Legislators / Lisa Shepherd
Lisa Shepherd
Republican · House District 61
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Lisa Shepherd
- Email: lshepherd@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-903-8998
- Office: 350 N S State Street Suite 350, Salt Lake City, UT, 84114
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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.
Lisa Shepherd serves on:
- General Government Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee
- House Revenue and Taxation Committee
- Government Operations Interim Committee
- Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee
- General Oversight Committee
What they've said
229 remarks on 59 billsH.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the Senate-recommended language lets a person use a name they commonly go by, such as a shortened first name, on the ballot without collecting five signatures, lets people use their middle name, and includes other variations; describes it as a friendly substitute.
▶ Watch at 11:34Read what they said
Yes, I would. Thank you. We took some language that was, was very favorably recommended by the other body and uh, there was another bill and we incorporated in there and the language basically allows Representative Maloy to just use his name that he goes by all the time as, as Corey on a ballot, uh, without having to get the five signatures and allows people to use their middle name and a couple other variations in there. And that was a very friendly amendment to it. It was actually a substitute, a friendly substitute.
S.J.R. 8 Joint Resolution to Initiate a Law School at Utah Valley University · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Supports the bill, noting BYU is a private institution and Utah Valley University has the largest enrollment in Utah.
▶ Watch at 54:14Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker Rise in support of this bill, I just wanted to remind the colleagues that BYU is actually a private institution and we are looking for a public institution. And Utah Valley University is the largest enrollment in the state of Utah. So I encourage us to get this study and I would love to be a future student. Thank you.
S.B. 31 Office of Professional Licensure Review Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Asks the sponsor to confirm the reason for the sunset date and yields to a question.
▶ Watch at 54:54Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor yield to question Representative? Kyle, will you yield? Yes. Thank you. I just wanted to just double check what you mentioned about a Sunset date and the reason why we needed to do the Sunset date.
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Expresses sympathy for the bill but says smaller counties could face economic hardship holding animals longer.
▶ Watch at 1:36:18Read what they said
Yes. You know, uh, I have a lot of sympathy for this, but, uh, our smaller counties, uh, it, we might be creating a, uh, what, uh, uh, economic hardship for 'em to, uh, hold these land animals longer. And, uh, I couldn't see, just quickly looking over at how it would be the best way to, uh, deal with, with the situation we might be creating for those smaller counties.
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Opposes the amendment, saying all counties can reach out to rescue organizations without major hardship.
▶ Watch at 1:36:54Read what they said
Ch Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in opposition to this amendment. I don't think that reaching out to animal shelters to or to, to animal rescue organizations is a huge hardship, and I think that all of the counties can do it.
S.B. 321 Municipal Election Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Shepherd presented the bill, which requires annual financial disclosures from municipal candidates, sets a January 10 deadline for closing accounts, describes allowed uses of leftover campaign funds, authorizes a $250 fine for unfiled reports, and lets municipalities adopt stricter ordinances.
▶ Watch at 2:21:58Read what they said
Mr. Speaker, thank you. This bill improves the transparency and financial disclosures and the municipal elections. It now requires that candidates have to file a financial disclosure every year. And if they haven't closed their account out officially, then they have to do it by January 10th. This also, it gives a, it tells how to what, what needs to be in the bill, and it also says that you can, how to expend that money. So if you have money and you're going to close your account, then you can return it to a donor. You can donate to a 5 0 1 C3, or you can do a legal expenditure for political purposes. It authorizes a $250 fine …
S.B. 321 Municipal Election Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Shepherd said the bill has been on the board for more than 24 hours and that more time is acceptable if the body needs it.
▶ Watch at 2:23:14Read what they said
Representative Shepherd on the motion to circle. I Just say it's been on the board for more than 24 hours, but if the body needs more time, that's okay.
S.B. 78 Property Tax Relief Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moved to circle the bill because it did not have a committee hearing.
▶ Watch at 2:27:41Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move to circle this. Bill didn't have a hearing and we were circling the ones that didn't have a hearing.
S.B. 194 Election Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Supports circling the bill to take a closer look, noting a similar bill passed the Senate and H.B. 391 on party vacancies, and wants to check whether substitute six addresses those issues.
▶ Watch at 2:29:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I would support the motion to circle violently, not really violently, but I would, I would, uh, encourage us to circle, um, I'd like to take a little bit deeper look on that. Uh, we passed a bill just, uh, if we're in the Senate about 20 minutes ago, one of my bills that has much of the same language in it. And, uh, also, um, a bill that's passed through this body, uh, house Bill 3 91 that deals with the languages of, and the parties and, um, vacancies in the parties. And so I'd just like to take a quick look at the substitute six and see if it addresses any of that …
S.B. 194 Election Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Shepherd supports the motion to circle so members can review whether substitute six addresses language in a Senate bill she sponsored and in House Bill 391 concerning party vacancies.
▶ Watch at 2:29:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I would support the motion to circle violently, not really violently, but I would, I would, uh, encourage us to circle, um, I'd like to take a little bit deeper look on that. Uh, we passed a bill just, uh, if we're in the Senate about 20 minutes ago, one of my bills that has much of the same language in it. And, uh, also, um, a bill that's passed through this body, uh, house Bill 3 91 that deals with the languages of, and the parties and, um, vacancies in the parties. And so I'd just like to take a quick look at the substitute six and see if it addresses any of that …
S.B. 74 Motor Vehicle Civil Action Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves to amend Senate Bill 3 21 and states that the motion is in order.
▶ Watch at 2:53:04Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move to UNC Encircle, Senate Bill 3 21. That motion is in order.
S.B. 321 Municipal Election Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Presents S.B. 321, which requires annual financial disclosure by municipal election candidates, including expenditures and contributions, and allows fines and more stringent local rules.
▶ Watch at 2:53:24Read what they said
Thank you. I've already spoken to it and said everything. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to do it. I'll just remind you, this is about the municipal elections and financial disclosures and making sure they have it every year. That they give us disclosure of their expenditures and their contributions and, uh, and the ability to do a fine and also that they can adopt more stringent rules. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
S.B. 92 Prosecution Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, saying it is similar to a House bill passed unanimously earlier concerning child homicide due to suicide.
▶ Watch at 1:38:33Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our rise in support as well. This is similar to the bill that we passed, uh, unanimously out of this body of house Bill 1 38, which is the child's homicide amendment due to suicide and we can go and charge as well. So I just really think this is vital importance. Thank you.
H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments · Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Presents HB 138 (second substitute), which clarifies that a child's death under the child abuse homicide statute includes suicide if it was a direct or proximate result of the abuse, and coordinates with SB 32; introduces Detective Brent Jackson.
▶ Watch at 49:50Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have with me Detective Brent Jacks, and he will be helping in my presentation. Utah Code 76 5 2 0 8 defines child abuse as torturing inflicting injury Upon abandoning a child or committing domestic violence in the presence of a child death resulting from intentional abuse is a first degree felony and death from reckless or negligent abuse. Abuse is a second degree felony hospital, 1 38 clarifies that a child's death under this statute includes suicide if the suicide was a direct approximate result of the abuse. This bill also provides a coordinated clause to merge changes between this bill and Senate Bill 32, which makes some technical corrections to that part of …
S.B. 148 General Oversight Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Supports the bill, saying the listed changes are necessary based on attending some of the committee's meetings.
▶ Watch at 36:35Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this bill. I have attended some of these meetings and I think that, uh, the changes that they have listed are necessary and I really support this and ask the body to support as well. Thank you.
S.B. 148 General Oversight Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Says she has attended some of these meetings, supports the bill, and asks the body to support it.
▶ Watch at 36:35Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this bill. I have attended some of these meetings and I think that, uh, the changes that they have listed are necessary and I really support this and ask the body to support as well. Thank you.
S.B. 91 Motor Vehicle Registration Services Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield to a question.
▶ Watch at 2:31:00Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will this sponsor yield to a question? Representative Bolinder, will you yield?
S.B. 91 Motor Vehicle Registration Services Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Asks whether black license plates will increase or remain voluntary.
▶ Watch at 2:31:05Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I am just wanting to double check on what you just said. So this is not a mandatory, the black license plates who has been very, very successful, uh, they won't be increased, but it'll be voluntary.
S.B. 91 Motor Vehicle Registration Services Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Asks whether a driver who renews a registration can voluntarily give an additional $25 without the registration fee increasing.
▶ Watch at 2:31:38Read what they said
Thank you. So I just wanna make sure, so I have a buck license plate look great with my car, and if I re-register my car, does that mean that I can voluntarily check a box to give an additional $25, but my registration fee doesn't go up? And that's voluntary.
S.B. 275 State-Endorsed Digital Identity Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Supports the bill as balancing privacy and transparency, says it protects people's control over what they share, and says she has a constituent with her.
▶ Watch at 2:46:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this bill having been another individual in this body who has worked very closely to make sure that we have a balance of privacy and transparency. And the good representative from Centerville has worked diligently on this and for several years. And so as a member of this body, I encourage you to support this. I have with me a constituent. We've had a discussion on this and some people don't understand what this is really doing and what we're, I believe what we're doing is we're putting protections on the people to be able to share the information they want to share and that they have to share, but no …
S.B. 275 State-Endorsed Digital Identity Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Supports the bill as a balance of privacy and transparency, says it lets people share only the information they choose, mentions a constituent who joined the discussion, and asks for support.
▶ Watch at 2:46:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this bill having been another individual in this body who has worked very closely to make sure that we have a balance of privacy and transparency. And the good representative from Centerville has worked diligently on this and for several years. And so as a member of this body, I encourage you to support this. I have with me a constituent. We've had a discussion on this and some people don't understand what this is really doing and what we're, I believe what we're doing is we're putting protections on the people to be able to share the information they want to share and that they have to share, but no …
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asks whether a bill analysis can be passed out to committee members, and says the presentation will be brief.
▶ Watch at 55:54Read what they said
We'll be quick. Okay. Uh, Mr. Chair, is it okay if we pass out a bill analysis? Sure.
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Says staff are distributing the bill analysis to the committee.
▶ Watch at 56:02Read what they said
Thank you. My interns right there for the legislators Yeah. Staff and then each one of us.
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Thanks the chair, credits staff and co-presenters, and describes the bill as a cleanup of an interim committee bill that missed the deadline.
▶ Watch at 56:13Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair for having us on the agenda. It's nice to be back with you. It feels like I was just here yesterday. I will be speaking to the fourth substitute. You are now receiving an analysis thank you to Kirsi for getting this done for us for so quickly. And I have with me as a co-presenter, the state elections Director, Ryan Cowley. And I wanted to thank him and the deputy director, Shelly Jackson and Cambria for all their efforts and work on this bill. This was a interim committee bill that missed the deadline, and we continue to work on it. And here we are. This does some revocations
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Confirms she is speaking to the fourth substitute.
▶ Watch at 56:53Read what they said
I'm speaking to four sub. Okay. I'm sorry. Just so we have that have, and then we'll take care of that later. Thank you.
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Summarizes the bill's provisions on election notices, candidate filing periods, deadlines in business days, ballot neutrality, and county commission elections, then turns to the elections director for details.
▶ Watch at 56:58Read what they said
So what this does is centralizes election notices. It aligns candidate filing periods, it converts deadlines into business days. It provides ballot neutrality, which is a great one. That's a policy change. Uh, it clarifies county commission election. So if you have to put down, if your seat A, B, or C and has some special district alignment that I'll let Ryan talk more about and voter roll and election material clarification and the Great seal. So with that just overview, I wanted to turn some time over to Mr. Callie to tell us a little bit more of the details and answer any questions.
S.B. 236 Property Tax Exemption Process Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend SB 236, first substitute.
▶ Watch at 18:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I move that we favorably recommend Senate a bill 2 36, second first substitute.
S.B. 236 Property Tax Exemption Process Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said she worked in county government, has seen this process, and supports standardizing the dates.
▶ Watch at 18:15Read what they said
Yes. I actually, I don't know if anybody knows this or not here in this committee, but I worked in county government really? And, and I've seen actually this very process and I think it's really critical that we do bring some standardization to those dates and make sure we have that happen. Thank
S.B. 60 Income Tax Rate Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said she will vote for the bill but is concerned about the waiting list for funding and hopes for more funding next year.
▶ Watch at 47:39Read what they said
Thank you. I'm going to vote for the bill, but I do wanna say that I'm just concerned that we can't fund more of the list, the waiting list. I have some constituents that really do need to be funded, so I'm hoping that we can take a look next year and get some more funding in that direction. So thank you.
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presents H.B. 388 to require decontamination of properties where meth or fentanyl is found, adding use as a trigger alongside labs, and introduces a Provo police officer.
▶ Watch at 2:13:11Read what they said
Go Ahead. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair for putting this on the agenda and committee for all your hard work. This bill could also be called a decontamination bill, because that's what this is all about. It's about protecting the public when they are staying in a lodging retail establishment. And, uh, someone staying before them may have actually just used some meth or some fentanyl and, uh, it provides a decon, a contamination that is poisoning of the people. So there are a few things on here. The police officers will, I'll turn this over to the health department if they find, and they have reason to believe that the property is contaminated, and they have found that …
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the change adds use alongside labs, that stakeholders were consulted, and that local health departments cannot act on their own.
▶ Watch at 2:16:47Read what they said
So that, that's the biggest change, is that we're trying to add in the wordage of use, um, where there'd be use instead of not only labs. We can only currently do it with labs. And we met with several stakeholders about at least 20 of them several times, and then off one off some with some of them, some of the times. And this has been greatly vetted by many people. Uh, and there definitely is a need to have this legislation. That's why it was the top priority. And local health departments can't do this already on their own. So that, that was one of the issues that we're having it up to the local health departments, their …
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says local health departments have been part of the problem and asked for this legislation.
▶ Watch at 2:17:50Read what they said
The local health departments have actually been some of the problem. It's our, our own county where they would not go away and if it was just by use, and that is why they've asked for this legislation.
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says current reporting to health departments is limited and the bill would raise awareness statewide.
▶ Watch at 2:18:16Read what they said
Be So right now it's, Yeah, I'm just, go ahead. So right now, um, we, we've attempted to try to inform our health department of the use sites that we have. Um, the, the amount of labs is not as much as it used to be, uh, since it is mostly moved down to South. So, So what this will do is it'll elevate the, elevate the discussion and, and awareness across the state. Is that the idea?
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Explains the bill's triggers: paraphernalia, product, or an admission of use, combined with a positive test.
▶ Watch at 2:19:55Read what they said
As, as the bill is written right now, there are three, uh, triggers that would, that would possibly trigger this. One is the, the fi, the finding, the paraphernalia. Two would be the actual product, and three would be an admission that they use for us. We would have to have two of the three to conjoin together and then also a positive test. So we would be testing the, the paraphernalia, the product and everything like that to make sure that it is actual methamphetamine and or fentanyl.
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the bill sets a statewide process in which local health departments determine contamination and oversee cleanup, and that it passed the House 67-1.
▶ Watch at 2:26:19Read what they said
Thank you. This absolutely is a statewide program a problem. And unfortunately the police chief's person, uh, is stuck in another meeting. He would let you know that, uh, they actually wanted us to go further in this bill. Uh, this bill was passed by 67 1, uh, and then some absences over in the house. They found this is a very credible need. It was unanimous in committee over there as well. Uh, this does provide that. They'll have, the local health department will then be responsible to determine if the property is there actually really contaminated. And then they'll follow the processes to make sure that it's cleaned up so it's safe for public health. Again, thank you.
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presents HB 529 to make the Secretary of State an independently elected office again and move certain duties from the Lieutenant Governor to that office, citing separation of powers, the history of the offices, and the proposed conflict-of-interest provisions.
▶ Watch at 2:04:22Read what they said
Yeah. And Ashley, Good morning. I'm so excited to be here in front of you. Thank you for giving me some time to send over and listen to hear the separation of powers, the bill that I have for Lieutenant Governor and a Secretary of State. I appreciate the time. Some of you have given me to chat with me beforehand and hear what I'm trying to do with this bill. First of all, I just wanted to let you know this bill is not about any person. It's not about a party, politics or personality. It is about structure in 1974. Lemme go to the next slide, please. We'll go to that one. Thank you. In, in 1974, uh, …
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Responds that the bill is not about any person and that the current Lieutenant Governor could run for the new office, and notes election controversy occurs nationwide.
▶ Watch at 2:16:56Read what they said
Thank you. And, and there you made it about personalities. And that's not what I'm trying to do. Our lieutenant governor, she could run this current lieutenant governor, I should say, um, could run for this position. It would actually be there for the current lieutenant governor to run should she choose to do so. And it's not about her. It's not about a negative. And it is the controversy of elections, no matter if it's just in the state of Utah, their controversy elections are, are actually worldwide.
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Explains the Lieutenant Governor's duties under current statute, how the bill would keep the duty list open for future delegation, and why she considers separation of powers important.
▶ Watch at 2:18:51Read what they said
They would be everything that we currently don't have in statute right now. Can you go back to those slides? And there's two pages plus anything that this, whatever, basically whatever the lieutenant, the governor delegates, that's basically really what it is. They also have roles on different, uh, they can be the head of a department, like I said, a former governor was the head of, of over water and transportation, uh, is two main things there. And then it talks about the chairperson of any board, um, and, and coordinate any, any government or interdepartment policies, programs. You know what it says right there? It's the liaison between the governor and basically all other government. And, uh, and …
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says Utah should have a directly elected Secretary of State, that she submitted the bills before recent events, and that she likes the current Lieutenant Governor; asks that the bill go to voters.
▶ Watch at 2:29:14Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you for the opportunities to sum, I I just wanna say that I do think Utah needs to have a directly elected, independently elected Secretary of State. Um, I actually would just like to let the people know, I've said this in other meetings that I submitted these bills on May 7th before 2:00 AM which means May 7th of last year, which means prior to any of those, some of these big things that have come out. So I've been working on this for over a year. I have collaborated with many people and, uh, we've put in, I've made adjustments and we've put it all in there. Um, I, I agree with one of the …
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says she respects the committee's decision to move on.
▶ Watch at 2:30:20Read what they said
And if you need to move on, that's fine. Thank you. I respect your decision,
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Says primaries let voters see how candidates perform, so skipping one would remove a voice of the people; opposes the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:05:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I raised with a concern on this bill and the concern is that the reason we have primaries and then we have a general election is that we would like to see how these candidates perform and if what they have to say in their arguments and as they go out their campaigns, if they're the same thing as I value primaries for that purpose. And if we're saying you don't have to have one, we're eliminating the voice of the people one time that we shouldn't have to, the cost on the primaries is not anything compared to the cost of losing the voice of the people. So therefore, I I rise in objection on …
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Objects to the bill, saying primaries let voters see how candidates perform and that skipping one would remove a voice of the people.
▶ Watch at 1:05:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I raised with a concern on this bill and the concern is that the reason we have primaries and then we have a general election is that we would like to see how these candidates perform and if what they have to say in their arguments and as they go out their campaigns, if they're the same thing as I value primaries for that purpose. And if we're saying you don't have to have one, we're eliminating the voice of the people one time that we shouldn't have to, the cost on the primaries is not anything compared to the cost of losing the voice of the people. So therefore, I I rise in objection on …
H.B. 479 Election Code Modifications · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Supports the bill, describing her experience with fast cast ballot drop-off in Utah County, its time and cost savings, and says she will support it.
▶ Watch at 1:32:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't know if anyone knows this, 'cause I haven't mentioned it a few times here on the floor, but I used to work in Utah County and I worked for the commission, and I actually, uh, our portfolio included the clerk, and I was able to spend a lot of time in the clerk's office reviewing and seeing the processes and considering improvements. I wanna just mention about the time, the amount of time it takes to do this signature verification process, the amount of time that it takes for the entire process. This will eliminate where people choose to come in. And we called it Fast cast in Utah County. It will, when they …
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Presents H.B. 361, which consolidates election-related notice requirements, standardizes declaration of candidacy periods, and removes county clerks' names from envelopes starting January 2027.
▶ Watch at 8:14Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This bill was introduced back in the interim with the Government Operations Committee. I was assigned this bill, however, at the time that they were trying to get the final work done on it, that's the time that the maps were being rejected and Lieutenant Governor's office was a little busy. And the SFI would still carry the bill, so I'm still carrying the bill. Um, it's still the same as what we were doing before. It is a, it's a very big bill, but it is a reification and putting all the redundant materials in there on election related notices into one section. So it's very good for that. It's standardizing declaration of candidacy periods. …
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
In closing, says she worked with the Lieutenant Governor's office on the bill and asks for the House's support.
▶ Watch at 9:31Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would just like to say it was really great working with the Lieutenant Governor's office on this bill. 'cause usually they are against any motions that I put forward. So this one's a good one and it was a joy working with them. Thank you. I ask for your support.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Presents the bill to repeal two 2011 laws, the guest worker program and the Utah Pilot resident immigration program, which she says the state lacks authority to adopt, keeps E-Verify, and repeals the identity theft victims restricted account, urging the federal government to act.
▶ Watch at 1:16:25Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Back in 2011, Utah legislature adopted house Bill one 16 in house bill 4 96 and they had constitutional notes on them saying that they were unconstitutional for a state to adopt. Now one was a guest worker program and had a fiscal note of 5,921,000 some dollars. And the other one was a Utah Pilot sponsored Resident Immigration Program Act and that was a little over a million dollars. So this bill will repeal those since we don't have the authority to actually adopt immigration, federal immigration law here in our state. And it also keeps the in, uh, we will, it was set to repeal the e verify. This will keep the e verify …
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says the substitute would add four provisions to the bill covering proof of citizenship, state retirement, housing, licensing and tuition.
▶ Watch at 1:18:11Read what they said
Lee? Yes, I would. Just briefly, um, this is gonna add in four different provisions to the bill as it pertains to requiring, uh, proof of citizenship, uh, state retirement, housing, licensing and tuition.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says she is fine with the motion to adopt the second substitute if the body votes for it.
▶ Watch at 1:18:35Read what they said
Um, I'm okay with that if the body votes for it. Thank you Representative Shepherd.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says people without citizenship would not be able to receive grants or tuition subsidized by taxpayers.
▶ Watch at 1:21:55Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker for the question. Um, if you are here and you do not have citizenship, you will not be able to receive a grant or tuition that is subsidized by the taxpayers.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says Utahns, including their children, would benefit and that the bill helps people who are here legally.
▶ Watch at 1:22:26Read what they said
Thank you for the question, Mr. Speaker. Uh, so Utahans would benefit from this, uh, people like our own children who are paying a ton for their college and their education and tuition. And this would help give them those opportunities who are here legally.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Opposes circling, saying the statute is clear and the other chamber and a committee will have time to review it.
▶ Watch at 1:33:19Read what they said
The, uh, underline, uh, uh, with the underlying motion, uh, on the substitute motion to circle, Uh, no, I project that motion to circle it. I, I think that the statute is clear and we can still have some time to discuss this. There is a whole nother chamber as well, and a committee hearing that this will have, that We can go over this if there still are questions and concerns.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says the bill would not apply to legal residents and urges support for the substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:41:19Read what they said
That. Well, thank you Mr. Speaker. And thank you, uh, to those who've discussed this, uh, debate on the substitute, uh, especially, um, some of the warm heartfelt stories that we, we heard. Um, I, I just wanna clarify that if, if you're a legal resident, this would not apply to you. And, and I believe the bill is very clear on that with this. And so it would not affect those who are coming and doing this the right way and trying to become American citizens. Uh, and so I would appreciate the support for this substitute. Thank you.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Gives closing remarks that the bill repeals laws the state lacks authority to adopt and could lead to a lawsuit, shares a constituent's concern about employers hiring lower-paid workers, urges federal action on legal immigration, and asks for support.
▶ Watch at 1:55:00Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker, uh, body. You've adopted a second substitute, but I'd like you to remember in there that the beginning of this bill addresses laws that we do not have a legal authority to have. If we allow these laws to enact in July of 2027, we will be sued. It'll be the second time we get sued for having this guest worker programs. So I want you to remember that. Another thing I want you to know is that I have a neighbor, his name is Tino. Tino came here the legal way. Tino works his tail off. He's in construction. One day Tino said to me, I'm gonna have to move and I didn't know why …
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Summarizes the bill, saying it addresses laws the state may lack authority to enact, shares a constituent's experience, and asks for support.
▶ Watch at 1:55:00Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker, uh, body. You've adopted a second substitute, but I'd like you to remember in there that the beginning of this bill addresses laws that we do not have a legal authority to have. If we allow these laws to enact in July of 2027, we will be sued. It'll be the second time we get sued for having this guest worker programs. So I want you to remember that. Another thing I want you to know is that I have a neighbor, his name is Tino. Tino came here the legal way. Tino works his tail off. He's in construction. One day Tino said to me, I'm gonna have to move and I didn't know why …
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Presented H.B. 391, which would fill vacancies in listed offices, including U.S. Senator, state legislator, state Board of Education, attorney general, state treasurer, state auditor, and Lieutenant Governor, by appointment from the political party of the officeholder's last election or appointment.
▶ Watch at 1:29:39Read what they said
substitute house Bill 3 91 vacancy replacement amendments Representative Shepherd. Thank you, Mr. Chair and thank you Committee. It's an honor to be back in front of you today. I feel like I was just here. House Bill 3 180 91 House Bill 3 91. Third substitute. It clarifies that vacancies in the offices of US. Senator Vickers, state Legislature, state Board of Education, and the government offices. And let me step back and say that it has the attorney general, state treasurer, state auditor, and Lieutenant Governor in there as well. That they'll be filled by an appointment from the party that the individual was selected, the political party that the individual selected the last time that they were …
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Asks to have a bill analysis passed out to the committee.
▶ Watch at 54:01Read what they said
Thank you. I have a bill analysis. Can we pass that out? What was that? We, I have a bill analysis. Is it okay if we pass that out to you?
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Explains that H.B. 386 is a cleanup bill repealing 2011 immigration provisions found unconstitutional, which were set to take effect July 1, 2027.
▶ Watch at 54:21Read what they said
Thank you. While he is passing those out, I'll just give you a little bit of the history on this. So, in 2011, I don't know if any of you were here in 2011, if you were, you should let me know. There was two bills that were passed that had constitutional notes on them, meaning that there were unconstitutional. There was House Bill one 16 and House Bill 4 96. And those bills created guest worker program and a Utah Pilot sponsored Resident Immigration Program Act. It also did a couple things house that they created a employer verification act that would enact as soon as these bills enact, which they have to have a federal waiver or a …
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Confirms that nothing would change in practice because the guest worker program was never enacted.
▶ Watch at 57:12Read what they said
That that's absolutely correct. Yeah. Nothing's actually going to change because this has never been enacted.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says the program has never been enacted and employers use federal visas instead, and urges the federal government to address immigration.
▶ Watch at 57:30Read what they said
No, they're using the federal immigration, uh, visas for that. And so, again, this has never been enacted. They can't use it until July 1st, 2027. Right. And that's not, as you guys know, I don't need to give you a lesson in the Constitution. You know that immigration is not a state issue. It's a federal issue. And this bill, hopefully will say, federal government, will you please, please take care of this issue. If you like what we did in 2011, take a look at it and maybe you can implement it.
H.B. 386 Immigration Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Urges the federal delegation and Congress to adopt a workable solution to immigration and thanks the committee.
▶ Watch at 1:00:38Read what they said
Thank you. I just wanted to, to close with something I already said. I ask and beg our federal delegation and Congress to adopt something that's going to work to fix our immigration problem and allow people to come here legally so that we can have the people that we need. So I, I thank you for the vote and thank you for the motion.
H.B. 555 Changes to Family Law Actions · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Rises in support of the bill, saying a constituent has paid over $500,000 in cases she considers frivolous despite stalking injunctions.
▶ Watch at 1:38:50Read what they said
Mr. Speaker, I rise in extreme full support of this bill. I have a constituent that she has had to pay over $500,000 for frivolous cases that keep being brought to her even when she's had stalking injunctions against her ex-husband. So I couldn't, uh, ask anymore that everybody please support this bill. Thank you.
H.B. 555 Changes to Family Law Actions · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Supports the bill, saying a constituent has paid over $500,000 in frivolous cases despite stalking injunctions against her ex-husband.
▶ Watch at 1:38:50Read what they said
Mr. Speaker, I rise in extreme full support of this bill. I have a constituent that she has had to pay over $500,000 for frivolous cases that keep being brought to her even when she's had stalking injunctions against her ex-husband. So I couldn't, uh, ask anymore that everybody please support this bill. Thank you.
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Sponsor says the bill would restore a separately elected Secretary of State instead of the Lieutenant Governor overseeing elections, citing past constitutional history, voter growth, and the need for direct accountability.
▶ Watch at 2:15:15Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. 1974 we had a constitution amendment to have a secretary to take from a secretary of state to have a lieutenant governor. One of the arguments against this from the body was that we'll be creating a conflict of interest within the Lieutenant Governor by putting the duties of elections underneath someone who shares a ticket with the governor. That position is insulated from accountability and direct election from the people a shared joint ticket. You're electing two people on one ticket. Inherent problem that we have in our structure is that it's like putting the referee in the middle of the game and having them be the starting quarterback. And with the team manager being …
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Sponsor summarizes that most states have an elected Secretary of State, says the voters should decide the question, and asks for support.
▶ Watch at 2:20:26Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, thank you for setting up my sum. I appreciate that. We have 40 states in the United States that have a Secretary of State and 34 of them are elected directly by the people. Six of them are only elected by or they're appointed in various manners. Utah's number one in so many things. And I would love to see Utah not be one of three that only has lieutenant Governor. Let's go back and let's put the trust back in the people. Let's give this to them and put it on the ballot for them to make that decision. I can tell you that in all the conversations I've had, and I've had many over this …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents H.J.R. 25, which would move the first Secretary of State election to 2028 with a two-year initial term followed by four-year terms, and sets out a process for the Lieutenant Governor or Board of Canvassers to oversee a race when the Secretary of State is a candidate.
▶ Watch at 2:22:33Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This constitution amendment is necessary for us to pass and we need a two thirds vote with that. I also wanted just to highlight the best parts of the, of this Constitution amendment is that we will have the first year, the first election will be in 2028 after the voters choose us in 2026. And at that point we have someone that will be able to run. Maybe we perhaps we could promote one of our clerks who knows the job and is very specialized in that. We also will have them for just two years and then they would run for a four year term following that. And the reason for that is we …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Asks for the House to pass the resolution and send it to the Senate and to the voters.
▶ Watch at 2:24:51Read what they said
for summation. Thank You Mr. Speaker. Let's send this over to the Senate and let's send this to the people. Thank you.
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Introduces the third substitute of the bill, describes it as a large bill that consolidates and rearranges election provisions, and turns time over to Ryan Cowley.
▶ Watch at 2:23:04Read what they said
Shepherd, HB 360 1 elections office Oversight amendments. Go ahead when you're ready. Do deja vu. I feel like I was just here two weeks. Ooh, you guys get back in the room. Hurry. This is, this is gonna be good. Well, thank you so much. I everyone should have received a copy of the third substitute bill analysis. I passed that out to you earlier, a couple hours ago. And thank you to ki for getting that ready for us. And so I'll be speaking to the third sub. And, uh, you might remember most of us here on the interim, I'm on interim Goops as well with you, that, uh, my co-presenter, the elections director, Ryan Cowley, came …
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Responds to the motion and clarifies the bill's title and the substitute being adopted.
▶ Watch at 2:42:27Read what they said
Well, thank you for the motion. The motion, yes. Thank you for the motion. It's a great motion. Um, I do wanna say though, in the sub we are, it's titled Election Provision Amendments. Election Division Amendments. Okay. Election. Oh, that has a new title and there's, Or am I looking at it wrong? Oh, yeah, I needed to pull that up. Okay. It says Election provisions, Election provisions amendments. So you still have to say, you still have to say the original votes and then the third sub. Okay.
H.B. 361 Elections Provisions Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Thanks Representative Romero and the Lieutenant Governor's office for their work on the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:44:17Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, thank you for that motion. And I would've made it too if I was a member of the committee, because I think this is a really excellent bill. And so thank you. But I just wanted just to just say one thing actually, is that it's really wonderful to work with the Lieutenant Governor's office on a huge bill. Um, usually you guys oppose everything I do. So this is like a really wonderful thing here. And so getting to work with Mr. Callie and Shelly and Cambria on this bill has been really good. So thank you. Thanks for letting me take this bill. So my exper uh, experience, Ryan's always been great. Is Brian, it …
S.B. 238 Property Tax Adjustments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asks whether the bill affects rental rates for homes that are rented out.
▶ Watch at 55:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair, vice chair. Uh, thanks for presenting. This is a really good bill and I'm very interested in it. I had someone mention to me about people that have homes, sorry, I'm not being loud enough. People that have homes that they rent out and how this sort of f of rental rates. Have you, have you looked into that?
S.B. 238 Property Tax Adjustments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asks whether the primary property must belong to the owner or can be anyone's residence.
▶ Watch at 56:03Read what they said
That particular Okay. So it doesn't have to be the owner's primary property. It has to be anybody's
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Presented HB 325, which updates government records law to balance public access and privacy, including protections for victims' names in initial police contact reports and for certain property tax abatement records of blind, indigent, disabled veteran, active military, and senior residents.
▶ Watch at 52:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair and committee members. I appreciate you having me on your agenda today. Let's see if I've got this going. Okay. Here, are you able to hear me Okay? Okay. Thank you. So, hospital 3 25. It updates grandma and enhances the balance between the people's right to know and privacy and their right to their privacy. This can we, next slide please. Can you hit the next slide? Thank you. Thank you. So this also clarifies, uh, which records are public and information that can be kept private. So records of a government entities, uh, receipt or expenditure of public funds, uh, the budgets, vouchers, general ledgers, grants, vendor competition. Next slide please. And worked in …
H.B. 119 Automotive Repair Business Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Supports the bill, saying that after a roundabout collision her repair used value parts she was unaware of, and urges a yes vote.
▶ Watch at 1:11:42Read what they said
Thank you. Oh, that was loud. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I was in support of this bill. Uh, last May. I was, uh, plowed into this. My microphone has some issues. I guess I was plowed into on a roundabout from an unlicensed driver in my Explorer st. And when they repaired it, uh, I ended up with some value parts unaware of that. And so I am in support of this bill and I think we should all vote for it. Thank you Representative Shepherd.
H.B. 119 Automotive Repair Business Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Supports the bill, saying her vehicle was repaired with value parts she did not know about after a collision.
▶ Watch at 1:11:42Read what they said
Thank you. Oh, that was loud. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I was in support of this bill. Uh, last May. I was, uh, plowed into this. My microphone has some issues. I guess I was plowed into on a roundabout from an unlicensed driver in my Explorer st. And when they repaired it, uh, I ended up with some value parts unaware of that. And so I am in support of this bill and I think we should all vote for it.
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presents H.J.R. 25, which would create an independently elected Secretary of State to oversee elections, and explains its timing, conflict-of-interest provisions, and history.
▶ Watch at 42:05Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair and Governor Operations Committee. It is a privilege and I am so excited to be here to present this today. I want you to know that I filed this bill back on May 7th before 2:00 AM And so everything that, everything that I have considered in this has been because I believe there's a structural problem and inherent conflict of interest when we have elections and those duties underneath the top executive, excuse me. And I have thought through this very deeply. I have spoken with many different people, um, within the current government, within past government, with past lieutenant Governor, past governor. I've spoken with past election directors and I've gotten quite a, quite …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Answers that the Secretary of State succeeded governors before 1980 and that a shared ticket with a Lieutenant Governor was adopted, and raises the issue of judicial appointments.
▶ Watch at 52:55Read what they said
Thank you. That's a great question. It was the Secretary of State, and it didn't matter which party they were with. And that was the beauty of when they finally got this together and did a constitution amendment on it, is that we got a shared ticket and we're able to have the governor pick who they want to have for Lieutenant Governor. And if by chance we lose the governor in any way, shape or form, which we, we have, we have, our lieutenant governor has stepped in. And one, one of the other things too, when I was speaking with a former lieutenant Governor, uh, the governor mentioned to me that they had appointed 105 judges. And they …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says the structural problem is that elections fall under the top executive, which creates questions about impartiality.
▶ Watch at 55:42Read what they said
Yes. When you have, when you have elections underneath the top executive, there's always an inherent question about if there's any type of, uh, refereeing for the team. And there's where our balance problem is.
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says social media and public scrutiny make the structural issue more visible today and that she wants the Lieutenant Governor to focus on the governor's agenda.
▶ Watch at 56:20Read what they said
Yeah. And before, though, we also didn't have, what we have now is, like I mentioned earlier, the social media, the problem that we have with that, and where rumors fly, reputations get ruined, even though the very best actors can be in the position, you could still have it where they, uh, any type of decision would be questioned by members of the public. And I don't think, I don't want that for our lieutenant governor. I want our lieutenant governor to shine. I've seen our, I've seen our current, uh, lieutenant governor and past lieutenant kind of governors talk about the issues, the agenda of their governor and they shine. And that's what I'm looking for. I wanna …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says the constitution sets no qualifications for the office and expects candidates with election experience, such as county clerks, to run.
▶ Watch at 59:53Read what they said
So in the constitution, this is what it has. It doesn't have any type of qualification. Right. Okay. But it does have these, these issues here, I envision, and I imagine that there will be people who will want to run for this position, who have experience in elections. And I think that would be a very lucky move for the people of Utah. If we have someone that specializes. We have, uh, Lieutenant gov wrong one. It's like kids' names, uh, attorney General, obviously speci specializes in law. We have an auditor who is a CPA. We have the, um, treasurer, I think he's a CPA, I could be wrong on that one. But we have those who are …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Explains that the Lieutenant Governor oversees elections but counties run them and that the office contracts out equipment and signature verification.
▶ Watch at 1:02:21Read what they said
Uh, I just wanna make sure that people do understand anyone's listening. That Lieutenant Governor doesn't verify signatures. Lieutenant Governor doesn't touch the voting machines. They actually contract that out. They also, all of the other elections, their actual elections are run by counties where they have the equipment. They don't have the equipment here in the state. So they're overseers, they're trainers. They are the ones that make sure there's continuity and ballots.
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Describes the conflict-of-interest protocol in the code, with the Lieutenant Governor overseeing a conflicted Secretary of State election and the Board of Canvassers selecting an official if needed.
▶ Watch at 1:04:34Read what they said
And I wanna just reiterate again, it's not about the people, right. And it's not about the current Lieutenant Governor. It is about that structural problem. And you cannot fix that structural problem with the person who does elections being the subordinate officer to the governor. And so you cannot, you cannot fix that. That won't change unless you do a structured change. So, uh, I've had people ask me that, well, aren't you just moving the problem from one place to another? Well, that's why I made sure in there that we, I, I mentioned this earlier that, uh, could you go to a different slide? This one, this is the one right here. So the conflict of interest …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says it is structurally different because voters elect and can remove the Secretary of State.
▶ Watch at 1:06:19Read what they said
A Secretary of State? Yeah. I'm not sure what the Senator, so let, let's say the Secretary of State also has a close relationship with the chief executive, but is is elected independently. Do you still see that as a structurally very different? I do see it, yes, definitely, because the people are the ones that are going to elect and hold accountable. Whoever the Secretary of State is, whether it's a good senator or someone different, they will hold them directly accountable. And if they are directly related, then they're directly related. But there is a process that people can unelect that person if they choose.
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says the timing is right because the current Lieutenant Governor is not running again and the Secretary of State seat would be open.
▶ Watch at 1:07:50Read what they said
Uh, again, I'd have to go to the why now because the scenario you set up wouldn't be happening with the, with the people that you've mentioned because it will be an open seat. And that is why now is so important because we have a lieutenant, a governor who isn't running again, and Lieutenant Governor will do something different, perhaps run for Secretary of State, perhaps run for governor. I, I don't know. I haven't asked our lieutenant governor the future plans. So now is the time because it's an open seat. We can do it later, but then we'll have someone in the middle of their term as Lieutenant governor, then we'll shift it. And I just think …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Says she sees no advantage to the Lieutenant Governor model and that it consolidated the executive.
▶ Watch at 1:09:29Read what they said
Office? I actually wouldn't call there be a advantage. And there are three states that had Lieutenant Mcg model and only Lieutenant Governor model. Um, I would think that the reason that they Uintah do this is they were trying to consolidate the executive. And I want to un consolidate that portion back into a Secretary of State because I believe there's an inherent conflict of interest. Did that answer your question?
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Responds that appointed officials are chosen differently in various states and that a constitutional change is needed because elections are constitutionally assigned to the Lieutenant Governor.
▶ Watch at 1:12:00Read what they said
Yes, they could. Right now. They could. They could, but they would not be directly under the top executive. So the, the state that, uh, appoint a Secretary of State, is it the governor or who, who makes the appointment? There's Various, various, some of the governors, yes. Some are the legislature. Some do, some are from the legislature. Yes. Not the, not the Senate, the House. Right. Actually one of 'em is the Senate. But if I could respond to what he's saying, I think I might understand where you're heading. Or maybe where I wanna head it to is that we have to do a constitutional amendment to be able to move the elections into a Secretary of …
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presents HB 529 slide by slide, covering why the change is proposed now, the lieutenant governor transition, the four-year term, the duties moving to the Secretary of State, and the order of succession.
▶ Watch at 1:31:59Read what they said
It it is hard for me to dissect them because everything really does fit together with them. Is it possible to put that slide deck back up please? Thank you. Okay. Could go back to the beginning. Okay. Could we go forward two slides? Thank you. Uh, one more. Let's go one more. Why now? There we go. Why now? And you'll look over on the bottom left, you'll see that it's actually no Mark is in there. We don't have an incumbent running for at least the governor's not, I, like I said, I'm not aware of, of what the other officer is planning to do on that one. That's why now, and I don't believe we need an …
H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Thanks the committee and says the bill complements the constitutional amendment, responding to public testimony that a Secretary of State would still be needed as record keeper and that legislative oversight covers rulemaking.
▶ Watch at 1:45:16Read what they said
Thank you. And thank you for the motion. I appreciate that. They are definitely once a companion to the Constitutional amendment. If I could just, uh, address what the person said. I, I'd like to just follow up on what, uh, Seth Stewart had mentioned. If even if we had gone back to all the precincts counting the votes, there still needs to be somebody who's going to be the record keeper, as he said, which would be a Secretary of State and there would definitely be our county clerks who would be tallying that. And then the official results would end up to the, to the Secretary of State. Uh, someone has to oversee those. And then as far …
H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents the bill, which sets first- or second-degree felony penalties for child abuse homicide, clarifies that a child's death under the statute includes suicide when the abuse directly or approximately caused it, and makes a coordinating and technical correction.
▶ Watch at 1:24:25Read what they said
Shepherd. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Broan death resulting from intentional abuse abuse is the first degree felony death or from reckless or negligent abuse is a second degree felony. HB 1 38 clarifies that a child's death under this statute includes suicide. If the suicide is a direct result of result of the abuse or approximate result of the abuse. It also has a coordinated clause that merges the changes between Senate bill 32 and it makes a technical aggression correction to 76 5 2 0 8. This is my presentation. Thank you.
H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Responds that prosecutors would have to make their case, citing an example of extreme abuse in which a child's suicide would be prosecuted under the statute.
▶ Watch at 1:25:29Read what they said
Oh, the police depart. The prosecutors will have to make their case on what it is. There are some extreme abuse of neglect and beatings. I actually just watched a video last night about one, and some of you may have seen one where it was a, a parent, a father who had custody prior custody of a child and, and subjected them to total abuse, physical exercise abuse. And that child did not die from suicide, but had the child's committed suicide at that age, then they definitely would have prosecuted them under this statute.
H.B. 244 Employment Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Asks the committee to hold H.B. 244 because language in the bill needs to be changed before it moves forward.
▶ Watch at 57:48Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I respectfully would ask if you would hold this bill. I just was informed of some language that I need to change and, um, and I don't think I should move forward with the bill at this moment.
H.B. 515 Graduate Student Supplemental Loans · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moves to pass HB 515 out of committee favorably with the first substitute.
▶ Watch at 59:31Read what they said
Yes, there's, yes. Mm-hmm. So I moved to Favorably move out. Sorry. Can you, can, is your microphone I turn Oh, I'm waiting guys. Just be a little closer. Yeah. I can't, can I go in? There we go. Yep. Okay. I move, uh, house Bill five 15. First substitute graduate student supplemental loans out to the house floor with favorable recommendation.
H.B. 515 Graduate Student Supplemental Loans · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says she thinks the bill is a good idea.
▶ Watch at 59:53Read what they said
I, I actually think this is a really great idea. Maybe I'll go back to school.
H.B. 515 Graduate Student Supplemental Loans · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says she would prefer to pass the bill rather than hold it, but will go with the committee's decision.
▶ Watch at 1:01:28Read what they said
I'm sorry, I don't wanna hold it. I just wanna pass it, but that's okay. Whatever the body decides.
H.B. 484 Property Tax Changes · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Wished the sponsor a happy birthday.
▶ Watch at 1:13:21Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, happy birthday. Oh, thank you. Just wanted to say it. Hopefully that's not on order, but
H.B. 484 Property Tax Changes · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said she likes the premise but questioned whether budget timelines for counties, cities and schools allow time to put increases over 5% on a ballot, citing Utah County's 2019 tax increase.
▶ Watch at 1:13:34Read what they said
Okay. That would be out of order. So on the whole premise of it, I really like it. Um, I have some reservations though, and, uh, some of 'em you're aware of. Um, I'm not really sure that this is workable. As far as timing goes, counties, they adopt their budgets in December. Cities adopt theirs in either June or July. I don't remember when the school boards do, but I, I believe it's probably in the June timeframe. So if they would needed to go over 5%, then I'm just not sure on the timing of going to the voters and when that would happen, and what timeframe do they have to get to the, get it to the …
H.B. 484 Property Tax Changes · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said the sponsor's intent is good but similar bills are being considered and more time is needed to examine bond rating concerns.
▶ Watch at 1:42:59Read what they said
Yes, I would. I think where he is headed, it is a, a a really good place. And I know that his intent is very perfect, actually. His intent is perfect. Um, however, I know there's some other bills that we're gonna be looking at that are similar to this. Um, they've been working with some, some other entities as well. And I'd like to take a look at that one. And then if we need to revisit this one, and maybe that gives them some time to go and, and, and look maybe at the bond rating and at some of those others, uh, by the way, the school boards have the fiscal year as well, so just wanted …
H.B. 495 Capital Felony Case Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asked how the defense counsel pay increase works, whether it covers public defenders, and whether counties would bear the cost.
▶ Watch at 1:04:20Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, my questions are on the defense counsel pay, and can you tell me how that will work and if it includes the public defenders and will that still be a county expense? And how far in advance do we need to know so that we can get that included in the county budgets? And will you give me a line that you're looking, I'm trying to find it in the, at the end.
H.B. 495 Capital Felony Case Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said she wants to make sure public defenders are adequately paid.
▶ Watch at 1:06:11Read what they said
Thank you. I'm just always looking out for our public defenders and making sure they're being adequately paid. Thank you.
H.B. 495 Capital Felony Case Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moved to pass the bill out with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:53:40Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we pass out house bill 4 95 capital felony case amendments with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 495 Capital Felony Case Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moved to pass the substitute bill out with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:54:51Read what they said
Thank you. I move that we favorably pass out house bill 4 95 capital felony case amendments with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 303 Family Court Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Asks whether the bill affects special masters.
▶ Watch at 1:39:32Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Em, will the sponsor yield to a question? Will the sponsor yield? Yes, go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Em. So my question deals with the special master. Does this bill affect special masters at all?
H.B. 303 Family Court Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Supports the bill, citing a constituent's high-conflict divorce case with large legal costs.
▶ Watch at 1:39:52Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, I'm gonna rise in support of this bill. I have a constituent that has spent, I think there are about $400,000 in a high, high conflict case in a marriage, a divorce with children, and, uh, is desperate for us as government to act as a legislature to step in and to fix these things that are happening. And so I think that this bill will really help for and towards that we really do need to fix this. Thank you.
H.B. 319 Electronic Records Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Says a constituent email raised concerns from a title company and asks whether the sponsor worked with those companies to address them.
▶ Watch at 46:20Read what they said
You, Mr. Speaker. I received an email from a constituent with a title company a few days back, and they were very concerned on some issues with this bill. I just wanna verify that you did in fact, the speaker work with these title companies to get all of their concerns addressed.
H.B. 319 Electronic Records Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Says a constituent with a title company raised concerns, and asks whether the sponsor worked with title companies to address them.
▶ Watch at 46:20Read what they said
You, Mr. Speaker. I received an email from a constituent with a title company a few days back, and they were very concerned on some issues with this bill. I just wanna verify that you did in fact, the speaker work with these title companies to get all of their concerns addressed.
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Shepherd presented H.B. 388, which lets people who suspect contamination from meth or fentanyl in lodging or retail spaces have the site tested by the health department and cleaned before it is used again by the public, and said the bill is a consensus after meetings with several agencies.
▶ Watch at 1:32:53Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill is an important bill to protect the public on issues of contaminants, of meth, of methamphetamines and fentanyl being left in lodging, retail establishments for the unsuspecting public who have come in there and rent a room after someone who has used or if there's been a lab. This bill has, has been about that. We need to make sure that police have the right tools to be able to take care of these situations. We have excessive problems across the state. I have met with, with the Department of Health, department of, uh, law, local law enforcement, DEQ, uh, law enforcement. Uh, I've met with a, I feel like about every agency possible …
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether school food pantries are privately donated.
▶ Watch at 1:18:21Read what they said
You Mr. Chair. I have, um, just a follow up and another question too, a follow up on the school food pantry. Are school food pantries, aren't those privately donated?
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said constituents are divided and asked whether families could still use church and other local food pantries.
▶ Watch at 1:18:34Read what they said
When I've been to the school, someone's shaking their head no back there, but when I've been in Czech schools, they were, so that'd be good to have that follow up information. So I've received communications from across the state, both in favor and, and against. And then I've really tried to narrow down into those from my district, and I have some very opposed and some very, very support. So, um, their biggest concern is that our family's going to be able to have food and, uh, would they be able to go to some of the local food pantries by churches or, you know, other food pantries that are out there in our state?
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
She moved to favorably recommend the third substitute of H.B. 88.
▶ Watch at 2:20:28Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I move to Favorly recommend House bill 88. Third substitute to the floor
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
She moved to favorably recommend the fifth substitute of H.B. 88 to the floor.
▶ Watch at 2:23:53Read what they said
Thank you. I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 88, substitute five to the floor.
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
She waived speaking to the motion.
▶ Watch at 2:24:14Read what they said
There's lots of things I'd like to say, but, um, no, I'm gonna waive you
H.B. 88 Public Assistance Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 17, 2026
She called on Congress to fix immigration and asked for support of the motion.
▶ Watch at 2:28:25Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanna say federal government Congress, can you please fix legal immigration? We have these problems in our states because the federal government has not fixed it. And so with that, I ask for your support on this.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Moved the third substitute of H.B. 391 and explained that it fixes a drafting year and removes the municipal component to allow further discussion during the year.
▶ Watch at 1:33:44Read what they said
Thank you. I'd like to move the third sub. The motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it and tell us the difference? Yes. So we fixed a drafting year in the third sub and from the original bill to the second sub, we removed the municipal component just to have some further conversations during the year.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Explains that the third substitute fixes a drafting year and removes the municipal component from the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:33:52Read what they said
Yes. So we fixed a drafting year in the third sub and from the original bill to the second sub, we removed the municipal component just to have some further conversations during the year.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Says the bill provides that a vacancy in a partisan office is filled by the party of the prior office holder at the time they were last elected or appointed, covering offices from U.S. Senator to county offices and statewide executive offices.
▶ Watch at 1:34:30Read what they said
Thank you. This bill just clarifies that when there's a vacancy in a political partisan office, that, that that seat will be filled by the party of which the prior office holder was a member of at the time that that office holder was last elected or appointed. It goes for the offices of US Senator State Legislator State Board of Education, a county government office. The Attorney, attorney General State Treasurer, state auditor, and the lieutenant Governor.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Said the bill provides that when a partisan office vacancy occurs, it is filled by the party of the prior office holder at the time they were last elected or appointed, and listed the offices covered.
▶ Watch at 1:34:30Read what they said
Thank you. This bill just clarifies that when there's a vacancy in a political partisan office, that, that that seat will be filled by the party of which the prior office holder was a member of at the time that that office holder was last elected or appointed. It goes for the offices of US Senator State Legislator State Board of Education, a county government office. The Attorney, attorney General State Treasurer, state auditor, and the lieutenant Governor.
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Rep. Shepherd asked what the $1.3 billion figure represented.
▶ Watch at 1:02:46Read what they said
I I just wanted to go back over the $1.3 billion figure. What was that for?
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Rep. Shepherd said she does not want to hold the bill and wants it voted on as is.
▶ Watch at 2:08:27Read what they said
Light, go ahead. Thank You. I appreciate that. Um, I, I do not wanna hold this bill. I feel like the representative has done a lot of work on this one. I wanna see this go forward. I'd like to put it to the body as it is, and then we'll know where we are.
H.B. 455 Peace Officer and Dispatcher Standards Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Spoke in support, describing a friend who served prison time and later became an attorney, and said the bill offers a path forward.
▶ Watch at 1:03:47Read what they said
You, Mr. Chair. I rise in support as well. I have a friend of mine that I met in college that, uh, spent some time in federal prison. And after my friend came out, Uintah Law School, I actually met this person in college, Uintah Law School, and is now a very contributing member of society as an attorney, as a defense attorney. And I'm really grateful that he was able to go and make those improvements in his life and contribute and help other people. So I see this as the same. Thank you.
H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Presented HB 138 and said it clarifies that a child's death by suicide caused by abuse can be charged as homicide, and that suicide cannot be a defense in such a case.
▶ Watch at 1:07:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice chair and members of our committee. I appreciate the time and being able to be last on the agenda today. Uh, seated with me is Detective Brent Jacks and he will be pre co-presenting with me today. This is hard to have to wipe my smile at my face. I usually like to smile when I'm presenting, but this is actually a very, very serious issue. It is about child abuse. It is about clarifying in our code whether an immediate approximate, uh, abuse, if that causes, that causes the death of a child by suicide. And I would like to just say, what is abuse? And if you go to Utah Code 76 5 2 …
H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Closed the presentation and invited committee comments or questions.
▶ Watch at 1:12:08Read what they said
Okay. World, one more questions. Thank you, um, to the committee for any clarifying comments or questions.
H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Thanked those who spoke, said the bill targets extreme child abuse cases, and said the bill is worth passing even if it serves as a deterrent.
▶ Watch at 1:21:08Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you so much for, for your attention on this one. And thank you to those who have spoken, uh, regarding this bill. I actually didn't know some that many people were going to speak in favor of the bill. I just like, this is a really hard one. This has been a difficult one to put myself into the place of, of the people who do abuse and more into the extreme cases of abuse. And that's what this bill is targeting. Those extreme cases, I think of a child who's been locked in a cage and has no way out. I think of a child who's been beat to the pulp and thinks there's no way …
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Moves to adopt the third substitute to H.B. 325.
▶ Watch at 1:09:50Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tam, I move to adopt. The third sub Motion is to adopt third substitute house Bill 3 25.
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Explains that after a stakeholder request, language was moved between sections so that certain information can be judged for release or non-release.
▶ Watch at 1:10:00Read what they said
Yes. We just had one of the stakeholders came to us and wanted to be able to have us move one of the sections into one of, some language into a different section so it could be judge whether to have that released or not released information.
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Explains that a stakeholder asked to move some language to a different section so the release of certain information can be judged.
▶ Watch at 1:10:00Read what they said
Yes. We just had one of the stakeholders came to us and wanted to be able to have us move one of the sections into one of, some language into a different section so it could be judge whether to have that released or not released information.
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Waives summation on the motion to adopt the substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:10:21Read what they said
I'll Waive submission is waived the motion to adopt third substitute house bill 3 25.
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Says the bill balances the public's right to know with privacy, clarifies public funds records as public, and keeps certain victim and exemption information private, following stakeholder concerns.
▶ Watch at 1:10:33Read what they said
Thank you. This bill, house bill 3 25. It enhances the balance between the people's right to know and to the right to privacy. And so by clarifying records that are public and maybe kept private. So we work very closely with the media coalition, the Utah Office of Data Privacy Division of archives and record services and law enforcement on this bill. This also clarifies that public records of public funds are public records. This also does one of the thing that I think is one of the most important things it does. It protects those who have possibility of exploiting or scams, which are the elderly, the indigent, the uh, the blind, the active military, the disabled, milit …
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Presents the bill as balancing public right to know and privacy, clarifying public and private records, and protecting vulnerable people such as the elderly, disabled, and veterans by keeping certain information off public websites; says the substitute responds to a stakeholder concern.
▶ Watch at 1:10:33Read what they said
Thank you. This bill, house bill 3 25. It enhances the balance between the people's right to know and to the right to privacy. And so by clarifying records that are public and maybe kept private. So we work very closely with the media coalition, the Utah Office of Data Privacy Division of archives and record services and law enforcement on this bill. This also clarifies that public records of public funds are public records. This also does one of the thing that I think is one of the most important things it does. It protects those who have possibility of exploiting or scams, which are the elderly, the indigent, the uh, the blind, the active military, the disabled, milit …
H.B. 228 Vehicle Sales Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to adopt the second substitute of H.B. 228.
▶ Watch at 1:24:16Read what they said
Oh yeah, we do need to, um, substitute, yeah, the do it. Okay. I move to adopt the second substitute of House Bill 2 28.
H.B. 153 Law Enforcement Officer Employment Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Asks whether she should read the amendment language or simply state it.
▶ Watch at 1:35:03Read what they said
Do you have the language of the amendment right here that I need to read or I just say it?
H.B. 153 Law Enforcement Officer Employment Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 153 as written.
▶ Watch at 1:35:13Read what they said
I moved to adopt That's Right. Amendment one for house bill 1 53 as written.
H.B. 153 Law Enforcement Officer Employment Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 153 as amended to the House floor.
▶ Watch at 1:36:42Read what they said
Would you like to keep going Representative Shepherd? I Really would. Thank you. I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 1 53 as amended law enforcement officer employment amendments to the house floor.
H.B. 137 Violent Crime Clearance Rate Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 137, the first substitute, to the House floor.
▶ Watch at 1:49:07Read what they said
Thank you. I move to favorably recommend House Bill 1 37 violent crime clearance rate amendments to the house floor. And we do have, uh, substitute, is that correct?
H.B. 137 Violent Crime Clearance Rate Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Clarifies that the motion is to recommend the first substitute and asks whether the motion can be amended.
▶ Watch at 1:49:26Read what they said
I was just saying the recommend that what hope we can recommend the first substitute. Can I amend my motion? What was correct?
H.B. 137 Violent Crime Clearance Rate Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Says it is hard to imagine being a victim's family or an officer without funding for unsolved cases, and supports the bill to help solve them and protect the public.
▶ Watch at 1:49:49Read what they said
I cannot even imagine, first of all, being the victim and the family of, of a victim. And I can't imagine being an officer and wanting to solve these cases and not having the funding to do that. And I can't, I I struggle to think about some of the hard cases that we have out there. There's 30, I hear 30 in Ogden alone, some of those cases in that we don't have the funding to go and catch those criminals who violent criminals who have destroyed people's lives. Not only taken lives, but destroyed the families and secondary victims in that. So, I, I just recommended this because I think it is the absolute thing that we need …
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Presents H.B. 388, which would let police and health departments act on meth and fentanyl contamination in lodging, not only on labs, and says stakeholders have reached agreement.
▶ Watch at 1:50:30Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have Officer Kao and my constituent Ann Atkins from Meth Mob here to help present and answer any technical questions. This bill was brought to me by law enforcement, and it is critical to public health. It could also be named the decontamination bill. And actually it was once upon a time and it addresses a statewide problem. And the problem is, is that we have people who go into hotel rooms and stay unknowingly being contaminated from meth and fentanyl. And this bill addresses that. It addresses a part where you have use besides just doing a lab by use and a mission of use that the officers can go in and check it …
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Introduces Ann Atkin to explain the contaminants and how long they remain in a property.
▶ Watch at 1:53:55Read what they said
Thank you. I'd also like to turn the time over, if I may, to Ann Atkin and she can tell us the effects and, and the contaminants and how long they can stay in the property.
H.B. 388 Public Health Hazard Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Notes that several agencies were consulted and cleared the bill, and that minor code changes on page three of the bill analysis move contaminant provisions to another section without changing substance.
▶ Watch at 2:00:11Read what they said
I don't recall if I introduced Ann Atkins, that she's the owner of Meth Mob and has done 10 years worth of this. As you heard about the 10 years part of it. I did want to just, I guess I'll leave it in case there's any of those agencies that are here, but several acronym agencies, we've met with them and gotten the clearance from them. Also, as far as the, the word I'm looking for is the contaminant levels. That is actually by rule. And there's just a couple little technical things there. I just wanted to make sure that you understood was that we're moving, we're moving a couple codes, but just over into another area. And …
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield for a series of questions.
▶ Watch at 52:36Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Will the speaker yield to, I'm sorry. Will the sponsor? Thank you. Will the sponsor yield to a few questions? Representative Dunnigan, will you yield to a series of questions?
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield to a series of questions.
▶ Watch at 52:36Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Will the speaker yield to, I'm sorry. Will the sponsor? Thank you. Will the sponsor yield to a few questions? Representative Dunnigan, will you yield to a series of questions?
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks why finance officer was inserted and auditor struck in several sections of the code.
▶ Watch at 52:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, could you please explain why we have inserted the words finance officer and struck auditor and several sections of this code?
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks why finance officer was inserted and auditor struck in several sections of code.
▶ Watch at 52:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, could you please explain why we have inserted the words finance officer and struck auditor and several sections of this code?
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Repeats the question about inserting finance officer and striking auditor.
▶ Watch at 53:05Read what they said
Could you please explain why we have inserted finance officer and struck out auditor in several sections of this code.
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Restates the question about inserting finance officer and striking auditor.
▶ Watch at 53:05Read what they said
Could you please explain why we have inserted finance officer and struck out auditor in several sections of this code.
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks about a section on consolidating county clerk and auditor offices, says she has a concern to raise later, and will still vote yes.
▶ Watch at 53:56Read what they said
Thank you. My second question is, I noticed in there, and I'm trying to desperately find where it was in the bill. Oh, here it is. It's line 10 64 and 10 65. A county described in section 17 71 0 3, main act ordinance consolidating the offices of county clerk and county audit at any time that was already in the code. Has that been struck out in different sections of the code? It is just replaced. The same words are replaced to a different spot in the bill, which we feel fit in, uh, better at that location. Thank you. Actually, I have a concern on that section right there of consolidating those offices, but I'll bring that …
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks about a referenced line in the bill concerning consolidating county clerk and auditor offices and whether it was struck elsewhere.
▶ Watch at 53:56Read what they said
Thank you. My second question is, I noticed in there, and I'm trying to desperately find where it was in the bill. Oh, here it is. It's line 10 64 and 10 65. A county described in section 17 71 0 3, main act ordinance consolidating the offices of county clerk and county audit at any time that was already in the code. Has that been struck out in different sections of the code?
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Says they have a concern about the consolidation section but will raise it later and will still vote for the bill.
▶ Watch at 54:32Read what they said
Thank you. Actually, I have a concern on that section right there of consolidating those offices, but I'll bring that up at another time. That won't prohibit me from voting in favor of this one. Thank you.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks the sponsor to yield to a question.
▶ Watch at 1:06:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the sponsor yield to a question? Representative Teuscher, will you yield?
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks whether a driver's license is required or just one way to show ID.
▶ Watch at 1:06:08Read what they said
You, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to verify, is the driver's license required or is it just one way of showing your id? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Asks whether a driver license is required or is only one way to show identity.
▶ Watch at 1:06:08Read what they said
You, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to verify, is the driver's license required or is it just one way of showing your id? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Reports testing the process with and without an ID and says she will vote for the bill, while suggesting the sunset be revisited later.
▶ Watch at 1:06:31Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I may make a comment. That's okay. Thank you. I actually requested to see this process from our LGS office, and, um, spent about an hour going through it and trying it with an id. Trying it without an id. You can use a Costco id. It does just have to go back to the county clerk then, and then be approved. Uh, the signature verified and approved. So as far as what I have seen, the only thing that I would be concerned is that we require that we Sunset it, but I'll be voting in favor of it today, and I think we can look at that Sunset at another time. I think …
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Says she tested the process with a state office, found it works with or without an ID through clerk approval, supports the bill, and would revisit the sunset later.
▶ Watch at 1:06:38Read what they said
to see this process from our LGS office, and, um, spent about an hour going through it and trying it with an id. Trying it without an id. You can use a Costco id. It does just have to go back to the county clerk then, and then be approved. Uh, the signature verified and approved. So as far as what I have seen, the only thing that I would be concerned is that we require that we Sunset it, but I'll be voting in favor of it today, and I think we can look at that Sunset at another time. I think the opportunity for us to save so many man hours and so much money in that verification …
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd presented the bill, which would have the party under which an official was elected fill the vacancy if that official switches parties and resigns, and would delay filling nonpartisan local vacancies that arise between a general election and the seating of the new body.
▶ Watch at 1:12:56Read what they said
Thank you. House bill 91. This bill is not about individual people, it's really about right of association. This bill is about the timing of elected officials resignations who has the authority to replace those vacancies and the timing of those appointed replacements. This bill addresses a potential situation where a partisan elected official could potentially, after being elected in a general election, or appointed to fill a vacancy in a partisan office, decide to at any point after being elected or appointed or after assuming office decide to change a party affiliation and then followed by a resignation, this bill will close a loophole where the will of the people who in good faith voted for a candidate who …
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd explained the bill came from situations in the Legislature and her county where officials changed party affiliation and resigned or threatened to, so a different party could choose the replacement.
▶ Watch at 1:16:48Read what they said
Go ahead. Yes. Oh, we actually had a situation in the legislature and I'm aware of in my county that there was someone that changed their party affiliation and then in my county party in the county, um, or county government organization, I could put it that way, that person then threatened to resign. So a different party could make the replacement and they were elected by a Republican party and then was going to jump to a third party. We had a situation in the Utah legislature where we have had that replacement and uh, this is not about the people who have replaced, been replaced, um, it's not about the people who have been appointed. This is about …
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said voters choose a person but also choose them because of the party platform they are expected to represent.
▶ Watch at 1:18:11Read what they said
Well, I would contend that when you have someone that's in a general election, that there are voters who do vote for the person. They also vote for him because they're in a party of their choice. That person is carrying the platform, they're supposed to be representing the platform at that party and that's where that association comes in. So I believe that people do elect a person, but they also elect them because they're in a party. I can tell you that, you know, my belief is that, um, I am particularly not going to be voting for certain individuals because I completely don't align with them. And, and I would be voting for another person even if …
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd responded by asking how that person got on the ballot.
▶ Watch at 1:19:29Read what they said
How did that person get on the ballot? Oh, was I supposed to just be able to ask? No.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said the key question is whether a candidate was placed on the ballot by a party through its process, since parties put people on ballots for a reason.
▶ Watch at 1:19:35Read what they said
Thank you. How did that person get on the ballot? Is going to be my question. Were they on the ballot because they were an unaffiliated candidate or were they on the ballot because a party and they went through the whole process and the party put them on that on there. And so I can't get inside the mind of the voter, but I can get inside of the thought that we put people on ballots for a reason. And I, I guess I'm just gonna stick with that.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said that currently the party the officeholder switched to makes the replacement.
▶ Watch at 1:20:32Read what they said
Well currently the way it's been practiced is that the party that the person changed into the office hold changed into is the one who made the replacement.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd described how major parties use delegate conventions to choose a replacement whose name goes to the governor for appointment.
▶ Watch at 1:20:47Read what they said
Replacement? Oh, okay. So it depends upon the party. Right now we go to a central committee or delegates, depends which role it is for a state legislator to go to delegates. And it would either be state delegates or county delegates, depending if it crosses multi-county lines or not. And uh, those people would then go, uh, the delegates would then hold an election and they would determine who they wanted. So that is for the parties of the major parties, the Republican Democrat Party, uh, that's my understanding at least of the Democrat party as well. And so they would have a convention of delegates and you know, there's sometimes a hundred, sometimes there's many more than a …
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said it is a hybrid, with the party making the selection under its own rules and notifying the state.
▶ Watch at 1:21:45Read what they said
So that part is, I think it's a hybrid and I think it goes to the party's rules on there. So the, we allow the party to actually make that replacement and their, the liaison from the party will then notify us who it is. Did I answer your question?
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said a very small minority party recently replaced a state senator using a process involving a small number of voters.
▶ Watch at 1:22:51Read what they said
Well, there has been a situation where there was a minority, an extra minority party, uh, who has made a replacement for a state senator. And I'm not really sure if they had tried out that process in the past. It may be the first time they've ever done it. And there was a very small quantity of people out of a very small quantity of voters in the subset of the district.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said municipal races are affected only during the interim period after an election.
▶ Watch at 1:24:33Read what they said
The only time talking about municipal races is in that timeframe of the interim period of time between, so let's say,
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd described a city in her county where an outgoing council appointed a losing candidate to a vacancy after the election, and said the bill would let the newly seated body make such appointments.
▶ Watch at 1:24:42Read what they said
has happened. This has happened. Okay. It's happened several times and so we're trying to get through this little loophole that's happening there as well. It's, I guess it wouldn't be a loophole in this one. It's really, um, some people look at it as maybe political gaming and just wanna remove as much as possible there. So I will go with an example of a city in, in my county and uh, the people that left and the people that were appointed are all good people. So it's not about them. So we had an election, there were teams of people who ran some on with some might think is Team A, we'll say that way, and a team …
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd confirmed the chair's summary, noting delegates rather than the central committee choose state legislative replacements.
▶ Watch at 1:28:17Read what they said
That's correct. Uh, for state legislatures it would be the delegates, not the central committee.
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said she would look to who won the primary and general election, noting the lieutenant governor succeeds a governor.
▶ Watch at 1:30:14Read what they said
Well, I would go with who won the primary and then who was put on the general election and who won. But in the governor's case, we have a lieutenant governor who is the direct successor. And
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd noted the Legislature has previously passed bills that limited outgoing local bodies during transition periods.
▶ Watch at 1:32:07Read what they said
Thank you. If I could just respond. Yeah, please go ahead. Okay. I just wanted to go back to the previous actions that we've created, lame ducks situations in there, and some of the legislation that we've done here before my time. Those situations that I, I read that earlier. Do you want me to reread
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd restated that she had cited earlier bills creating lame-duck limits on current boards.
▶ Watch at 1:32:25Read what they said
Okay. Maybe nobody did. I didn't, maybe I didn't say it clearly. I said that, um, a little while ago I brought up some of the bills that created lame duck situations for current boards and I can bring those, I can say those again if you want me to, but we do have other
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said the interim period between November and January involves only a few local meetings.
▶ Watch at 1:33:47Read what they said
So we want to remember that if the general election was on November 3rd, any election, anyone that resigns on November 3rd, between that time and basically the beginning of January, so you're looking at November and how many meetings are those councils having, or local boards, you know, the other ones are part of this. How many meetings are they really having? Are they missing two meetings? Are they missing three? Because you're going, you'll have November, there will be Thanksgiving, there'll be some that won't have meetings. You'll also get into December. But
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said the bill is clear that the party and voters who elected someone should choose the replacement, and that the municipal provision removes gaming by outgoing bodies.
▶ Watch at 1:46:23Read what they said
Well I guess that's up to the, to the committee to make that decision. Um, I think that, I think it's actually really clear. If you are running as a Republican, you get elected in a convention by the delegates to go straight to the straight to the general election. They put you on the ballot or you have a hard fought primary like I did and they put you on the ballot to go. That party has invested in you and the voters have invested in you in the primary and then the general election has invested in you. And I think that it's clear in the situations we've talked about that we have Republicans at that point, Republican …
H.B. 391 Vacancy Replacement Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Shepherd said she was still waiting for a comparison between her bill and Sen. McKell's bill.
▶ Watch at 1:53:27Read what they said
Yeah, I was still waiting for a rec, a bill comparison on that between the two areas here. Alright, Mr.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asked how this bill differs from a similar provision passed last year.
▶ Watch at 2:00:39Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I just wanted to ask, last year we combined a bill that was very similar to this into our tax cut bill and therefore we had to vote for it. 'cause he can't vote against a tax cut. Right. I am curious, is this on top of what we did last year? Can you explain the differences between what happened last year and what you're trying to do this year? Please?
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Expressed concern that taxpayer dollars would subsidize companies that receive credits for providing childcare and asked about existing parental deductions.
▶ Watch at 2:01:26Read what they said
Okay. Thank you. Yeah. And, and, and this committee did, I don't remember what the, um, what the vote was, but overwhelmingly supported, um, the bill last year before it Uintah the floor. I think we turned it down first and then he came back and we supported it. That's how I remember This bill. I think when the bo when the bill was voted out of this committee and was sent to the floor, it was with an overwhelming majority. It was with majority for sure. I remember that too. So I'm curious 'cause I'm not aware on this one because I don't have little children anymore. I do have grandchildren and I have daughters, some that need to …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said she is concerned that stay-at-home parents are not eligible for the benefit and asked whether they could receive other help.
▶ Watch at 2:19:01Read what they said
Thank you. I am just still struggling, um, just on the fact that we have many stay at home parents who are struggling to make ends meet. Who wouldn't be qualifying for this because the parents staying home and I'm, I'm just wondering if we can somehow provide more benefit to them if we're going to provide benefits to companies who could provide this benefit. I understand some can't, but larger companies could, that they could provide a benefit of childcare, but yet they, and, and it's the stay at home parents that are also having to pay for that. And so I just kind of see this little struggle that I'm having on this one because I have, like …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asked to respond to a point raised in committee discussion.
▶ Watch at 2:20:19Read what they said
I don't know if you have anything you could, Mr. Chair, could I respond to that?
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asked whether someone could answer her question about stay-at-home parents.
▶ Watch at 2:20:29Read what they said
Was it a question was I guess, yeah, if it's a question, I guess I'm not really looking that he has to respond, but it really is a question that I have. Is there somebody that can answer that question for me?
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asked whether the sponsor could respond.
▶ Watch at 2:21:05Read what they said
Okay? Can we allow him to respond to that? What's, is that something we could, can we allow him to respond to that? Or is that not in the rules? We
H.B. 42 School Cybersecurity Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Moved to pass HB 42 second substitute out favorably to the House.
▶ Watch at 1:03:10Read what they said
Therefore, I'll move that we pass out favorably house Bill 42 School cybersecurity amendments to the house with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 43 School Security Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 43, substitute one, to the House floor.
▶ Watch at 1:05:55Read what they said
Yes, I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 43, substitute one School Security Security Amendments to the house floor.
S.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution Concerning Remembrances of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Speaks in support and says the resolution honors those who responded to the attacks and those still living with their effects.
▶ Watch at 2:11:41Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to speak in support of this. I think all of us here know where we were that day, and I thought about all of those that were there and all of those that rushed in to help not come back, or as Representative Wilcox mentioned, are still living with those scars. Uh, I can't think of anything better that we can do than to honor them with this resolution. So thank you.
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Presented H.B. 325, which would balance transparency and privacy in public records by allowing redaction of victim names, keeping core financial records public, and protecting sensitive personal information tied to certain tax abatements for veterans, blind people, and seniors.
▶ Watch at 17:14Read what they said
Uh, so house Bill 3 25. This bill is a narrow, thoughtful updates. It makes narrow thoughtful updates to our public records laws to Better, can you pull that? Can you pull that mic up closer? Sure. Thank you. Thank you. Let me start that again. This bill makes narrow thoughtful updates to our public records laws to better balance transparency with individual privacy. And anybody that knows me knows that I've been working on balancing transparency and privacy in many areas of our law, while preserving Utah's strong presumption in favor of transparent government. First, this bill maintains a presumption that the initial contact reports are public records. This give, this gives entities clearer discretion to redact victim names …
H.B. 325 Government Records Classification Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Asked whether Bramwell could help with the presentation.
▶ Watch at 22:12Read what they said
Did you want him to help with your presentation? Yeah, Sure. Would that be okay?
H.B. 122 Pregnant and Postpartum Inmate Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Thanks the sponsor for the bill and the fixes, and notes that members with birth children are making the motions.
▶ Watch at 1:35:57Read what they said
Yes. Thank you very much for bringing this bill forward. I've actually received some emails on this topic, and I knew you'd be the one to make the fixes for it, so thank you. And I also knew that Representative Ballard would say everything that I didn't say. I think it's probably good that those of you that have birth children are making the motions on this.
H.B. 158 Unlawful Tracking Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Says a constituent has been tracked by an ex-spouse and supports the bill, but questions whether it will be effectively enforced given limited detective resources.
▶ Watch at 1:49:27Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to bring up that I have had a constituent continuously message me of having this offense done to her and by an ex-spouse, and I am really grateful that you brought this bill forward. Thank you so much. I'm very supportive. I, since this is a discussion or action part, I, yeah, there's, uh, very little as, uh, unnerving as the realization, you know, when you find something like that, um, especially related to your kids, um, I can only imagine in a DV situation what that would be like as well. Um, I don't know that this really does it. I know. I mean, it's not like we're giving a lot more …
H.B. 87 Animal Crime Victim Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the first substitute of HB 87.
▶ Watch at 1:59:26Read what they said
Thank you. I move that, what do we need to adopt a sub, but was it already adopted? I don't, we don't have another sub today. Okay. I move that we favorably recommend first substitute house bill 87 animal crime victim amendments with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 205 Substance Use Intervention Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Spoke in support of the motion, describing a recent visit to the Fair Park area and supporting the bill's syringe exchange and off-limits order provisions.
▶ Watch at 2:40:02Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I spent a day last year with Sergeant McKenzie down near the area where the gentleman spoke, um, down sort of by Jordan Park. Park, yeah. By the Fair Park. I just didn't wanna say it out loud. Anyway, um, I checked with, with a sergeant last month, and I just wanted to hear the status on what was happening with the cleanup efforts there. Uh, and I just wanted you to know what I saw, uh, what I saw back then where dealers were back on the street with all the efforts that we're making. And our drills are crowded. They're getting back on the street. I thought I understood before that experience. I thought …
H.B. 79 Governmental Immunity Amendments · House floor debate (day 14) · Feb 2, 2026
Asks for clarification on whether the bill covers off-duty emergency personnel and first responders.
▶ Watch at 41:00Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, I'm just wondering if you could clarify whether this bill covers off-duty emergency personnels and, and first responders.
H.B. 79 Governmental Immunity Amendments · House floor debate (day 14) · Feb 2, 2026
Expresses support for the bill and says it is critical to pass it today.
▶ Watch at 42:24Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'd like to express support for this bill. I think it's critical that we we pass this bill today. Thank you.
H.B. 141 International Money Transmission Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Moved to adopt the first substitute and pass HB 141 out with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 53:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that house Bill 1 41 International Money Transmission amendments before to the house with a favorable recommendation. There's a sub, like to adopt this first substitute. Oh, your motion is to adopt the first substitute.
H.B. 141 International Money Transmission Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Moved to pass HB 141 first substitute out to the House with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 54:10Read what they said
Thank you. I move the house. Bill 1 41 first substitute International Money Transmission Amendments forwarded to the house with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 236 Truth in Taxation Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and, citing her county government experience, says the bill is an improvement and she supports it.
▶ Watch at 1:14:17Read what they said
Thank you. Again. I want to thank you for this work. So I was in the county government as a senior policy advisor for a commissioner. So I was intimately involved in helping to develop the budget and also as a recommend as a representative of the people in both, both then and now. I'm looking at how they did really feel that they would never listen to. So this is exceptionally, uh, an improvement. And I really am, I'm appreciative. I'm very in favor of this. Thank you so much. Mm-hmm.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Presents HB 85, which would require top-level executive officials to get Utah expert and local input when considering recommendations from international organizations, and notes it does not bar use of the science.
▶ Watch at 27:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for, allow me to go now so I can get over and take care of things and make a quorum in the other meeting. I really appreciate that. Back in 2024, the legislature and governor passed, and the Governor Cox signed into law Senate Bill 57 to establish a clear constitutional process for how Utah responds. When federal directives challenge our state sovereignty House Bill 85 builds on that same principle with an international level. It protects Utah Utahns from having policies, recommendations, and political pressures imposed by international government organizations whose agendas don't necessarily align with everyday Utah. So, Utah's are Utah experts. So this will just require any top level executive to make sure …
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Says the word exclusively means other input will be sought in addition to the international organization's recommendations, though this is implied rather than spelled out.
▶ Watch at 29:51Read what they said
So there has the word exclusively that we actually subbed in last year and exclusively does lend to the fact that it will go, that they will get other input as well, besides just what the international organization is telling them. They would get input here and that's, I guess it doesn't exactly spell that out, but it's implied.
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Asks whether the judges appointed under the bill would have political leanings.
▶ Watch at 3:16:10Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. So I was just curious that you had mentioned that you think that we're going to have different judges appointed. In other words, they had different political leanings.
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Continues the discussion about whether the selection process is changing and whether it may be fair.
▶ Watch at 3:16:50Read what they said
Yes. So that's my question. I was just curious if we're not changing the process, I'm not sure how we're changing. We're selecting I understand what you're saying.
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Speaks in favor of the motion, citing Utah County population growth and the time since the Supreme Court was last expanded.
▶ Watch at 3:44:32Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to mention, I've heard from numerous people on both sides of this issue. And so I've listened quite intently and I've done some of my own research as well. I wanna just, I'm from Utah County, represent Provo Orem areas. I wanted to just bring up Utah County Commission. So we have a three member commission, and I continuously hear how Utah County is growing and people wanna go to five. Utah County has increased 140,000 people since 2020. That's incredibly growth. The Supreme Court has not been expanded since 1917. We have five judges. In 1917, we had 400,000 for population in 2026, we have 13 million and a half population in total …
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Presented H.B. 25 and its second substitute, which would have the county clerk of the county where most signatures were gathered verify them, and said the bill is about structure rather than people.
▶ Watch at 56:44Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you so much for putting this on the agenda. I have worked hard to do some negotiations over the weekend and that's why we have a second substitute. The first one was just technical from items that were adopted in the December special session and this bill was drafted prior to that. So I'd like to draw your attention to what's on the screen right now. And I'm speaking again to the second substitute. So how I presented this originally was my signature, my clerk. Now I'm gonna add the words most likely. So originally we wanted to have this bill have all signature verifications for statewide, well basically all signature verifications goes to the county clerks. …
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the majority rule is based on the county of the signers.
▶ Watch at 1:03:17Read what they said
The majority of the signatures, whichever county that they are from, that would go to that Clerk. So the majority of the signers, yes.
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Explained that multi-county candidate petitions are currently verified centrally and the bill would decentralize them, while initiatives and referenda are already verified by each county clerk.
▶ Watch at 1:05:46Read what they said
Correct? Well, they're also candidates that only have to get within the one county. And so those are also done locally. So currently the other ones that are the multi-county ones, those are currently done centrally and I'm attempting to decentralize those to where they're already doing 'em in the other counties. And currently initiative initiatives and referenda are those centralized if it's a statewide initiative and statewide referenda, are those centralized or decentralized? Those are currently decentralized. Each county clerk verifies those.
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Suggested a county clerk could answer the question about counting order.
▶ Watch at 1:06:55Read what they said
So it, it's not, and and when the county clerks, maybe we can have one of the county clerks speak to it or you could.
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said from her observation that verified signatures are recorded right away.
▶ Watch at 1:07:15Read what they said
First? From my experience watching, and of course one of the county clerks can correct me if I'm wrong, that it does happen right away. And so they will go and they will just hit next when it's verified. I think it's next and it'll just go to the next person that they need to verify in that book. But that's what makes it verified.
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said she did not think the bill changed that timeframe and that it may be in a different bill, and said candidates still have 14 days to verify signatures.
▶ Watch at 1:08:06Read what they said
Does that shorten the time period? What We uh, nope. This is only, this doesn't have anything to do with that timeframe unless I'm missing something that I didn't see. I think that might be in a different bill. Lemme see if I can find records. This, They still have, they have 14 days to verify the signatures.
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said she had not requested the deadline change and that it shortens the submission period without changing the signature gathering window.
▶ Watch at 1:10:04Read what they said
That actually I wasn't sure that was in the bill 'cause I didn't request it or be a change unless there was a timeline issue that we had, which we shouldn't have had. Um, this one just mirrors, yeah, this is the same changes in HB 27 as well. So it's the same one. So it shortens the time to submit because you'll have to submit earlier before convention, But doesn't change the window for gathering or signatures Just, just shortening that period.
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said she is favorable to returning the bill to another agenda after a few remaining issues, including deadlines, are checked with a drafting attorney.
▶ Watch at 1:32:55Read what they said
Yes, I'm, I'm good with that. If there's a couple things that we need to, to further discuss, a couple little snags happened at the last minute, about 15 minutes before. And, uh, a chance to go through with a drafting attorney about the deadlines as well and just verify they were supposed to be in there. Um, so I'd be favorable to that if we can put on another agenda.
H.B. 25 Candidate Petition Amendments · House Government Operations Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the bill is not about any person in office, expressed confidence in county clerks, and said counties already hire extra staff for verification.
▶ Watch at 1:33:21Read what they said
Sure. I do wanna clarify first and just remember that this is not about any person, any person in office. I actually, there are some perceived views that some people may feel that there's conflicts. I already understand that there's really good people. Our county clerks are really good people. I've been in their offices and I've watched them and I have, I have confidence in our county clerks for sure. Um, I did want to also just say that and just so we'll go to another agenda hopefully that, um, the, the costs already are in the counties and so I would just say that as we go forward and have further discussions that they already hire extra people …
H.B. 80 Firearm Storage Requirements · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Says she has concerns about making a parent a criminal under the bill and cannot support it, though she sees reasons it could be supported.
▶ Watch at 1:27:53Read what they said
Representative Shepherd. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I, I've been thinking a lot about this bill. There are reasons that I could support it, but there's more reasons that I have thought of that I can't support it. And probably it stems from, from this right now. I heard a comment in public comment today that guns are the leading cause of death in Utah. I disagree criminals who you gun who use guns in a criminal manner are the leading cause of death in Utah. If the stats really do say that, that's what it is, that we have guns in our home, we have 'em locked up, we have 'em put away, they are in the little one. …
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks whether the bill addresses online marriages arranged in Utah County for international marriages.
▶ Watch at 1:50:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I didn't see that this addresses any type of online marriages that are happening in Utah County for international marriages.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks whether the committee has considered children from Utah who might be involved in such marriages.
▶ Watch at 1:50:23Read what they said
Okay. So it could be possible that some of those children could be children from Utah. I'm just wondering if we've taken a look at that.
H.B. 103 Underage Marriage Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves that HB 103 be favorably recommended.
▶ Watch at 1:55:54Read what they said
Thank you. I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 1 0 3 under age marriage amendments favorably.
H.B. 79 Governmental Immunity Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute for HB 79.
▶ Watch at 2:36:28Read what they said
Okay. That's correct. So I move to adopt substitute one for HB 79 government immunity amendments.
H.B. 79 Governmental Immunity Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the first substitute for HB 79.
▶ Watch at 2:37:34Read what they said
I move to favorly Recommend House Bill. First substitute House Bill 79 government immunity amendments.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Presents the bill, saying it would keep elected state executives from automatically implementing international directives and that it builds on SB 57 from 2024.
▶ Watch at 30:18Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. In 2024, this legislature passed and Governor Cox signed into law Senate Bill 57 to establish a clear constitutional process for how Utah responds to federal directives to challenge our state sovereignty. House Bill 85 builds on that same principle at the international level. House Bill 85 protects Utahans from having policies, recommendations, or political pressures imposed by international government organizations whose agendas do not necessarily align with everyday Utahans or Utah's experts. Hospital 85 is consistent with recent federal action, including a new executive order reaffirming limits on the authority of the World Health Organization, recognizing that international guidance does not automatically carry a binding force here in Utah. Mr. Speaker, if we believe in …
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Says last year's version passed with broad support, that the bill has 17 co-sponsors so far this year, and asks for members' support.
▶ Watch at 37:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd just like to remind this body that last year this bill came through and it was overwhelmingly with 59 yeses, 13 nos and three on a warranty in attendance. And we had 28 co-sponsors. Thus far this year we have 17 co-sponsors. We just started trying to gather them. So I ask for your support. This bill passed through the Senate, but it didn't the Senate committee, but it died at midnight on the floor. So I urge you and ask you for your support in this bill to support the citizens in the state of Utah. Thank you.
H.B. 33 Political Signs Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Asks which line of the bill specifies the sign size and the disclosure of who paid for the sign.
▶ Watch at 59:38Read what they said
Thank you. In the bill, could you tell me which line number it is, where it specifies about the size of a political sign where you have to put a disclosure of who the signs pay for by?
H.B. 33 Political Signs Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says she supports the bill, though she did not fully agree with the sign size requirement.
▶ Watch at 59:52Read what they said
Thank you, appreciate that. I also rise in support of this bill. Uh, Representative Teuscher was very good with a small working group on this and taking all of the input. We talked about this for several months during this last year, and he really did work extremely hard to make sure that all points were covered. And while I didn't necessarily agree with going to the size of sign where it is, I understand the purposes and therefore I support this bill. I urge you to support this bill. Thank you.
H.B. 46 Taxpayer Information Sharing Amendments · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Said her video would not connect and that her vote is yes.
▶ Watch at 40:13Read what they said
It won't let me put on the video. It says that the controller's not allowing it, but my vote is yes.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd presented H.B. 85, saying it clarifies that international organizations like the UN, World Economic Forum and World Health Organization have no independent legal force in Utah and bars chief executives from declaring emergencies based exclusively on their directives.
▶ Watch at 40:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair and Representative Lisa Shepherd represent Provo and Orem. And you should have in front of you a bill analysis for 85. Does everyone have that? It was, or she still passing those out? Distributed. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate the, the thank you, um, the, the permission to pass that out. Thank you so much. I asked that ahead of time. This bill was House Bill 1 58 last year. It died on the Senate board at midnight. There are 17 currently there's 17 co-sponsors. We're still getting some more. We had 28 last year. House Bill 85 is a clarifying forward-looking bill that makes clear that international organizations do not have independent legal force in our …
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said it has not really happened, though some feel it did in 2020, and the bill is meant as a minimum protection against what could happen.
▶ Watch at 43:15Read what they said
No, this is actually, that's in my sum. So you want me to tell you what that is? Yeah. Would you? So, so we're looking at that. We haven't really had something like this happen. However, some people feel like perhaps it did happen in 2020 and we all experience that. But we're trying to go ahead of what could happen. 'cause there's been times in history where we've had good moral and sound judgment that have given way to temporary fads, moral panics, and political manipulation. We don't wanna do that. The rights of our citizens must be protected by good sound laws, even if they're only bear fruit 50 years in the future. So that is what it …
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd asked to respond.
▶ Watch at 44:54Read what they said
Yes, I appreciate that. Uh, may I respond? Yeah, please. Okay. Thank you Mr. Chair. Is that okay?
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said it is possible officials could act without consulting local public health officials, and the bill ensures decisions rely on Utah professionals.
▶ Watch at 45:18Read what they said
So some people do feel that it's possible that we could have had people respond in our state that would've not gone to the, their executives Right. To their own public health officials. And that's what we're looking for, to make sure that they do, we wanna make sure that that's the case. That it's not just from what an IGO says across the world, but from our professionals here. And so we want to make sure that it is very possible that that could happen. I'm not saying that did happen. Yeah. But it's very possible it could happen.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said it applies only to chief executives of each political subdivision, such as the governor, mayors and county mayors.
▶ Watch at 46:00Read what they said
It actually does. Um, I'm sorry. It does not. It's the chief Executive officer in each of the branches. Okay. So you look at the chief, excuse me, the governor is our Chief Executive Officer. You also have a mayor. You'll have the county councils, you'll have the, uh, county mayor, we have those as well. And so it's going to be the chief executive of the different political subdivisions. Did I clarify that okay for you? Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said an international organization could push for shutdowns like those a few years ago, and the bill ensures executives use local experts.
▶ Watch at 47:29Read what they said
Okay. I'm trying to think of my answer on that one. Uh, I think a situation could be if, if an IGO says we have this and it's coming to the United States and we want to shut down everything. I mean, we did have this experience right, a few years back, and they want us to shut down every person's opportunity to work, uh, to be with their families, to be with them when they need medical help, those types of things that, that did happen. We don't want that to repeat. We wanna make sure that what happens that an international organization cannot tell Utah that we have state sovereignty here. They cannot tell Utah or influence heavily …
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd agreed it is hard to imagine but said the bill prevents officials from being overly influenced by world events instead of local professionals, citing a measles outbreak as an example.
▶ Watch at 48:51Read what they said
Yes, yes. So, no, I, I agree with you that it's hard to think on that that can happen. And you as a medical professional, you probably have more on this than I do. But if you have, if if you have an elected official who wants to call, uh, a state of emergency for health reasons, then they're going to use their local people. But if they're overly influenced by what's going on in the world and they're not using their people here, then that's what we wanna prevent. We want them to go to the local professionals and to make sure that they are getting their expert opinions on that. Whether like, let's say we had a measles …
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said they have no legal authority but can exert political pressure, which the bill aims to prevent.
▶ Watch at 50:13Read what they said
They do not legally have that, but there are times that that is the political manipulation that might happen and that they'll put that force on us. And that's what we're trying to avoid. We just wanna make sure that Utahans are protected by Utahans and that not necessarily by something that's going on in other part of the world.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said the definition was already in current code and she did not change it.
▶ Watch at 52:24Read what they said
That was in current code, so nothing's changed on that, so I didn't change that.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said she understood the definition came from elsewhere and asked whether the policy analyst could confirm.
▶ Watch at 52:52Read what they said
Uh, I'm gonna have to actually see on that one because my understanding that that did come from somewhere. I wonder if our policy analyst has that information for me. Thank you.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said she was not sure whether the analyst was consulting on this issue. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 53:14Read what they said
I, I don't know if he's consulting with about something different or consulting on this issue. Sorry,
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said her understanding was that the definition came from another place and noted the bill was transferred to her.
▶ Watch at 53:31Read what they said
Yeah, I thought that came from another place in the documents, but, um, that was my understanding. Okay. So this bill was transferred to me from
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd said she saw no reason to table the bill and the committee could make a decision.
▶ Watch at 54:27Read what they said
Um, I don't see a reason to table. I think that there's been discussion and that you can go forward and make some decisions on it.
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Shepherd supported the favorable motion, noting the bill passed the House 59-13-3 and a Senate committee last year before running out of time on the Senate floor.
▶ Watch at 57:44Read what they said
Well, obviously I would prefer to recommend it favorably. This actually was passed by a committee last year, and it was adopted and passed by a senate committee. Um, the floor of what we had 59, 13, and three on that vote. And it was just a couple items down, I think like 15th down or something at midnight on the Senate floor where they would've passed it. So I think this bill actually does help us, and it just puts, port, puts in some language that we know that our state is sovereign for many international government organization from telling us what we need to do in shutting down our state.
H.B. 47 Vehicle Registration and Insurance Amendments · House floor debate (day 2) · Jan 21, 2026
Rises in support of the bill, saying constituents were troubled by recent notices and this bill will correct that.
▶ Watch at 24:10Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this bill and I thank the sponsor for bringing this forward. I've had communications with people in my district that are very troubled about what's just happened and this will correct that. So thank you.
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