Heart recipients. We had some interesting, uh, kind of, uh, barriers around that. Uh, for graduate programs, what this does is open it up for graduate programs, particularly for those who have served for a long time and increases the tuition waiver as well. With that, I'm open to questions.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Summarizes the bill's focus on reading by the end of third grade and its statewide consultation with superintendents.
▶ Watch at 1:45:10Read what they said
Discussion? I think I've talked about the general, um, concepts in the bill. Uh, lots of work. Um, it involves superintendents, uh, across the state, both rural urbans, large, small, um, trying to get this right. But the focus really is to say reading is a high priority for our children and we need to help them be able to read at the end of third grade so they can be successful. Uh, the reality is they're less likely to graduate from high school if they're not reading at third grade level. At the end of third grade, they're more likely to end up in the criminal justice system or the social services system. Um, so let's help and support …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Responds that good cause exemptions exist and that the bill aims to intervene early so students are ready for fourth grade.
▶ Watch at 1:47:29Read what they said
Um, Senator Millner, there are a Number of good cause exemptions for that. So, um, there's flexibility if a student is very close, but there's a difference between a student that's very close to a benchmark and a student that's well below benchmark and their ability to move forward. So the idea of this is let's help these children read, um, and make sure they're meeting their reading needs before, uh, we move them on. Because once they get to fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, the reality is these children have to be able to read to be successful in history and science and math and social, uh, studies and civics and all of those other subjects. Um, so …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Responds that the bill uses nationally normed ACA-based benchmarks, that retention is limited except for good cause, and that retention would not take effect until 2030.
▶ Watch at 1:52:29Read what they said
So the goal of this is, uh, except for good cause reasons that we're not holding any third graders back. Um, so, um, we, first of all, one of the things that came up was we first started arguing about numbers and benchmarks, and we decided that, that what we're doing in testing is acas. We're gonna use acas and it's nationally normed. We'll use Acadian benchmarks for this, which means that we probably have more than 50% of our students right now that are, that are performing at an benchmark. Therefore, we raise the, the level of trying to get to the goal of 80%. Um, so we've agreed on a benchmark, it's in the bill. Um, my goal …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Responds that students need individualized reading plans, that a separate dyslexia bill is planned, and that dyslexia students would qualify for a good cause exemption under this bill.
▶ Watch at 1:55:26Read what they said
Yes. Thank you very much for that. Um, you, you're right, kids can't read for different reasons and they actually need oftentimes individualized reading plans that they can, what we do with one child may not be what's gonna work with another child. So the focus of this is to try to start doing that in kindergarten. Dyslexia in particular is an issue. There is another bill that's being run that, uh, is going to focus on dyslexia screeners and being able to give more assistance to students who have dyslexia right now that would be part of the good cause exemption for a child to move on in, in this bill itself. I'm hopeful that we're gonna be able …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Responds that good cause exemptions cover English language learners who have been in the system for a time, and that these students should be supported.
▶ Watch at 1:59:02Read what they said
So there is a good cause exemption in here for if they have been in our system. Um, it's really trying to address English language learners, uh, and addressing that in the Good cause exemption piece. Uh, we've talked about whether or not they've, they've been in our system two or three years, uh, how that should fall in terms of good cause exemption. But I just wanna say it's really important for us to help these kids as long as we've had them in our schools long enough to work with them to help them if be able to read, if they're gonna be in public schools, it's important for them to be successful, that they're able to read …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Explains that the benchmark includes both green and blue levels to allow comparison with other states, and that other reading tests can be used for good cause exemptions.
▶ Watch at 2:02:53Read what they said
That that is something that also came up as an issue. Uh, the reality is we are gonna be those who are at green and up, meaning green and blue, uh, will be being benchmarked. That will allow us to more effectively compare ourselves to other states. Uh, what we found is we had a different benchmark than other states. So it's hard to compare yourself if you're using a different benchmark. So this is, this is the, this will include both green and blue. Your meeting benchmark. You may not be above benchmark, but your meeting benchmark and it'll be standardized across all of our systems. So our, our parents know, our students know, and our teachers more importantly, …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says that students who do not read quickly may use other comparable reading tests to show grade-level reading.
▶ Watch at 2:04:04Read what they said
May i, may I address another concern that Senator Riebe raised? Sure. Yes. So in good cause exemptions, I do wanna say we had this discussion about acas is one way of measuring that when we get to third grade, there may be a student that just doesn't read as fast. Um, there are other tests that we can use to measure whether students reading at benchmark and that we would allow if they are not doing well in Acadian. But we think it's really indicative of Acadian as a testing system. There are comparable, uh, tests that we could give for that student to be able to demonstrate that they really are reading at grade level so they can …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Responds that training and coaching funds will be distributed by formula and that individual reading plans are brief action plans, not IEPs.
▶ Watch at 2:07:21Read what they said
So first of all, let me tell you that, um, also in addition to the 16 million for paraprofessionals, part of what happens here is there's money that's been at for training and for, um, coaching, um, that will be distributed out to the, the districts on a formula basis. So they'll be able to decide where they need to put resources for supporting training and supporting, uh, coaching and support for students. The goal of this individual reading plan is not to write up a big reading plan. It's to say, here are two or three things that we can do with this student. We're gonna talk to the parent. Maybe this is something the parent can do at …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Gives closing remarks urging prioritization of reading by third grade and calls the question on the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:09:42Read what they said
Thank you very much. Um, Mr. President, I don't think there's anything more important that we can do in schools than help our kids learn to read. It is foundational for everything else. If you think about your life, you think about what you could or couldn't do if you couldn't read this year, last year. This, I understand. We ask our schools to do a lot. What I'm asking us to do here is to prioritize reading above all and to say, if we're gonna going to do something right, if we're gonna make sure that we give every child the opportunity to succeed, then they need to be able to read. We know that the research is really …
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to delete the title and body of S.B. 254 and replace it with first substitute S.B. 254, and explains that the substitute makes clarifications related to the bill's financing.
▶ Watch at 3:36:20Read what they said
uh, deleting title and body Senate bill 2 54 and replace it with first substitute Senate bill 2 54. Thank you. That motions around. Going to speak to it Really around financing changes. We had to make some clarifications because of the complexity of the financing.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says the bill helps set up a state strategy for critical minerals, expedites permitting, and creates a mine center focused on processing technology with the University of Utah and state agencies, and that she is open to questions.
▶ Watch at 3:36:56Read what they said
Thank you very much Mr. President. Uh, I promised Senator Harper I would move fast. So what this does is help us set up a state strategy for critical minerals. As we all know, uh, that has become that something very important for the United States in terms of national defense and technology development, that we have a supply of critical minerals and the processing capability here. Utah has 50 of the 60 critical minerals on the list. Um, that doesn't mean they're all mineable in terms of a cost perspective, but it gives us great potential to play a important role in developing critical minerals in the state, both in terms of, uh, uh, mining those critical minerals, but …
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to delete the title and body of S.C.R. 9 regarding critical minerals and replace it with first substitute S.C.R. 9.
▶ Watch at 3:40:30Read what they said
SCR nine. I'd like to delete in title and bodily SCR nine, uh, concurrent resolution regarding critical minerals and replace it with first substitute. Um, uh, for scr nine.
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents S.C.R. 9, which encourages the federal delegation to help make Utah a center of critical minerals exploration, mining, and processing for national defense, and encourages federal investment in Utah's critical mineral industry.
▶ Watch at 3:41:07Read what they said
What this bill does is to encourage our federal, federal delegation to help make Utah the center of, uh, critical minerals, exploration, mining, and processing to support national defense, uh, and to encourage the federal government to invest in Utah's critical mineral industry. Thank
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Explains that the bill was worked on in higher education appropriations and that tech colleges requested capacity funding, so she is offering amendment two to have the board develop a framework and guardrails for it.
▶ Watch at 2:44:03Read what they said
uncircled to you. So, uh, in addition to that, this is a bill that we've been working on in higher education appropriations over the summer, uh, to work on our, our performance funding model, uh, going projecting into the next five years as well as realigning in our enrollment funding model. But in addition to that, this time our tech colleges ask for capacity funding and, uh, we really don't have a framework for capacity funding. So I wanna amend this bill, uh, with amendment two that would ask the board to develop a framework and guardrails, uh, for capacity funding in the future.
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Describes SB 216 as amended: it sets performance funding metrics for the next five years, realigns enrollment funding by level of instruction, and adds guardrails for tech college capacity funding. She then opens to questions.
▶ Watch at 2:45:22Read what they said
Thank you very much. Um, so Senate bill two 16 as amended as I said, um, we'll do three things. One, it sets in place what will be the next five years of performance funding metrics. Uh, we've told the schools that we will keep them, um, we'll do this only every five years so they can anticipate changes. Next year would actually be a baseline year, and then this would govern performance funding in the future. It's a realignment of enrollment funding from what we have always done to something based on level of instruction. And third, um, it would put in place, uh, some guardrails on a framework for capacity funding for our tech colleges. And with that, …
H.B. 101 Firearm Background Check Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Moves to encircle First Substitute H.B. 132 with the bill under debate.
▶ Watch at 55:34Read what they said
Thank you very much Mr. President, I would like to encircle first substitute House Bill 1 32.
H.B. 132 Military Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Describes H.B. 132 as addressing military and National Guard issues, including letting the Adjutant General accept donations for certain programs, and opens the floor to questions.
▶ Watch at 55:58Read what they said
to some military affairs issues related to the National Guard. The primary thing it does is allow the Adjuvant General to be able to take donations for the museum partnership program, a humanitarian program, and emergency response kinds of things. That's, um, other than that they're really technical details. With that, I'm open to questions. Thank
H.B. 132 Military Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Moves that the first substitute for H.B. 132 pass and calls for a roll call vote.
▶ Watch at 56:26Read what they said
The question, the question is, shall first substitute House Bill one thirty two pass. Roll call vote.
H.B. 279 Higher Education Code Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Sen. Millner says the bill extends higher education code provisions that now apply only to public institutions to private higher education in areas such as STEM center coordination, survivor tuition waivers, and law enforcement protections.
▶ Watch at 1:10:57Read what they said
So, um, this is a reification of some of our higher ed code that's addresses one specific issue. In many cases we only focus on public higher education. Um, but there are areas that it also applies to private, um, uh, higher education in the state. The example would be coordination with our STEM center for the benefit of our young people doing computer partnerships. Um, doing, uh, thinking about things like survivor tuition waivers, um, law enforcement protections, et cetera. They impact all of our campuses. And what this bill does is, uh, insert private higher education in places that it really needs to have the same kind of opportunities and protections that public higher education has in the …
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the state has geothermal potential and it makes sense to develop it where transmission lines and other infrastructure already exist, and thanked the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 37:03Read what they said
Um, just wanna say thank you. I think this is, um, you know, we have lots of geothermal potential here, but really being able to think about putting it where we already have, uh, the infrastructure transmission lines, all those things. That makes great sense. So, thank you.
H.C.R. 4 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Religious Freedom · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Says the bill amends many sections of code, including public higher education provisions and sections that apply to both public and other education.
▶ Watch at 39:56Read what they said
What this bill does is really actually open up and many sections of our code. We talk about public higher education and we apply elements to that, but there's sections that are relevant both
H.B. 279 Higher Education Code Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Presents H.B. 279, saying it opens STEM Action Center and behavioral health and criminal law provisions to private institutions as well as public ones, done in consultation with the Board of Higher Education, which had no concerns.
▶ Watch at 40:06Read what they said
but there's sections that are relevant both to our private institutions as well as our public institutions. Um, for example, um, STEM Action Center could partner not only with public, um, institutions, but with private institutions. Uh, if we think about, um, behavioral health treatment programs, they're needed in our private institution as well as our public institutions, we're thinking about, um, criminal, uh, law protections, same kind of things. So what this does is address particular areas that need to be opened up beyond public institutions to also, um, include private institutions. It was done in consultation, uh, with our Board of Higher Education. They had no concerns, but it does address some of the concerns of our public, …
S.B. 128 Public Alert Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Says she needs to delete a section and make a title change to a bill.
▶ Watch at 1:09:59Read what they said
Thank you very much. Senator Millner. Mr. President pro tem, um, I need to delete and title
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Explains a second substitute for S.B. 195 that adds privacy protections for individuals, following attorney discussions over the long weekend.
▶ Watch at 1:10:01Read what they said
President pro tem, um, I need to delete and title and body for substitute of Senate Bill 1 95 and replace it with second substitute, um, Senate Bill 1 95. The reason for this is over the long weekend our attorneys were conferring, they're trying to make sure we give the maximum protection for privacy for people, um, as we, uh, report this data, et cetera. And so, um, they reached agreement on being able to, to increase the privacy protection for individuals in this bill. And that's what the nature of the substitute is. Um, I'm open for questions on the substitute
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Explains that S.B. 195 requires reporting on Pell students' outcomes, including jobs and salaries, and creates a Workforce Pell option for short-term programs starting in July.
▶ Watch at 1:11:01Read what they said
Thank you very much Mr. President. What this bill does is in the big beautiful bill that was passed, um, this summer, uh, it made some changes to the Pell Program and as opposed what they did was set up accountability measures for pe. So for our students who are getting Pell in order to be able to go to school, um, we have to report on their outcomes. And their outcomes require us to report on the jobs they're getting, the salaries they're getting. So we have to have a mechanism to do that. In addition, it allows us to set up something we haven't had before, which is called Workforce Pell. And that means there are short term …
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Explains that the federal Pell Grant changes require reporting on student job outcomes and salaries, and that the bill sets up Workforce Pell for short-term programs starting in July.
▶ Watch at 1:11:01Read what they said
Thank you very much Mr. President. What this bill does is in the big beautiful bill that was passed, um, this summer, uh, it made some changes to the Pell Program and as opposed what they did was set up accountability measures for pe. So for our students who are getting Pell in order to be able to go to school, um, we have to report on their outcomes. And their outcomes require us to report on the jobs they're getting, the salaries they're getting. So we have to have a mechanism to do that. In addition, it allows us to set up something we haven't had before, which is called Workforce Pell. And that means there are short term …
S.B. 65 Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Says the bill moves the state into property tax, which has been kept at the local level, by dedicating income tax funds to it, and has concerns about that.
▶ Watch at 1:36:32Read what they said
So, uh, I know this is all money. I I understand that, um, um, Senator Fillmore has been clear about its money, uh, whether it's property tax money or it's from income tax, it's still all money, but one of the things that has been good to say up here is we've been able to say property tax is done at the local level, not at the state level. And that's, I think, been helpful for us in terms of policy making that there's a fairly, um, not totally clear dividing line, but pretty close. Um, we do a little bit of it in order to be able to do, um, to do some equalization, but it, it's small. This …
S.B. 19 Digital Evidence Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Says her vote was recorded involuntarily and that she is fine with it, noting the chair has done this in her committee before.
▶ Watch at 46:44Read what they said
it's in it's involuntary at this point. I'm fine if it's, uh, I've done that in his committee like two or three times this year, I think. So. He didn't notice. It's fine. Uh, it's
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Says a childcare program she was involved with at a university was not sustainable, even with private funding.
▶ Watch at 51:31Read what they said
It didn't. Okay. That, I mean, uh, let, let me say two things. Um, we weren't trying to provide it for employees. Um, we were actually part of an even start program, the Glassman, uh, project, and we were trying to make childcare and educational programs together. We were trying to put that in place, and we actually had a downtown location, um, to do that because we were trying to make sure it was convenient to the parents. We made a very large investment in that because the standards that you have to meet are so high. Um, and it, it just, it didn't, it wasn't sustainable, even with private funds, um, helping to support it, it wasn't sustainable. …
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Presented SB 276, which would let veterans organizations claim sales and use tax exemptions on revenue from their charitable work, allow them to receive donations from state agencies and acquire conservation easements, and clarify the terms charitable nonprofit and nonprofit in code.
▶ Watch at 1:46:52Read what they said
Like you've, we've lost our crowd, but don't take it personally. I won't, I won't. So, uh, I just wanna say, um, uh, Terry Scowl brought me something this summer that I had no idea that was not available to our veterans organizations. And what happens is, for our veterans organiz, I mean, all of our nonprofits out there that are 5 0 1 c threes, so they're not specifically veterans or organizations. Um, they receive tax exempt benefits that our veterans organizations haven't been able to receive, uh, in terms of being tax exempt and, uh, to be able to claim sales and use tax exempts on revenue from their charitable work. So this is only for their charitable …
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Waived further summation and said it is time to bring the state standard up to the federal standard.
▶ Watch at 1:51:13Read what they said
Uh, I waive, I just think it's time we bring our state standard up to federal standard.
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Millner explains that federal changes to Pell require the state to report job and wage outcomes for programs, including the new Workforce Pell short-term training, and that this bill sets up that process.
▶ Watch at 1:29:21Read what they said
Uh, I think we all know that in the big beautiful bill that was passed this last year, they made some changes to the Pell program and in those, uh, changes that they made, they did a couple of things. They require that, uh, we estate be able to report back on, um, what kinds of, uh, the jobs and salaries that people make when they complete our programs and they're using Pell money. In addition to that, they set up the Workforce Pell program, which is meant to be short-term training 15, 16 weeks. And the goal of that is to make sure that we have the opportunity for people to go in and get really short term training, …
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Millner moves to substitute first substitute S.B. 195 for the bill's text.
▶ Watch at 1:30:23Read what they said
First I would like to, um, move, uh, first substitute of deleting title to bodies, uh, Senate Bill 1 95 and substituted with first substitute Senate bill 1 95.
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Millner says the substitute makes technical changes to keep the program in line with federal regulations, which are still being finalized, with a July start date.
▶ Watch at 1:30:43Read what they said
Uh, the changes are technical changes. Um, and my guess is we continue to get more feedback from, um, the, uh, federal government as we work through. They're working through regs and regulations right now, so we're trying to make sure our, um, this pro this program goes into effect in July for us. We only have till March to get it right. And so we're continuing to monitor the regulations and that's, these are just small changes, technical changes mostly to make sure that we're in line with the federal regulations on this
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Millner asks to call the question on the bill. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:31:35Read what they said
Okay. So my motion, uh, is to, uh, call the question or ask for que no may
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Millner moves an amendment to the first substitute that clarifies the roles of the governor and the Workforce Services Council to match federal rules and the new federal law, without changing the program's intent.
▶ Watch at 1:31:45Read what they said
We have an amendment. Okay. It's the amendment online. Yes it Is. Okay, then I'd like to make an amendment to it. Um, this is further, a further piece of, um, they just returned from some meetings this week in Washington DC and we need to do a couple of clarifying pieces, uh, in this amendment that talks about the role of the governor and the Workforce Services Council. And that's what this does. Um, does that change our intent on how we plan to manage this program? But we need to do it to be in line with federal regulation and the big beautiful bill. With that, I am open, I'd like to move the amendment to first substitute …
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Presents first substitute S.B. 195 amendment clarifying the governor's role and the Workforce Services Council, to align with federal regulation, and moves its adoption.
▶ Watch at 1:31:52Read what they said
Um, this is further, a further piece of, um, they just returned from some meetings this week in Washington DC and we need to do a couple of clarifying pieces, uh, in this amendment that talks about the role of the governor and the Workforce Services Council. And that's what this does. Um, does that change our intent on how we plan to manage this program? But we need to do it to be in line with federal regulation and the big beautiful bill. With that, I am open, I'd like to move the amendment to first substitute Senate Bill 1 95. Thank
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Millner says the bill lets the state connect wage data to program completions so it can meet new federal reporting requirements for Pell and Workforce Pell.
▶ Watch at 1:32:50Read what they said
So really what this bill totally is, is helping us to be qualified, uh, for our students who wanna get Pell programs, we're going to have to do report reporting that we have not had to do in the past. Federal government's not taking responsibility for it, we have to take responsibility for it, um, both for the General Pell Program as well as for Workforce Pal. And so this allows us to, um, be able to connect data that will allow that to happen and so that we're getting wage related data, um, and connecting it to completions and graduation from programs. So with that, I'm open to questions
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Says the bill helps the state meet federal reporting requirements for Pell and Workforce Pell programs and links wage data to program completions and graduation.
▶ Watch at 1:32:50Read what they said
So really what this bill totally is, is helping us to be qualified, uh, for our students who wanna get Pell programs, we're going to have to do report reporting that we have not had to do in the past. Federal government's not taking responsibility for it, we have to take responsibility for it, um, both for the General Pell Program as well as for Workforce Pal. And so this allows us to, um, be able to connect data that will allow that to happen and so that we're getting wage related data, um, and connecting it to completions and graduation from programs. So with that, I'm open to questions
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Explains that the bill modifies how municipalities prosecute cases by allowing them to contract prosecutors, bringing them in line with counties, and notes some municipalities already do this.
▶ Watch at 1:35:22Read what they said
this bill makes us a slight modification to the rules regarding when municipalities or how municipalities prosecute cases. Um, it brings it in line with counties in, uh, allowing them to contract prosecutors. I'll note for, uh, the benefit of this body that I, some municipalities already do this, this is, um, just making sure they have express authorization to do so. I'm happy to answer any questions.
S.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Emphasizing Utah's Commitment to Advanced Air Mobility · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Said the resolution is extremely important for Utah, especially with the Olympics, and that faster progress on air mobility could help Olympic logistics and set Utah apart; hopes it moves quickly.
▶ Watch at 44:07Read what they said
Not a question. Um, does, I think this is extremely important for Utah, and particularly now with the Olympics. And, um, being able to expedite our ability to advance air mobility, I think could really help with the logistics of the Olympics, but also could set us apart. So, um, I'm hopeful we can move this quickly.
S.C.R. 10 Concurrent Resolution Emphasizing Utah's Commitment to Advanced Air Mobility · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved that S.C.R. 10 be sent to the floor with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 44:51Read what they said
Senator Millner, I'd Like to move CR 10 concurrent resolution, emphasizing Utah's commitment to advanced Air Mobility to the floor with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 62 Road Jurisdiction Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to pass HB 62 second substitute to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation and asked that it be considered for the consent calendar if applicable.
▶ Watch at 1:05:38Read what they said
the, we pass out HB 62 second substitute, uh, road jurisdiction amendments to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation Discussion. That motion seeing none represented for summation. I would appreciate it. And I'd also love for this to be considered for consent if applicable. Thank you.
H.B. 209 Voting Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Asks whether proof of citizenship is required only once at first registration, with no repeat as long as the person keeps voting.
▶ Watch at 1:22:46Read what they said
Uh, so this only happens once, right? When you register, when you first register to vote, then you prove your citizenship, uh, and then as long as you continue to vote in elections, you don't have to go back and redo this. Is that correct?
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Presents SB 254, which would create a state critical minerals strategy, a critical minerals council, expedited permitting, critical mineral zones, and a mine center to support processing and innovation.
▶ Watch at 1:48:28Read what they said
Okay, thank you very much. Um, I think you all know that, um, we believe that we have about 50 of 60th critical minerals that we need, uh, for the defense of this country, for technology and innovation, uh, in the state of Utah. We don't know that they're all mineable, but we need to figure in terms of economic feasibility. But we need to figure that out. We also know that we need to process those minerals. Um, it's not enough just to get them out of the ground, but we also need to be able to process them. And our goal is to capture 20 to 25% of the US domestic demand. Um, the reason now and this …
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Summarizes the bill's stakeholder process and goals, including workforce development and processing of critical minerals.
▶ Watch at 2:14:39Read what they said
Thank you very much. Um, this truly has been, we have had many stakeholders involved. Um, we've had state agencies, um, who this is their wheelhouse. We have tried to combine that with economic development folks. The mining association, uh, with the University of Utah has one of only 14 mine programs in the country. Uh, which means we bring the expertise to this. We have the ability to do workforce development. We have the ability to innovate. Uh, we have the ability to pull partners together to do this in a way that nobody else can, I think, and more quickly than anybody else can. This is, um, what we hope becomes the kind of beginning of something that …
S.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Presents S.C.R. 9, which asks Congress to support Utah's critical minerals development and to recognize Utah as a potential critical mineral center.
▶ Watch at 2:17:23Read what they said
Concurrent resolution regarding critical minerals development and funding. Time is yours. Thank you very much. And, and I will just give a brief overview of this. This is a resolution. Um, our goal in this is to kind of, uh, help, um, Congress actually understand what our position is here. That we wanna be a place, um, that is, uh, part of the solution to how we meet our critical mineral needs in, uh, this country. That this, this resolution calls upon them to support and help us in that effort. We would like to be, uh, ultimately a critical mineral center of excellence here. Um, we'd like to contribute to our homeland security, to national security. We wanna make …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Presented SB 241 on early literacy, covering screening and individual reading plans, teacher and paraprofessional training, TSSA funding priorities, third-grade retention with good-cause exemptions, and appeals; then introduced Brandi Webster of Mona Elementary.
▶ Watch at 2:12:27Read what they said
Um, so many of you know that, um, in 2022, we passed an early reading bill. The goal of that was to get more of our third grade reading at third grade level. By the end of third grade. Um, we have made some progress in this, but, uh, it's probably time for us to move to phase two, um, to make sure we have the opportunity to accelerate that progress. Progress. The real, um, kind of focus of this bill is on providing student intervention to be able to support our students, um, being able to get to grade level. And that needs to start in kindergarten and first grade, second grade, and third grade. So we, in this …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Thanked Webster and said the bill aims to give all children individualized support to read at grade level by the end of third grade; she is open to questions.
▶ Watch at 2:25:37Read what they said
Thank you very much, Brandy. I really Appreciate. Yeah, thank you. I, I, I enjoyed your presentation at the Reading Summit too. Yes. Um, that it's an amazing story, what that school has done. Um, and what we wanna do, try to do is to help provide that support for all of our children across the state, um, to be able to get that kind of individualized support and help so that they are reading at third grade level. At the end of third grade. And with that, I'm open to questions.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Answered that students with IEPs and some English language learners can get good-cause exemptions, and explained that the bill uses nationally normed Acadience benchmarks to keep measurement consistent.
▶ Watch at 2:28:25Read what they said
Yes, yes. Uh, first of all, students that are on IEPs, et cetera, they can get an exemption for good cause. Um, you will see an exemption for good cause around some ELL students as well. Um, if a student just moved in, in third grade, et cetera, that's, um, we wanna make sure there's flexibility to, for a good cause reason to let that student move forward. So my goal is that there's no student that's held back, that it builds focus for us, and that that focus is consistent from K through three. Uh, with respect to the scores, I found that problem in that there was multiple different, Acadis has, um, here's their benchmarks. We set a …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said public comment will be limited to about a minute per person.
▶ Watch at 2:32:41Read what they said
Yeah. We're, we're gonna have to limit people to, to about a minute, if that's okay. We've got quite a few that want to speak, so thank you.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said students not reading at grade level are less likely to graduate, acknowledged the tradeoffs, and stressed providing support in fourth grade for students granted good-cause promotion.
▶ Watch at 2:42:32Read what they said
So just a couple of comments. One, uh, we, what we do know that when we, uh, a third grader that's not reading at third grade level is less likely to graduate from high school and more likely to end up in the social services system or the criminal justice system. So there are pros and cons, I understand. But what I hope with this bill is that we focus, um, and we focus like the, like Mona Elementary is focusing on helping every child succeed. And when they get to third grade, their reading, now understand there are some children that there are issues with justice she talked about. Um, but there's, uh, lots of good cause uh, exemptions …
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Sen. Millner introduces S.B. 226, which seeks a consistent process for chemical or blood testing within 24 hours after fatal motor vehicle accidents, and introduces Donica Bigelow.
▶ Watch at 1:01:42Read what they said
Thank you very much. Um, I have Donika Bigelow with me today, and I'm actually running this bill because she reached out to me about this issue, and I'm gonna let her tell her story. Um, let me just briefly say two things. Um, I mean, this bill is really seeking a consistent way for us to be able, um, in fatal accidents, um, to a pedestrian or another, uh, uh, someone in another vehicle who we know the, the, uh, we know who the, the person who caused the accident. It's trying to, uh, set a process up that you can have, uh, a chemical test or a blood test, um, and do that within 24 hours, uh, of …
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Sen. Millner explains that the bill would apply only to fatal accidents and to the driver responsible, and would allow a warrant for a chemical test; DPS has concerns and will suggest approaches.
▶ Watch at 1:05:22Read what they said
Thank you. So, um, what this bill simply does is, um, so when we have a a fatal motor vehicle accident, we should have a consistent process for toxicology processing. Um, and that right now it's at the discretion of the investigating officer, um, really trying to, um, provide the opportunity for there to be a warrant for a chemical test of the driver. Um, A DPS, uh, has concerns about how we do that. So they're gonna work on what would be the right approach to do that. Um, and they can come up and talk about it. I'll be fine with that. Um, but it does apply only to fatal accidents. Uh, it would only apply to the …
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Sen. Millner moves Amendment #1 and notes DPS also needs further language requested by the attorney general's office.
▶ Watch at 1:06:59Read what they said
Yes, I wanna move the amendment. I'm sorry. Yeah. Okay. Uh, move the amendment, but that's not all DPS needs that, that was requested by, uh, the attorney general's office and the drafter said he didn't realize the specificity of that, that language needed to be that way. So I, I would like to move the amendment to the bill.
S.B. 226 Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Sen. Millner gives a summation saying the bill would give families, and courts, more information after fatal accidents, and could either exonerate or confirm a driver.
▶ Watch at 1:09:48Read what they said
Um, I think the point of this is, uh, when you have a tragic accident that causes someone's life, uh, we need to be able to have all the information to be able to make good decisions and, uh, and to provide information back to families, but also to the justice system, uh, in these cases. And this could go either way. It could exonerate somebody. Um, so I mean, I think at the end of the day, for a driver, um, that causes something like this, for some it could exonerate them and, and that doubt would go away. For others, at least it provides the courts with a level of information that they can't get otherwise.
H.B. 54 Boating Safety Education · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Asked whether the bill would consolidate existing courses into one course.
▶ Watch at 1:16:07Read what they said
Uh, I'm trying to understand. Did you say are already other courses and you're trying to consolidate this into one course?
H.B. 54 Boating Safety Education · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said she expects the bill to reduce the yearly time required for the course, and Petersen said he is hopeful about that.
▶ Watch at 1:16:53Read what they said
There. So my guess is there will be a statute at some point honoring this bill because it's going to reduce the amount of time you have to spend every year taking this course. You are hopeful. I'm hopeful.
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · Senate Education Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Explained the bill's performance funding measures, the five-year cycle, the research and high-demand job measures, and the change to enrollment funding.
▶ Watch at 1:05:32Read what they said
Um, that was really, it's a, it's in some ways a technical change or a clarifying change just to make sure as people interpret, um, going forward that the, the law is clear, um, to everyone. So it's, it is a small amendment. So performance funding and enrollment funding have been something in higher education that, um, probably is something the legislature, um, has talked about for a long time. Certainly enrollment funding has been around, um, probably forever. Um, but performance funding is something we started about a decade ago. Um, as we started the process, we wanted to the institutions to be focused on performance, not just bringing students in and putting 'em in seats and really felt …
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · Senate Education Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Explained that the system can propose additional high-demand jobs, with separate lists for degree-granting institutions and technical colleges.
▶ Watch at 1:14:33Read what they said
Yeah. Interesting. So let's start with the first one. Yeah. Um, one of the things we wanna do, because my head concern about we did use just four and five star jobs before. Mm-hmm. You will see in this one now that, uh, the system will decide, um, going through a process, they can add five kind of high need jobs that are needed that we need in the state. Teachers might be an example of that. Um, they may not come out because of salary or, or whatever, but they could be identified as, we still have a large gap in terms of, uh, teachers in the state, and therefore that needs to be one of the jobs that …
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · Senate Education Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Said the bill is aimed at helping students enroll, stay, and complete, and that it does not directly address erratic enrollment.
▶ Watch at 1:17:21Read what they said
Uh, I don't, I don't think we have a way of this. This is really looking at saying, let's help our students come and stay and help support them to complete. Okay. That's the idea here.
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · Senate Education Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Said students who earn a certificate are counted under the performance measures.
▶ Watch at 1:17:38Read what they said
If they get a certificate, they, they get counted. Okay. That's so it's not just a degree. It's not just a degree, it's a certificate. If you get a certificate, you count.
S.B. 220 Veteran Scholarship Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Presented S.B. 220, which would remove the 10-year limit on graduate tuition waivers for Purple Heart recipients and raise the graduate tuition cap from $10,000 to $15,000.
▶ Watch at 1:22:00Read what they said
So, veteran Scholarship Amendments. Uh, yes, go ahead. Um, Brian Garrett, uh, who you all you probably know, works with National Guard and Military and Veterans Affairs, um, brought this to me and it probably surfaced because of an individual, um, who, um, is actually still working with the Guard, but has been deployed multiple times. And, um, we have a waiver program for undergraduate degrees on terms of tuition. And we also have had a contribution, um, a a max cap of 10,000 in tuition for the graduate level. And that's not been updated in many, many years. And so, um, an individual came who was, uh, had gone past the 10 year cap. I'm not sure why we …
S.B. 220 Veteran Scholarship Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Expressed gratitude to those who have given much in service.
▶ Watch at 1:25:35Read what they said
Um, I think it's just a small statement that we can make of gratitude, uh, to those who, um, have given much to serve.
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Presents S.B. 195, describing federal Pell changes for workforce programs, the data systems the bill sets up, interstate data agreements, a youth apprenticeship governance council, and technical changes to the first credential program.
▶ Watch at 1:16:46Read what they said
Okay. Um, thank you all very much. Um, let me tell you a bit about the, the genesis of this bill. Um, as you all know, and the big beautiful bill, um, there were changes made to the Pell program and there were two particularly important changes made to the Pell program that will impact, um, our, uh, students in Utah. One is they set in place workforce Pell and Workforce Pell is for programs that are less than 600 hours. Um, but part of the requirements for that program are you have to be able to show that, um, at the end of the day, that the students are able to get jobs, um, that have meaningful wages. And …
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Says she does not know the answer on high school Pell eligibility, notes technical college programs are currently free to high school students, and will seek the answer.
▶ Watch at 1:21:26Read what they said
You know, I actually don't know the answer to that question. I mean, most of our tech colleges that have these programs right now, if they take those college, those programs while they're in high school, they're free. Um, so, um, I, I'm not sure, but we'll find out. Okay. I mean, they're still putting together, um, you know, this program won't start until July. Um, so I think somebody else may technically be able to answer that question, but I will, I will seek the answer, but right now they don't pay tuition, um, because they're free if they're working with our technical colleges.
S.B. 1 Higher Education Base Budget · Senate floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Presents S.B. 1, which sets the Higher Education base budget at FY 2026 ongoing levels, including about $1.9 billion from the general and income tax funds and $91.5 million for the performance funding account.
▶ Watch at 13:54Read what they said
This, this budget appropriates the base budget of the Utah System of Higher Education, which includes Utah Board of Higher Education, the State's eight public degree granting institutions, and the State's eight Public technical college. As you've heard before, the base budget bill begins funding these agencies as the same amount as FY 2026 ongoing appropriations. In total, the bill appropriate 1.9 billion from the general fund and income tax fund for operating in capital budgets and another 91.5 million from the in tax fund to the performance funding restricted account. This bill also reflects the estimated FY 27 total budget of higher education institutions, which is 12.9 billion. As we've progressed through the session, we'll consider adjustments to these …
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Supports the bill, citing comparisons with states of similar size that use seven or nine justices and the state's tiered jury sizes.
▶ Watch at 52:55Read what they said
Thank, thank you, Mr. President. And, uh, I want to echo the words of the good, uh, Senator from Salt Lake. Uh, this was a good committee hearing and Senator Weiler did a great job managing the committee, hearing and, and allowing the public to speak. Uh, during the committee hearing, I actually had a, a, a friend of mine who is, is an attorney and a judge who, who text me. He was following along. He says, you know, Senator Weiler did a really good job. And, and, and he did. Um, I, I listened to all of the testimony and, um, as far as expanding the Supreme Court, that was the only issue that came forward. And I …
S.B. 48 Kratom Revisions · Senate floor debate (day 3) · Jan 22, 2026
Speaks in support of S.B. 48, saying 7-OH is dangerous and easy to synthesize, and that the bill is a good step.
▶ Watch at 24:16Read what they said
Go ahead. Thank you, Mr. President. I wanna rise in support of this bill. Um, I appreciate Senator Vickers. We've been working together right, right from the start when I started, when I opened a bill to, to ban Kratom and the Senator Vickers. Exactly, exactly right. I means 7 0 8 can be synthesized with without Kratom Kratom. Um, I absolutely think we should, we should ban creto. But this is an important, important bill. Um, unfortunately, and I, and I think the center's exactly right. It's, it is way too easy to synthesize and it's, and it's incredibly dangerous. It is, it is, without a doubt, the most dangerous part, part of, of the Kratom. And I think …
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