Legislators / Troy Shelley
Troy Shelley
Republican · House District 66
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Troy Shelley
- Email: tshelley@le.utah.gov
- Phone: (435) 691-6000
- Office: P O Box 393, Ephraim, UT, 84627
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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.
Troy Shelley serves on:
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
- House Public Utilities and Energy Committee
- Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee
- Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee
- Native American Legislative Liaison Committee
What they've said
265 remarks on 78 billsH.B. 493 Consumer Products Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says manufacturers became neutral after changes requiring labeling of intentionally added ingredients, with 18 months to update box labels and six months for QR code labels, and listing chemicals such as dioxin, PFAS, arsenic, lead, and cadmium; says the bill passed unanimously in the Senate.
▶ Watch at 21:44Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, when we took this bill over to the Senate, we worked with the manufacturers and when we passed the seventh substitute, the manufacturers were all neutral and um, what we did is we made it so that they only had to, um, label the intentionally added ingredients and so that they would have 18 months to change their labels if they were on the box and they would have six months to change their labels if they were using a QR code on the box that linked to their website. Um, and they, they only have to list the chemicals if they're present in intentionally added ingredients and the chemicals that they need to list …
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks the floor sponsor to yield for a question.
▶ Watch at 32:21Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor yield Representative Koford, will you yield to a
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks where the bill limits its application to the Salt Lake Basin, since it does not appear to contain such an exemption.
▶ Watch at 32:28Read what they said
Thank you. As, as I read through this bill, I didn't see an, or a exemption where it was just the, uh, the, the basin, the Salt Lake, or to create Salt Lake Basin. Can you show me where that's at or specific to that area?
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves the previous question to end debate.
▶ Watch at 1:53:14Read what they said
call The question, previous question has been called, which has the effect of any debate?
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that the change is a single line edit requiring the DWR to coordinate with the counties before closing a road.
▶ Watch at 2:13:34Read what they said
in order. I speak to it. Yes. This, uh, is just one little, uh, line change instead of, uh, the DWR uh, um, in consultation with the counties, they need to coordinate with the counties before they close the road.
H.B. 357 Amendments to Motor Vehicle Data Privacy · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that the Senate amendments extend the compliance timeline for motor vehicle manufacturers, exempt vehicles that are not technologically capable of compliance, and move the posting of privacy information to the Motor Vehicle Division website.
▶ Watch at 2:55:05Read what they said
Yes. Um, we just extended the timeline for compliance for the motor vehicle manufacturers and we removed vehicles from that are not technologically capable of compliance from, um, from the requirement to comply and we changed the posting of the privacy information to the motor vehicle, uh, division website.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says seclusion rooms are traumatic for children and wishes there were other options, but appreciates the added guardrails in the bill.
▶ Watch at 3:12:28Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, so I, I Uintah some schools in my area who have seclusion rooms. I, I appreciate the sponsor bringing this forward 'cause it does put guardrails around them. I think that when, when kids are put in a seclusion room, particularly in the elementary school, um, that's gonna be their memory. It's, they're, they're not gonna remember all the other things. They're gonna be, remember being locked up in a room. And, and I just, I I dearly wish there was other options than these seclusion rooms, um, just, just because they're, they're so traumatic for the kids. But I do appreciate the sponsor and putting the guardrails around that. I wish, I wish we …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says he appreciates the guardrails but is concerned that seclusion rooms are traumatic for students and wishes there were other options.
▶ Watch at 3:12:28Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, so I, I Uintah some schools in my area who have seclusion rooms. I, I appreciate the sponsor bringing this forward 'cause it does put guardrails around them. I think that when, when kids are put in a seclusion room, particularly in the elementary school, um, that's gonna be their memory. It's, they're, they're not gonna remember all the other things. They're gonna be, remember being locked up in a room. And, and I just, I I dearly wish there was other options than these seclusion rooms, um, just, just because they're, they're so traumatic for the kids. But I do appreciate the sponsor and putting the guardrails around that. I wish, I wish we …
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves to circle the bill and says a short delay is needed to get the bill right.
▶ Watch at 25:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to circle. Thank you, representative. That motion is in order. Uh, would you like to speak to that? Yeah, I, I think it would be very short order to be able to, uh, to just address this issue so that we make sure we get it right.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says a short circle would help make sure the bill is right.
▶ Watch at 25:09Read what they said
Yeah, I, I think it would be very short order to be able to, uh, to just address this issue so that we make sure we get it right.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the fix would be quick and supports circling the bill.
▶ Watch at 28:06Read what they said
Uh, yes. I, I concur with the, uh, good representative from ENA County. I think it's a very quick fix. We just need to make sure we get it right.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Agrees with the motion to circle, calling it a quick fix that needs to be done right.
▶ Watch at 28:06Read what they said
Uh, yes. I, I concur with the, uh, good representative from ENA County. I think it's a very quick fix. We just need to make sure we get it right.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the bill restructures a sentence in its text and asks for members' support.
▶ Watch at 1:20:38Read what they said
I would. Colleagues, we've all had those English teachers who love to use the red pen. This is no different. It's just a restructure of a sentence. That was perfectly fine. But, uh, they live among us, so I encourage your support. Thank you, Representative Shelley.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Shelley describes the bill as a study of the Gooseberry Narrows State Park site that does not designate a dam or park, and says the study would examine the site, a federal land trade, and what a dam would require.
▶ Watch at 1:40:45Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. So what this is, is a, uh, is a study for the Gooseberry narrow State Park. Um, it, it does not designate a new dam. It does not designate a new park. It just allows the state park to explore whether or not this is a good location for a state park. Now, make no mistake, the idea of having a dam here and having the water available is, is part of this. We, we need the state park and we need the water. Um, this is, this, uh, study will also explore whether or not trading a small piece of federal acreage for another piece of, of state acreage in a different location …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Shelley says the study costs $5,000 with no fiscal note, and State Parks determined it could absorb the expense.
▶ Watch at 1:45:23Read what they said
Uh, it's, this study is $5,000. The physical note is zero. The state parks, uh, determined that they could absorb that expense.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Shelley responds that almost all of that work has already been done.
▶ Watch at 1:47:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker ProAm, Thank you for the question. Um, almost all of that has been Representative Shelley.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Shelley says a new Sanpete County ski resort is about a mile and a half from the proposed park and invites members to visit if the bill passes.
▶ Watch at 1:49:06Read what they said
Thank you. Um, so just, just to, uh, bring this right home. So Sanpete County has Utah's 17th Ski Resort that we, uh, that we announced this year. And it's open, it's up Fairview Canyon, and it's not like the ski resort that you might be used to because it doesn't have a tram and it doesn't have a chair lift, but it does have a rope pole. So if you want to come and, and enjoy the ski resort, it's right there within about a mile and a half of where this state park will be. And, uh, it's, it's about one hour's drive from Spanish Fork. So if you'll vote for this bill, I want to be the …
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the Senate removed the dispatcher retirement provisions from the bill, leaving the joint state and federal wildfire coordination effort, and supports concurrence.
▶ Watch at 1:59:49Read what they said
'em? Yes. This is the, uh, wildland fire, uh, dispatcher. Uh, the original intent was to move the dispatchers under the same retirement program as the firefighters. It also had a, uh, provision in there for the, uh, joint operations between the state and the federal government on wildfires. Uh, the Senate asked to remove everything to do with retirement. So it's just the, uh, coordination effort now. So I, I concur. I think it's a good idea. Thank you.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that HB 185 would have the state claim ownership of carbon credits from state assets, and that a working committee would be formed this summer.
▶ Watch at 36:35Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so yeah, I'll be speaking to the fourth sub and there are four subs because we've been absolutely through a work in progress with this. But, uh, um, let me just briefly explain to you what carbon credits are. I don't want to take a lot of your time, but, uh, if it weren't so crazy and actually happening, you would never believe this. But, uh, it's almost like you're sitting here on state property, breathing state oxygen, and it's possible that somebody has already sold this oxygen to another country. That is how bizarre this is. And it has to do with carbon dioxide. So they transfer any carbon dioxide credit that the state …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Says the IPCC operates under the United Nations, so relying on it seems reasonable.
▶ Watch at 40:37Read what they said
I don't know why not. They operate under the control of the United Nations, so that seems reasonable.
S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Asks when the bill takes effect and whether it would affect projects already underway.
▶ Watch at 56:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a question. When, when would this take effect? Because there are a certain amount of projects that are already underway and have already been designed. Will that affect them or does it take, what's the effective date? The effective date's May 6th. So any projects, new projects that would commence after that date, we would look to utilize, um, the low water turf. Perfect.
S.B. 193 State Legal Holiday Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Says he normally opposes new state holidays because of burdens on small business but supports the bill to bring attention to Good Friday.
▶ Watch at 1:25:34Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, uh, I I normally oppose new holidays, particularly state holidays because it does, uh, put an undue pressure on private business who 80% of our businesses in this state are, are small business, and they have a hard time competing when the state continues to make it more appealing to, to work for the government. However, with that being said, I support this entire concept, I think, I think to, uh, to at least bring attention to Good Friday and the significant importance it is in the Christian world. I think it's, I think it's a unique approach. I am, I'm cognizant that it does have a physical note. Uh, well, it doesn't show a …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Estimates the retrofit cost at around half a million dollars or more, says the revenue does not repay the state, and raises concerns about the bill's cost to small businesses and overlap with existing employer tax incentives; urges a no vote.
▶ Watch at 26:37Read what they said
Thank You, Mr. Speaker. I, I also, uh, opposed to this bill, um, as I read through this bill, I think, I think it's, uh, a half a million dollars or maybe substantially more, um, that, uh, that goes to retrofit this. And then as it generates revenue, it just grows the program. It doesn't, it doesn't ever pay the state back for any of the money. It just absorbs that money and grows the program. And I, I just hope that we'll be cognizant of the fact that, uh, as we continue to make the state the most appealing place to work, we're hurting our small businesses. Um, 80% of this state is made up of small business. So …
S.B. 275 State-Endorsed Digital Identity Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Says he has worked on the bill for about three years, thanks Senator Cullimore and others who worked on it, and urges a yes vote.
▶ Watch at 2:46:00Read what they said
Um, this is a bill that I have spent the last couple of years, probably three years working on, and I am very excited to finally see it here for a vote. And I appreciate the, um, the good representative who is at my right, but not to the right of me. Um, and, and I appreciate all of the efforts of also of Senator Comore. There have been so many people who have worked on this. We've brought in a huge coalition of people, and I would encourage a yes vote on this bill.
S.B. 275 State-Endorsed Digital Identity Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Says he has worked on this bill for about three years, is glad to see it up for a vote, thanks Representative Cutler and Senator Cullimore and the many people involved, and encourages a yes vote.
▶ Watch at 2:46:00Read what they said
Um, this is a bill that I have spent the last couple of years, probably three years working on, and I am very excited to finally see it here for a vote. And I appreciate the, um, the good representative who is at my right, but not to the right of me. Um, and, and I appreciate all of the efforts of also of Senator Comore. There have been so many people who have worked on this. We've brought in a huge coalition of people, and I would encourage a yes vote on this bill.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Introduced the first substitute of H.B. 496 briefly and handed the explanation to Kory Cox.
▶ Watch at 1:04Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'll re speak very briefly to it as to the second sub or to the first sub. I'll bill 4 96. Um, and, uh, maybe, maybe I'll just turn the time over to you can kind of explain what it does and where it's at. Yeah.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said dispatchers were missed when firefighters were moved into the system and that injured firefighters could transfer into dispatch and keep qualifying.
▶ Watch at 1:54Read what they said
Yeah, I think, I think the one, the one part is this was intended to carry the, uh, dispatchers over when they, when they created this for the firefighters and the dis dispatchers just got missed and they would like to carry those over. I think one of the, one of the important parts here is if a firefighter is injured during a Ophir or whatever happens, um, rather than him just, uh, or he or her, um, just miss out on the, uh, any retirement because of their injury, they can transfer into the, into the office and, and go in as a dispatcher and, and then they'll still qualify.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said firefighters were moved into public safety retirement years ago but dispatchers were not, and the bill aligns them.
▶ Watch at 13:28Read what they said
So the, the firefighters were put in, and I won't recall the, a Cory will know that the firefighters were put into public safety retirement some years ago. Somehow the dispatchers were not put into that. Um, and that's what basically what this does is allows to align the dispatch dispatchers into that program with them. I think
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said he did not believe it was accidental but that neither of them was present to know why.
▶ Watch at 14:11Read what they said
I don't believe it was accidental. Do you wanna speak to that, Corey? Yeah, I'm not sure. I, I'm not sure either of us know that we weren't here. Um, it just wasn't done at that time. Is that fair?
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said the federal government is pushing costs to states, so maximizing matching funds now makes sense.
▶ Watch at 19:32Read what they said
Thanks. Can I just add to that? I, I think, uh, I think a movement on a federal level is to push a lot of expenses back to the state and, and give states responsibility. I think if we can maximize our dollars right now to get state or federal matching funds to pull that back, I think it, I think it makes sense on the short term.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Noted the retirement change would affect about seven people.
▶ Watch at 23:26Read what they said
Can I, can I just clarify just to make sure that, uh, that we're on the same, same understanding, this would affect probably around seven individuals.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Welcomed Jamie Barnes coming forward to help. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 23:52Read what they said
Jamie is great. So anyway, it's a good thing. I have phone of friends. I love having them, so I'm glad when they come.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Committed to a substitute removing the retirement portion, posted as soon as possible.
▶ Watch at 33:28Read what they said
Will do a substitute that removes the retirement portion and we will have that sub posted as soon as possible. Yes.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Shelley asks whether the fee entity refers to the state or to developers.
▶ Watch at 45:26Read what they said
Just a, a couple clarifications. You said fee entity, is that referring to the state or is that referring to like the developers?
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Shelley asks whether the privilege tax applies only to the Point of the Mountain or to other state property.
▶ Watch at 45:41Read what they said
The other, the other question I have is this privilege tax, does that only apply just to the point of the mountain development or is it other state property as well?
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Rep. Shelley asked how much the tax is.
▶ Watch at 1:22:30Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Uh, question, it sounds to me like this tax is going to, uh, really affect business. Could you tell me what, how much the tax is? Yeah,
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Rep. Shelley said a roughly $40 tax on a $1,000 ad bill would not break a business and that market principles will determine any pass-through, expressing appreciation for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:23:23Read what they said
Yeah, I, I look at it, you know, on a, uh, what on a thousand dollars bill, if a business were paying a thousand dollars, is that like $40 in tax? I don't see that. That's something that's gonna break a business. And I do think that market principles will dictate whether or not that's just passed through to the businesses. I appreciate your bill.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asks whether a neighbor who informally watches children for pay would need to register under the program.
▶ Watch at 1:40:41Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. So a couple questions. Uh, we talked earlier on this, so I'm just wanting to see clarification. So if a, in a neighborhood, 'cause we're in a rural area, so in a neighborhood, if a neighbor says, Hey, um, I'll, uh, I'll watch eight kids for you guys. And, and if even if they get paid, do they have to register through this program with the state?
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Thanks the sponsor for the clarification.
▶ Watch at 1:41:31Read what they said
to Okay. Do that. Appreciate that this appreciate Super Bill. I appreciate that clarification. Thank you.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asks whether the bill benefits only the Salt Lake Valley.
▶ Watch at 1:41:35Read what they said
So one other question. So this is, uh, this only benefits the Salt Lake Valley. Correct?
H.B. 231 Restaurant Tax Repeal Amendments · House floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying rural counties rely on tourist spending and that constituents have raised concerns about its effects.
▶ Watch at 2:01:53Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also rise in stark opposition to this bill. Uh, I would add to, uh, what the good representative from Sev County, uh, Sanpete s severe Wayne Millard Juab and Piute also, uh, look at this as a, a very, uh, effective bill to it. It would, it would decimate their tourism industry. They rely on it. Now, I, I agree with what the sponsor has said, where the counties are still made whole and he's done his research, but the counties are now made whole by taxing their residents instead of the tourist. The people who come through now in the Salt Lake and Utah counties, uh, you know, maybe going from one end of …
S.B. 242 Transportation Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether the towing data collection language is one of the items still being worked on.
▶ Watch at 1:03:12Read what they said
Yeah. Okay. I'm having trouble getting my, okay, there we go. Um, I was curious about line seven, I think it was 7 27, there was something in there about towing, um, and, and collecting data into a database. Is that one of the things that you were, that you said you still had work to do on?
S.B. 242 Transportation Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether the sponsor would add stronger penalties for violations of the towing data provisions.
▶ Watch at 1:04:00Read what they said
Okay. So that's being addressed then. Thank you. So along those lines, while we're on that subject, they've asked that there be maybe some stiffer penalties for those who violate that. Is that something you'd be, uh, willing to
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield for questions.
▶ Watch at 1:03:11Read what they said
to the bill Representative Shelley. Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor, yield Representative, will you yield
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether the bill could discourage candidates from filing, since counties may not want another election once a few have filed, and asks for the sponsor's view.
▶ Watch at 1:03:23Read what they said
Thank you. I'm from Paradise, but it's not named that. Uh, so my, my concern with this bill is that, uh, you know, especially in smaller communities, um, once a couple of people have filed for an office, then there'll be a chilling effect for other people to want to file because you know, particularly the county clerks wouldn't want to necessarily deal with a new election. And so they would probably or could possibly discourage other people from filing and by, by doing this, by not requiring an election, um, it would kind of be incumbent on, on people to discourage others from filing after the first two get in. So that, can you address that? Maybe give me …
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether skipping primaries could discourage other people from filing for office in small communities.
▶ Watch at 1:03:23Read what they said
Thank you. I'm from Paradise, but it's not named that. Uh, so my, my concern with this bill is that, uh, you know, especially in smaller communities, um, once a couple of people have filed for an office, then there'll be a chilling effect for other people to want to file because you know, particularly the county clerks wouldn't want to necessarily deal with a new election. And so they would probably or could possibly discourage other people from filing and by, by doing this, by not requiring an election, um, it would kind of be incumbent on, on people to discourage others from filing after the first two get in. So that, can you address that? Maybe give me …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Explains that the fourth substitute corrects which state agencies may handle carbon credits and places the bill under the Auditor's Office because it is no longer a tax bill.
▶ Watch at 1:14:58Read what they said
I would. So the, the fourth sub, it's been through multiple subs, um, but the fourth sub, uh, basically just does a little correction to, to determine which agencies, uh, can, can do what with carbon credits. Um, and then we, we, uh, decided since it's no longer a tax bill, that we would have it under the auditor's office since it's more about, uh, reporting that it is anything else. And that's what the four sub does.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Explains that the fourth substitute corrects which state agencies can handle carbon credits and moves the reporting to the state auditor's office.
▶ Watch at 1:14:58Read what they said
I would. So the, the fourth sub, it's been through multiple subs, um, but the fourth sub, uh, basically just does a little correction to, to determine which agencies, uh, can, can do what with carbon credits. Um, and then we, we, uh, decided since it's no longer a tax bill, that we would have it under the auditor's office since it's more about, uh, reporting that it is anything else. And that's what the four sub does.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Says carbon credits are complex and that the bill would set guidelines for tracking the state's carbon credit interests and reporting by state entities, without affecting private property owners.
▶ Watch at 1:15:55Read what they said
Thank you. So, uh, understanding carbon credits is pretty complex. Um, I've, I've researched it and studied it for well over 10 years. It's something that I've paid close attention to and I've, I've, uh, had lots of discussions with people here in the body. Um, basically it's, you would, you would think it's tinfoil hat type of legislation until you realize that it's actually happening and people are actually selling it. And it's kind of like saying that we're here in the state capitol and we're breathing oxygen, however, we don't own the oxygen because France owns our oxygen. That's how bizarre this carbon credit market is. And, and it's absolutely crazy if it weren't happening. Um, there's no …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Says carbon credits are complex and the bill gives the state a way to track its carbon credit interests and reporting, without reaching private property owners.
▶ Watch at 1:15:55Read what they said
Thank you. So, uh, understanding carbon credits is pretty complex. Um, I've, I've researched it and studied it for well over 10 years. It's something that I've paid close attention to and I've, I've, uh, had lots of discussions with people here in the body. Um, basically it's, you would, you would think it's tinfoil hat type of legislation until you realize that it's actually happening and people are actually selling it. And it's kind of like saying that we're here in the state capitol and we're breathing oxygen, however, we don't own the oxygen because France owns our oxygen. That's how bizarre this carbon credit market is. And, and it's absolutely crazy if it weren't happening. Um, there's no …
H.B. 479 Election Code Modifications · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield for questions.
▶ Watch at 1:25:32Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor yield to a question? Representative Burton, will you yield?
H.B. 479 Election Code Modifications · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Asks how many years ago voting required standing in line.
▶ Watch at 1:25:39Read what they said
Um, can you tell me how many years ago it was that we had one way to vote and that was to stand in line?
H.B. 479 Election Code Modifications · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says the bill opens more options for voting.
▶ Watch at 1:26:21Read what they said
Thank you. I appreciate you, uh, running this bill. It opens up many more options for people to be able to vote. Thank you.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Presents HB 444 as a follow-up fix to last year's bill, covering road closures across connected private land, public meeting and notice requirements, limits on counties vacating Class D roads with public benefit, and the OHV flag color rule.
▶ Watch at 1:01:29Read what they said
Go ahead. All right. 4 44 is kind of a rerun from last year. There's not a whole lot of changes, but we do find some, some fixes that we have to have. Um, probably the most glaring fix is, uh, this, this prevents an individual from closing a road that has always been used as a, as a right of way or an access to public land or to other people's private property. What we didn't anticipate is if the private property that it goes through goes into another piece of private property that the same owner owns and then ends, my bill would, right now as it stands, prevents that owner from shutting the road when you first …
S.B. 256 Identity Protection Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Commented in support of the bill, expressing concern about deepfakes in upcoming elections and thanking the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:31:33Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Not necessarily a question, but a comment. I, I see the, uh, the tremendous damage that this deep fake is leading to. It's, it's, it's scary. We have an election coming up in three years, a presidential election. And if there's no way to control this, we will not be voting for the person who's best president, but the least repulsive is who we're gonna be voting for. Uh, and, and I say all sides of the aisle, everybody will be involved in this, and we will be in chaos. So, I, I applaud you for your bill. I think, I think we need to do everything we can and look forward. Uh, it, it certainly …
S.B. 256 Identity Protection Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend first substitute SB 256 to the House.
▶ Watch at 1:41:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion that we favorably, uh, forward to the house SB 2 56. 2 56.
S.B. 256 Identity Protection Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Said the bill is good policy to move forward because the issue is real and the timing is appropriate.
▶ Watch at 1:41:59Read what they said
I just think it's a good policy to move forward. I think we need to pay attention to it. It's, uh, it's real. It's here, so I, I appreciate the timing of it as well.
S.B. 277 Utah Homes Investment Program Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Asks about the repayment terms of a past state public-private agreement and whether down payment incentives could raise home prices.
▶ Watch at 1:59:02Read what they said
I think. Thank you. Um, so I, I just have a couple of questions. One is, so I, I've seen a, uh, an agreement that the state had where they borrowed money to, through a, through a, I guess a public private partnership, but the repayment wasn't due for 30 days or 30 years was the first payment due. So I'm curious what these type of agreements will look like. And, and also just a just curious, just if you could address this, um, it seems to me that when we, when we, uh, incentivize by saying, you know, we'll give you $20,000 for down payment on a house, um, it seems to me like that's a good down payment …
S.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Pediatric Care for Autonomic Disorders · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says he has three chronically ill daughters, supports the resolution, and thanks the sponsor for bringing it forward.
▶ Watch at 2:12:41Read what they said
Representative Shelley, Thank you, Madam Chair. Haley, that was fantastic. Thank you for overcoming your fear and doing that. I have three daughters who are chronically ill. I don't know if POTS is the issue, but it sounds very similar to what you are going through. And I love this resolution. I think it's time we learned more about it, and I appreciate the sponsor bringing it forward.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Explains how carbon credit markets work and says the substitute removes the tax, private reporting requirements, the state right of first refusal, and the litigation fund, so the bill can set parameters for an interim study.
▶ Watch at 30:51Read what they said
Thank you. So, so let me just go back and recap what carbon credits are because this is, this is a mysterious market for a lot of people. I've, I've paid attention to this market for, uh, well over 10 years, um, and collected data that's almost more than my computer can hold. Um, and, uh, you know, I, I've had, I've had multiple people say, well, why don't we hold this for an interim study? Well, um, there, there are no parameters on the carbon market. And so, so what this bill will, will do is it will give us the parameters so that we can study it during the interim. And, and that's exactly the intent in the …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Responds that human-caused carbon dioxide is a very small share of the atmosphere.
▶ Watch at 41:57Read what they said
Do, do you know what percentage of carbon dioxide is manmade for The, the total amount of, uh, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is about one fourth of 1% of the atmosphere. And of that they estimate maybe a hundredth of that is manmade. Very, very small amount. Yes.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the UN keeps an ownership record that is not audited and that state ownership of credits is the way to track them.
▶ Watch at 42:42Read what they said
That's correct. So do they report that or do they have, is there like a spreadsheet of who owns those and which ones they are and how they're traded? Yes. Yes, there is. And the UN says we're a private organization and we do not submit to audits. So there, so you never know what's happening then if they're not being transparent? No, the reason for this bill, at least it gives us the parameters to begin. So the only way to be able to track carbon dioxide or the, the credit carbon credits is for the state of Utah to claim ownership of its carbon credits. And at that point, the United Nations is very vigilant of making sure …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Confirms the litigation fund is no longer part of the bill at the state level or otherwise.
▶ Watch at 45:10Read what they said
Correct. Not only that, but also on a state level, it's no longer part of the bill.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says carbon credit income is reportable and the bill sets parameters so the state understands these transactions.
▶ Watch at 1:10:41Read what they said
Yes, it's reportable income. All we want do is put parameters around it so we understand what's happening.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Summarizes that the substitute removes private regulation and reporting, requires reporting of state-owned credits, and sets parameters for an interim study, and describes how Exxon and Delta participate in the credit market.
▶ Watch at 1:19:04Read what they said
Thank you. Um, representative Erland, I'm hoping to flip your, uh, opinion on this. So, so the third sub eliminates all regulation, all reporting requirements, everything from private property owners entirely. All this is, is saying if the state owns carbon credits, we want reporting of those carbon credits. Any revenue generated by the state for carbon credits stays in the department that generated the carbon credit. But when you're sitting in an appropriations meeting and you understand that there's, you know, $3 million that came in on the sale of a carbon credit, appropriation should understand that that money is there. And, uh, and so a study, interim study, absolutely it needs to happen, but we have to have …
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says the substitute would have the local sheriff's office oversee all law enforcement concerning wildfires in the county.
▶ Watch at 14:04Read what they said
Yeah. The the sub does one simple thing. It changes it so that we make sure that, uh, the local sheriff's office oversees all law enforcement, uh, concerning wildfires in their county.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
The substitute requires the local sheriff's office to oversee all law enforcement concerning wildfires in each county.
▶ Watch at 14:04Read what they said
Yeah. The the sub does one simple thing. It changes it so that we make sure that, uh, the local sheriff's office oversees all law enforcement, uh, concerning wildfires in their county.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says the bill lets dispatchers get a retirement similar to wildland firefighters, explains the reason for it, and describes the fiscal note, which is mostly for the joint management agreement with the Forest Service.
▶ Watch at 14:45Read what they said
Thank you. What this bill does, and I initially had a lot of trepidation about it, but, uh, I think we've worked through everything. I I am in favor of this bill. Now this is a bill that, uh, um, allows the dispatchers to get a retirement similar to the firefighters, uh, that are the wild line fi or wildfire, uh, firefighters. Um, the reason for this bill is primarily if a firefighter is injured and, uh, and still, uh, you know, if he's worked for a while for the Forest service or for the fire and, uh, and he gets injured, but he's still capable of being a dispatcher, then instead of losing his retirement because of injury, he …
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
The bill lets wildland fire dispatchers receive a retirement similar to firefighters when an injured firefighter moves into a dispatch role, and he describes the fiscal note, with most of the cost tied to a joint management agreement and the rest to the retirement program.
▶ Watch at 14:45Read what they said
Thank you. What this bill does, and I initially had a lot of trepidation about it, but, uh, I think we've worked through everything. I I am in favor of this bill. Now this is a bill that, uh, um, allows the dispatchers to get a retirement similar to the firefighters, uh, that are the wild line fi or wildfire, uh, firefighters. Um, the reason for this bill is primarily if a firefighter is injured and, uh, and still, uh, you know, if he's worked for a while for the Forest service or for the fire and, uh, and he gets injured, but he's still capable of being a dispatcher, then instead of losing his retirement because of injury, he …
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says he does not know the exact number but estimates between seven and 20 people would be affected.
▶ Watch at 16:22Read what they said
Yes, yes. Representative. How many People will this apply to? Um, I, I don't know the exact number, but it's probably somewhere between seven and 20. Okay.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Estimates the bill would apply to somewhere between seven and 20 people.
▶ Watch at 16:22Read what they said
Yes, yes. Representative. How many People will this apply to? Um, I, I don't know the exact number, but it's probably somewhere between seven and 20. Okay.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says the change applies only to wildland fire dispatchers, of whom there are very few, and not to all dispatchers.
▶ Watch at 17:28Read what they said
That, so this is specific to the wildland fires dispatchers, which there are very few. There's, there's a very limited number in the state. It does not apply to all dispatchers.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says the bill is specific to wildland fire dispatchers, a very limited number in the state, and not to all dispatchers.
▶ Watch at 17:28Read what they said
That, so this is specific to the wildland fires dispatchers, which there are very few. There's, there's a very limited number in the state. It does not apply to all dispatchers.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says he does not know the exact pension percentage and that the bill applies only to wildland fire dispatchers.
▶ Watch at 18:09Read what they said
I I don't know the exact number, but it does apply to, to that those few people who are the dispatchers specific to the wildfire? Uh, just the, the wildfire department. Not, not to all dispatchers.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says he does not know the exact pension percentage and that the bill applies only to wildland fire dispatchers.
▶ Watch at 18:09Read what they said
I I don't know the exact number, but it does apply to, to that those few people who are the dispatchers specific to the wildfire? Uh, just the, the wildfire department. Not, not to all dispatchers.
H.B. 363 Water Easement Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Asks whether the bill moves a prescriptive easement toward ownership, and asks a follow-up question on yielding.
▶ Watch at 26:22Read what they said
Thank you. So as a prescriptive easement, it's, uh, easements that's granted for a very specific purpose. Does this now move it from a prescriptive easement to ownership? So, correct. This would, there would be a, they don't get fee of the property. They still only own an easement, but this easement now becomes recorded at the county recorder's office and the property owners have notice of it. A follow up question. Uh, Representative Abbott, will you yield to a follow up question?
H.B. 363 Water Easement Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Asks whether the first right of refusal should instead go to the adjacent property owner, and raises concern that a city could build a road on the easement.
▶ Watch at 27:01Read what they said
Would it not be more appropriate to give that first right of refusal to the property owner who's adjacent to that prescriptive easement? Um, 'cause what I can see happening is possibly if a city purchases a right of way or an easement that now becomes real property through the back of someone's yard, they could potentially build a road on that easement. Is that how I, is that understood correctly?
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Shelley asked who is currently required to register to provide daycare.
▶ Watch at 1:13:06Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, so I, I live in a rural area. Well, it's rural right now 'cause we have two stoplights, but I understand we're getting a third so that I don't know if we're still qualified. So then we'll be an urban area at that point. Um, I, I do have a couple of questions. Uh, right now who's required to sign up or who's, who's required to register if they're going to do daycare?
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Shelley repeated his question about who must register for in-home daycare.
▶ Watch at 1:13:50Read what they said
Oh, no problem. Uh, who, who currently is required to register if they're doing a daycare in their home?
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Shelley asked whether someone caring for five children would need to do anything different.
▶ Watch at 1:16:07Read what they said
Okay. So, so if someone has five kids, does this bill now require them to do anything different?
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Shelley questioned the need for government oversight in rural areas where neighbors know each other and suggested incentivizing employer-provided daycare instead of more regulation.
▶ Watch at 1:16:59Read what they said
Okay. So I, I hear a lot of discussion about rural, but in rural we probably do things different because we know, we know, like I I know probably if they've lived in my county for more than 10 years, I probably know 70% of everybody there. Um, so it's probably not the same. I I just, I'm, I'm struggling with a couple things. One, why are we putting a government oversight? I mean, if I, I know all of my neighbors and, and many of them are, you know, they'll, they'll bring kids in and, and say, Hey, I'll watch your kids in the morning. You guys watch my kids at night or in the afternoons. So I, I …
S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Shelley proposed a substitute motion to exclude class four through six counties.
▶ Watch at 1:22:08Read what they said
I would like to offer a substitute motion and exclude, uh, the counties of the class four through six.
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Asks whether the study will examine city regulations that could discourage private development.
▶ Watch at 20:48Read what they said
Thank you. In, in this study, will it also look at regulations within the cities that could be discouraging the free enterprise from coming in and handling this?
H.B. 502 School Attendance Modifications · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Asked whether a student who tests out of a class and transfers to college would receive a scholarship or concurrent enrollment, and what the impact on the college would be.
▶ Watch at 40:21Read what they said
I'm, I'm just curious if you could walk me through this. So it appears that if a student were to test out of a class and be able to transfer or go, go to a college rather than to a high school, um, is, is that a scholarship or did they do concurrent enrollment? How, what, what's the impact on the college, I guess?
H.B. 502 School Attendance Modifications · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Asked about college expenses if a concurrent-enrollment-eligible student tests out and completes high school, and the sponsor responded that core classes are separate from concurrent enrollment classes.
▶ Watch at 41:14Read what they said
Sponsor yield. Just clarifying if, uh, so a student who qualifies for concurrent enrollment and they do decide to go to college, if they've tested out and they've completed all of their high school, then does the college have a expense there or is that expense covered somehow? Uh, I, I'm not sure I understand the question, Mr. Speaker. I we're talking like core classes, concurrent enrollment classes actually are in their own category. And so these would be your, your core math, science, English, uh, not your concurrent enrollment Math, science, English classes.
H.B. 549 Energy Efficiency Rebate Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moves to pass out the substitute bill, as amended, with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:40:14Read what they said
I would move that, uh, the committee favorably advance 5 49 with a or sub one as amended.
H.B. 464 Parent Taught Driver Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Moves to adopt amendment two.
▶ Watch at 15:17Read what they said
Yeah. Motion to adopt, uh, Amendment Two, adopt amendment number two on house bill 4 54 or 4 64.
H.B. 464 Parent Taught Driver Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Supports the bill, describing teaching their own children to drive, and says it would help areas without driving schools.
▶ Watch at 30:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I was, uh, part of the hours and hours of discussion on this bill earlier in the week, and, um, I am in favor of this bill. I'm the one who did the 40 hours with my children, the pro professionals did six, and we saw a turf protection in spades in this discussion. I think that having a break and a and controls on your side of the car is cheating. So having taught my children to drive, and I also think that most parents are not gonna do this anyway. They're gonna go to the schools or they're going to have private instructors because they are not brave enough to teach their children …
S.B. 69 School Device Revisions · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying it overrides local elected school boards and urging members to defeat it.
▶ Watch at 42:47Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, of all Senate bills that I've seen, this is probably one that I like the least. Uh, it absolutely oversteps the local school boards. I don't, I don't have a, a dog in the race as to whether or not the, uh, phones are allowed in classes or not, but, uh, but I do believe that local elected school boards should be the ones that make the decision. I remember this bill last year coming through saying it specifically will not overstep the school boards. And then here we are this year saying this will specifically overstep the school boards. I encourage you to kill this Senate bill. It is, it is not good policy. …
H.B. 149 Sexual Material Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Asked whether the bill could be placed on the consent calendar.
▶ Watch at 1:08:50Read what they said
Could we make a motion to put that on consent? Uh, Representative Peck before you leave? That Sounds like a really good motion. I just missed. Yeah. Uh, let me, let me, yeah.
H.B. 149 Sexual Material Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the bill has near-unanimous support and should be a consent item.
▶ Watch at 1:09:10Read what they said
I think it's a great consent. It's, uh, it's pretty well unanimous opinion. I think it should be a perfect consent item.
H.B. 575 Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Supports the bill as a market-based approach that removes regulation so more product reaches the market and lowers prices, and praises the sponsor's work.
▶ Watch at 1:06:31Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Irisin supported this bill for a couple of reasons. One is, uh, is it absolutely implements the free market principles. It, uh, it removes regulation so that uh, so that the product can get to market and more product in the market automatically will drive prices down. So this isn't a temporary tax cut, this is, this is a market solution. And anytime that we remove the government out of the solution and put the market into the solution, the market succeeds. So I I applaud the sponsor for an enormous amount of work that he's put in on this and, uh, and very well thought out. Thank you.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Thanks the Speaker and moves to adopt substitute number two.
▶ Watch at 1:39:17Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I would like to move sub number two and, uh, adopt the amendment.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Moves to adopt the second substitute for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:39:17Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I would like to move sub number two and, uh, adopt the amendment.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Moves to adopt the second substitute for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:39:31Read what they said
So let's do the, uh, uh, a motion to adopt second substitute. First, I would like to make a motion to adopt the second sub. Thank
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Says the second substitute adds clarification, removes the flag color requirement for four-wheelers on sand dunes, and lets a landowner close a road at the start of their land if the road never leaves that land.
▶ Watch at 1:39:50Read what they said
Yeah. The, the second sub, just to add some clarification on, um, it, it added some stuff. Uh, there's been some confusion out on the sand dunes as to what color a flag has to be on a four wheeler. So we adjusted that. We, uh, we, we made a couple of, uh, change it. Let me just, it, it, uh, permits landowners to close the road at the beginning of their land if the road never leaves their land. Uh, that's, that's primarily what it does.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Explains that the second substitute removes the flag color requirement for four-wheelers on sand dunes and lets landowners close a road at the start of their land if the road never leaves that land.
▶ Watch at 1:39:50Read what they said
Yeah. The, the second sub, just to add some clarification on, um, it, it added some stuff. Uh, there's been some confusion out on the sand dunes as to what color a flag has to be on a four wheeler. So we adjusted that. We, uh, we, we made a couple of, uh, change it. Let me just, it, it, uh, permits landowners to close the road at the beginning of their land if the road never leaves their land. Uh, that's, that's primarily what it does.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Moves to adopt amendment number one.
▶ Watch at 1:41:14Read what they said
I'd like to make a motion to adopt the amendment. Amendment number one. Amendment number one.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Moves to adopt amendment number one.
▶ Watch at 1:41:14Read what they said
I'd like to make a motion to adopt the amendment. Amendment number one. Amendment number one.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Says the amendment requires a state entity that closes roads on land it bought, where the public previously had access, to restore that access before reselling the land.
▶ Watch at 1:41:23Read what they said
Yeah, it's just a simple amendment. Uh, it, uh, it states that if a state entity purchases land and then, uh, subsequently closes some roads on those lands that have previously been accessed by the public, that before they resell that land, they have to, uh, allow that access back.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Explains that if a state entity closes a previously public-accessed road on land it bought, it must restore that access before reselling the land.
▶ Watch at 1:41:23Read what they said
Yeah, it's just a simple amendment. Uh, it, uh, it states that if a state entity purchases land and then, uh, subsequently closes some roads on those lands that have previously been accessed by the public, that before they resell that land, they have to, uh, allow that access back.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Says the bill applies to state entities the same road-closure standard that applies to federal closures, preventing closure of existing roads that access public or other private land, and describes changes that drop the flag color requirement, let a private owner close a road at the main entrance if it does not access public land, and require a recorded document for similarly named private land.
▶ Watch at 1:42:28Read what they said
Okay. This is a bill that we passed last year in this body that, uh, basically, um, we, we see the federal government closing roads all the time and shutting down access. So we thought, well, let's, uh, let's hold the state to the same standard so that we, uh, so that we don't have state entities closing roads that are unnecessarily closed. So if a road accesses public land or other private land, then this, this bill prevents that road from being closed that's already in code. We did a couple of adjustments. As I mentioned, um, there's been some confusion about flags on four wheelers out on the sand dunes. So we just eliminated the color requirement of …
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Describes the bill as preventing state entities from closing existing roads that access public or other private land, and outlines changes removing the flag color requirement, allowing a private landowner to close a road at its main entrance if it does not access public land, and requiring a recorded document for similarly named private land.
▶ Watch at 1:42:28Read what they said
Okay. This is a bill that we passed last year in this body that, uh, basically, um, we, we see the federal government closing roads all the time and shutting down access. So we thought, well, let's, uh, let's hold the state to the same standard so that we, uh, so that we don't have state entities closing roads that are unnecessarily closed. So if a road accesses public land or other private land, then this, this bill prevents that road from being closed that's already in code. We did a couple of adjustments. As I mentioned, um, there's been some confusion about flags on four wheelers out on the sand dunes. So we just eliminated the color requirement of …
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked why the fiscal note does not appear to match two $5 million appropriations in the bill.
▶ Watch at 54:00Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I've, I've got a a couple of questions that can, can you explain, uh, explain the physical note, because it doesn't to me seem to add up to what the actual money is. Line line 41 appropriates 5 million, and then line 43 appropriates 5 million. So there's 10, but the physical note, I, I think I remember it as being somewhere around one and a half. And I think one and a half is reflected in the 27.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked why the bill changes references from a fund to an account.
▶ Watch at 55:31Read what they said
Okay. Yeah, I, I guess I don't connect that. But, uh, so on, on line 62 is the first reference I see to converting it from a fund to an account. And, uh, and so I just, I just did some search. And, and a fund is specific to how the legislature allocates the money. The account is kind of a, a bulk account that, that the committee could choose from. Why, why, what, what's the reason to change it from a fund to an account?
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said the change appears throughout the bill, starting at line 162.
▶ Watch at 56:08Read what they said
N No. All, all through the whole document. It changes from, from referring to a fund to referring to an account. The first would be on line 1 62. That's the first place where I see the reference.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Expressed concern that moving from a fund to an account places spending decisions with the LeRay McAllister board outside legislative oversight.
▶ Watch at 56:42Read what they said
Yeah. I, So this is just cleanup language. I, I see that. But the, the fundamental difference is when it's, when it's a fund, it's specified exactly how that money would be spent. And if we move it from that fund to an account, it seems like it, it, and, and as I read through the document, then it, it falls under a, uh, a board, which the, uh, the Lee Ray McAllister fund basically creates a board that is not under legis. I, I don't think it's under legislative oversight, but
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said the Legislature cannot determine how funds are spent once deposited.
▶ Watch at 57:21Read what they said
Yes. But then once the money's in there, I don't think the legislature at that point, from what I read in the bill, it doesn't look like the legislature at that point, um, can determine how those funds are spent.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked whether the LeRay McAllister board becomes the granting institution instead of the Legislature.
▶ Watch at 57:40Read what they said
So that's, that's my concern. Um, line two 19. Well, let's see. I think that's, that's one we talked about. So, so then does the Lee Ray McAllister, once they get these funds, do they now become the bonding institution and the granting institution rather than the legislature?
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asked the sponsor to walk through line 227.
▶ Watch at 58:35Read what they said
Would you just look, look at line 2 27 and just maybe walk me through that, would you?
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said it seems strange that the LeRay McAllister fund determines where money is spent.
▶ Watch at 59:04Read what they said
Uh, sorry. And I don't mean to get caught. I'm just trying to really understand it because it, it, it seems strange to me that we're, that we have this Leray McAllister fund that now becomes the, the agency that determines where money is spent.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said appropriations usually specify a purpose but this leaves it to a board.
▶ Watch at 59:31Read what they said
Agency in the right. But, but generally, when we allocate, we say this is the specific purpose for it, but this doesn't give it a specific purpose. This leaves it up to board.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said decisions rest with the LeRay McAllister board rather than DNR.
▶ Watch at 1:00:12Read what they said
And I guess I'm back to the same thing as Right, not DNR, it's the leader in McAllister now.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Objected to existing law sweeping unspent county rollback taxes after 10 years to the LeRay McAllister fund and suggested a substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:00:34Read what they said
Okay. Um, and, uh, as Representative Fiefia brought up line 3 33, I know you're not changing that. Um, but, but I would recommend a change. 'cause 'cause what this does is, uh, is it takes the rollback taxes from the counties with the, uh, you know, the, the counties who have the most rural areas are generally the ones with the highest rollback taxes. And, and the county auditor or assessor has to collect those rollback taxes. And then if the county decides here's what we want to do with them, if they can't reallocate them within 10 years, then that money gets swept out of the county's account and moved up to the Leray McAllister. I, I have …
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Said the rollback tax sweep disadvantages rural counties, noting the fund has not funded projects in central or southern Utah.
▶ Watch at 1:01:41Read what they said
I, I see that. But, uh, but it's still a problem. It's, it's, you know, why, why are we having the rural counties collect the tax? And if they want to, to plan out how they want to use that money, and then looking down in the future, um, they've got 10 years to execute some project, and if they don't do it, then the Lee Ray McAllister and I, and I looked at which projects that Lee Ray McAllister fund has, has funded, and none of them have been in central Utah. None of them primarily are down in the south area at all. They're, they're pretty much in the northern part of the state. So it's, it's taking …
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Shelley proposed a substitute motion to unstrike the auditor language because the change is controversial and not urgent.
▶ Watch at 1:25:49Read what they said
Yeah, I'd like to make a, I'd like to make a substitute motion, um, just because it seems controversial and I don't know that, uh, time is of the essence to make an immediate change. Can we just, uns strike lines number 24 and 25.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Shelley said he was referencing the original bill's line numbers.
▶ Watch at 1:26:10Read what they said
Uh, well, I'm actually talking on the bill 'cause I don't know how to find it in the sub since it's, uh, it's not numbered.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Shelley said unstriking lines 924-925 would resolve the issue since it is not an emergency.
▶ Watch at 1:26:26Read what they said
Lines 9 24 and 9 25 are struck out. I don't, I don't see that this is like an emergency to get this done right now. So if we just uns strike it, that probably resolves that issue.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Shelley identified the struck language about the state auditor.
▶ Watch at 1:26:51Read what they said
It says the state auditor, and then it struck out that says it's not limited to the selection of personnel. Okay.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Rep. Shelley said the provision has never been abused and unstriking it resolves the auditor's concern.
▶ Watch at 1:27:32Read what they said
No, I, I think, uh, I think that resolves the issue. You know, I, I don't see that this is an emergency to hurry and change it. It's never been abused, so you just un strike. And I think that resolves the concern, at least from the auditor's office. It appears to me like,
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
The response said the motion would delete the new language and keep the old language. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:29:04Read what they said
It would not, it would, it would basically delete the new language and keep the old language. Okay.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield to a question.
▶ Watch at 1:06:56Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the, uh, sponsor yield to a question? Representative Arthur, will you yield to a question? Yes, representative.
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks whether the certification is currently required or only required if another bill passes.
▶ Watch at 1:06:56Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the, uh, sponsor yield to a question? Representative Arthur, will you yield to a question? Yes, representative. So, uh, could you just clarify, it appears to me that this certification is not required unless HB three 13 passes. So, uh, is this currently something that is required of landscapers, or will this only be required if that other bill passes?
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks whether the certification is currently required or will only be required if the other bill passes.
▶ Watch at 1:07:04Read what they said
So, uh, could you just clarify, it appears to me that this certification is not required unless HB three 13 passes. So, uh, is this currently something that is required of landscapers, or will this only be required if that other bill passes?
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and asks how a specialty contractor is determined, including whether it can be a side job.
▶ Watch at 1:07:54Read what they said
Thanks for the clarification. Um, so, so right now, uh, is a specialty contractor identified as somebody who does this professionally all the time? Or can this be somebody who does this as a side job? How, how does the specialty contractor get determined? What, what determines that?
H.B. 313 Landscaper Certification Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and asks how a specialty contractor is determined, including whether it can be a side job.
▶ Watch at 1:07:54Read what they said
Thanks for the clarification. Um, so, so right now, uh, is a specialty contractor identified as somebody who does this professionally all the time? Or can this be somebody who does this as a side job? How, how does the specialty contractor get determined? What, what determines that?
H.B. 466 Utah Rural Jobs Act Modifications · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks the sponsor how the bill's tax deduction for investors in rural jobs ties into private investment.
▶ Watch at 1:42:43Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker ProAm. Will the, uh, sponsor yield to us, uh, question Sponsor yield? Yes, Go ahead. I like the concept that, uh, that this creates a tax deduction for people who want to invest in, in, uh, rural jobs, but I'm having a hard time understanding what the physical note and how that ties in with private investment.
H.B. 466 Utah Rural Jobs Act Modifications · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Asks whether state money is paid into the program and whether it is a loan or gift; the sponsor responds that private investors pay and the state only sets and monitors metrics as a tax incentive.
▶ Watch at 1:44:25Read what they said
Uh, so if Goo actually pays money into this, does that become a loan or is that some kind of a gift? Goo does not pay any money into it. Private investors pay all of the money. Goo merely sets up the metrics, the goals that they have to meet and then monitors that to make sure that they actually meet those metrics and then they certify that to the Utah State Tax Commission. So simply a tax incentive. No financial, no, no actual money exchange. Correct? That's exactly right.
S.B. 86 Firearm Safe Harbor Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked what happens to a firearm turned in if it is unregistered or stolen, and said he likes the direction of the bill.
▶ Watch at 40:51Read what they said
Chair. Uh, I, I like the direction this is going. I just have a couple questions that came to mind. I don't know that it, uh, changes my opinion of it, but what happens if a gun is turned in? This is pretty much a voluntary thing where somebody brings it in. What if that gun is not registered? Or what if that gun happens to be stolen? Uh, what happens from that point? That Yeah, if you, I don't have an absolute answer to your question, but, but word of mouth from some chiefs, they don't ask questions. Uh, because the policy of the state is you accept the weapon and you hold it. So we don't question where …
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Presented the first substitute to HB 444, describing changes on landowner road closures and Division of Wildlife Resources closures.
▶ Watch at 41:53Read what they said
This is, uh, HB 4 44, uh, first sub. Um, and, and I'll just, I, I've worked closely with, uh, um, some of the different parties who wanted little tweaks and changes. Uh, this is a bill that I ran last year, uh, left. One thing, one inadvertent problem was that, uh, if a landowner had a road that's considered a Class D road and it goes across his property onto another piece of his property, but then terminates and doesn't access any, any state or, or private land other than theirs, they ought to be able to shut the road where they want to not leave it open. So, and that I, my bill prevented them as a private …
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said Class D roads are very common, often unmaintained two-track routes, and explained that the bill keeps access open for roads used to reach property or public land.
▶ Watch at 43:45Read what they said
Yes. Very, very common. Yes. Almost every road in this state is, uh, class D if it's not maintained. So a lot of these roads are two track roads that drive out through the middle of the desert, um, and four wheelers traditionally go on those or something. And, uh, a lot of times you don't even know that the roads are there, you know, uh, they're just, they're just obscure. Some, some of the Class D roads are improved, um, including gravel or whatever. But, uh, but primarily the Class D roads are the ones here. Here's what the genesis of this bill is, is when someone, it, it used to be that a handshake would work with people …
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said the bill prevents closing a road on private land that has long been used to reach public land, and gave a Colorado example.
▶ Watch at 45:34Read what they said
Nope, this is exactly what that does. Okay. It, it prevents an individual from closing a road on their private property that has always been used to access the public property. 'cause, 'cause the public needs to be able to still access it and they shouldn't be able, here, here's an example. In, in Colorado, I Uintah Colorado elk hunting, and Colorado sells a little 100 foot strip all the way around a lot of their big forest area, and they shut everybody out. And, and you can't access the forest because you have to cross their a hundred foot strip of private land. So in the same respect, if, if the public has always used that access, um, and, …
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said that once a public access easement is established, private owners could not later close the road.
▶ Watch at 46:56Read what they said
Right. So once, once there is a public use easement, public access easement established, this would say that's, it's basically impossible for those now private road owners to come and change their mind later and say, well, we actually don't like all these cars driving up and down this road, and we're gonna just change our mind and put up a gate.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said jurisdiction over Class D roads is shared between counties and the state. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 47:26Read what they said
Uh, it's a shared jurisdiction between the counties and the state. So if the county abandons the road, then the state owns that road.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said counties would work with the state to close roads, but roads used for private or public access could not be closed.
▶ Watch at 48:06Read what they said
Uh, the, the counties, well, there may be a reason to shut the road that everybody agrees to, and so primarily the county should have the first because they're, they're the closest to the situation. So they should determine whether or not there's a, a public access. So basically what this bill does is it says, you know, counties, counties can work with the state. There's a process in the bill that says counties can work with the state to close the road. However, if it is used to access other people's private property, or if it's used to access the public lands, then it can't be closed.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said a representative from the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office was present to answer the fiscal note question. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 49:14Read what they said
No. So, uh, and, and that's, that's a great question. Um, so pco uh, in fact, somebody's here from pco, maybe they could come and speak to this, but, uh, they're Coming up. They're coming up. There we go.
H.B. 444 State Land Access Road Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Summarized the bill as addressing public access to forest land across private property and said it recognizes and attempts to solve the problem.
▶ Watch at 1:01:23Read what they said
Yeah, I, I think this is good. I mean, these issues about public access easements have been brewing and ongoing. And I'm seeing in the area where, where I grew up, more and more people are getting more and more uptight and there are more and more efforts of keeping people off. What has for 150 years been an opportunity for people to recreate, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and in particular, uh, so I, I grew up in Morgan County, you have private land, that's a band. And then above that you have, uh, federal, you have us forest land. And if you can't get to the forest land, you can't use it. And that's the problem. So the problem …
H.B. 464 Parent Taught Driver Education Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked whether parents in the cited studies used a program like the one designed for this bill.
▶ Watch at 1:36:04Read what they said
Yes. Hi. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to know, um, in these studies that you're talking about, did they, did the parents use the program that the driver's license division has put together for this program?
H.B. 464 Parent Taught Driver Education Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said the program in this bill seems solid and the studies may not be comparable.
▶ Watch at 1:36:33Read what they said
So I, I feel like the program that has been put together for this is pretty solid. And I pro I think we're probably comparing apples to oranges with the test, with the studies
S.B. 39 Investment Zones Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Asks whether the sponsor will yield to a question.
▶ Watch at 51:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the, uh, sponsor yield to a question? Representative Whyte, will you yield to a question? Yes.
S.B. 39 Investment Zones Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Asks whether a home ownership promotion zone is created by the municipality or by a state entity that bypasses the municipality, and notes the bill does not change the language.
▶ Watch at 51:58Read what they said
Thank you. Um, on line 9 68, I'll give you a second to get there. So this doesn't change the language of the bill. I'm just wondering, when it says a home ownership promotion zone, is that a zone that is created by the municipality or is that a zone that bypasses the municipality and allows a state entity to determine that zone?
H.B. 357 Amendments to Motor Vehicle Data Privacy · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Presented the bill, which applies the Utah Consumer Privacy Act to motor vehicle manufacturers so consumers can view, opt out of, and delete data collected by vehicles, and listed the groups that worked on it.
▶ Watch at 1:24:45Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. HB 3 57 addresses the massive amounts of data collected by our vehicles. Our vehicles are collecting 10 times as much data as our phones are, and when we hook our phones into the Bluetooth, they collect the data from our phones as well. The purpose of this bill is to, um, well, let me talk about the use of the data first. So, the use of the data is for car functionality sometimes, however, it can also be used for e stocking. Um, it can be used for listening to private conversations. It is also collected for insurance companies who track the movements of your vehicle if you swerve, if you hit your brakes fast. …
H.B. 492 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether the bill affects the Midas bill.
▶ Watch at 1:03:52Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Representative Roberts. Um, just curious, does this, does this bill touch Midas
H.B. 492 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Housing Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Comments that government involvement in housing may raise prices and that the costs may shift onto taxpayers.
▶ Watch at 1:30:07Read what they said
Back in the real world, we used to be able to accomplish this just from the free market. And it seems like the more that the government gets involved, the higher the pricing in the housing in the state gets. And I think, I think, uh, to some degree this represents more government involvement, which drives up more housing. And I, I understand what you're saying is, is, uh, it is freeing up some of this land so that the development can, can happen, but, uh, you know, it used to be that, that the developers would build that into the cost, and now we're pushing the extra costs. At least it seems like we're pushing the extra cost onto …
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether the bill affects the Military Installation Development Authority.
▶ Watch at 1:48:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So as, as I, as I look at this, does, does this bill touch maa?
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether the Military Installation Development Authority can assess additional mill levies.
▶ Watch at 1:50:25Read what they said
Can, can I just ask you another question? Does, uh, does Mida have additional mill levies that can assess over and above what the Inland Port Authority
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Says he likes the bill and that it may help rein in certain incentives.
▶ Watch at 1:51:53Read what they said
Yeah, I think it's a way to maybe reign in the, uh, the, uh, the corporate welfare. So I, I like your bill. Thank you.
H.B. 496 Forestry and Fire Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presents HB 496 and says it adds dispatchers to the retirement plan on the same footing as firefighters.
▶ Watch at 41:09Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, so this bill, um, I, I believe one of the things that was left out when they did the, uh, the, uh, forestry and fire, uh, retirement plan is they left out the dispatchers. And so what this bill does is it includes the dispatchers, um, and, uh, it, it puts them in par with the, uh, with the firefighters. That's, that's generally the, the basis of the bill.
H.B. 534 Firearm Immunity Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Shelley asks whether the bill should go on the consent calendar, and the chair indicates probably not.
▶ Watch at 1:07:31Read what they said
Would that be one that would be well, to be on consent? No, Probably not. Okay. No.
H.B. 273 Classroom Technology Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Asks whether the bill oversteps local school board decisions and their ability to make decisions for their schools.
▶ Watch at 38:14Read what they said
Does this bill in any way overstep the local school board's decisions and ability to make decisions for their schools?
H.B. 464 Parent Taught Driver Education Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Opposed the hold, saying his children learned more from parent-supervised hours than from instructors and parents can make these decisions.
▶ Watch at 1:53:42Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am opposed to the motion to hold. I agree with everything that, uh, Representative Peterson said. The six hours is all they're getting from a dr, a driving instructor anyway. And I know my kids all did the 40 hours and they learned a lot more from us than they did from the driving instructors. I think that parents should be able to make these decisions and teach their children. They're not incapable of reading a manual.
S.B. 39 Investment Zones Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether the bill conflicts with Rep. Roberts' housing restructuring; the sponsor said the two bills are complementary and no conflicts have been found.
▶ Watch at 1:30:45Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, just a, just a clarification. Um, Representative Roberts just did a whole restructuring of the housing and, and basically put it under one roof. Does this conflict with that or does that compliment it? No, he and I have been working on, on this together. He's doing some policy, some other things. I just wanted to clean up the code so it'd be easier to read and if you wanna make any changes in another bill, it would be easier to do. But yeah, his and mine are compliments. We have not found any conflicts as to this point. Perfect. Thank you.
H.B. 42 School Cybersecurity Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks about a fiscal note and what it shows.
▶ Watch at 26:53Read what they said
Thank you. I just don't see a physical note. Do you have any idea what that is?
H.B. 42 School Cybersecurity Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asked about a physical note attached to the bill.
▶ Watch at 26:53Read what they said
Thank you. I just don't see a physical note. Do you have any idea what that is?
H.B. 170 School Board Referendum Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield and asks how building code and fire code references in the bill relate to its referendum provisions, citing line numbers.
▶ Watch at 42:43Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker, will this sponsor yield to a question Sponsor yield? Yes, go ahead. Thank you. Um, I am curious to know, I, maybe I missed it in the discussion, but in, I don't remember the line numbers, but up very far up in the bill, it talks about the building code and the fire code, and I wonder if you could explain what that relationship is to what the other things you're doing in the bill. Uh, Mr. Speaker pro tem, uh, this isn't focusing on any fire codes. Uh, it's only focusing on referendum. May I quote the line numbers? Go ahead. Okay. 6 93 to 6 97. It's the building code adoption cycle. Would the …
H.B. 68 Housing and Community Development Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Supports the bill, describing his past experience with a housing authority's funding requests and saying the bill brings housing programs under one entity.
▶ Watch at 1:41:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pro tem, uh, colleagues. I wanna offer an insight that I have on this, this very thing. Uh, my first year here and probably within my first week or so of being in the legislature, I, uh, I saw one of the housing authorities was on the agenda that I was going to be at. And so I did a deep dive really quick just to, just to follow their money, to see how their money flows. And I found that through legislative bodies. So this is, this is this body who approved this in some form somewhere slipped into some language. It allowed them to have tens of millions of dollars as allocated by the …
H.B. 68 Housing and Community Development Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Supports the bill, recounting a past experience with a housing authority's funding and arguing that bringing housing programs under one body would help coordinate funding.
▶ Watch at 1:41:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pro tem, uh, colleagues. I wanna offer an insight that I have on this, this very thing. Uh, my first year here and probably within my first week or so of being in the legislature, I, uh, I saw one of the housing authorities was on the agenda that I was going to be at. And so I did a deep dive really quick just to, just to follow their money, to see how their money flows. And I found that through legislative bodies. So this is, this is this body who approved this in some form somewhere slipped into some language. It allowed them to have tens of millions of dollars as allocated by the …
H.B. 373 Higher Education Innovation · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asked whether Snow College, which is not a research institution, would be eligible to participate.
▶ Watch at 1:12:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just wondering, I realize Snow College isn't a research institution, but would they qualify to be able to participate?
H.B. 373 Higher Education Innovation · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asked where the money in the performance funding restricted account came from.
▶ Watch at 1:12:23Read what they said
Thank you. And I have one question. If, if you could remind us where the performance, uh, funding restricted account, where, where did that money come from?
H.B. 373 Higher Education Innovation · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to adopt the substitute, then moved to adopt Amendment 1 instead and withdrew the earlier motion.
▶ Watch at 1:17:00Read what they said
I would like to make a motion that we forward adopt the sub, adopt the sub. Oh, wait, no, we got this up. Oh, I have an amendment. Actually, if you'd adopt an amendment, I Would like to make a motion to adopt the amendment. I think that, and I, I haven't spoken to the amendment yet, so if you'd like me to speak to that before you make your motion, I'm good with that Too. Withdrawn.
H.B. 373 Higher Education Innovation · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asked for the sponsor to explain the amendment.
▶ Watch at 1:17:28Read what they said
Let's, let's go to the, oh, I Would like the sponsor to go ahead and speak to it.
H.B. 373 Higher Education Innovation · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend HB 373 first substitute as amended to the full House.
▶ Watch at 1:18:33Read what they said
Yes. I would like to make a motion that we favorably recommend it to move to the full body of the house, HB 3 73 as amended.
H.B. 466 Utah Rural Jobs Act Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks who receives the tax write-off under the program.
▶ Watch at 1:26:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I'm, I'm trying to follow the, the money here a little bit. Um, so if, if you were to offer tax ex incentives to businesses and finance, who, who gets the write off?
H.B. 466 Utah Rural Jobs Act Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks whether a borrowing business can still deduct the loan amount for tax purposes.
▶ Watch at 1:27:18Read what they said
So let, let's say that a business wants to expand and, and grow, and they come to you for, for a loan. Mm-hmm. And let's say they're going to borrow a million and a half dollars, they will be taxed as if they receive that million and a half dollars, will they also be able to deduct that million and a half dollars? Or does the insurance company take that deduction and the business has to pay the tax on that?
H.B. 466 Utah Rural Jobs Act Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks whether the business can still take a depreciation write-off on equipment purchased with the loan.
▶ Watch at 1:28:04Read what they said
So they get the tax credit and then the, uh, and then the business can still do a traditional depreciation write off?
H.B. 438 Artificial Intelligence Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says AI-generated images are hard to tell from reality, supports guardrails, and thanks the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 2:20:31Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I appreciate what you bring forward. Um, what we're seeing on AI generated images right now are impossible to tell the difference between reality and AI generated. It used to be that you could watch for a little sliver of something that's out of place, or a leaf that doesn't blow just right with the rest, that's all gone. We, we can't tell the difference. We have to get some guardrails around this. I, I so appreciate, uh, Representative Fiefia who understands this topic deeply, uh, trust what he's doing because we, uh, as not just as a state, as a, as a society, are in dangerous waters. Thank you for your work on it.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks to speak on the second substitute and mentions a small amendment on how collected money can be spent.
▶ Watch at 1:26:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I would like to, uh, speak to the second sub. I have a, a small amendment as well, just which more correctly identifies how the money, any money collected can be spent as well. And that that is online and available. Now, the, the second sub though, was already adopted in rules, correct?
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presents HB 185 on carbon credits, explaining carbon sinks, the proposed 5% tax and attorney general fund, and the state's right of first refusal.
▶ Watch at 1:26:37Read what they said
if I show a PowerPoint? Yes, please. Thank you. Is that your house, pet? What's That? Is that your house pet? Oh, nevermind. Yes, yes, it is. It takes money in the top. Okay. Uh, this is, this is concerning carbon credits and a lot of people have heard about carbon credits. It's kind of hard to understand what the trade is all about and what's going on. I'm hoping that, uh, when we're done with this presentation, uh, most we'll see more clearly exactly how this, uh, how this works. So, carbon dioxide is not a poison in the air. It's simply two parts of oxygen and one part carbon connected with a covalent bond. The important part to …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the 5% carbon tax funds an attorney general fund to protect state and individual assets from federal and worldwide overreach.
▶ Watch at 1:49:23Read what they said
I, I mean, we're talking about the carbon tax credits, so that that's A different issue. Yeah. So, so keep in mind the 5% carbon tax is, is it, one thing it does is it establishes a fund for the attorney general to defend the very people who may be opposed to paying that tax. But we have to protect, we have to protect the state, whether it's state assets or individual assets against federal and worldwide overreach. And that's, that's what this tax does.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says he has no concern about competitive disadvantage and compares the 5% rate favorably with Washington's program.
▶ Watch at 1:50:05Read what they said
None. Okay. Uh, the state of Washington, out of that, uh, $1.4 billion, the state of Washington kept 50% and gave the other 50% to those who own the carbon credits. So five percent's quite substantially lower than the state of Washington, thank goodness. Okay,
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Spoke on the bill. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:52:00Read what they said
Uh, let me just read, uh, this is from the attorney Judge General's office. We have several ongoing lawsuits pertaining to air quality and the EPA and the environment that are, that are continually coming into the state of Utah.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says Utah's particulate and litigation exposure makes parameters necessary and describes a farm carbon sale example.
▶ Watch at 1:52:20Read what they said
Well, uh, for example, if Utah has, uh, what do they call 'em? Rogue particulate matter or something to that effect, and it gets into other states. Other states are starting to sue their neighboring states for the particulate matter that drifts into their atmosphere. So we don't know how crazy this world could be, but we know that in the state of Utah, we have to, we have to have some parameters. That's all this does is it sets the parameters. 5% does not break any bank. It's, it's 5%. Let let me use one example there. There is a farm, uh, who, and, and this is what was told to me by these marketers that are here. They, …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the fund is meant to address federal and state regulations, and that the state follows EPA standards.
▶ Watch at 1:54:01Read what they said
For no, if, if there's state and federal law, we follow state and federal law. This is, this is to fight against new regulations that that could come based on whatever happens to, to be in the, in the, the, you know, the attitude of someone. At some point, they may just come back and say, you know, we don't like the way you're doing X, Y, Z, and they're using the environment as their tool. But, but as far as, uh, EPA, we follow EPA standards.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Explains the higher rate applies to permanent or long-term carbon sales to protect the state's right of first refusal.
▶ Watch at 1:54:51Read what they said
That's, that's if they committed for over 10 years. So it's not just a 5% Tax, it's, it's 5% if it's, if it's under the 10 years, but it's 10% if it's over. And, and I'll tell you, the reason that we do that is if we're committing the carbon, our carbon offset for greater than 10 years, uh, some of these go in forever. And, and if we, if we lose our offset and we, we end up in some kind of a, of a cap and trade scenario, we will not have the ability to increase industry without having that right of first refusal. That's not something that I anticipate while I'm here. But at some point, if …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the rural college portion aims to support rural counties most affected by energy and mining industries.
▶ Watch at 1:56:12Read what they said
Okay. Um, that is so that, uh, that some of the focus gets pushed to the rural counties because the rural counties are the ones who are most affected by these coal, coal fired power plants, the oil and gas, the, uh, the power generation, the, uh, the coal mines, that type of stuff. So what it does is it creates a competitive environment for the colleges to go after the rural kids and educate them so that they don't have to rely on environmentally based industry.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says he would like to restrict out-of-state sales but notes it may be unfair to private individuals.
▶ Watch at 1:57:25Read what they said
Absolutely. I would love to. However, I don't know that that's fair to a private individual who decides that they want to do to, to market it.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Defines rural counties as those with 50,000 people or fewer and explains the college provision.
▶ Watch at 1:58:03Read what they said
Yeah, it, it's defined the, the, uh, rural counties or counties with 50,000 people or less. So if, if the colleges go after those rural kids, um, then it creates a competitive environment so that, so that those kids are, are promoted to go into a college, into some type of a profession.
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Opposes holding the bill, saying opponents focus on the state's 5% share and that the bill sets up needed structure, with openness to changes over the summer.
▶ Watch at 2:09:44Read what they said
So I, I think I would resist the, the, the hold for, for this, this simple explanation. So this is the, the opposition that spoke is speaking against a 5%, not, not the 95% that they get, the 5% that the state brings in. And, and all of, all of the people who spoke were, were talking like, this kills the entire, their entire plan because the state has 5%. And yet, if we were to say, well, if we exclude you, do you want to be excluded from the protections of the lawsuits that come? No. They're, they're not gonna want to be excluded from that. They just want to be excluded from paying into it. That's this whole …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says holding the bill gives the sponsor time to propose substitutions and that tabling would end the discussion this session.
▶ Watch at 2:15:06Read what they said
Thank you. Excuse me. Uh, no, I appreciate the sentiment there. I, the thing, the thing I like about holding, it does give the sponsor a chance to look at, maybe there's a substitution that will take care of some immediate needs, uh, for reporting or whatever to work on that. It still has to come back to the committee if he wants to bring it back again. And we can look at it. But if it's substantive, there's still a chance to do something, uh, temporarily, we can decide that on our own. If, if the sponsor decides that he can't do that in time, then it just sits, uh, sits there till the end of the session. But …
H.B. 185 Carbon Credit Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says he would prefer not to table the bill and wants an opportunity to reach a workable version.
▶ Watch at 2:16:09Read what they said
I would like not to table it and have an opportunity to see if we can get it to a good place.
H.B. 32 Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to adopt substitute number two to the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:23:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to move to move substitute number two in my name.
H.B. 32 Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Explains that the substitute adds a yes-or-no question asking whether the signer personally contacted their representative, without invalidating the signature.
▶ Watch at 1:23:35Read what they said
I would, colleagues here is, here is the mantra that I hear over and over and so many of us has done as well, is that the legislature is not listening to the voice of the people. What this pa or what this does is add one line on the ballot initiative that says, have you personally contacted your representative? Yes or no? And if yes, who, that's all it does, it does not disqualify the signature. It does not invalidate the packet in any way. If they mark yes or no, it doesn't matter if they fill in who the representative is. But it does give somebody pause to step back and say, have I actually participated in the …
H.B. 32 Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Says the substitute still leaves four signature lines per page and is intended to encourage public involvement in the political process.
▶ Watch at 1:28:48Read what they said
Yeah. Uh, so this does reduce the line, probably two. So there's still four signature lines on the packet. I think it's important that the general public realize that they should be involved in the political process. A lot of times I think what happens is somebody sticks a ballot in front of 'em and says, the legislator's not listening to the voice of the people. And, uh, and so what this does is just give them a chance to pause and look back and say, have I personally contacted my representative? See entire intent of the substitution. Thank you.
H.B. 32 Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Says the substitute reduces signature lines but still leaves four, and that its intent is to get people to pause and consider whether they have contacted their representative.
▶ Watch at 1:28:48Read what they said
Yeah. Uh, so this does reduce the line, probably two. So there's still four signature lines on the packet. I think it's important that the general public realize that they should be involved in the political process. A lot of times I think what happens is somebody sticks a ballot in front of 'em and says, the legislator's not listening to the voice of the people. And, uh, and so what this does is just give them a chance to pause and look back and say, have I personally contacted my representative? See entire intent of the substitution. Thank you.
H.B. 99 Eyewear Sales Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Asked the sponsor whether eyewear is considered similar to other prosthetics and whether those are taxed.
▶ Watch at 28:53Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the, uh, sponsor yield to a question? Representative Maloy, will you yield to a question? Yes, yes. Representative Shelley, Are, is eyewear somewhat considered similar to other prosthetics? Where and are the other prosthetics, are they taxed with sales tax?
H.B. 99 Eyewear Sales Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Said he would support the bill because it would largely benefit seniors on fixed incomes, with a small impact elsewhere.
▶ Watch at 29:33Read what they said
Thank you. So it seems to me that, uh, eliminating the sales tax on eyewear, uh, would most affect the seniors who are on a fixed income and, and probably the most, uh, popular prosthetics in the state. So I would, I would support this to, uh, to save that. And I, I realize there will be impact in other places. It would be a small impact, but for those on a fixed income, it's probably a large impact. Thank you.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it helps small businesses offer retirement plans to employees and thanks the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 48:33Read what they said
to the bill Representative Shelley. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, colleagues, this is exactly the role of government right here. I completely appreciate what's happening is the government is clearing the hurdles. We're we're creating opportunities for employers to be able to engage in a 401k plan or whatever kind of retirement plan to offer their employees. It removes the hurdles and it creates a pathway for the businesses, even the small businesses that are just starting up. It creates a pathway for them to be able to offer what the bigger businesses are offering and be competitive. I love it. I appreciate the sponsor for bringing it forward.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Shelley said the bill removes hurdles so that businesses, including small ones, can offer retirement plans to their employees, and he supported it.
▶ Watch at 48:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, colleagues, this is exactly the role of government right here. I completely appreciate what's happening is the government is clearing the hurdles. We're we're creating opportunities for employers to be able to engage in a 401k plan or whatever kind of retirement plan to offer their employees. It removes the hurdles and it creates a pathway for the businesses, even the small businesses that are just starting up. It creates a pathway for them to be able to offer what the bigger businesses are offering and be competitive. I love it. I appreciate the sponsor for bringing it forward.
H.B. 179 Milk Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says a substitute is being worked on and asks for time for feedback and for people to see it.
▶ Watch at 1:38:14Read what they said
Yes. We have a substitute we're working on, and I wanna get time for feedback and for people to see it.
H.B. 117 Organ Donation Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying it is not the role of government to pressure people into donating organs.
▶ Watch at 1:53:05Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I I would just like to make a comment. Is that okay? Um, I don't think that it's the proper role of government to pressure people into donating organs, so I will be voting no on this bill. Thank you.
H.B. 117 Organ Donation Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says he will vote no because he does not think government should pressure people into donating organs.
▶ Watch at 1:53:05Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I I would just like to make a comment. Is that okay? Um, I don't think that it's the proper role of government to pressure people into donating organs, so I will be voting no on this bill. Thank you.
H.B. 184 Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Asks whether counties were excluded and notes that a second substitute applies only to first, second and third class counties.
▶ Watch at 1:03:09Read what they said
There, here we go. Sorry. Sorry I'm late. I just came from another committee meeting. I didn't get a chance to ask or, or hear this, but, uh, so did the, uh, counties that we talked about get excluded, Though? There is a second substitute that is on the system, and in that substitute, it excludes counties of the fourth, fifth, and sixth class. I mean, it says that it, it applies to counties of the first, second, and third class in the second substitute. Did you adopt the second sub?
H.B. 184 Small Lots and Starter Homes Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Supports holding the bill, saying it moves the wrong way for cities and raising water-use concerns related to new homes.
▶ Watch at 1:50:54Read what they said
Thank you. There we go. Thanks, Mr. Chair. Um, well, I, I support the idea of holding it, I think, I think it's still a long ways off. And, and, uh, I had talked to a representative and, and told him that, uh, if he were to exclude the rural counties, then, you know, whatever, because I, I don't understand the, the urban areas as well as the rural areas, but I, I do as I, as I look at, so, so one person came up and testified of a great thing they did in E rm. Uh, it absolutely divided e RM because, uh, they were told that the starting homes would be 300,000 and the first house was …
H.B. 96 Ivermectin Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Said constituents contacted him about the bill, encouraged reading package inserts before using medications, and urged a yes vote as another choice bill.
▶ Watch at 3:14:06Read what they said
I'll let, let representatives, if you wanna sum, I just Wanted to say, I had a lot of constituents reach out to me about this prior to the session, and I think that it's always wise to read package inserts before you use medications. And that we just approved two bills that were about choice. And this is one more that is about choice. And I would encourage a yes vote on this bill. Thank you.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it strengthens confidence that people signing ballots and initiatives are who they claim to be.
▶ Watch at 1:09:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I rise in support of this. I think there's been so much, uh, ms, uh, mistrust in our election process, whether it's through the, uh, ballot initiatives or any other way. And so this just, this just strengthens the ability to, to make sure that we know who's signing the ballots, who's signing the initiatives. Um, it's a great starting point. I'm sure there's gonna be improvements, but, uh, I appreciate the sponsor for bringing it forward.
H.B. 412 Energy Development Planning Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shelley asked whether a wildlife agency objection under this bill would carry any weight.
▶ Watch at 59:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, just a, a question. So, I mean, I've been in some of these meetings where people come in and notify us what they're doing and our input probably doesn't make any difference. So if the DNR is notified, or Division of Wildlife Resources is notified and they were to, uh, post an objection to this, would their objection carry any weight?
H.B. 412 Energy Development Planning Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shelley asked why a serious wildlife concern from the division would not carry weight in the application process.
▶ Watch at 1:01:33Read what they said
So if the, uh, division of Wildlife Resources is, is the, uh, entity here to protect the public's interest in hunting and they have a serious concern, why would that not carry any weight in this application process?
H.B. 412 Energy Development Planning Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shelley said the explanation clarified who holds decision authority.
▶ Watch at 1:02:48Read what they said
Perfect. Thank you. That's, that clarifies it because I was wondering who the authority is.
H.B. 412 Energy Development Planning Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shelley moved to place HB 412 on the Consent Calendar.
▶ Watch at 1:07:44Read what they said
did you have a follow up motion? I would Like to make a motion. We move it on to consent.
H.B. 260 Unauthorized Practice of Law Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Asks whether the bill applies only to a non-attorney representing themselves as an attorney in court, and raises concern that giving business advice or using AI tools could expose a person to lawsuits and attorney's fees.
▶ Watch at 6:23Read what they said
Does, does this bill, uh, apply specifically as it written to prevent a person from a appearing in court and representing themselves as an attorney, when in fact they're not? Uh, is it, are is the question? Uh, can you repeat the question? Yeah. Is this, is this bill presented so that if a person shows up in court in front of a judge and represents them as an attorney, and in fact they're not an attorney licensed to practice law, that there's ramifications for that This bill does apply in that situation, but it's not exclusively in that situation. Additional comment, My concern with this bill is on, uh, line 63 and line 75, it specifically states that if, …
H.B. 260 Unauthorized Practice of Law Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Continues the follow-up, asking whether under the bill an attorney could sue someone who gives legal advice to a business without an attorney.
▶ Watch at 11:55Read what they said
So, so what this does is it does actually add penalties for doing that. If the ever trusted Supreme Court decides that, that you're out of line, then it does open it up for a lawsuit, even though if you search on, on a, uh, on the internet and say, what is, what is the legal precedence and it gives you a code to look at. Um, I I'm just saying, I don't know that a small business needs to hire an attorney for every piece that they do, and if they don't hire an attorney, then the person who's trying to help them move forward is, is going to get sued. And not even necessarily by the business, but …
H.B. 181 Uniform Estate Planning Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Asks whether there is any problem with electronically signed documents regarding forgery or misrepresentation, and requests to yield for a question.
▶ Watch at 47:44Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'm just wondering if there's any problem with, um, signing these kinds of documents electronically, um, and forgery or misrepresentation, anything like that? Representative will you yield to a question? Sorry.
H.B. 181 Uniform Estate Planning Amendments · House floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Restates the question on whether electronic signatures pose a risk of misrepresentation or forgery.
▶ Watch at 48:08Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I am wondering if there is any problem with doing electronic signatures and possible misrepresentation or forgery?
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Presents HB 46, which gives county assessors direct permission to access driver's license information for the residential exemption, since the Driver's License Division already may share it with them.
▶ Watch at 1:24:56Read what they said
Thank you. Um, so this, this bill is, is just a, a simplified version for the, uh, the county assessors to be able to access the information off of the driver's license for the residential exemption. Um, they already can access this information. This gives, just gives them direct permission to access from the driver's license division. Driver's license Division already has permission to share it with them. They just need permission to be able to see it. That is the entire bill.
H.B. 214 Firearms Liability Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Supports the bill, saying manufacturers should not be sued for products built to standards and that protecting manufacturing is important.
▶ Watch at 43:43Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I rising great support of this. I think this is brilliant. We cannot hamstring our entire country by saying you can be sued for something that you develop if you develop it according to standards. Um, this is, this is perfect. And, and, uh, like, like the, uh, sponsor stated, if Ford develops a a vehicle and you run the vehicle off the cliff, you shouldn't be able to turn around and sue Ford because they made the vehicle. Um, we, we have to protect our manufacturing. That's what's what makes the United States the greatest country in the world. So I, I applaud the, uh, the sponsor for bringing this bill forward.
H.B. 258 Insurance Coverage Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Proposes amending lines 32 through 33 and the same wording on lines 35 and 36 to remove the phrase about what the health benefit plan considers necessary.
▶ Watch at 1:38:21Read what they said
Uh, lines 32 through 33. Remove that health benefit plans considered necessary. And the same wording on 35 and 36.
H.B. 258 Insurance Coverage Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Proposes striking the language about the health benefit plan considering treatment necessary on lines 32-33 and the same wording on lines 35-36.
▶ Watch at 1:38:21Read what they said
Uh, lines 32 through 33. Remove that health benefit plans considered necessary. And the same wording on 35 and 36.
H.B. 258 Insurance Coverage Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Restates the motion to strike the language that the health benefit plan considers necessary.
▶ Watch at 1:38:39Read what they said
Okay. Re remove the, uh, language that says the health benefit plan. That the health benefit plan considers necessary.
H.B. 258 Insurance Coverage Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Restates the motion to remove the health benefit plan language.
▶ Watch at 1:38:39Read what they said
Okay. Re remove the, uh, language that says the health benefit plan. That the health benefit plan considers necessary.
H.B. 258 Insurance Coverage Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Confirms the exact wording to be struck, which ends with considers medically necessary on the affected lines. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:39:03Read what they said
Is that correct? Yes. Okay. So the, the, the language that will be struck is that health, the benefit plan considers necessary. Was there another line? Yes. Line 35 and 36. Same language. Five. So that the health plan benefit the health benefit plan. Where does it stop at line 36? What was the last Considers medically necessary Considers medically necessary? Are these the only two? Yes. Okay.
H.B. 258 Insurance Coverage Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Clarifies the language to be struck on lines 32 and 35. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:39:06Read what they said
So the, the, the language that will be struck is that health, the benefit plan considers necessary. Was there another line? Yes. Line 35 and 36. Same language.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Supported the bill, describing the feeder stream as small, saying required flows would protect fish, and noting the reservoir would be north Sanpete County's only water storage.
▶ Watch at 53:28Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Representative Troy Shelley, I represent Sanpete County. Um, I think there's been a little misunderstanding that was presented earlier, and I just want to clarify this, this stream that would feed, uh, the dam is about as wide as you can jump across. It's not some big river. If you can fly fish in this stream, you're pretty good. Now, the Gooseberry stream that's down below gooseberry, the, the Gooseberry Lake, that is a pretty healthy stream. We're, we're talking a stream. There is no bridge. There's a road that goes across this stream. There is no bridge across the stream. It's a culvert. It's not a big stream. So that's all we're talking about is …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Shelley moved to hold the bill until the substitute is done.
▶ Watch at 1:03:45Read what they said
Yeah, I would just like to make a motion to hold it until the substitute's done.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Shelley said the bill should be gotten right before it reaches the floor.
▶ Watch at 1:03:57Read what they said
I just think we need to make sure we get it right before it gets to the floor,
H.B. 270 Healthcare Worker Post-Employment Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said continuity of care is especially important for patients in mental health treatment and supported the expanded bill.
▶ Watch at 1:27:44Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to say the, the main concern that I heard with the mental health space is that it's so important that patients have the continuity of care that you mentioned and that it's, it's doubly hard for people who are in an emotional state, who are connected with a caregiver who is meeting their needs to have to lose that person and then start all over. So that was what brought me into the space and I was happy to see these guys expanded. So, thank you.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 14) · Feb 2, 2026
Says the bill does not change policy; it gives county assessors a tool to verify addresses for the residential exemption and requires nothing.
▶ Watch at 25:16Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This is one that we have had discussion about. I believe I was erroneous in some of my previous, uh, presentation. This does not change any policy. Uh, this just simply allows as a tool for the, uh, county assessor to be able to verify addresses for the residential, uh, exemption. That's all the bill does. It's, it doesn't require anything. It's just a tool that the county assessors have.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said there are many unresolved questions and he wants to hold the bill to understand the concerns better, not kill it.
▶ Watch at 1:21:44Read what they said
Yeah, I, I just think, uh, there's probably a lot of, a lot of questions and, and I would like time just to discuss what the concerns are. I'm not sure in my mind that they're completely clear and I don't want to kill the bill. I'm just hoping that we can hold it and maybe bring it back after we kind of understand a little bit better. Okay.
H.B. 152 Educational Vaccine Exemption Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Said he wrote a 12-page rebuttal to the module, which he said does not give the full story, and will vote yes.
▶ Watch at 1:24:45Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would just like to underscore that the module is not, um, it does not give you the full picture. I actually went through the module, screenshotted every slide, and then went through and wrote a 12 page rebuttal to the module. It does not give the full story. It's not informed consent. And, um, for that reason, I will vote yes.
H.B. 222 Limitation of Actions Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Asked whether other states have sued Utah over emissions and whether the bill would protect against such suits.
▶ Watch at 45:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. A a question. So, has there been any indications of other states maybe possibly suing the state of Utah because of our emissions? And would this protect against that?
H.B. 199 Health Data Amendments · House floor debate (day 10) · Jan 29, 2026
Says he reviewed the bill with Representative Fiefia, appreciates the sponsor's work with them, and is comfortable with the bill as revised.
▶ Watch at 59:28Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I think most of you know how I feel about data privacy and I spent a lot of time going through the bill, um, also with Representative Fiefia. And, um, we, we went through it with a pretty fine tooth comb and we appreciate the sponsor for working with us on it and I think we're comfortable with where it is.
H.B. 173 Disabled Parking Permit Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Says he likes the idea but is concerned about the shortage of accessible spaces for people with severe disabilities, including his mother.
▶ Watch at 49:55Read what they said
So when I first saw the bill, I was so excited because when I was expecting, every time I saw the handicap spaces, I thought, oh my gosh, it would be so nice to just be able to park next to the store. But I am concerned about the shortage of spaces for people with severe handicaps. And I guess being pregnant isn't a severe handicap, but I do love the idea. I really do love the idea. I just think we need to be careful. 'cause I do have a mom who's pretty old and, um, she often can't find a space to park in. So I don't know. Conflicted. Thank you.
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Presented HJR 14, which would hold 1% of surplus funds for legislator-directed requests split between the House and Senate, and explained how the process would work.
▶ Watch at 31:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, and, and the committee. So what what this bill will do is it, uh, is it, is it allocates a budget to each of the legislators. Um, and it's, it's not a huge budget, but it's a budget that they can, that they can say, look, in my area, this is something that's important to us. It has a statewide purpose. Um, but it's, but it's something that I understand because it's my area. Each of us have our areas and we understand it. A lot of times these bills or these requests go to appropriations and appropriations, not to their fault, but a lot of times they don't understand the significance of what you're …
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Said the bill has not considered how regional projects would fit with the transportation list and that he would consider it.
▶ Watch at 37:44Read what they said
Um, no, it has not. And I would like to, I would like to consider that as well. Um, it's, it would never amount to a very big dollar amount. Um, so I don't know that a road project, I mean, you, you couldn't even put gravel down on a short road with the amount of money we're talking about. But, uh, but it's a good example of, you know, is there other, is there other agencies who are already planning to fund it? And then are we going to use this fund to do that? Um, so, so let me take a note on that.
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Said he spoke with two Executive Appropriations members, one of whom opposed the idea and one who was more open, and that the Appropriations staff director was involved in shaping the bill.
▶ Watch at 38:38Read what they said
Um, I have, uh, talked to the two. I've talked to, um, representative Walters who, uh, said I'm not in favor of it, but he wouldn't spend any time with me to talk to me about it. He just didn't talk. And, uh, Representative Peterson, um, he was more open to it and, and, uh, liked the concept. And he said he was going to talk with, uh, John Ball and, and John, when, when I first approached John Ball about this idea, my idea was just a set dollar amount that each legislator gets. And, and John said, I like this idea. Why wouldn't we just do it through 1% of the fund before it transfers over? So John …
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Said responsibility would likely fall to the legislator and that how to audit the spending still needs to be considered.
▶ Watch at 41:18Read what they said
Right. But I would, I would think ultimately it would fall back on the legislator. 'cause these people are gonna call the legislator back and say, Hey, you said you got approved to fund this, but we haven't seen the check. And then the legislator would have, I, I don't see a committee having to follow through with how the, whether the payment was made or not. It, It's a little more on the after, like, how do we audit this? And, and is even, is it even possible to audit it at some point to make sure the money went where we thought it was going to go? Um, I would like to consider how to do that. The …
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Estimated about 60,000 dollars per House member and about three times that for senators, and said a 10 million dollar cap was discussed.
▶ Watch at 42:17Read what they said
Um, probably around, well, I don't know this year 'cause we're, our revenues are lower this year, but, uh, probably around $60,000 per legislator. Um, I, I did put a cap in because we could have some phenomenal years where it's way in excess of 10 million. And I'm like, hold on. Well, 10 million total budget. And, and so I, I talked to, uh, John Ball and I just said, you know, we have to cap that somewhere. So he says, let's just put a cap of 10 million. If it's higher than that, then this, then the legislature doesn't go any higher. But, uh, it's, it's roughly somewhere around 60,000 for house. And then it would be about …
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Said he hopes the Executive Appropriations Committee or the round robin would reject small requests, that the bill has no fiscal note, and that it sends small requests back to legislators to decide.
▶ Watch at 43:33Read what they said
Yes. And, and honestly, I would hope that, uh, EAC or even this round robin would reject all of these small, all of these small, uh, requests for budgets. Uh, there may be some that they're passionate about that they would accept, but I, I would hope that, uh, the EAC would kick it back and say, if it's important to you, then use your budget to do it. But this, this should not, it doesn't have a fiscal note. Um, it should not increase the budget, the dollar amounts that the state's spending. It just, it just pushes all the smaller ones back to the legislator to defend rather than EAC spending, spending the money and, and making that …
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Said that talking with other states is a good idea, that he does not intend for the bill to pass today, and that he values the input and would like it held.
▶ Watch at 44:45Read what they said
I mean, that's probably a good idea. I mean, I, yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm not intending for this to pass today. I'm hoping that you'll hold it and, but I, but I value your input because that's how we get to a good solution. Okay. Other questions?
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Said similar ideas have come up before and that surrounding states have seen such programs devolve, so the bill would need structural limits so it does not become a district piggy bank.
▶ Watch at 46:05Read what they said
Um, it is something that we've kind of talked about in years past. And at the end of the day, we've also watched from a feedback perspective, a lot of the dysfunction that we see federally with the earmark process, especially the one that we've fought to, to overcome. And, um, as we've had the discussions with some of our surrounding states and other legislators, when they've done that, it's tended to devolve. So as you, just as you came up with the recognition that there would need to be a cap of some kind, we would need to have some kind of a structural protection in there that it didn't just become, that this can't be the piggy bank …
H.J.R. 14 Joint Rules Resolution - Requests for Appropriation · House Rules Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Summarized that the biggest concern is the bill becoming a campaign promise payoff, and said he would work on language and bring it back.
▶ Watch at 49:31Read what they said
I agree. Um, with, uh, with Representative Wilcox, I think that could be the biggest hole in the entire bill is if it becomes a, a campaign promise payoff. If, if it, if it has the potential to get that and we can't get parameters around it, then it's dead. That's, that's my viewpoint. It it can't be, it can't be that. But if we can, if we can work on some language and, and get it to where I think we're safe, I would love to bring it back and I'll be in touch with you on that.
H.B. 286 Artificial Intelligence Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Said AI-generated images will cause societal chaos within a few years and supported Utah taking the lead on regulating AI.
▶ Watch at 47:47Read what they said
So, uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Not a clarifying question so much as it is an observation. I, I so appreciate you bringing this forward. I think that the world in three years is going to be an absolute chaos because with, with AI comes regeneration of every image you could ever imagine. And you're going to have political parties on both sides who are, who are masterminding, how to depict their competitor in the worst way possible. And the, the society as a whole will not know how to determine the difference. Right now, there's ai, uh, images or, or people-ish that are, that are on the screen. And unless you know exactly what you're looking for, you cannot …
H.B. 192 Vehicle Inspection Fee Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Supports the bill as long as the inspection price is posted and easy for customers to see before service.
▶ Watch at 1:31:10Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I support the bill as long as the pricing is posted and well accessible because most people are going to assume their safety inspection is 15 to $30. However, we don't know what that number is. So if it wants to be 150, I'm okay with 150 as long as people know what they're buying. So as long as it's posted available so people readily see what that charge is, I'm good with it, I guess.
H.B. 192 Vehicle Inspection Fee Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Asks the sponsor what would prevent a shop from charging much more than customers expect if the fee is not posted or communicated in advance.
▶ Watch at 1:31:53Read what they said
No questions there. So, uh, I, I have what's, I have a question for, uh, our sponsor. If, if the fee is not posted or communicated ahead of time, what's to prevent someone from going in and they expect a $30 or $40 safety inspection, say, Hey, you don't, I don't should expect my car. And then they come out and they get a bill for 75, $80. What's, what's to prevent, uh, that from happening?
H.B. 192 Vehicle Inspection Fee Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Suggests keeping the free market approach, including an idea for inspection businesses to guarantee their work, and says pricing should be readily available.
▶ Watch at 1:37:00Read what they said
my other personality coming out. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, so as the discussion goes on, it uh, engages a thought process. I would recommend you not give up on the free market idea. Let the market set this. If I started a business and I wanted to say, you know what, not only are you getting an inspection from me, but I'm guaranteeing my inspection. So if your car is up for sale, you can say it passed this inspection and I'll guarantee it. So if they have failures in any of these parts, you send 'em to me and I'll pay to fix it, and I'm gonna charge you for it. But here's how much it's gonna cost …
H.B. 192 Vehicle Inspection Fee Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Asks that the posted fee be visible to the customer, not only inside the shop.
▶ Watch at 1:40:43Read what they said
Can I just add something to that, uh, where the customer is so that it doesn't end up in the shop, but it's actually where the customer is?
H.B. 192 Vehicle Inspection Fee Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Asks about the amendment wording and whether it should also require communicating the fee, not only posting it.
▶ Watch at 1:41:18Read what they said
Can, Can I make, tell me, I'm, I've got a question about, and this is semantics, but conspicuously post, I'm confused by and communicate. Can we put and or communicate?
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Presents HB 46, which would prevent a person from claiming the primary residence exemption on both a primary home and a vacation home, and describes a county process for long-term rental properties.
▶ Watch at 36:16Read what they said
Thank you. So, uh, yesterday we had some discussion concerning this bill. This is the bill that, uh, that just tracks the primary, uh, exemption so that a person can't claim both a original home and a vacation home as their primary residence and get the exemption on both. Right Now, when a person pays property tax on their home, they're taxed at a 45% value of their home. Um, but on the, on the vacation home, they would not, uh, they would not be able to take that primary exemption on that. So the question came up yesterday, what if a person has rental homes and they rent it to a family? And so I've been in contact both …
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Says he met with the drafting attorney and the Sanpete County assessor.
▶ Watch at 38:35Read what they said
Uh, actually I mentioned that I met, met with our drafting attorney and the Sanpete County assessor.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Says the property owner files a form with the county assessor, which keeps the information in a database.
▶ Watch at 39:03Read what they said
Uh, that is a form that the property owner fills out and submits to the county assessor. And the county assessor has a database that they keep track of that on.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Says the database is a tool for assessors to determine whether a property is a rental or a primary residence, with no requirement to act on it.
▶ Watch at 41:20Read what they said
Thank you for the question. Very observative, yes. It gives them a tool to assess, uh, or to at least determine whether or not we're dealing with a rental property or we we're dealing with the primary residence. It's just a tool. There's no requirement.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Accepts the motion to circle as a friendly amendment and says the bill should be worked on, noting fewer vacation homes in downtown Salt Lake than in rural counties.
▶ Watch at 42:50Read what they said
I can accept that. I think we should work on it. I I think it's there. I don't think there's an obligation for anyone to do it. There's not as many, uh, vacation homes in downtown Salt Lake as there is in the rural counties, but yes, we can accept that as a friendly motion.
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the bill could keep a child from being shot by police and called it a step in the right direction.
▶ Watch at 25:58Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I appreciate your legislation. I, I think it's appropriate, um, at the end of the day, it could save a kid from getting shot by a police officer, and, and they have to make split second decisions as to whether or not their life is really in danger. It's not going to eliminate all of 'em, because some people are, or some of the kid kids are still going to do what kids do, and we're hoping that we don't end up in a tragedy. But, uh, but this is a step in the right direction. Thanks for the, thanks for the bill.
H.C.R. 4 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Religious Freedom · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Asks whether the resolution refers to Christianity or restates First Amendment and founding principles on religious liberty.
▶ Watch at 1:15:55Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair, Representative Peterson. I appreciate you bringing this forward. Um, and it is foundational to the first amendment of the Constitution. Uh, what I have found interesting is as we travel around to different areas, uh, of the country, it seems like the freedom of religion is much more expressed than we see it here in Utah. And I think it's partially because we're hypersensitive to not offend someone. Um, and, and yeah, as I, as I look through this, I'm looking for where it talks about Christianity. And the only reference I do see is, is, uh, a letter in the, to the Jewish congregation. I don't think this is identifying anything specific to a religion …
H.B. 214 Firearms Liability Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Compares the bill to suing a car manufacturer instead of a driver who causes a crash, and asks for confirmation.
▶ Watch at 1:37:31Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, as I look at this, it, I, I guess to bring it to reality is this similar to if I'm driving a Chevy truck and I run through a stoplight and crash into someone, instead of that person suing me, they would turn around and sue Chevrolet instead
H.B. 214 Firearms Liability Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Says the bill appears to protect manufacturers from lawsuits over how others use their products and thanks the presenter for the clarification.
▶ Watch at 1:37:53Read what they said
It seems to, it seems to work to protect the manufacturers. We can't sue everybody out of existence because we don't agree with their, their way of manufacturing or whatever. So I, I appreciate the clarification. That is how I kinda look at that. Yeah. Thank you. All right. Thank you.
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · House floor debate (day 7) · Jan 26, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, saying the state's current focus on nuclear energy makes a dedicated office useful.
▶ Watch at 28:20Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanna rise in support of this bill. I think with the, uh, nuclear, um, the focus that the state is making right now on nuclear, anything that we can do to keep that focus right now, obviously changes can happen in the future, but right now we need somebody who's focused on that so that our energy Independence continues to move forward. It's a great step forward. Thank you.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 7) · Jan 26, 2026
Presents the bill, saying it lets county assessors verify primary residence using limited driver's license information (name, address, age) instead of data bought from credit bureaus.
▶ Watch at 51:02Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This, uh, this bill actually, it uh, it saves tax dollars in every county in this state. Uh, I know there's a proposal to, to increase the, uh, the deduction on, on home ownership from 45 to 60%. The way it currently works is if you own a home and it's your primary resident, then uh, then you only pay tax on 45% of your property value. What this does is this allows the, the county auditor to look at the driver's license address and name so that they can verify that it is actually the primary residence of the, of the individual who's claiming the exemption. Uh, that way the, it eliminates the ability for …
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 7) · Jan 26, 2026
Says it depends on how the property is listed, and a property listed as a rental is treated as a business and taxed as such.
▶ Watch at 55:04Read what they said
It depends on how the property is listed. If it's, if it's listed as a rental, then it's a business, then they would, they would pay the tax on the rental property as a business.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 7) · Jan 26, 2026
Says the assessor would verify ownership against the address, and the residential exemption applies only if the owner's address matches.
▶ Watch at 56:13Read what they said
I believe what this does is it allows the county assessor to verify who owns the property and if it matches the address of who owns it, they get the residential exemption. If it does not match that address, they would not qualify.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House floor debate (day 7) · Jan 26, 2026
Says the bill does not remove the exemption, that rental owners should address their status with the county assessor, and that the bill targets people claiming two residential exemptions.
▶ Watch at 57:02Read what they said
I don't believe it takes that exemption away. I think that they would need to address that with the county, uh, assessor to specifically identify what that's being used for. What this is is to plug the abuse that's happening where one individual is claiming their home as a residential exemption and their vacation home also as a residential exemption.
H.B. 128 Traffic Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asked whether there are statistics on accidents with and without signals, and said he is not aware of any.
▶ Watch at 1:04:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am just curious to know if there are any statistics on accidents with or without signals, If there are. I am not aware of any. There may be someone in the room who could address that, but I do not know.
H.B. 16 Solar Power Plant Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Speaks in support, saying the bill protects private property rights while preserving food security.
▶ Watch at 50:16Read what they said
Yes, I want to rise in support of this. I, I know early on there was concern that it would, uh, step on private property rights. I think the, uh, sponsor has done a great job of saying, look, uh, people are still free to use private property. They just can't implement, uh, um, tax incentives on farmable land, but there's plenty of land that is not farmable. And, uh, and so I think he's threaded the needle very well in making sure that private property rights are still intact, but the, uh, the state accomplishes its goal to make sure that we preserve our, our food security. Thank you.
H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Asks how the bill would affect existing water rights.
▶ Watch at 1:12:02Read what they said
Thank you, representative. I just have one question, if I could, how does this affect water rights, existing water rights?
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Shelley said he supports the bill but would prefer incentives over penalties, and warned that adversaries are also sequencing plant DNA to target the food supply.
▶ Watch at 1:47:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I, I like the bill. I think it's, it's, uh, definitely the right direction. Um, one thing, and I, and, and maybe this is an observation as a whole, I, I wish we would look at things, uh, as a way of incentivizing people to change rather than saying, we're going to penalize you if you don't. Um, so, you know, as, as we look forward, uh, probably some kind of incentive would be more palatable to the, to the business community and, and probably to the general public. Um, so I, but I, but I do support the bill. Um, and, and, uh, it doesn't end with this because they're, they're, uh, they're finding …
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Shelley proposed removing the line allowing the Attorney General to recover attorney's fees.
▶ Watch at 2:04:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I would, I would like to propose that you remove line 1 0 5, um, that, that re
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Shelley clarified he meant the line allowing attorney's fees.
▶ Watch at 2:04:47Read what they said
I don't see a second. Um, it's the, it's the line, the line that allows attorney's fees.
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Shelley argued that recoverable attorney's fees could far exceed the $10,000 penalty and tilt legitimate disputes toward the state.
▶ Watch at 2:05:15Read what they said
Yes. And, and what that means is the state's gonna win no matter what. And, and there may be, there may be a legitimate dispute. And yet, because the attorney general can recover whatever expense they want us to expend, and they have unlimited budget, they can, I mean, that's far exceeds the $10,000 penalty that those attorney's fees can be, be 10 times that. So I, I would just like it to be a fair playing field because there may be legitimate reasons why, why there's a, a mishap. I would just like to, to propose that you remove that.
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Shelley asked whether disabling the backdoor function is technologically easy.
▶ Watch at 2:09:19Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Shelly. So a follow up question before I go to that then. Is it, is it something that's technologically easy enough for the average person to figure out how to disable that?
H.B. 182 Genetic Information Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Shelley suggested an experienced person could disable it for a couple thousand dollars.
▶ Watch at 2:09:38Read what they said
Maybe not average person, but someone who's experienced could go in and disable that and it would cost somebody a couple thousand dollars to do or whatever.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Presented HB 46, which changes the language so county auditors can access driver's license name and address information for residential exemption checks without the division having to provide it.
▶ Watch at 36:50Read what they said
Uh, this is a bill, this was a committee bill that passed unanimously, uh, through the interim. Um, it, it's simply there's a very simple change on it. Uh, what, what the previous bill did is require the driver's license division to allow or to provide the, uh, the county auditors with access to the driver's license information, at least just for their, their name and address so they could, could verify against the primary residential exemption. Uh, we found that that would be a expense since the driver's license division would have to provide that to them. So we just want to change the language so that it allows the auditors to access it so the driver's license division …
H.B. 45 Fire Code Amendments · House floor debate (day 2) · Jan 21, 2026
Asks whether the code could be called the Utah Code instead of the International Code, citing local control and state sovereignty.
▶ Watch at 13:48Read what they said
I'll phrase it better the next time. Um, I am wondering if there is some way that we could just call it the Utah Code instead of International Code. I think that would make a lot of us feel better about it since we're always talking about local control and state sovereignty and all that kind of thing. I think it might be better if we had our own code and called it our own code. Is that a possibility?
H.B. 45 Fire Code Amendments · House floor debate (day 2) · Jan 21, 2026
States a preference that state statute refer to the code as the Utah Code.
▶ Watch at 14:51Read what they said
Okay. So I would just like to state that I would prefer that in our statute that our code be referred to as the Utah Code. Thank you.
H.B. 49 Law Enforcement Salary Amendments · House floor debate (day 2) · Jan 21, 2026
Supports the bill but moves to circle it until the funding source is clear.
▶ Watch at 44:40Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I, I strongly support what he's doing, however, I'd like to make a motion to circle that until we understand where the funding is gonna come from.
H.B. 49 Law Enforcement Salary Amendments · House floor debate (day 2) · Jan 21, 2026
Says he wants to know where the funding comes from so that one department's needs are not shifted to another.
▶ Watch at 45:03Read what they said
I, I just hope that we can, can find where the funding's coming from so that we're not taking from a, from a a department that's needing it and shifting it to another department, which desperately needs it. I totally am a hundred percent supportive of this, but, but I think we need to understand where the funding comes from so that we don't take from one that needs it and shift it into another.
H.B. 21 Senior Care Facility Amendments · House floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Asks whether a facility's contractual obligations are relieved when it is sold or whether they carry over to the new owner.
▶ Watch at 50:39Read what they said
So, in the event of a proposed sale of a a senior facility, does that relieve them of any con uh, contractual obligations that they have at that time? If it's going to be sold, or does the contractual obligation carry over to the new owner?
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.