Legislators / Derrin R. Owens
Derrin R. Owens
Republican · Senate District 27
Hear from them directly
Contact Sen. Derrin R. Owens
- Email: derrinowens@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 435-851-1284
- Office: P.O. Box 127, Fountain Green, UT, 84632
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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.
Derrin R. Owens serves on:
- Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee
- Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee
- Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee
- Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Confirmation Committee
- Federalism Commission
- Senate Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee
- Medical Cannabis Governance Structure Working Group
- Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Confirmation Committee
- Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
- Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
What they've said
229 remarks on 80 billsH.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves an amendment to the second substitute bill.
▶ Watch at 55:14Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. I'd like to move, uh, amendment to rein. My name on second substitute house Bill. Four. Four four.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains the amendment changes 'consultation' to 'coordinating' so the wildlife division works with the county legislative body before closing roads permanently.
▶ Watch at 55:38Read what they said
Yes. It's real short. It's a one word change, but, uh, rather than consultation, this change is to coordinating. We wanted to make sure the, um, wildlife division was working in coordination with the county, um, legislative body before closing these roads permanently.
H.B. 240 Carbon Dioxide System Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that H.B. 240 requires the Utah Fire Prevention Board to set up a licensing and certification program for large carbon dioxide systems, notes support from fire groups, and says it does not apply to restaurants or small portable tanks; then opens for questions and, with no questions, turns to a motion.
▶ Watch at 2:04:45Read what they said
President Most states have a, a certification system in place for large carbon dioxide, uh, systems, uh, to manage those systems. And, uh, in proposing this, uh, the Utah Fire Chiefs Fire Marshals Association of Utah Joint Council, Ophir Service organizations are in support. This helps ensure safety of employees and customers and first responders working around. These are the very large type of carbon dioxide enrich enrichment systems. It doesn't apply to restaurants or small portable CO2 tanks as they don't qualify, uh, by existing code. They don't contain enough CO2 to present hazardous when leaking. So this, uh, requires the Utah Fire Prevention Board to establish a licensing and certification program for certain carbon dioxide systems. That's what …
H.B. 420 Municipal Office Vacancy Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the bill is a better alternative to repeated coin tosses and supports it, sharing a story about a card game in 1800s Arizona that decided ownership of a ranch and gave the town of Show Low its name.
▶ Watch at 2:06:07Read what they said
Mr. President, I, uh, actually like the, the, this idea of, um, instead of going 12 rounds of coin toss, think of the last person they have the best chance to get in versus the one who had to win their way all the way across. But, but I want to, um, share a little story about, this is, uh, d deuces card deuce clubs. I was raised in show Low Arizona. Two two words show low and I wanna, um, tell you about what Senator Fillmore just mentioned. Marion Clark and Cro and Croy and e Cooley owned a hundred thousand acres. This is back in the 18 hundreds when the way you settled a dispute was with a …
H.B. 495 Capital Felony Case Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Sen. Owens supports the bill, citing long death penalty timelines, the impact on victims' families and taxpayers, and deterrence.
▶ Watch at 2:47:57Read what they said
Thank you President. A rise, support of the bill a, um, have a, a prison in my district and I have an county attorney who asked for this exact thing to speed this up because this sentence, the most severe of any on the planet is supposed to be a deterrent. And it is, but not if it takes 33 years and it's not justice for the victim or their families or the taxpayer when it's gone on. We're 11 years over. We like to lead the nation in, in statistics and this is one we can do a lot better, uh, in, in addressing So I applaud the work of, of this bill and hope that, yeah, in the …
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains a no vote, saying the bill would split a rural county and that he already represents ten counties and does not need another.
▶ Watch at 3:13:12Read what they said
Thank you President. I just want to rise and explain my vote. Um, we have, uh, split a rural, another rural county if that's what is seems to be intended here. I, uh, 85% of our legislature reside in four counties and I, uh, and many of my rural colleagues cover many counties. I I have 10 counties now and don't need another one. Um, so I'll be a no thank you.
H.B. 144 School Community Council Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Describes the bill as addressing energy project planning, noting that large projects are often placed on valley floors rather than mountainsides or high elevations, which brings some conflict.
▶ Watch at 1:34:11Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. This, uh, bill has to do with planning for energy. Um, when we build large energy projects, they most of the time end up in the valley floors. Make sense? So we're not building these big structures on the mountain sides or at high elevation. And with that brings a little bit of conflict.
H.B. 412 Energy Development Planning Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Presents H.B. 412, which requires consultation with the Division of Wildlife Resources as part of local government approval of utility-scale solar and wind power plants, without giving the division licensing authority, to protect wildlife corridors and migration paths.
▶ Watch at 1:34:32Read what they said
And with that brings a little bit of conflict. And so what this bill does is it requires consultation with the Division of Wildlife Resources as part, part of a local, uh, government approval, uh, for utility set scale, solar, wind power plants. And, and this will, doesn't give the Division of Wildlife Resources, the ability licensing authority. They can't, uh, shut a project down, but they can consult with the energy developers so that they don't disrupt habitat, uh, corridors or, you know, where the animals might be moving through in the winter times. Um, so it, it's a wise move forward and, uh, and what they can do is the wildlife resources will come back and get plans. …
H.B. 412 Energy Development Planning Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves to delete the body of H.B. 412 and replace it with first substitute H.B. 412.
▶ Watch at 1:36:19Read what they said
Okay. I would move to delete Title Body House bill four 12 and replace it with first substitute House bill four 12.
H.B. 472 Division of Licensing and Background Checks Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 472, which would prevent a person who controlled a provider whose license was revoked from continuing the same services under a different name, ownership structure, or through a close family member.
▶ Watch at 20:16Read what they said
House Bill 4 7 72 Strengthens Utah's ability to remove bad actors from the professional Health and Human services, uh, department, particularly those serving individuals with disabilities. When a provider's license is revoked for serious violations, this bill ensures that the individual who actually controlled or influenced the provider cannot continue operating the same services under a different name or ownership structure or through a close family. So associate the goal goal of this bill is clear those responsible for misconduct cannot sidestep enforcement and continue serving our vulnerable clients. That's what the bill does present with that. I would call the question.
H.B. 209 Voting Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Begins remarks on H.B. 78, nuclear regulatory amendments, calling it a significant bill.
▶ Watch at 1:07:15Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Pro Tem. Um, with Utah, looking to the future, this is a significant bill
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 78 to create a nuclear energy regulatory office, grant rulemaking and fee authority, and seek expanded NRC agreement status for Utah.
▶ Watch at 1:07:21Read what they said
this is a significant bill that helps establish a new nuclear energy regulatory office within the division of waste management and radiation control. This will oversee the nuclear energy activities in Utah. It grants the division rulemaking authority allows licensing and oversight fees, directs the state to pursue expanded agreement status with the NRC. So Utah can assume greater regulatory control into nuclear technologies. We all know, uh, energy's been a top priority for this body and uh, this helps set up that new regulatory framework so that if and when the, the National Regulatory Nuclear Regulatory Commission Grants Authority, Utah will be in, um, good position to assume that. So it creates the, the office. It centralizes nuclear oversight, …
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that the substitute clarifies that high-level nuclear waste placement in part three does not apply to nuclear fuel activities regulated by the division, sets performance objectives, and addresses full nuclear cycle facility siting.
▶ Watch at 1:09:57Read what they said
Yes. This just expand. What it does is, uh, identifies uh, in part three the placement of high level nuclear waste that does not apply to nuclear fuel activities regulated to the divisions, uh, makes that clarification, sets some performance objectives and um, the full nuclear cycle facility siting.
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that the section does not apply to interim storage of waste from specified federal, test reactor, state-owned, or licensed projects.
▶ Watch at 1:10:51Read what they said
Well, so you're talking the exemptions. This part does not apply to the interim storage of nuclear waste. If the waste, is that what you're talking from there? Yes. It's produced from the precedent.
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Reads the exemption language covering waste from certain U.S. Department of Energy projects, test reactors, state-owned facilities, and projects licensed by the division.
▶ Watch at 1:11:02Read what they said
So if it's, uh, if it's from this, this part does not apply to interim storage of nuclear waste. If the waste is produced from a project authorized by the United States Department of Energy, uh, is from a test reactor is produced at a facility owned by the state, the project described permitted and licensed by the division under this title,
H.B. 575 Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 431, Wildlife Crossing Amendments, which creates a wildlife crossing account in the transportation investment fund and directs how the funds are used and how the Department of Transportation is to proceed.
▶ Watch at 1:32:58Read what they said
Thank you President. Uh, this, this bill is, uh, we don't have very many of these in the state. Uh, we have a lot of, uh, road crossing crosswalks for people and especially our cool school children. But what this does is creates a wildlife crossing account in the transportation, uh, investment fund, and put some funds, uh, in that yearly creates, uh, uh, makes it more use, uh, out of the sales and tax revenue to be deposited into the account. Uh, and defines how the uses of the money are, are used and directs the Department of Transportation and Consultation with the division of, uh,
H.B. 431 Wildlife Crossing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Describes seeing wildlife crossings in Central America and says H.B. 431 follows the same idea on a smaller scale in Utah, then moves to pass the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:34:54Read what they said
Thanks, president. Uh, a couple years ago, my wife and I gotta go down to Central America to Chich, and I didn't know what these, like, there were cages that went across the road and I I had to ask the locals what that was. Well, these, and they were often along the highway and that was made for the monkeys to cross, uh, so they wouldn't be hit on the road. So this is, uh, along that same vein, but um, would be very few of them throughout the state. So with that, uh, I would move that first substitute house. Bill 4 31 pass.
H.B. 241 Charter School Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Asks whether charter schools have already purchased closed public schools.
▶ Watch at 2:04:02Read what they said
Thank you, president. The question is that have Apple has this process already? Uh, I know this first right of refusal not in place, but certainly there's, the charter schools have purchased closed public schools, right? It's already happened. Senator Balderree?
H.B. 241 Charter School Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Says charter schools may already be able to buy closed schools and asks what accommodations were made in the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:04:25Read what they said
Okay. Yes, but I don't, I believe, um, I, I believe charter schools have already been able to do this. I don't know that they need first read of refusal. It seems like regular business practice that some have already purchased these schools. Um, I I was curious if the sponsor was, uh, could elaborate a little bit. Um, you mentioned the, the sponsor mentioned some accommodations that were made in the bill. Can you tell me a few of what those were?
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 185, which requires the state to be able to identify carbon credits generated using state funds or resources so that they can be claimed for taxpayers, and states that private parties are not restricted.
▶ Watch at 2:30:47Read what they said
Thank you President. This, uh, this bill deals with a newly evolving financial concept that attempts to place value on a concept called ecosystem services. Each credit is assigned a unique digital identifier and track through international registries associated with frameworks developed through the intergovernmental panel on climate change. These credits can be bought, sold, transferred, tokenized, or traded through digital asset platforms and converted to cash. However, Utah has no visibility on into when carbon credits may be generated using state funds or public resources and who ultimately claims them or what long-term obligations may be placed on those resources. So House Bill 85 is a transparency bill, protecting tax taxpayers. It's just really a, a, a recording element …
H.B. 590 Child Therapy Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Asks a clarifying question on whether the bill's continuity-of-care requirement applies to all children, given that each child deals with trauma differently. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 3:36:37Read what they said
Thank you President, uh, sponsor agreed to yield. Senator Esee, I think said yes. Yes. Yeah. Just a clarifying question. President. Uh, on these every child deals with trauma differently. So this isn't mandatory for all children. Um, would that be correct?
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents H.B. 496, which addresses the division of forestry, fire and state lands, enforcement of investigatory powers related to wildland fires and heritage trees, and the use of money for cooperative agreements and forest management.
▶ Watch at 3:41:55Read what they said
fire, and fire related issues. We know that this has been a topic we didn't, we wish we didn't have to discuss, uh, as much. But what this bill does is provides for the division of forestry, fire, and state lands, um, enforcement of invest investigatory powers related to wildland fires and heritage trees, uh, addresses the use of money related to cooperative agreements and forest management.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that the second substitute adds the cooperative agreement with the federal government and adds fire dispatchers to the firefighter retirement system.
▶ Watch at 3:42:32Read what they said
Yes, briefly. It, uh, it, it, um, brings in the cooperative agreement with the federal government. Um, the substitute does that also would add fire dispatchers and, uh, to the firefighter retirement system. That's what the substitute does.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Says the bill allows cooperative agreement funds to be used for prevention and rehabilitation on state and private lands, reversing limits set by last year's H.B. 307, and asks if there are questions.
▶ Watch at 3:43:16Read what they said
Just a little. Um, this, uh, bringing in cooperative agreements allows the state, uh, we kind of artificially set up some boundaries in, uh, house Bill 3 0 7 last year, which narrowly restricted these funds from being able to use them, um, on prevention and rehabilitation efforts on state and private lands. But when we enter in cooperative agreements with the federal government, it's a wiser use to allow these, these dollars to be used in prevention, rehabilitation across those fence lines that we created. So this bill opens that up and, uh, allows more efficient use of these dollars in, um, wild land fire rehabilitation That president I'd be open to. Any questions?
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Introduced SB 93 as a cleanup bill that makes flying drones in prison airspace illegal and removes direct supervision as the only permitted supervision type.
▶ Watch at 27:15Read what they said
Testing. There we go. Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee. It's good to be with you this afternoon. We have a, a Corrections Amendment bill, Senate Bill 93. It's really kind of a cleanup, but I want to explain, uh, what it does. And I have, um, deputy director, executive director, Mike Schoenfeld with me today, and he can explain a part of this to as well. This bill makes some correction adjustments, just as you're always trying to keep up with technology and, um, things that are happening. One thing this bill does is, um, it makes using drones by civilians in the airspace of prisons illegal. We, they have intercepted a some drone drop offs and pickups. So …
H.B. 44 School Security Personnel Standards · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Moved to adopt Amendment 2 to the substitute bill.
▶ Watch at 57:48Read what they said
Uh, Madam Chair? Uh, I would move that we move the, uh, we need to adopt the substitute, right? Do you wanna do that now? Yes. So I would move that we delete title and Body Senate House bill 44 6 Oh, I'm sorry. It's amendment. It's not amendment. It's an amendment. Thank You Amendment. Okay. I would move that we adopt the amendment to house bill 44 6 substitute.
H.B. 44 School Security Personnel Standards · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said the amendment should clarify some concerns and waived further comment. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 58:35Read what they said
Yeah, please do that. That should clarify some of the concerns I'll waive To the Thank you.
H.B. 433 Professional Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Compares the bill to a past citizen feedback proposal and says it gives residents a way to report concerns about harm and safety.
▶ Watch at 1:09:18Read what they said
Thank you. Um, thank you Madam Chair. I, I wanted to just comment on this a little. I, we ran legislation a few years ago that was called Citizen Feedback, and it, I didn't have a fiscal note on it because, uh, it just made it voluntary, but citizens really liked it kind of like this, that if they have an avenue to go and rate, like say you went into DMV and rate an agency, like have my experience, then they know if there's problem areas or, uh, if somebody's doing an exceptionable job, that I, to me that's what this is, is some, uh, opportunity for some feedback, especially when it talks about harm recognizable and significant harm …
H.B. 433 Professional Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Moves to adopt House Amendment 1 to HB 433, First Substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:12:05Read what they said
Thank you. Madam Chair. Iowa would move that we adopt House amendment one to House Bill 4 33. First substitute.
H.B. 528 Local School Board Reporting · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the first substitute of HB 528 to the Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:18:53Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. I would, um, move that we favorably recommend House Bill 5 28. First substitute to,
H.B. 528 Local School Board Reporting · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said he supports the bill's information-sharing, noting it omits students' athletic ability and special education status, and that the data is already collected and should be shared.
▶ Watch at 1:19:46Read what they said
Uh, just, I really like some of the work you've done in this bill representative, especially where you don't share the information about their athletic ability or if they're special ed. So we're not just trying to select out and, um, choose schools or report, um, to try to change that population, but it's open that way. So I think it's really good information that's already being collected. Just we should share it.
H.B. 511 Procurement Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asks whether the 10% preference affects contract price, and Shallenberger responds that it affects only the evaluation score, not the bid or contract price.
▶ Watch at 1:24:39Read what they said
Yes. Thank you Madam Chair question, um, on this 10%, uh, and I, I think really see what you're doing here with giving preference to, to our, uh, people who are residents or businesses that provide jobs and stuff in Utah, I like that. But on the 10%, is that tied any way to the price? Because that could be really expensive on 10%. That's a good point. I, uh, then that came up before I meant to clarify that it doesn't affect the price, uh, the bidding price. It doesn't affect the price paid out on the contract. All it, the only thing it does affect is, is they create their scoring criteria. Uh, it gives them a total …
H.B. 582 Asbestos Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the first substitute of H.B. 582 to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:50:08Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. I'm gonna move that we favorably recommend House Bill 5 82. First substitute to the full Senate.
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Asks which law enforcement agencies support the bill.
▶ Watch at 59:11Read what they said
Thank you. Um, just wondering what law enforcement agencies the sponsor has that are on board with this bill?
S.B. 262 Law Enforcement Usage of Unmarked Vehicles · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying no law enforcement agency has expressed support, and asks that agency positions be determined before proceeding.
▶ Watch at 1:00:40Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. I have, I have serious concerns with this bill. Um, I haven't heard from any law enforcement agency that like it at all. And in fact, the sponsor's using the correct word, it's law enforcement. Uh, it's not law safety. And, um, and I got to declare conflict of interest. I have a son who's in in law enforcement who, um, has no toleration for this bill at all. And what, what happens if we start legislating which laws to enforce and which not, and how, which vehicles to use and which not in which situations, I think we're going down a very slippery slope. Um, so I would urge that, uh, first of all, we …
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presents SCR 1, which expresses support for Utah pursuing agreement status with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for additional elements of the nuclear fuel cycle, and notes the state's nuclear consortium work.
▶ Watch at 41:21Read what they said
There we go. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good to be with your committee this afternoon. Uh, thank you for moving us right up the front here. This resolution, SCR one, uh, came out from of the Public Utilities Energy and Technology Committee this interim year. And, uh, you all get, uh, a resolution is, is really a powerful message, and it, it supports and backs up a number of bills that have moved, been moving through the session. And, uh, what it does is express support and intent for Utah to pursue agreement, uh, status with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to, for additional elements in the nuclear fuel cycle. So we have builds that are building regulatory framework around that. …
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Praises the DEQ director's work and says the resolution states that Utah is ready to work with federal regulators and will adjust as it proceeds.
▶ Watch at 44:38Read what they said
Thank you Directors. Um, the, in conclusion of our presentation, I just wanted him to share that it, uh, the director's doing a phenomenal job and, and in time periods of permitting, it just is an echo of what this resolution states that Utah's ready to go to work and we will be making amendments. We will be adjusting as we go, but we're putting a step forward. That's what this resolution is. Thank you.
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Thanks the representative and notes that HB 78 also has a Senate sponsor.
▶ Watch at 45:50Read what they said
Yeah, thank you representative. You have a really good Senate sponsor on that 78 bill too, by the way.
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Thanks the committee for the motion and says the resolution is a step toward bringing clean energy to Utah, to be pursued carefully and safely.
▶ Watch at 49:05Read what they said
Oh yeah. Thank you. I appreciate the motion. And, uh, wanna, and make sure that, you know, we do have to start down this journey somewhere in a step forward. There will be every, uh, inch of the way. We will make sure that we're doing this in a safe manner. Um, and a lot of technology has changed over the years. This, uh, re resolution is, is just a, that step down the, the road towards this. And I don't know if it's a race to get there, there's just a few states that will probably have this opportunity. Um, we wanna bring clean energy to Utah. This is just a step in that process. Thank you.
S.B. 327 Occupational Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked about the bill's impact on industry and whether licensing helps practitioners distinguish themselves; Johnson said he did not think the bill would have that effect because market forces largely drive it.
▶ Watch at 25:48Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, senator, these, these, uh, and workforce physicians were put in place and regulated for some reason. I mean, at one time they made their way into code and you did good job explaining, uh, the health concerns or lack of concerns that would need to be around this. What, what, what do you think will be the impact on industry? Sometimes having that license, um, helps establish someone, it it help them distinguish from, distinguish them from the crowd, if that makes sense. Yeah. Give, give them a little seniority. Will this affect that? I, I don't think so because the market forces have driven that largely. I, you know, and, and, you know, these …
S.B. 327 Occupational Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asked whether industry has opposed the bill.
▶ Watch at 26:54Read what they said
Do you have any, uh, sorry, follow up. Madam Chair. Do you have, has there been any opposition from industry on this?
S.B. 327 Occupational Licensing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said he would support the motion, saying the study helps identify which licenses need attention first, and that he would have opposed the bill without the substitute.
▶ Watch at 35:50Read what they said
You, Madam Chair. Um, I appreciate the motion. I'm gonna speak to that as well. And I, I really like the idea and appreciate Mr. England from Bertos coming. I think by, by looking at these and pulling them to the top of the list, and maybe that's what the substitute does, is that they've helped us identify the ones that really need attention first. And so I will be supporting that. If, if we were just going straight in, I think I would oppose. But if the sponsor's willing to do that, I, I think then, then the work really helps what is in place already. Thank you.
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Relays a constituent's questions about the inland port's status and the data center incentive rules, and says the sponsor's answers addressed his concerns.
▶ Watch at 40:58Read what they said
Thank, thank you, Madam Chair. Welcome representative. Um, I like what you're doing here and streamlining, I just wanna be careful on unintended consequences. So I have a constituent who, uh, is working down in Juab County, and this is one of the seven projects that's applied under, uh, with Rocky Mountain Parowan of the SB 1 32. And I'll just, I'll just read it. He's, uh, had a concern. He who says, uh, having trouble deciphering if, if it, uh, I can't decipher if the inland port stuff is exempt, and it only applies to cities and counties, but would, would the Inland Port be a political subdivision? Just the same. Um, on, and then, so maybe you could …
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moves to pass HB 507 second substitute out favorably to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 51:49Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm gonna make a motion, I move that we pass out House Bill 5 0 7 second substitute to the full body of the Senate.
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says the explanation addressed his concerns.
▶ Watch at 53:34Read what they said
Uh, just briefly thank you, representative. I, I see the woods. I'm in your work now, and it's, it's really helpful to have our witnesses come as well from the county. Uh, and this is how it works. Uh, this is the vetting process of the committees, and you've, you've, uh, were very well articulated, um, and demonstrated what this does and removed any of my concerns. So thank you.
H.B. 379 Child Care Provider Food Preparation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the bill removes a barrier to entry in childcare, pointed to its qualification guardrails, and moved to favorably recommend HB 379 second substitute to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:02:03Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair, uh, representative. This isn't, this isn't a space I would go into, so I'm so glad that you are, because you're helping to, to remove a barrier to entry in this critical field. And I see a lot of work this session on childcare, so I love that you have the guardrails are in there to work with the National Accredited Association, and that's, um, people who are, uh, qualified in this. Uh, so I, I see that in your bill, and I really like it. So I'm gonna move that we favorably recommend House Bill 3 79, second substitute to the full body of the Senate.
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said he supports the bill, described a former Snow College employee who commutes due to housing costs, and moved to pass HB 520 out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:14:39Read what they said
Oh, sorry. Thank you, Madam Chair, Representative Thompson, you're spot on with this. It's a problem. Um, I, I know of one because I worked at Snow College. I don't now, but I, I was there for five years and I know one employee who was hired from Cedar City, um, just figured they would sell their home there and move to Ephraim. And they are still three years later commuting every weekend and, and living in a, a little apartment because of this issue. And so it is critical, and I appreciate your work on it. It'll be, uh, I'm definitely support. So I'm gonna make a motion that we pass out House Bill five 20 to the full …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the study could help lawmakers make better decisions and thanked the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:19:20Read what they said
Yeah, no, I just, I think we'll find, learn some things just in even the housing market that we don't know now. Uh, so this study could really be beneficial and, and, uh, help us make better decisions. So thanks for your work on it, representative. I'll thank you.
H.B. 527 Pharmacy Pricing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Owens asked about the bill's overall goal and whether it is intended to lower prices for consumers.
▶ Watch at 1:29:04Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, yeah, maybe a couple questions. What, what is your overall goal or intent? Or are you trying to get prices down for the consumer, or what is
H.B. 527 Pharmacy Pricing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Owens said the appeal approval rate is concerning and asked for an explanation of why the appeals are being denied and why the process is not working.
▶ Watch at 1:29:34Read what they said
Here. That's helpful to, to, for me on that. Um, it, it feels like it would, uh, we would say a little bit that you have the fox guarding the hen house right now, and, um, 10 approvals out of 2000. I, I would like to, I would like to hear an explanation for, from those who were Yeah. Who are making those denials. I'd like to know why this isn't working. Um, so if that, this is the attempt to fix it in the bill. Yep. Right. Yep. Thank you. Thank You.
H.B. 527 Pharmacy Pricing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Owens asked Cannon to respond to the low number of approved appeals compared with the total filed.
▶ Watch at 1:32:43Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Canning. Would, can you maybe talk to the, the question of only 10 print, the 2000 of, of the statement that was given, given only 10 approvals out of ten two thousand? You speak to that challenge?
H.B. 527 Pharmacy Pricing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Owens asked whether there is a more precise way to set pharmacy reimbursement than the current process. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:35:51Read what they said
So, I heard you say this is an imperfect process, which most of our processes are imperfect, but is there a way to get to a more perfect process?
H.B. 527 Pharmacy Pricing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Owens said the bill feels like a fairness issue, that many pharmacies do not file appeals, and objected to moving the fiscal note onto public employees, asking whether there is a plan to address it.
▶ Watch at 1:56:04Read what they said
To me, representative, this just feels like it's a fairness issue. And the 10 and 2000, uh, actually is probably closer to 10 and 4,000 people just aren't filing the appeals because it's not worth your time. I don't like the part of moving the fiscal note to the backs of the public employees. Is there a plan or do you have something in place there?
H.B. 527 Pharmacy Pricing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Owens said the change tips the balance in the bill, and moved to pass HB 527 third substitute favorably out of committee.
▶ Watch at 1:56:50Read what they said
but you're putting your hand on a scale to try to tip the scale that's been, um, imbalanced and it heavily imbalanced. So, um, with, with that, where we have a quorum, I'm gonna make a motion, Madam Chair, that we pass out House Bill 5 27 third substitute favorably.
H.B. 527 Pharmacy Pricing Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Owens said he wants the committee to keep watching the bill's impact over the next year and to adjust the cost mechanism if needed.
▶ Watch at 1:58:40Read what they said
Just, just briefly, I want to, um, recognize Scorpio. Is that how you say it? Uh, if everybody was that responsible in the market, you wouldn't need this bill, but I, I hope you'll keep your eye on this for the next year. And if you need to tip the scale further or, or move the pendulum one way or the other, we just need to have eyes on it. So thanks for your work. Thank You. Thank you.
H.B. 41 Construction and Fire Codes Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Speaks in favor of the substitute, thanks Senator Vickers, and says it delays implementation of the fee until the process is corrected.
▶ Watch at 46:15Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Uh, I'm, I'm gonna speak in favor of the substitute. I I just wanna thank Senator Vickers for doing a little work on this. I think we just got over our skews a little bit and, uh, where I represent 10 counties a a big rural swath where many of these properties are located. This was really helpful. I just, uh, appreciate the work on it, um, and delaying implementation of the fine or fees until we get it right. So, thank you President.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens introduced the bill as a study of a possible state park at Gooseberry Narrows, described the long water dispute between Carbon and Sanpete counties, and said Sanpete County owns the water rights.
▶ Watch at 48:22Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, uh, appreciate being here. I used to serve on this committee, so coming back home. Thank you. It's good to be here with you today. I, I know you have a short agenda. I have a simple bill, and I'll try to keep it brief, but although it's a simple bill, it has a complicated history. Uh, this bill, um, it deals with the Gooseberry Narrows. Uh, the, the title is the state park study. That's, uh, that's what the bill is. Uh, I I would rather it be, or much more than that. Um, and had actually started off with this to, to try to help designate the state park is also a, uh, …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said any reservoir would use Sanpete's own water, noted a 2009 resolution supporting the project, and invited the State Parks director to speak.
▶ Watch at 53:57Read what they said
No, thank you. Um, that just wanted to make it clear, that i's definitely not talking about on, on the water side, that using this water for a state park or for some backup storage to have a, a reservoir there, whatever size that would be by the state park, it's, it would be the San Pete's water that they would be using. Not, not anybody else's. So, thank you. I'm gonna ask our, um, director of state parks to come up and, and, uh, move on here with a little bit of presentation. So, uh, I wanna show the next picture if I could, and this, this is the further indication of what we're talking about in water size, …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens showed the original and possible reservoir footprints, said the bill is only a study of a state park and possible future dam, and expressed support for high-elevation storage.
▶ Watch at 58:10Read what they said
Thank you, director. And I'll, I'll just wrap up with, with this, um, for the committee. Um, this last slide shows the original site that this was how big the reservoir, uh, was originally approved and meant to store 17,000 acre feet. Um, and I, I know that it, if that ever had come to pass, it's not a, a possibility now, but it would be another blue ribbon fishery at the top of the mountain there. Um, but in that valley, this, this is where, uh, there is a, I'm not sure exactly where it is on from here, director, but I know the, the National Forest has a, uh, some camping grounds there. If you take the, I …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said storage was reduced to 14,500 acre-feet with 5,400 acre-feet for the Sanpete side.
▶ Watch at 1:00:52Read what they said
That that's what was originally, um, set up to be, but through agreements and over time, that as the Blake Bingham said, that's been paired down to the maximum storage would be, I think 14 five. But the Sanpete side now is, is only 5,400 square, uh, acre feet.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said delivery is possible and that Sanpete gave up about two-thirds of its water in the 1984 agreement.
▶ Watch at 1:01:25Read what they said
hundred percent, uh, possible. And, and to start out with, Sanpete owned all of that water storage that 17,000 acre feet belonged to them. But to help shore up the Schofield, when Schofield expanded, they relinquished that and made an agreement in 1984, um, that if, if Sanpete could build this dam, they would give up those water rights, almost two thirds of their water. Um, and yet we still, you're gonna hear testimony today of people saying, we should not do this. And, uh, it's just really been a strange history. But for a state park, I think it's very possible.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said North Sanpete County has no storage and the water would go to Fairview.
▶ Watch at 1:02:25Read what they said
Well, they would probably like to have some storage and yes, there's no storage in North Sanpete County, uh, one of our only counties that don't have storage. So yes, that's where it would go, is down into Fairview.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens explained the map, pointing out Highway 31, Fairview Canyon, and Scofield.
▶ Watch at 1:04:47Read what they said
Question there. So Senator, right where it's, or represented, right where it says the line 31 for the highway number, that's, that's the top of Fairview Canyon coming up right below the 31 is Fairview Canyon. So, um, as it drops down and makes the s turn, that's headed east down and below, off the map, above the map is Scofield down below.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said the area is a mix of state, Forest Service, and private land with cabins.
▶ Watch at 1:05:42Read what they said
Uh, do you, are you familiar? Uh, most of this is, uh, I think there is state ground. Uh, some of it's forest service. It's a mixture back where the reservoir, uh, was proposed in the very beginning, Fairview Lakes, there's cabins up there, so there's a lot of private to the, on the right side of the map, um, down below, I think it's mostly Forest Service.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said three environmental impact studies have been done over 90 years and introduced an engineer to answer.
▶ Watch at 1:06:51Read what they said
There has, and yes, I do. Um, I have another phone, a friend that could help with that question. I'll have him introduce himself. But yes, there have been, actually over 90 years there's been three EIS studies, so it's been in depth. But, um, just to make sure we remember that the bill is con contemplating a state park with the concept of possibly a dam in the future, but that wouldn't be the immediate future.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said Scofield was built before World War II.
▶ Watch at 1:09:26Read what they said
Ibel? I know it was pre nine before the Second World War, so 1920s or thirties? Yeah.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said Sanpete residents agreed to defer their dam to support the war effort. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:10:31Read what they said
Back, if I understand on just a little more on that, uh, uh, because I think Gooseberry was contemplated first, but the people in Sanpete agreed to, you know, what we can't have, uh, uh, now with the war coming Yeah. War on, we cannot have that dam pale, so let's fix that and agreed to put off their dam until later and later still 2026. Yes.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said the $5,000 fiscal note funds State Parks to complete the feasibility study. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:12:53Read what they said
Um, with the fiscal note, the $5,000 is just to, for the, uh, state park to the folks in the division to complete the feasibility study.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens opposed the amendment, saying he was not consulted and it is intended to kill the bill, and asked members to vote against it.
▶ Watch at 1:44:38Read what they said
Uh, thank you, Mr. Mr. Chair. Um, I don't this, um, I'm sure that this was written by one of the attorneys that just spoke, um, that they couldn't have been better testifying for me to stay germane to the bill, but this is as, this as genuine as it gets. 17 days ago, this bill passed out of committee, and this amendment dropped without anyone talking to me. Um, I can't believe it representative. I've never done this to somebody. It's disingenuous. And you know, what's trying to do is kill the bill, um, and take away the opportunity for a win-win. What's wrong with the state park and a and a reservoir at the same time? Can the, …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said a full dam could cost around $60 million, that any economic study should include benefits to the counties, and that the amendment is not germane.
▶ Watch at 1:46:29Read what they said
Well, if you were doing the full scale dam, it'd be up to around 60 million. So the Fiscal note Mm-hmm. Yeah. If you were including the whole dam and you said, and now you're talking about also economic impact on both counties, I would hope you would include that. What it can bring as win-win to the communities. Nobody's thinking on that side. Um, so, um, and, and maybe having more opportunity for all of our visitors to rural Utah, um, having more boating and fishing opportunities. I know, I, I all, I helped get 55 million a few years ago for a fish hatchery, and they're expensive to build. I don't know what size this dam would have …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens said he received only a few hours' notice of the amendment.
▶ Watch at 1:47:49Read what they said
Oh my gosh. Did you talk to me? Okay. Did anybody talk to me about this, Mr. Chair? Uh, anybody gimme a warning? Uh, a few hours ago, and it came out 17 days ago, this bill that passed.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Owens supported the motion and said the study would report back by November.
▶ Watch at 1:51:41Read what they said
You. Thank you for the motion. Um, couldn't agree more. Representative, um, the, the opportunities here for win, win win, that's what Sanpete County's done over all the years. And this could be a, a little win for them at the top of Fairview Canyon, whether a reservoir or not. Um, that's, so back to the, what the bill does. Let's, let's give him $5,000 and we'll find out by November. Thank you.
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Supports the bill, saying children are being targeted by advertising based on their online activity and that educators work to help students pursue their dreams.
▶ Watch at 1:09:10Read what they said
Thank you, president. I hesitated to stand up, but, um, read about this bill. And I spent, uh, my career just like many of our educators in the state who are striving every day. And we pay a lot of money for this, um, to educate our students and to help direct them to chase their dreams. And targeted advertising though is meant to chase the, those who are targeting them to chase their dreams, not our young people. And I can't touch one time on a screen that I like this or that, and within seconds here, here it is. Um, the next advertisement matches that, that's targeted, uh, and it's targeting our children. So I stand in support.
S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Asked the sponsor whether he would yield for a question.
▶ Watch at 1:36:22Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. The sponsor yield. Go ahead. Senator sponsor yield. Mr. President Fillmore, will you agree?
S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Asked why the program has leftover money and why some districts did not join the pilot.
▶ Watch at 1:36:36Read what they said
President. I wonder if, uh, the sponsor could maybe tell us why this account has money in it, why districts didn't choose to be in the pilot.
S.B. 85 Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Said business-style financing could reduce teachers sharing information and could harm relationships among teachers.
▶ Watch at 1:37:36Read what they said
Thank you President. Uh, to the, to the answer, I maybe could share a little insight maybe, I don't know if the, uh, the sponsors thought of this, but one reason why, why business financing doesn't work great in school districts is that our teachers share information and help each other. Um, it's a super healthy atmosphere and ecosystem and, and when we do this, it, it really causes that sharing to decrease. And, and, and some people will withdraw because the, the neighbor teacher's getting 20 grand more or, uh, or not. And so we have to be careful with this. Um, and I, I'm certain this is why there's funds left there and, and it's not as simple …
H.B. 130 Employment Medical Examination Expense Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Describes HB 130 as requiring employers to pay the full cost of medical examinations that are a condition of employment, and asks the Senate to consider the bill.
▶ Watch at 16:24Read what they said
requires a medical examination as part of their current condition of employment, that the employer pays the full cost. It prevents shifting mandatory employment expec expenses onto the workers. So, uh, applies to employers including prospective employers. So, um, it can't, it can't say, well then that's a day off and you have to have a test taken on your, on your time and you pay for it. Our businesses are doing well and if they require a test as part of their job, then the the cost will be on their shoulders. That's the bill. Mr. President, thank
H.B. 130 Employment Medical Examination Expense Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Introduces HB 378 and describes challenges tied to the state's growth and population increase that the bill addresses.
▶ Watch at 18:24Read what they said
you President House Bill 3 78 comes to us from a challenge that arose in part due to the success of our state and the many people moving in and the growth
H.B. 378 Fugitive Dust Mitigation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Presents H.B. 378 as a response to a dispute between sand and gravel pits and fruit growers in Genola, describing the bill's stakeholder support and DEQ involvement.
▶ Watch at 18:35Read what they said
and, uh, construction and all across the state highways. And this is response to a conflict that, uh, was between the sand and gravel pits and the fruit growers in the town of Genola. This is the northern tip of my Senate district, Southern Utah County. The town surrounded by six or seven gravel pits. And while one pit might not emit a lot of dust, when you add all six together, it's really overwhelming and, uh, has caused issues with the fruit growers in the area because the, all the dust on their crops and and causing issues. So the mayor of Genola, he's actually here today, um, it might be appropriate to recognize him after this, but he, …
H.B. 378 Fugitive Dust Mitigation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Asks for the Genola mayor to come to the side of the chambers and notes he has dealt with the issue of multiple gravel pits in his area.
▶ Watch at 21:05Read what they said
Thank you President. I appreciate the personal privilege and I was just gonna ask the Genola mayor if he could walk up, uh, to the side of the chambers here. He's the one that's had, uh, had to deal with this issue of multiple gravel pits in his area
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Presents the bill as a cleanup addressing drones in restricted airspace at corrections facilities, which the bill would restrict, and allowing corrections staff to choose inmate supervision models suited to each space instead of only direct supervision.
▶ Watch at 44:35Read what they said
How, how Senate Bill 93 is the corrections amendments. This bill addresses a, a cleanup, it addresses a few recent issues that have come to the Department of Corrections, such as the use of drones in, um, restricted airspace, which now will be restricted with the implementation of this bill. Uh, we have had drones intercepted that we're bringing in paraphernalia and other things. Um, so it outlaws that also that uh, instead of using one, uh, one way of supervising inmates called direct supervision, this allows the professionals who, uh, operate corrections to use whatever supervision model works in the partic particular space with different level of inmates. So that's the main two changes of the bill. With that, …
S.B. 217 Local Food Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Asks whether the bill would cause injury or harm to industry, and whether protections or guardrails exist for outbreaks.
▶ Watch at 49:47Read what they said
Ahead. Thank you, president. The sponsor agreed to yield Senator Cullimore? Yes, I believe yield is correct, yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, president. What, um, would this cause any injury or harm for industry? Um, like in the raw milk issue, if you have an outbreak, is there any protections or guardrails in place for industry, um, farm Bureau or those, uh, any of those agencies or partners? Uh, where would they be on this? Senator Cullimore?
S.B. 217 Local Food Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Confirms that the bill does not change current raw milk rules because no milk provisions remain in it. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 51:10Read what they said
Thank Thanks President. So, um, just yeah, make sure I understand it. So this doesn't change anything on current raw milk. There, there's no milk in this bill anymore. Okay. That helps. Thank you. Thank You.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Presents S.B. 209 as a study to let the state park agency look at Gooseberry Narrows as a potential state park, with or without a dam.
▶ Watch at 52:21Read what they said
Senator Owens. Thank you Mr. President Pro tem. This uh, this bill is a, a study to allow the state park, um, to go forward and look at the Gooseberry Narrows area as a potential state park. Wanna be totally transparent, it is a step along the way that one day, possibly after 90 years of back and forth, not having this high elevation reservoir built that it could get to that, that's the final hope. But with, with or without a dam, this is a great area for the state to add to the state park system. That's the bill I'd be open to. Questions.
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Sponsor presents S.B. 93 as a cleanup bill for the Department of Corrections that prohibits drone use in correctional airspace and changes direct supervision requirements for guards, and says he is open to questions.
▶ Watch at 1:40:21Read what they said
This is, uh, really the cleanup bill for Department of Corrections. It just does a couple of things. Um, we've had some challenges that for resident where drone activity is taking place around our correctional facilities, dropping or, um, attempting to pick up paraphernalia. Um, so this, uh, outlaws using drones and corrections airspace also, this removes the, um, it changes their supervision. So direct supervision is not required as the full, um, use of a supervised, uh, um, action by all of the guards. If that's what's needed. Direct supervision in one part of the prison, that's great, but it shouldn't be throughout. Uh, that is a act to protect officers And, um, there was some concern about that …
H.B. 68 Housing and Community Development Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asked about the biggest challenge in developing the bill and whether this is the right approach.
▶ Watch at 37:06Read what they said
Thank you representative for the presentation. Um, and my thoughts are along the same line. What, what's the biggest hurdle you found in this? I mean, there are probably a thousand directions you could go on this and to make this your final offer. What's the biggest challenge that you've had to land here? Um, and is this where you, is this the right way path now?
H.B. 68 Housing and Community Development Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moved to pass out HB 68 third substitute to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 41:52Read what they said
I'm just ready when you're ready for it. I'm ready. Hey, Madam Chair, I would move that we pass out House Bill 68 third substitute to the full body of the Senate.
S.B. 255 Homelessness in Vulnerable Populations Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Owens supports the goal but questions whether the work with local officials and housing authorities is far enough along to put the task force into law now.
▶ Watch at 53:13Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. I, uh, thanks, Senator. I agree with you and your presenter. What a great opportunity, and I, um, appreciate the, the thought of this. We, we really need to put something together to, uh, address this. And I think we keep making a huge difference. Um, so the last, uh, we, the last bill, um, Representative Roberts, uh, the last witness said that they had had 63 meetings across the state on, uh, working not to work on housing. Same, same issue. And that brings in a lot of stakeholders. So what's been your process? You talked about December, when you plan, have you met with county commissioners or, um, any mayors of these, uh, cities …
S.B. 255 Homelessness in Vulnerable Populations Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Owens asks whether the sponsor would work on this over a year to bring stakeholders together before it is written into code.
▶ Watch at 56:54Read what they said
So I, that's what I am gonna ask is, would, is this something, uh, senator that you would, you're into long term and would work on for a year and get those, all those together? Because this seems like it's a great idea, but I don't know if it's ready to put into code.
H.B. 308 Homeless Services Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to pass HB 308 out of committee with a favorable recommendation to the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 1:35:35Read what they said
Senator Owens. Thank you Madam Chair. I would move that we pass out House Bill 3 0 8. Okay. There is a motion that we pass out House Bill 3 0 8 Homeless services amendments with a favorable recommendation to the Senate floor.
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Sen. Owens presented SB 166, which restores an earlier starting date for line-of-duty death benefits and clarifies that dental and vision coverage are included in the benefits for the officer's children and spouse.
▶ Watch at 1:40:49Read what they said
Sharing the love there. I am dual tasking. We're right up to a vote right here on a bill that I'm a swing vote for. So I'm gonna do in my ears and there's summing, uh, but I can still explain the bill. This bill you heard last year, it's the exact same bill. This is the line of duty death benefit bill that, um, makes sure that, uh, when the, the tragic ha tragedy happens, which we never want to happen. And it's rare, but it needs to be more or less often. Our room, uh, fallen soldier, fallen officer, I don't know if you guys had it in the house, but the, I couldn't believe how many people …
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Sen. Owens responded briefly to the question. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:43:38Read what they said
I, I, yeah. Not Okay. Sure about that. Maintenance to the, okay. I let it go for a minute. Yeah. Goodness gracious. Okay.
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Sen. Owens summed up the bill, saying it puts the earlier date back and thanking those who serve in law enforcement and their families.
▶ Watch at 1:44:59Read what they said
No, just to, to say thank you. I I think you're, you're right when this bill's been heard before and, and so it just putting re we don't need the date back. And, and in my sum though, I do just want to, for anybody listening who puts on a uniform and their families each day, um, I know we, we all in both of our chambers told them we would not forget and Utah would not forget. And this is how we do a, a part of how we do that. Thank you Mr. Chair.
S.B. 49 Natural Organic Reduction Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says a funeral home in another state raised concerns about legal issues and asks whether the sponsor has addressed them.
▶ Watch at 31:55Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. President pro tem. Um, if the sponsor would just, uh, help clarify, I, I did reach out to a, a funeral home, uh, in another state and asked them if this, uh, what they thought of this concept. Um, he said that they really hadn't heard a lot about it, but they, to them this was opening up Pandora's box of legal issues. Can you, have you addressed, um, what those might be?
S.B. 210 Nicotine Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Asks how the funds deposited into the nicotine disposal account are currently being used.
▶ Watch at 1:13:41Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. President Pro tem sponsor yield. Of Course. Yes. Go ahead. Thank you. Just, uh, I see that, um, on, in the bail here it says that the, they shall distribute the funds deposited in, into the nicotine disposal account, um, for the enforcement. How are those funds being used currently?
S.B. 210 Nicotine Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Paraphrases that the licensing fee will be raised and the revenue used for disposal, and asks whether that understanding is correct.
▶ Watch at 1:14:56Read what they said
So you, you're gonna raise the fee on this and then use that money for disposal, is that my correct understanding?
S.B. 119 School and Classroom Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Says he had just seen the substitute and asks whether the bill covers grades K through 8 or K through 12.
▶ Watch at 3:01:40Read what they said
Thank you. I just seeing this substitute. I didn't pull it up earlier when you said all schools, um, was it K eight or was it K 12?
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Describes S.B. 209 as a study of Gooseberry Narrows for possible state park designation, notes the long-running water and dam dispute, and says the bill is a step in that process.
▶ Watch at 3:31:59Read what they said
This, uh, this bill has, uh, actually changed a little since it first started. I was a little maybe over anxious and began the session with this being a state parks designation. Uh, but at the top of Fairview Canyon in my district is a beautiful place, um, called the Gooseberry Narrows. And the state parks are interested in, uh, looking at this to, to consider this becoming part of the state park, um, uh, entire portfolio, um, at the, it's just 57 minutes from Spanish work in Utah County, but up, uh, to 9,000 feet. And I think it's a great opportunity for the state to consider adding this to the state parks. Uh, along with it though has …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to adopt the third substitute of S.B. 209 in place of the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 3:33:42Read what they said
Thank you, president. Yeah, but move that we adopt third delete title and bodies. Uh, first second substitute Senate Bill 2 0 9 and replace it with third substitute. Okay.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Explains that the third substitute removes agreements with the national forest and property holders, so the bill would authorize only a study.
▶ Watch at 3:33:57Read what they said
Yeah, it's, uh, so now it removes any agreements that, uh, there would be no not entering any agreements between the state parks, uh, and the current, uh, national Forest or any, um, property holders. This would strictly mean a study That's, that's the substitute.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Moves to strike the enacting clause of H.B. 64 and return the bill to the House for refiling.
▶ Watch at 3:06:29Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Proti, move to, um, remove the enacting clause and give this to strike the enacting clause and give this bill a ride.
H.B. 37 Used Oil Management Act Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Explains his aye vote, saying scientific understanding has changed on used oil disposal and that the bill addresses an environmental hazard, and thanks the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 43:48Read what they said
Owens, Thank you President. Uh, just wanna, uh, explain my vote. Uh, time change science changes, uh, as we learn more. Science doesn't change, but we learn more. And as this was presented in committee, uh, I have in my hand the handout. What the way we used to dispose of used oil was, this was in popular science magazines stating how you dispose of used oil. You pour it in the ground it and this was 1963. It's exactly the wrong thing to do and it doesn't dispose and, and it's gone in one year as it claims. So, uh, this is the way, modern way forward and I appreciate the sponsor bringing this so we can take care …
H.B. 93 Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Presents H.B. 93 to create the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area at the southern end of Utah Lake, which would become the state's fourth such area.
▶ Watch at 48:15Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. This bill provides the, the creation of the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management area at the southern end of Utah Lake. It would become the fourth water file management area in the state. Um, and that's what the bill does, creates a path forward for this to become that management area. Be open to any questions.
H.B. 99 Eyewear Sales Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Presents H.B. 99, which exempts corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses from sales and use tax by treating them as prosthetic devices.
▶ Watch at 54:56Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President Pro Tem House Bill 99 51 page bill, but it does a Juab a simple little thing. Um, it, uh, the tax reduction actually and it, um, exempts in, uh, corrective eyeglasses and contact lenses in the definition of a prosthetic device, which has the effect of exempting these items from sales tax and use tax. With that, I'd be open to question. That concludes your presentation.
H.B. 376 Land Management Funding Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Says flooding after fires, such as in Ruidoso, can cause greater damage than the fire itself and asks for support of HB 376. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:37:31Read what they said
Great. Thank you Senator. Yeah, I would just like to add that, you know, it's not the forest fire itself, it's the aftermath of the flooding and the devastation that comes with that. Uh, in, in Ruso New Mexico. They had Ophir there a couple years ago. And, and it's just completely devastated. The town and floods have came down through those canyons and, uh, and it's kind of hit close to home for me. Ruidosa Downs has been there for 50 years and that they've announced that they're gonna have to close it permanently because of the flooding and stuff. And so it's just, and Ruidoso only exists because of the, the racetrack there goes from Memorial Day to …
S.B. 65 Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether the bill shifts power from local school boards to state redistribution and reduces their ability to keep or contribute their own base levy, a question raised by a local administrator.
▶ Watch at 57:59Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Uh, questions? The sponsor of yield. Senator Fillmore, will you yield? Yes. Senator Owens. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, and, uh, the question was, uh, uh, brought up to me by, uh, local, uh, administrator, um, wondering, can you just discuss that this, not just the funding, but the, the shifts power away from local boards, uh, to become dependent on the state redistribution rather than retaining, um, or, um, contributing their own base levy? Senator Fillmore,
H.B. 108 Minors in State Custody Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Asks how the bill's fiscal note reaches about three-quarters of a million dollars and why administering the same program costs so much more.
▶ Watch at 1:04:27Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President ProAm, the sponsors agree to yield. Yes. Uh, question is if, if we, how do we come up with three quarters of a million dollars? How's the fiscal note? If you could address that, why does it cost so much to continue to administer the same program but just different effects?
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Describes H.B. 64, which sets up a process with SITLA and counties of the fourth, fifth, or sixth class regarding school and institutional trust lands.
▶ Watch at 1:20:38Read what they said
This bill, um, sets up a process where, uh, working with ctla, the state institutional trust lands, um, a county of the fourth, fifth or sixth class.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens presents the bill, which lets qualified counties nominate property with archaeological, cultural, historical, paleontological or scientific value, focused on Promise Rock in Garfield County.
▶ Watch at 1:20:47Read what they said
um, a county of the fourth, fifth or sixth class. And, uh, this came about in discussion with the, uh, interim natural Resources Environment committee. And, um, sit, CTLA doesn't know what is on every square foot of all of their property, and they only know what they know. So they were, um, in, in part helping with the language on this bill. What it does, uh, allows a qualified county to, um, nominate a piece of property that might have, uh, uh, nominated for, to hold archeological cultural, historical paleontological or scientific value. And one in particular, the, the, the place in, um, in Garfield County is over the years, the Native Americans, uh, who've lived there for generations …
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens says committee amendments limited the bill to one area instead of all fourth, fifth and sixth class counties, and that other counties could later follow a similar process.
▶ Watch at 1:23:06Read what they said
Yes. Um, so the, um, there was amendments made to it that, um, would make the bill really just, uh, to this one area instead of opening up to the entire, uh, to counties of all fourth, fifth, and sixth class. So it's meant to, um, address this one promise rock area. Okay. It does set up that transparent pathway. I appreciate the question. So that others could follow if they wanted, but they would have to go through this similar process one at a time. Okay.
S.B. 102 Animal Control First Responder Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Asks what qualifications or certifications animal control officers have that would justify the first responder label.
▶ Watch at 1:23:12Read what they said
What, uh, what qualifications, uh, are we looking at for animal control individuals that, um, we're gonna give a first responder label to them? What qualification or certifications do they have that, um, that you feel would put them in this title of first responder? Yes, that would Senator
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens says there are criteria, including approval by the trust lands board, and that a nomination must meet the scope requirements such as purchase price or leasing.
▶ Watch at 1:24:02Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you for the question. Uh, it, there is criteria. Um, it, it can't just be, uh, just a, a simple nomination and the criteria would need to follow and go back to the beneficiaries who, uh, the board with the trust lands then and, and receive approval that it fits within the scope, such as may purchase price or leasing. Um, that those, those, uh, qualifications are met.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens says the director does not expect a political problem, the director has sole discretion over approval, and counties may submit more information to appeal.
▶ Watch at 1:25:42Read what they said
Yes. I appreciate the question. Um, according to the director, no. Um, this language was actually drafted by, so they, um, came forth to help in, in creating this and um, her, in her, the current director's words said, we don't know what we don't know. So we're happy to, uh, look at these options and see there isn't a appeal process. But back to earlier, it, it is up to the director's sole discretion that they could reject or, um, approve if it was not approved. There is the county could appeal and say we have more information we could share and that might influence decision, but it is up to the director.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens says the appeal goes to the county or its legislative body after the director's decision.
▶ Watch at 1:27:03Read what they said
Owens it, it it is, that's what, um, okay. That, that is what the appeal is. Then the, the, um, county or the legislative body of the county could. Okay. Yeah. That's the appeal process. Okay.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens gives an example of a paleontological find on state trust land that the state or a county might nominate for preservation.
▶ Watch at 1:27:32Read what they said
Um, so say for instance, uh, out on Setler property, someone discovered a, a pal paleontological, uh, new find. That would be scientifically, um, something that I think the state would want to preserve or the county might discover that and could nominate that. Okay.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens says ownership changes only if a purchase agreement says so, and a site could also be set aside through a lease.
▶ Watch at 1:28:08Read what they said
Senator Owens That, uh, it does not, unless that's the agreement and there's a, um, purchase agreement that's made that it would, uh, change hands just as if it were, um, uh, developer. Yeah, that's the only time that it would change hands. It could also be a lease. Um, so there's a few ways that this could be set aside and preserved.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens says the Garfield County site would be an extension of a state park, and a substitute bill may add recreational designation.
▶ Watch at 1:29:03Read what they said
Yeah. Thank, thank you. I I appreciate the question. Um, in the discussion that I was able to sit in on this, this site actually would be in Garfield County would nominate it, but right now it would be an extension of a state park. Um, the state parks director is interested in this becoming another recreational opportunity around promise rock, and that's not in the bill yet, but I would expect that a substitute is coming that would designate as such, if that helps.
H.B. 64 School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Owens moves to circle the bill because the House sponsor did not tell the Senate floor sponsor that the land transfer was already agreed to, so the bill is no longer needed.
▶ Watch at 1:32:13Read what they said
Thank you. In summation. I have a strange, uh, motion. Um, I'll speak to that, uh, the, uh, move that we circled the bill and, um, the questions are amazing and I'm pouring my guts out here for this bill for my county 'cause I love this county. Uh, but the, the and the house, the, the house sponsor of the bill didn't inform the Senate floor sponsor that this has actually already been agreed to. Now there's gonna be a purchase of it and it's all done. We don't need the bill. So motion to circle.
H.B. 93 Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Presents H.B. 93 to create the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area at the southern end of Utah Lake, which would be one of four such areas in the state, to increase sportsman activity and protect the area from future development.
▶ Watch at 1:33:26Read what they said
Thank you. Sorry. President Pro Tem House Bill 93 is, uh, street forward simple Bill. This, uh, provides the creation of the Goshen Bay Waterfowl management area at the southern end of the Utah Lake. It'd be, it would become one of four waterfowl management areas in the state. Uh, increase activity for sportsmen, save Goshen Bay waterfowl area from future development and, uh, being important for maintaining open spaces and use of this, uh, beautiful area at the southern end of Utah Lake. With that, I'd be open to questions To the bill.
H.B. 93 Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area · Senate floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Gives closing remarks and moves that H.B. 93 be read a third time.
▶ Watch at 1:34:14Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Bn pro tem With that, then I would move that house. Bill 93. Be read a third time. The motion is shall house bill 93 be read A third time roll call vote.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asks about the bill's ratio of one behavioral health provider per three clients and calculates that a 1300-bed facility would need about 400 providers.
▶ Watch at 47:11Read what they said
uh, a couple questions if I could. Sure. Um, I, I am see the bill and, um, I, I definitely can understand some angst and, um, I'm not familiar with, uh, the decisions of where these things have, I live quite a ways off the Wasatch front. But, um, I'm, I was looking at one, um, item here, and that is for behavioral and mental health, um, that you have to have one provider for every three clients. So if this was a 1300 bed facility, um, I'm looking online, let's see, for 2 58, mental health, uh, 2 59, 2 50, uh, 2 61, the service provider shall be licensed certified and mental health professional, the service provider ratio …
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the ratio does not seem to meet industry standards and that he could work on alternative language without a direct ratio.
▶ Watch at 50:31Read what they said
Well, that just do that. I, I see that in some places here. I've read the bill a couple times and to the show meet industry standards, and I just, I just can't get there as far as, um, having, I don't know, a doctor who is mental health who deals in that, that has three clients who could survive. And, and I, madam chair and I, I would love to, you know, this is not my biggest concern and I can certainly work on other language that provides maybe more clarity that is not a direct ratio, um, senator.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Agrees that the statewide provider shortage is an issue.
▶ Watch at 51:17Read what they said
In the whole state. I mean, right. In the outside, right. In the whole state. Yeah. Okay. I, I do think that is an issue. Yeah.
S.B. 239 State Homeless Campus Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says he has concerns and will likely oppose the motion, citing timing, the facility's ratio, and a wish to study models used in other states.
▶ Watch at 56:30Read what they said
Yeah. Um, to the, to the motion. I, I still have concerns about that, but also, uh, I was just the last testimony about, uh, timing and whether I, we all have something in our district Senator. Um, all of the keeping the lights on comes from my rural districts and the mining and the dust and the pollution a lot, a lot. And the north side has a refinery. So not that, not to understate this, this is a heavy lift and challenge. I don't know what the model is for other states than major cities hubs that have this challenge. Um, I would really like to look at that. So this is a little premature for me to …
S.B. 246 Utah Homeless Services Board Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Recognizes the sponsors, says a community voice is not too much to ask, raises a question about the board's final decision authority, and asks for fuller debate.
▶ Watch at 1:09:18Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I, I wanna recognize, um, the, our colleagues sitting here who sponsored the bill, this bill and, uh, can't pretend to say that I understand exactly where you're coming from and, and acknowledge the lift that you've made and the compassion that is shown. Um, I don't, I, I, I don't think this is too much to ask to have a voice and the people deserve that. As far as blindsided or whatever, I have no, I don't know anything about that. On, on the previous bill, it did say that the board made the final decision too, as far as whether you built, and I didn't. I thought that should be probably a legislative, …
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Supports the bill's checklist approach and transparency, saying it should reduce personal influence in land use decisions and may reduce appeals.
▶ Watch at 1:20:32Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, thank you for your work on this and for, uh, working together. I, I think it's past due and I, I feel this even in just a little, little town of 1500, but to remove personalities from these decisions, I love the checklist. Here's the requirements. You meet 'em or you don't and, and not you meet 'em because you're related to somebody or that nonsense. That's right. Which actually still exists if you don't believe it. Uh, we can show you some instances. It's frustrating for all of our people. So thank you Senator for, for your work on that. And I think the transparency and the work ahead that you've done are probably going to …
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asks whether the appeal body will be listed on the same website and suggests elected officials should be on the appeal body so they are accountable to voters.
▶ Watch at 1:21:15Read what they said
Thank you. Um, will the appeal body be listed on that same site, though? So like, people know who the next step, if I'm denied, here's the next step. Because it seemed like too, if you could address this, it seemed like elected officials should be on the appeal body, so somebody's held accountable by a vote.
S.B. 284 Local Land and Water Modifications · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend Senate Bill 284 to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:24:01Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. I would move that we favorably recommend Senate Bill 2 84 to the full body of the Senate.
H.B. 330 Liability Limitations Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moved to delete the first substitute and replace it with the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:51:58Read what they said
I am, um, I would move that we delete title and Body House Bill three 31st substitute and, um, replace it with House Bill three 33rd is it? Second, second substitute.
H.B. 330 Liability Limitations Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the second substitute of the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:07:23Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that we favorably recommend House Bill three 32nd substitute.
H.B. 330 Liability Limitations Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Offered to share more stories but deferred because of the late hour.
▶ Watch at 2:07:46Read what they said
Well, I, I would love to tell more stories, but I, I, I see hour Less is more sometimes. Yeah. I, I see the hours getting late, so I'll, I'll wave. Thank you Madam Chair.
H.B. 330 Liability Limitations Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said he supports the bill, arguing that people who follow the law should not be targeted.
▶ Watch at 2:08:00Read what they said
I'd just add, um, I don't know of anything that's more repulsive to me than someone who is obeying the law and doing everything within every regulation possible and, and to be, uh, targeted. Um, it, it just, it's beyond my upbringing, I guess. I can't comprehend it. It's, it's pathetic. And so, uh, I'm so glad to support this bill.
S.B. 164 School Construction Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Sen. Owens asks whether the sponsor can assure that the central system will not increase costs and will speed up construction.
▶ Watch at 48:14Read what they said
Thank you President Pro tem. Uh, I can you attend a sponsor offer some surety on going to a central system like this, that that cost actually won't increase, um, and time on construction will be faster. Um, I know you've done a ton of work on it, uh, but if we could answer that, Mr. Speaker, president Pro Tem, Senator Wilson. You
S.B. 164 School Construction Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks whether centralized oversight will keep costs from increasing and whether construction will be faster.
▶ Watch at 48:14Read what they said
Thank you President Pro tem. Uh, I can you attend a sponsor offer some surety on going to a central system like this, that that cost actually won't increase, um, and time on construction will be faster. Um, I know you've done a ton of work on it, uh, but if we could answer that, Mr.
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Owens explains that the bill ensures benefits for the families of fallen officers, including spouses and children until age 18, through the state trust system, and says he will move to suspend the third reading because of a system glitch.
▶ Watch at 1:15:27Read what they said
A Thank you Mr. President pro Tem. This bill addresses the, uh, when the tragedy happens that we lose a fallen officer that they, their family, uh, the children and spouse children until they're 18 years old, receive the benefits, um, the proper benefit program through the state trust system. Um, and then we did pass a second substitute, um, on the second reading to get to the third. Um, and I'll have to move to suspend the three reading on that because it was an identical system glitch. Um, but, but that's what the bill does. I'll make the motion to suspend, uh, if there's no questions on that. Thank you Mr. President ProAm.
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Owens says a system glitch recorded a first substitute that did not exist, notes the original bill passed unanimously, and asks for a motion to suspend the rules on the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:16:41Read what they said
So yeah, we did have a system glitch. It clicked it out as a first sub, but there was no first sub. There was just the original bill. We passed that unanimously. Therefore, uh, I'll take a motion from you that, uh, we passed this bill on. We Suspend the third. We need to suspend the rules on this bill. Yeah, I would move that we Okay.
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Presents S.B. 51, which would let schools share threat-assessment and safety flag information with other schools when a student poses a serious verified threat, such as bringing a weapon to school.
▶ Watch at 31:44Read what they said
It's a school safety amendments. Okay. What this bill, um, contemplates is having a, uh, the, uh, panic alert buttons in school. Um, it, well, if you, uh, if that needs to be used for some reason, and you have a student, it's not really tied to the panic alert, but you have a student who performs what then the working group, every school has, uh, school safety, um, working task team. So it would have to rise to the level that, you know, not that they scared somebody and, you know, but they were, they, they were considered a serious threat, such as bringing a weapon to school. That's not a, that's not an, okay. Oh, I messed up …
H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moves to pass H.C.R. 6, first substitute, out favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:42:15Read what they said
I'm sorry. No problem. No problem. I'd like to, I'd like to move that we pass out in favor will recommend recommendation for, uh, HCR six.
H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Comments that the committee's housing leaders, Representative Whyte and Steve Waldrop, delivered on the work they described, and thanks them.
▶ Watch at 1:42:49Read what they said
I, I do want to make a couple comments. Um, so I was the co-chair of, um, this committee when it was not an interim as an interim committee. Um, we started the year. One of the charges we had been given was to kind of help us find a way forward in terms of thinking about housing, uh, housing plan for Utah, um, pulling people together. I wanna say the committee didn't really do anything. The two people that led this effort were Representative Whyte and Steve Waldrop. And we checked in with them periodically and they would tell us about the folks they were talking with, the work that they were doing, um, and how they were bringing …
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Presents S.B. 166, which keeps state health coverage for surviving spouses and children of fallen officers and corrects the date the bill covers.
▶ Watch at 1:38:07Read what they said
show something here. Uh, this, We All make mistakes and this one was mine. We ran this bill last year and was very successful. This, this is an officer's patch and what you never wanna see on a, on the bottom of an officer's patch is EOW and that means end of watch. And this was Sergeant Bill Hoosier. I ran this bill last year because, uh, to make sure that health medical benefits stayed with the children and, and surviving spouse of a fallen and appropriately today of a fallen officer. What we didn't, and I missed and staff missed, is that we ran this for him, his family, but the date missed him his date by one month. …
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Says he needs to substitute the bill and moves to adopt the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:39:50Read what they said
There is, um, yes. I get, I need, I do need to sub. Who's that in my name? Yes. I, I'm sorry. I need to, um, move to adopt first substitute Mr. President Pro tem.
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Explains the substitute corrects the date and adds surviving spouses of firefighters.
▶ Watch at 1:40:15Read what they said
Yes, it was the technical, it was the technical part on getting the date right and, and, um, we made sure that we added the, uh, firefighter, uh, surviving spouse as well. That's what the sub did.
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Moves that the bill be read a third time.
▶ Watch at 1:42:37Read what they said
I'll uh, move that, uh, this Senate Bill 1 66, be read a third time
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presented SB 93 as an annual corrections cleanup, describing a drone-related offense near correction facilities and removal of the mandatory direct supervision model.
▶ Watch at 1:13:26Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate, um, being in front of the committee. This is kind of, kind of our annual cleanup, uh, corrections bill and always a few changes. And, you know, sometimes we are receiving criticism for running bills. Uh, too many and, and I get that and probably deserve, but you also have to stay up with the times. And this one, uh, some of the changes just, it makes adjustments to corrections and, uh, some of their, uh, challenges. But first of all, it amends the, uh, criminal offense of unlawful operation of an unmanned aircraft, near correction facilities. So you can't take drones in and drop, uh, product or pick anything up. …
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Said he did not have Amendment #1 in front of him and asked for prompting on it.
▶ Watch at 1:22:04Read what they said
Oh, I don't have it in front of me, Senator. Um, I'm trying to remember what we did with that. You prompt me.
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Described the technical amendment adding monthly supervision fees and said corrections staff would respond.
▶ Watch at 1:22:22Read what they said
Oh yes. 64 dash 14 dash 2 0 4 6. I'll, I'll ask corrections, um, to come back.
S.B. 93 Corrections Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Thanked the committee, said the department's professionals should manage housing supervision, called the bill a cleanup, and waived summation.
▶ Watch at 1:23:18Read what they said
Mr. Chair? Thank you for the motion and moving the amendment. Um, I, I just want to reply to what, uh, the concern we, we don't, we, that's why we hire professionals, um, a director and his entire team. Uh, I, I don't think we want to get into the business of telling them each, uh, housing unit exactly how they should manage that or supervise just specifically to each one. So we'll leave that to them and, and, um, that's their, their profession. Um, so I think this is a really, really a cleanup and thank you for hearing it today. Thank you. Uh, Senator Escamilla, I'll waive summation.
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Sen. Owens introduced S.B. 135 as the product of years of work on nuclear fuel reprocessing, citing salt caverns in Utah and a possible regional hub, and said the agencies drafted the language.
▶ Watch at 1:12:51Read what they said
Thank you, vice Chair Committee. It's good to be with all of you this morning. Thank you for hearing, uh, this bill. I give you a little background where this come from. This bill has been years in the making and with many of you, uh, as part of that, um, a few years ago, we spent a week at, uh, Pacific Northwest National Lab and another NDC with Senator Millner working on, um, learnings around this and what could eventually happen for states to have the opportunity to participate with under the NRC National Regulatory, um, commission of, um, with the, with the nuclear body. So, um, and it really evolved out of the energy working group, which some …
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Sen. Owens said the bill addresses nuclear waste safety, and he argued that radiation exposure near the labs is low and that the bill could help clean up spent fuel.
▶ Watch at 1:18:45Read what they said
So, yeah. Um, so just in wrapping up our presentation, um, uh, director Davis mentioned the key part, and that is the safety of our citizens. And with now, the way this has evolved and the research done in poor national labs throughout the country, um, here's how safe it is. You're, you'll be exposed to more radiation walking through Central Square than you would at one of these labs. So, um, and under the direction, um, leadership of our agencies, it's, uh, it's just amazing that, that we can do this and solve what some claim is the, the largest environmental issue of our age, and that's, uh, nuclear waste. And now we can turn that back into fuel …
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Sen. Owens said the project would not burden taxpayers, cited DOE investment figures, and described potential economic benefits and jobs for Utah.
▶ Watch at 1:20:28Read what they said
Yeah, so, uh, great question. I, uh, the, the cost right now, uh, these are just numbers that I've heard. The, the DOE budget proposed, uh, it's actually not a burden to the taxpayers. This is a boon just to build the site, uh, of the reprocessing hub is an investment of nine to $10 billion, and between the two or three regional hubs, the DOE over the time of this, um, of this new processing and fuel development plan to invest $50 billion. So add that up. And what it is, is, uh, a great benefit that Utah can have this market, and we'll be creating jobs and bringing funds to our state. Here's pipe dream. Okay. Uh, on …
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Sen. Owens said the bill sets up a regulatory office and agency structure rather than starting implementation right away, and noted local public engagement funding in Millard County.
▶ Watch at 1:23:47Read what they said
So yeah, that's, that's not a study representative. This is, um, this is a nuclear reprocessing and manuals, if you've read the bill, is, uh, setting the state up with the regulatory office and within, um, uh, our agencies to be able to handle this type. Well, they're not doing it tomorrow, but, um, yeah. And for instance, Millard County, um, they have set aside, it, it's, it sounds very small to this, uh, body probably, but $50,000 for their public engagement on nuclear reprocessing and, and introducing that concept, as you say, um, because it's not the li uranium that you are mining, you know, this is different. So, yeah. Uh, but I don't want to, uh, say it's, …
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Sen. Owens thanked Rep. Jack and the agencies and urged the committee to support the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:37:33Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you, representative. I've had the long version as well, and it's great. Uh, it's very enlightening what, um, your chair understands in this, in this field. Um, and I respond and, and summarize thanking the agencies and the leadership of, of our governor. And the three, um, the, he had the nuclear conference and brought in other state governors, and he's leading out, uh, with this, with his thoughts for the past three, four years. Our number one priority in this committee and in our legislature's been energy. And, uh, this work has, is about responding to that and trying as, as was stated to set up this, uh, office. Um, I'm so proud of our agencies …
H.B. 392 District Court Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Says he already explained his vote, represents a large district, has heard no opposition, and votes aye.
▶ Watch at 41:07Read what they said
Thank you, president. I just explained my vote. I, uh, represent the largest geographic district. 10 counties in the state. Haven't heard a word of opposition. I vote. Aye.
H.B. 49 Law Enforcement Salary Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Explains that HB 49 lets the DNR executive director raise pay ranges for DNR law enforcement officers, who had fallen well behind other state pay scales, to keep them consistent with other agencies, and offers to take questions.
▶ Watch at 1:40:34Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you President. What this bill does is, uh, we don't always get everything right and, um, our agencies and that's what we are called to this body to do and, and address issues that are going on within our government system. Um, for a number of years we let our DNR officers fall severely behind in pay scale. And that can be, you can point fingers in many directions for that happening. And, and because of that we lost a lot of really good officers who just couldn't, um, looking at other officers in the state couldn't justify staying in that, especially that department. We were almost 40% behind other pay scales last year. This body made …
H.B. 49 Law Enforcement Salary Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Moves that HB 49 be read a third time.
▶ Watch at 1:42:00Read what they said
Thank you. Now I would move that house. Bill 49. Be read a third time.
S.B. 55 Placental Tissue Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Says he believed contract termination was already in place and that the bill makes it explicit in contracts.
▶ Watch at 1:00:57Read what they said
Yes. President. I I certainly thought that was in place already. I saw that they can terminate a contract. Well, Senator Johnson come to find out that is not currently implicit in the contracts and that's what this bill basically does.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Explains that the substitute removes authority for agreements with federal and other entities, changes the bill to a study, and lowers the fiscal note estimate.
▶ Watch at 33:21Read what they said
we go. Thank you. Yes. Uh, the, the substitute is, it removes the authorization to enter into by this state parks any agreements, um, with the United States Forest Service or, uh, anyone else, uh, water conservation districts, et cetera. It, uh, it changes the name of the bill to, uh, study instead of a designation state park study and remove the, the changes the fiscal note to, uh, we don't have it official yet. I did talk to the originators of the fiscal note from 60 plus million to approximately $10,000. So, and, uh, that's, that's what the substitute does, Mr. Chair.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Presents the bill as a study of a possible state park and gives background on the Gooseberry Narrows water project and its history.
▶ Watch at 34:33Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair and, uh, staff. Thanks, Julie. I do have a few slides and those are up already. I can see. So I'm gonna try to move through this quickly. We heard this bill last week, um, being the chair of the committee, Grant's prerogative to bring back a bill, uh, even if it's had a negative. We had only three members of committee attend last week, uh, on a committee of seven. So, with this bill of impact, um, just want the committee to know that I'd consider the same courtesy to the members of the committee. Uh, with that, I'll speak to, uh, this bill. Uh, we're talking about a small stream on the Gooseberry Narrows, …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Says the water belongs to Sanpete County residents, describes the original 1941 plan and the 1984 agreement, and introduces the state parks director.
▶ Watch at 38:53Read what they said
I'm gonna be quick as I can, Senator. So, um, and I'm gonna switch you out with the, uh, perks chair. So, sunshine, we say this often, sunshine is the best disinfectant. Good data drives good decisions. Our people deserve nothing less. That's this approach. I want. The intent of the bill is, and I hope for water storage, as with just the legal purpose and ability for water owners to own their property and use their property. Right now, there's no storage at all in the north region of Sanpete County, as has been anticipated, again, for over 90 years, whether it's drinking water, fishing, um, crops, it, it really doesn't matter. This is private property and it belongs …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Refers to a 2009 legislative resolution on the reservoir and says the bill presents an opportunity to combine the reservoir and a state park.
▶ Watch at 44:05Read what they said
That, uh, that concludes well, I have one more last slide in. I just wanted to show. In 2009, the legislature passed, uh, a resolution after all of these decades long, um, this show here that, uh, was sponsored by Brad Wynn and passed the legislature. So our predecessors have gone down this road before to approve that. Not a state park, but the reservoir. So I think kind of pulling the two together would be amazing for our state. That's the opportunity before us. That concludes my presentation.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Moves that the committee favorably recommend the second substitute of the bill to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 55:26Read what they said
I would like to move that we, uh, favorably recommend Senate bill to, uh, section substitute Senate Bill 2 0 9 to the full body of the Senate.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Gives closing remarks urging an eight-month study by the state parks director and citing legal fees and water ownership.
▶ Watch at 55:44Read what they said
I do have summation. And I, uh, I want to thank everybody on both sides of the mountain for coming to speak to this. I think this is a great compromise idea and an opportunity to expand a heavily used recreation area to become a state park. Uh, let's take eight months and let the state park director look at this opportunity. Discover the, um, the legal approved best path forward. So professional leaders can help advise us as a legislature. Um, the gentleman who just spoke said that it would take water away from the people who are using it in, in Carbon County. What about the people who own it, who've never used it for 90 years? That …
S.B. 250 Great Salt Lake Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Praised the sponsor's ideas and asked why he had not spoken with the commissioner's office, given the hundreds of millions already invested in it.
▶ Watch at 1:18:20Read what they said
Further questions for the sponsor, sir. I, I have one that goes along that same line. And, um, Senator, we Yeah. Say we put hundreds of millions. I, um, and I love your ingenuity and ideas on this. Um, why haven't you spoken to him? Yeah,
S.B. 250 Great Salt Lake Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Said the bill would be stronger with the commissioner's office supporting it, describing that office as a nonpolitical, science-based body the state has funded.
▶ Watch at 1:19:11Read what they said
Okay. Yeah, just observation. I think that, um, if they were sitting next to you asking for this, I think you could be much more powerful and maybe they will come to the table and say that just, uh, observation, I mean, not get out with all stakeholders and, and they aren't political. This is a group we put hundreds of millions of dollars behind with the authority to request these funds and put it into action with real science. So, uh, just my comments, I dunno if you wanna respond to that.
S.B. 250 Great Salt Lake Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Said he leans toward the motion, citing drought conditions, the need to be careful about changing water flows, and the commission's role, and referenced a Utah State University study.
▶ Watch at 1:37:45Read what they said
I, I will comment to that. Um, uh, yes, Senator, thank you for the motion. Uh, another factor here, uh, for all of us is Mother Nature. It's, it's been rough. Um, so, uh, that we could certainly all, um, urge some changes there. The picture I showed in the last on my bill was, uh, you could see that stream flowing should have 10 to 15 feet of snow on it. Right now, it's not there. And, um, I I, I see the urgency, Senator, and your idea is great. Um, um, I I probably tend to lean to that motion. Um, we, we had a, they always discussed 90 years trying to help people get their water. Um, …
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Describes a visit to a mine center in Canada and Peru's interest in working with Utah on critical minerals, and expresses support for the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:13:40Read what they said
I had the opportunity in the past few years to, um, to visit Peru and, uh, down in Lima and, uh, another trip I was able to go to the, the mine center up in Toronto, Canada. Um, both of those places are being strangled, held by China. China would love to, they want Peru and Peru asking Utah of the United States, Utah specifically to for help, uh, to create a safe way going forward. So I, I love what you're putting together here with all stakeholders and, um, just, just your ability to work with so many stakeholders at one time.
S.B. 152 Public and Higher Education Collaboration · Senate floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, saying it would help school security systems and safety information be shared appropriately with higher education and could connect to existing state student information systems.
▶ Watch at 35:54Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you President. Mr. President, I just want to stand in support of this bill for a couple of reasons. One, uh, as we build out the school security system that, um, is now we have vendors who are will, will be, uh, running those, um, teacher, the badges, the, um, panic alert badges and our school safety team that this is all ready put in place. This, getting ahead of that and being able to appropriately share this information with higher ed becomes critical. And I think that, um, in all of the work and dollars that we've invested in the Youth Sims program, Utah School Information Management system, that, that might be able to loop this …
S.B. 137 Homeless Services Board Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks how many people are currently on the board.
▶ Watch at 50:27Read what they said
Thank you President. I'm not familiar with this, but can you tell me how many people are currently on the board?
S.B. 137 Homeless Services Board Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Says the board is large and asks whether the sponsor would prefer replacing members or having board members consult outside experts.
▶ Watch at 50:37Read what they said
Thank you. Um, so I've just, my concern is that's a big board and I would rather see if there's 12. Certainly we could replace two of them if, if this is of a higher priority or among the 12. Uh, it seems like the board members could also access, like you just said, uh, those who are experts in the field for that information. But, um, which, which would you prefer if that was the choice?
S.B. 137 Homeless Services Board Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Says the bill adds to government growth and that he would vote against it unless some current members were replaced with professional knowledge.
▶ Watch at 52:32Read what they said
Thank you President. Uh, um, I think as we've, all of us in our appropriations committee have been doing the difficult work of trying to sweep the corners and find where we can reduce the government bloat and increase, and this is just a little more of that creep it feels like to me. Uh, I think if we could replace a few with this type of, uh, of, um, professional knowledge, I would definitely vote. But I'll, I'll be against this. Thanks president.
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Moves to encircle first substitute SB 135.
▶ Watch at 27:27Read what they said
Thank you President, I move to encircle Senate Bill per substitute Senate Bill 1 35.
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Explains that the substitute gives the Office of Energy Development authority to coordinate with a new nuclear energy consortium and to pursue an innovation campus where the facility could be placed.
▶ Watch at 28:13Read what they said
Yes. This, uh, clarifies that, that it gives the Office of Energy Development, uh, that office will then to coordinate with the new, um, nuclear Energy Consortium and authorizes them to pursue Lifecycle Inno Innovation Campus, um, on which we could put this facility.
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says the bill sets up a regulatory framework for nuclear energy, creates an office within the Office of Energy Development to work with the consortium, and puts that framework in place for the office to proceed, subject to federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidelines; opens the floor to questions.
▶ Watch at 28:54Read what they said
Thank you President. Uh, this bill accomplishes that's in framework and a regulatory framework, the things that, uh, Senator Hinkins bill talked about as a, a resolution that Utah is ready to pursue, uh, this clean, powerful energy source with the technology that is now available. Um, this, this sets up that an office within the Office of Energy Development and, uh, to work with the, uh, the nuclear Consortium built there, we have, uh, the positions in place and this puts that framework in place for the office to proceed. Should the federal guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission allow. With that, I'd be open to questions.
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Says the bill increases tax increment, that the port will adopt a board policy on minor boundary adjustments, and lists the port's contributions to Great Salt Lake protection.
▶ Watch at 1:03:50Read what they said
Okay. Alright. I would like, I did make just a couple of quick comments Sure. To the comments have been made here. Uh, first of all, uh, someone have said, we're giving away the taxes. If you go look at the property that's being developed, it generates no taxes at this time. Or if it does it's grazing rights at best. Uh, if you look at that on a, it may be a few dollars an acre would be the, the tax generation, the tax increment created. Now, when you develop that property, it will create millions of dollars of tax increment. And, uh, the, the, the money that the inland import uses or what we give back or what …
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Moves to favorably pass the first substitute for SB 225 to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:12:42Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair with that. Uh, did we, we have a substitute then? Or are we Oh, we've already moved. Substitute. Okay. Then with that, then I would move that we favorably pass Senate bill first substitute Senate Bill 2 25 to the full body of the Senate.
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asks about the fiscal note and how grants will be spread across rural areas and zip codes.
▶ Watch at 1:21:29Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Thanks, Senator. Um, a couple questions. One, uh, I was just looking at the fiscal note and I see the two and a half million one time. Um, how, and you've mentioned rural a couple of times, which always perks my ears up. How, how do you balance this and make sure that the, these new daycare businesses are spread throughout different zip codes in Utah? Absolutely.
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asks how the program will be sustained after the grants are spent.
▶ Watch at 1:23:46Read what they said
And on top of that then, um, I, I can see where this will be a big impact. Um, and then the follow up though is just 15,000 a year. And, um, how will you sustain, is it through the non-profit that you would sustain once these are going?
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
As chair, says the bill passed out of committee previously but not at these numbers, and that the numbers are his main concern.
▶ Watch at 2:02:19Read what they said
before we go to Senator Kwan, uh, just from my view here now as the chair, um, I, I know this has passed out, Senator, but not at these numbers then. And that's the, you know, that's, that's probably my biggest concern too. And, uh, so I, I know you as well, and, um, probably sit in the same place there as Senator Johnson as, um, hearing these concerns and the stakeholders, and I know that they have access to you. So let go to Senator Kwan.
S.B. 224 Vital Records Access Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asked whether a student being considered homeless would open that student's records to a wider group of people.
▶ Watch at 2:10:12Read what they said
I do. Thank you, Madam Chair. That's, that's my question, Senator. Is, um, if the, the example that the witness just shared, if they are considered homeless, doesn't that open their records to a whole swath of other people?
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Presents H.B. 78, which creates a Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office within the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control, gives it rulemaking and fee authority, and directs the state to pursue expanded agreements with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
▶ Watch at 12:25Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. President with this, uh, this bill. Um, it is the Utah wave trying to get out in front of the energy race that, uh, it seems like the entire nation is on. And Utah has been a leader in that in trying to get to sustainable, powerful, clean energy. And with that, this all, this bill establishes the Nuclear Energy Regulatory office in inside of the division of Waste Management and Radiation control. He gives them rulemaking authority and authorizes establishment of collection of fees, uh, for nuclear energy licensing and oversight, and directs the division to pursue expanded agreements status with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. And it all kind of, um, hinges on …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Presented the bill, explaining it directs state parks to study creating a Gooseberry Narrows State Park and reservoir, citing the project's 90-year history, the need for high-elevation water storage and wildfire suppression, and a small fiscal note for the study.
▶ Watch at 37:25Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, committee. Thank you for hearing this. I do have a substitute and an amendment. I would like to wait and I'll speak to the substitute there. You are public online, uh, but to follow the rules of the committee on these, uh, with the sub and an amendment, we would move them in the back when we get to the action phase, if that's okay. Okay. Okay. Senate bill 2 2 0 1. This, uh, 2 0 9. 2 0 9. Thank you. Um, I, alright. This bill addresses the creation, uh, possible creation of the Gooseberry narrow State Park. And, um, what it will do is provides that the gooseberry, a state park become …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Moved to replace the bill with the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:03:04Read what they said
Yes. Okay. I'd like to move first. Substitute. Okay. So, uh, delete title and body first, uh, SB 2 0 9 and replace it with first substitute Senate bill 2 0 9.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Explained the substitute only authorizes state parks to do a feasibility study and does not anticipate building a dam now.
▶ Watch at 1:03:28Read what they said
Um, yeah. The, so the, the substitute actually will, um, it, it just gives authority. It doesn't, uh, anticipate any building of a dam at this time. It just gives authority for the park to look at it, do a feasibility study and see if this, um, it potentially a place to build a park.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Moved to adopt Amendment 1 to the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:03:54Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to move that we adopt amendment one to the first substitute in my name.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Explained the amendment, requested by state parks and the water division, lets the divisions coordinate with each other.
▶ Watch at 1:04:05Read what they said
This is, uh, just a few lines of, uh, attitude, the bill that brought to us by the state parks and the water division, um, that stating that they have authority to collaborate together. Let me see. Okay, that's on line 86. And, uh, so under the narrow state park, item B, the division may coordinate.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the first substitute as amended to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:04:47Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair, are you ready for a motion? Ready For motion? I move that we favorably recommend, uh, first substitute Senate bill 2 0 9 as amended to the full body of the Senate.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Summed up, saying the bill only allows a study, the area is usable much longer than 60 days, the fiscal note is about $64,000 not $64 million, the water belongs to Sanpete County, and the legislature supported the project in 2008.
▶ Watch at 1:05:11Read what they said
As the sponsor and as the As. Yeah. Sponsor. And the motion. Motion. Okay. Um, yeah, I'd, I'd like to sum on this and, uh, thank everyone who has come to, uh, speak and on behalf and, uh, against this, this is a sacred form of government. I honor it that we are able to have this kind of debate with, uh, with all sides of issues in Utah. I'd like to address a few things though. Um, on one of the, um, one of the witnesses just spoke and has no idea what they're talking about on and saying, you know, this isn't the right time. When is the right time? When are we going to do something? Uh, …
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · Senate floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Presents S.C.R. 1, which expresses support and intent for Utah to pursue agreements with the federal government and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on additional elements of the nuclear fuel cycle, and says it affirms the state's interest in energy development.
▶ Watch at 37:44Read what they said
by the Public Utilities Energy and Technology Interim Committee. What it does is it expresses support and intent for Utah to pursue agreements, uh, with the agreement with between the state and the federal government and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for additional elements of the nuclear fuel cycle. Uh, it's a statement that Utah is very interested in energy development. We know it's critical to continuing to grow our economy, um, and support Utah's broader energy development goals. That's what the resolution states. I'd be open to questions.
H.B. 12 Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Sponsor describes H.B. 12 as adding language so the infrastructure grant fund can be used for trail construction or improvements and for equipment that improves access for disabled or adaptive users.
▶ Watch at 21:57Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. This, uh, simple bill that, uh, makes a a, a great adjustment though. Um, this came from the Natural Resources Agriculture Environment Interim Committee recommended the bill. And what we have is a, a fund that is, uh, are we are able to use within state parks and other, uh, for building trails or infrastructure. Uh, it's called the infrastructure grant. And what this bill will do is just add language that construction of a trail facility, improvement of a trail or facility, uh, or acquisition of equipment that improves access for disabled or adaptive users. And that that's what it is. Just making it, that that fund could be used for that purpose …
S.B. 115 Child and Animal Abuse Cross-reporting Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Says the bill is too subjective, could reach into investigations, and that he opposes it as unnecessary policy, raising concerns about lost animals. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 22:58Read what they said
Senator Owens. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I, I just wanna stand and I totally admire the sponsor's heart. Um, uh, for me, this is just becomes way too subjective and then puts into the middle of investigations. And, and, and where are we going? Um, if, if I lose an animal, I know this happens, I have cattle and, you know, or even a service animal is lost, I, I just worry that we're getting out there a little too far with policy. Be are we gonna have Amber alert for animals? Uh, would that be held against me if I didn't call that? And so I, I'm worried about that. And, um, I'm, I don't …
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Sponsor describes S.B. 135 as a framework that would let Utah be considered for a regional nuclear fuel reprocessing hub, citing energy and possible medical isotope benefits.
▶ Watch at 30:37Read what they said
Senator Senator Owens. Thank you Mr. President. Uh, o Fellow Utahans and President. We stand at a, a unique time in history with the past number of years. The number one priority that we've had as a body, uh, under leadership has been energy. And, uh, just last week, the United States Department of Energy put out an RFI to, uh, a number of states who would consider having a regional hub to begin, um, addressing the nuclear waste issues that we've had around the country. And, uh, come to, you know, find out through recent research and lots of testing, now we are able to take the, it's actually spent, slightly spent nuclear fuel and can reprocess that, uh, …
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · Senate floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Presents S.C.R. 1, saying Utah intends to work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on a framework for an agreement covering eligible portions of the nuclear fuel cycle, if federal rules allow.
▶ Watch at 36:49Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. This is a companion bill to the previous bill, um, I just spoke to. And what this announces is that Utah intends to work collaboratively with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop technical, legal and administrative framework necessary to support an agreement, um, for an application and additional eligible eligible portions of the nuclear fuel cycle. Uh, just a message that, uh, Utah would like to, if, uh, uh, federal regulations allow Utah would like to collaborate about this fuel cycle. Uh, that concludes my presentation President,
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · Senate floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Thanks Senator Riebe for her support, says it is time for Utah to pursue nuclear energy development, and calls the question on the third reading.
▶ Watch at 38:09Read what they said
Thank you, president. I, I appreciate the, the support, um, from a colleague of Salt Lake City. Um, and I, I agree it's time for Utah to look in this direction and, um, and put this message forward that we are ready, able, willing, and, uh, ready to move into the future with this energy development that I called a question. Thank you. And the question is, shall Senate concurrent resolution one be read a third time? Roll call vote.
S.B. 91 Motor Vehicle Registration Services Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 15) · Feb 3, 2026
Asks whether residents may go to any DMV office in the state rather than only the one in their county.
▶ Watch at 38:59Read what they said
P Thank you President. Uh, sponsor yield. I question is, uh, if, uh, this is the case and we are kind of spreading the load across all the counties, which has been the case, uh, is it, is it acceptable, doable that you can go to any DMB office in, uh, you don't have to go to the one that's in your county of, of residence? Senator Wilson?
S.B. 43 Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Introduces Senate Bill 43, which responds to a 2024 Office of the Legislative Auditor General audit of the trust system, and says the bill concerns the advocacy office rather than the trust itself.
▶ Watch at 1:44:29Read what they said
Well, thank you. That's kind of you, representative. Thank you for having us. I am, uh, glad to bring before the committee Senate Bill 43 Land Trust Protection advocacy, uh, office amendments. This bill's been in the works for, oh, almost a couple of years now. And it's a, it's a comprehensive response to a 2024 olag audit of the trust system. And I, um, I'm really proud of the team that was assembled to work on this. And, uh, which included attorneys, all of the beneficiaries in the trust system were at the table. Um, we met, like I say, maybe 18 months and many meetings. And what really strengthened the office. And one of the recommendations of the …
S.B. 43 Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Says the bill keeps the advocacy office rather than eliminating it, that beneficiaries rely on it, and that the recommendations of the audit were incorporated.
▶ Watch at 1:53:33Read what they said
Yeah, I'll just wrap up. Um, thank you for your time. This has been quite a process. I went into this with, uh, the idea that, uh, Apollo, the audit and, um, consider the, uh, melting this office down it, that's not the, that's not the way to go forward. I can tell you that as fellow legislators, the beneficiaries need this and, uh, they rely on this office and we have gone to every extent we can of the recommendations of the audit. And it's much more robust now and transparent and more effective. So, and also, nobody got paid for anything on all of these meetings, including a representative and I, so it was, whenever you can get …
S.B. 43 Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Closes by saying the process was thorough, that the bill strengthens the advocacy office for beneficiaries, and that he supports it.
▶ Watch at 2:04:37Read what they said
Um, yeah. End of, uh, quite a process here. And that's okay. We're not afraid of work. Um, I think for the first a hundred years, we squandered our trust of the system, uh, as a state. But, uh, 20, 30 years ago, we made some changes and have become the envy of most states in the country with this system. And under the direction of Michelle McConkey, I had just seen nothing but great things ahead for all the beneficiaries. So, like I say, I was not on board to begin with, but at the end of the process and seeing the benefit this brought to the beneficiaries who need this and want it, um, I'm proud to be …
S.B. 102 Animal Control First Responder Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 14) · Feb 2, 2026
Owens asks what requirements animal control officers would have and whether they would hold EMT licenses.
▶ Watch at 49:03Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. Uh, sponsor yield. So the question is, president, will we expect the these, um, animal control officers then what are their requirements? Will they as a first responder have EMT licenses as well so that they could help in those other instances?
S.B. 102 Animal Control First Responder Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 14) · Feb 2, 2026
Owens suggests that animal control officers consider obtaining EMS certification in the future, though it would not be a mandate.
▶ Watch at 50:15Read what they said
President Judge, just state that, uh, you know, Utah, many of them might already be, um, EMS certified and, um, it might be something to consider. I I appreciate that it's not a mandate here, but something they might consider so that as they are be first responders, that we, as we think of that usually as imply uh, coming to the rescue of people and, um, so it might be something to consider in the future that we, uh, encourage them to receive those that training. Thank you President.
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 10) · Jan 29, 2026
Presents the second substitute for S.B. 51, saying it changes the bill to a process that flags a student's record after certain school safety incidents so other schools are aware, with student privacy protections in place.
▶ Watch at 45:12Read what they said
I could speak to that if you would like. Okay. The second substitute really reduces the, what it qual uh, qualifies that this really isn't setting up a system for the State Board of Education. This is a process so it's much simpler just a process of, uh, out of the school safety task force so that if someone has a violent, um, act brings a weapon to school or something like that, that, that they, there's a flag placed on that student SIS Nu account so that uh, that other schools, if there was a transfer of school districts, et cetera, would be aware of it. All of this, uh, privileges provides protection for student privacy are all in …
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 10) · Jan 29, 2026
Says the substitute changes the bill to a process that puts safety measures in place for all schools and children statewide, and offers to take questions.
▶ Watch at 46:25Read what they said
Thank you President ProAm. I think I really, um, already explained this, um, changed it to a process, puts this safety in place for all school and school children throughout the state. I'd be open to any questions.
S.B. 98 Substance Use Rehabilitation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Moved to replace the bill with the second substitute of Senate Bill 98.
▶ Watch at 30:03Read what they said
Okay. So we want, uh, so, uh, do I need a motion to adopt the late entitled Body Senate Bill 98 and adopt, uh, second substitute of Senate Bill 98. Madam Chair, I'll make that motion.
S.B. 98 Substance Use Rehabilitation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asked how the bill balances support for people in recovery with workplace expectations.
▶ Watch at 37:39Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I actually had a question for this witness. If Okay. Would you please come back up? Sorry. Thank you for coming and speaking to this and your work on this, Senator, uh, how I love this and the work that it is about to do. How do you balance supporting, um, people who were working through addiction, but also not saying that the workplace is a place where you can just have freely commit crime? Uh, how does that look?
S.B. 98 Substance Use Rehabilitation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Compared the program to drug free workplace policies, saying it helps employees who have a problem connect with existing help and resources.
▶ Watch at 39:23Read what they said
Thank you for that answer, doctor. I, I view this as the drug free workplace that has been around since Reagan 2.0. Where you cannot use drugs at work. You cannot sell drugs at work. You cannot do anything, right? But if you have a problem, you can go to HR and how do you find resources for help? 'cause right now, no one's talking about it. It's highly stigmatized. They may be using at work and they can't get help, right? Where this is, I need to stop, I want to be healthy. How do I do that? And this program allows HR businesses to really make the connection of programs exist. Help exists. How do we get it? …
S.B. 98 Substance Use Rehabilitation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Said certain fields may attract people in recovery and that the committee should confirm that the bill's purpose is to help people succeed.
▶ Watch at 40:35Read what they said
I think there's also in particular fields and spaces or that, that are in particularly drawn to these kind of folks. And so I know both of, of you in the recovery and the treatment spaces, that's where people can really thrive, um, because of the lived experience. But again, it's, it's about how do we help people be successful? Not how do we, Yeah, I follow up. I, uh, I, that's the right answer and the right approach, but upfront, we also have to ask the question to make sure that that's where we're headed. And so that's why, And I think it's important clarification as well, like super important clarification.
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Presented S.B. 166, which changes the enacting date of the line-of-duty death benefit so a recent officer's family can receive the healthcare services.
▶ Watch at 1:04:55Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I'm gonna have Commissioner Mason join me for a minute. This, this should be pretty quick. Committee. I appreciate the opportunity to, uh, present the bill. Last year, uh, we presented this bill, it, it made it through the entire process and passed. And unfortunately, this bill came to me from, uh, when the unthinkable happens and we lose an officer in the line of duty. Uh, but we have set up trust funds, other things in place to, to help support the families when we lose officers. I have a, it's very personal to me. I have a son who's an officer, uh, when they're lost in a line of duty. We have support mechanisms …
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asked whether the committee knew what a substitute bill would do, noting it could not be found online, and said he was not familiar with it.
▶ Watch at 1:06:55Read what they said
Okay. Thank you. That concludes our presentation, Mr. Chair. Okay. I have a note that there's a substitute, but we can't find it online. So do you know what the substitute would do, or, I'm trying to get comfortable passing this out with the, with the caveat that, you know, will take care of that if you know what the Substitute is. I'm really not familiar with the sub Mr. Chair.
S.B. 166 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Thanked the chair for the motion and said the bill cleans up the date language.
▶ Watch at 1:08:05Read what they said
Thank you for the motion. Um, yep. This is just cleaning up the lang the date, so I appreciate that motion. No, and I, I see what you're trying to do. We thought we had it done.
S.J.R. 9 Joint Resolution Expressing Friendship and Support for Taiwan · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Sen. Owens said he visited Taiwan with the sponsor, expressed appreciation for the sponsor and visitors, and said Taiwan values its friendship with Utah.
▶ Watch at 1:14:56Read what they said
Well, you can. Yes. I had, uh, I had the honor to spend some time in Taiwan with the Senate sponsor. Um, they had us booked all day long in meetings about it to see the beautiful country and, uh, and, and this support for them. Um, I just wanna express my appreciation to the sponsor and those who will come. Uh, they, they need our friendship and, and this state, they, they love Utah. It's amazing how many people know about Utah and Taiwan. So, thank you, madam.
H.B. 35 Bears Ears Visitor Center Advisory Committee Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Moves that the committee favorably recommend House Bill 35 to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 1:24:54Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. Um, I would move that we favorably recommend to the full body of the Senate House Bill. Uh, remind me of the number. 35. Okay. We have a motion to recommend House Bill 35 to the full body of the Senate.
S.B. 140 Election Adjustments · Senate floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Says he has an approved substitute for the bill waiting to be considered.
▶ Watch at 37:44Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. Um, I, I have a substitute that I've approved waiting
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Presents S.B. 51, which would let courts or schools flag a student's record after a weapon incident so other districts can see the flag before enrolling that student, and says he is open to questions.
▶ Watch at 32:59Read what they said
Thank you President. This bill comes to us from the, uh, school security task force working group and a challenge that, uh, we have and to trying to avert the unthinkable of, uh, of a mass school violence. So, uh, this bill, what I'd like to do is, um, move it to the third, but then I do have a substitute that will be, uh, where we have the language that will come today. 'cause it doesn't create a system for the State Board of Education to collect and share information about, um, a student that's on a violent path. But it's, this just sets up a process so that let's say a a student brings a weapon to school …
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Moves to call the question and asks that the first substitute for S.B. 51 be read a third time by roll call vote.
▶ Watch at 35:03Read what they said
Thank you, president. I call to question The question is, shall first substitute Senate Bill 51 be read a third time Roll call vote.
S.B. 129 Commemorative Day Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Thanks the students and asks whether the proposed date is tied to the existing statewide day of service around September 11.
▶ Watch at 1:24:16Read what they said
Yeah, thank you Madam Chair. I, um, echo the sentiment of, uh, a good senator from Salt Lake that just spoke. I, I have a question. Uh, um, and I also wanna thank the students for bringing this bill that you do have a voice and, uh, sincere apologies, uh, and condolences for the, the tragic event on your campus that you have to live through. Um, the question is, around that same time, around nine 11, there's been a day of service throughout the state already. Is this tied to that?
S.B. 129 Commemorative Day Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Says the bill is a good idea that could help tie together existing large service projects, and thanks the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:25:42Read what they said
It, it does, uh, just encourage the, uh, students that I love what you're doing and, uh, there are other large projects that sometimes are months in the planning that this, this could do. This could do the same thing. So whether it's, you know, can always remember nine 11, that's nothing taken away from that. But those large projects, uh, that, that are already being planned through multiculture and church groups, um, this is a great idea to tie those together. So thanks for bringing the bill. Thank You.
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Moved to replace the bill's text with a first substitute version.
▶ Watch at 46:37Read what they said
Um, this bill, I have a substitute that I would like to move and adopt if we could, and I can make that motion if that's Yeah, That'd be fine. I'd, I'd move that we delete title and Body Senate Bill 1 35 and replace it with, uh, Senate Bill 1 35. First substitute.
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Presented the bill, which authorizes the Office of Energy Development to coordinate and assess nuclear fuel recycling facility development and adds related reporting requirements.
▶ Watch at 47:18Read what they said
Okay. This bill, um, gives some authority to, uh, to the Office of Energy Development and, uh, then make some, a few requirements of, uh, of this, uh, agency. It authorizes Office of Energy Development to coordinate with public and private entities regarding nuclear fuel recycling facility development within the state authorizes Office of Energy Development to serve as a liaison between private entities, local communities regarding nuclear fuel reprocessing development, and also to provide strategic guidance and con, uh, conduct and conduct preliminary assessments for nuclear fuel recycling Facility development. It has a few requirements, uh, that they just add to a portion to their o uh, their annual, uh, report. Uh, they add to the nuclear fuel recycling …
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Thanked the state agency experts for their input on how the bill would affect their agencies and on public safety.
▶ Watch at 52:13Read what they said
Uh, I just, I do wanna, um, reciprocate the work that we have with our experts, and we're lucky to have the experts that we have in Utah with Director Davis and, uh, Faulkner Koski, uh, KY because they've been able to have significant input on this and how it would affect their agencies so that the safety and wellbeing of our citizens is number one. One other point too, um, chair and committee is that Utah is one of two states that, Oh, uh, excuse me. We do have somebody on line. Oh, Okay.
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Spoke in support of the bill, saying the process would let Utah partner on nuclear fuel recycling if the regulatory conditions are met and that the bill has no state fiscal note.
▶ Watch at 56:06Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you Mr. Chair. And I, I appreciate, um, uh, her for coming on and, and sharing that. Um, uh, not, not that we wouldn't expect to, to hear that message because that's the, the fear mongering that we, we've Heard that for 50 years. That's what I'm saying. Yep. Um, thank you. That's my sum is that, um, it's time to go forward. And I I can tell you from a 45 year, uh, guy who worked in the nuclear field, uh, David Bland, one of the best, was here in Utah a few weeks ago. You'll get more radiation and central station than exposure than you would standing at one of these sites. Now that's how, that's …
S.B. 135 Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the first substitute of the bill to the full Senate.
▶ Watch at 57:25Read what they said
A motion? I would, with that, I would make a motion that we favorably recommend Senate Bill 1 35 first substitute.
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Sen. Owens introduced the resolution supporting Utah's pursuit of agreement state status with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and proposed an amendment adding the governor.
▶ Watch at 57:55Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, this resolution was recommended unanimously by the, uh, interim Public Utilities Energy and Technology Committee, uh, joint Committee of the House and Senate. It expresses support and intent for Utah to pursue agreement state status with the nuclear regulatory Commission for additional elements in the nuclear fuel cycle. Very, uh, related and similar to The, the Senator Vickers. And I do an Amendment. Is there an amendment for this that you'd like to Yes, there's amendment. Amendment on line 40 that I would like to make a motion that we adopt, uh, a for, for Word amendment. That that also in, uh, adds the governor and concurring therein with the governor. So I'd move that we adopt …
S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Nuclear Energy · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Sen. Owens said the resolution reflects federalism and Utah's experts and research labs, and prepares the state to enter the nuclear field.
▶ Watch at 58:51Read what they said
Thank you. Amended, um, uh, uh, a very straightforward, uh, resolution that Utah, uh, and in and in the thoughts of federalism. We can manage our affairs in our state, and, uh, we have experts. We're lucky to have the experts we have and our directors and agency leaders. We have, we're so fortunate to have some of the best in the world. We have the San Rafael, uh, research center in your district senator that is phenomenal already partnering with some leading, uh, companies, uh, out of Idaho National Lab and other labs. So, uh, this helps us be prepared, uh, and sends a message that Utah is ready to enter this space. After that, I conclude my presentation. …
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · Senate Education Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Thanks the committee and says he has a substitute for the bill that he can explain.
▶ Watch at 47:22Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Air appreciate, uh, being here with the committee. I, I do have a substitute on SB 51, if you'd like to move that now. Uh, I, I could speak to that if you'd like.
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · Senate Education Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Explains the substitute and the bill's purpose of sharing student threat information between school districts through a state system, then introduces Chief Pennington.
▶ Watch at 48:26Read what they said
Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, and that's the substitute. It, it's, uh, not super inclusive. It just adds a definition, adopts a definition and mentions that if a mental health professional is available, uh, in the threat assessment of student safety, then, uh, but if they're not available, obviously you can't use one in the threat assessment. SB 51 comes to us from the School Security Task Force. This bill creates not really a system, but more of a process for the State Board of Education to collect and share information about student threats between local education agencies. Uh, it also protects, uh, provides protections for student privacy and establishes data collection procedures. And, um, with immunity provisions for …
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · Senate Education Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Praises Pennington's work on the task force and concludes the presentation.
▶ Watch at 53:25Read what they said
Okay. Very good. Mr. Chair of, uh, chief Bennington's, the great leader on this task force and team. He has a huge lift, uh, managing all the school districts and schools, and he's done a great job helping make sure that our students are safe. And that's really the what, what this is about. So that concludes our presentation.
S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications · Senate Education Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Responds that the bill adds a flag to the student record system for credible threats, that reporting and admission immunity applies, and that records would transfer digitally like an IEP.
▶ Watch at 55:34Read what they said
It does. It does, Mr. Chair, uh, uh, answer to that? Uh, and I appreciate the question. Um, I don't, you know, it does have on reporting, there's, um, some provisions of immunity provisions on the reporting, but on, on the, the student coming in, you can, you can admit a student, you're not gonna be, uh, liable for that if, if you didn't check the record. But if the, and the system's already in place, that's the nice part, is we've already spent the money to build UREs and use sims and all this is just a flag that says, this was a, there was a violent student's on a track for violence. And I, I hope it's one …
S.B. 43 Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Explains that the bill makes conforming changes to address gaps found in a 2024 audit of the trust system, and describes a minor technical amendment correcting spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.
▶ Watch at 1:01:10Read what they said
response to a 2024 alle, uh, audit of the trust system. Although this is really not a sitler bill, uh, it does have some conforming changes to the sit l section. Uh, what it does is, uh, addresses a couple of audit, uh, gaps that the audit discovered. Clarity of roles and responsibilities and accountability for trust, uh, distributions. I, I do have president, um, some technical just spelling error and, um, moving of a apostrophe. I have an amendment in my name, uh, would like to move to adopt amendment one in my name. Thank you. That motion's in order? Uh, again, any further explanation on the amendment? Yeah, these are just, uh, instead of reservoirs, it puts an …
S.B. 43 Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Thanks colleagues for the explanation and acknowledges that he got ahead of himself in the order of the procedure.
▶ Watch at 1:03:23Read what they said
Motion. You president, I appreciate, uh, good colleagues, um, explanation of this and, uh, yeah, it wouldn't, I've been presented, uh, as that without these just being technical. So with that I got, I got ahead of myself.
S.B. 43 Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Says the bill was adopted as a unanimous committee bill after about 14 months of work with stakeholders, strengthens the trust system by increasing distributions and beneficiary impact, resolves all audit findings, and improves accountability, clarity, and trust governance; he is open to questions.
▶ Watch at 1:03:47Read what they said
Thank you President. And, uh, this, this was, uh, adopted as a unanimous committee bill in natural resources, agriculture and Environment. After extensive work of about 14 months by, uh, uh, uh, committee, uh, many stakeholders, it strengthens the trust system for future in, uh, generations increasing distributions and beneficiary impact. Fully resolved all audit findings and approves the accountability, clarity, and trust governance. That's what the bill does. I would be open to questions.
From the official recordings' automatic captions, with speakers and summaries identified by AI. Use the ▶ links to check the recording before you rely on a quote.