Legislators / Jerry W Stevenson
Jerry W Stevenson
Republican · Senate District 6 · Executive Appropriations Chair
Hear from them directly
Contact Sen. Jerry W Stevenson
- Email: jwstevenson@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-678-3147
- Office: 466 S 1700 W, LAYTON, UT, 84041
Constituents get priority, so say you live in their district. Writing about a specific bill? Open it and use Take action for a ready-to-send message.
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.
Jerry W Stevenson serves on:
- Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee
- Executive Appropriations Committee
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee
- Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee
- Health and Human Services Interim Committee
- Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Confirmation Committee
- Senate Health and Human Services Confirmation Committee
- Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
- Senate Health and Human Services Committee
- Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
What they've said
107 remarks on 31 billsH.B. 3 Appropriations Adjustments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Presents H.B. 3, describing its appropriations, tax changes, and funding increases for education, higher education, social services, and criminal justice.
▶ Watch at 2:00:13Read what they said
finds the physical impact of our policy bills as well as some of the last minute funding items. It appropriates a little more than 800 million from various sources. It brings our total budget from all sources to 31.6 billion for fiscal year 2027, slightly less than our, uh, revised budget for, uh, fiscal year 2026. That includes 12.4 billion from the general and income tax funds. And 4.8, uh, 4.8% increase from the last year. This bill combined with our appropriations acts, uh, uh, redirected the, uh, and reinvested more than 3% of our base resources. In the end, we increased public education funding by nearly 300 million or 5% over base budget, higher education by 76 million or …
H.B. 3 Appropriations Adjustments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Gives a summation thanking colleagues and staff and moves that H.B. 3 pass under suspension of the rules.
▶ Watch at 2:06:02Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, summation would be that, you know, I appreciate all of you. This is amazing process. You're all appropriators. We all get to work together and, uh, I just thank you very much. It has been a been quite a few years, but I will also tell you that this process doesn't work without Jonathan and, and the LFA, the folks he has working for him. Um, he's mentored me and helped me and I think at times maybe, uh, prodded me to get this process finished. Many of you, we have had opportunity to serve as a ProChair together and, uh, certainly been a enjoyable time working with the leadership team that we have in the, in …
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says changes added in the House that would have interrupted existing processes, including ones tied to the inland port, were removed, and that the bill is now fine.
▶ Watch at 3:26:02Read what they said
Uh, we are, um, there was some things added to this that would've, uh, interrupted the processes that we have with mi a and the point or in the, uh, inland port and we took those out and it, it, everything's fine. So Thank you. You have a motion to
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains a change to the inland port and related authority provisions, saying earlier modifications were not acceptable so the bill was changed back.
▶ Watch at 3:37:01Read what they said
Yeah, it's a, it's another, uh, it's a change that was made to the inland port or the, I think pointing the Mountain Authority and uh, same issue we had before. They made some modifications to it. Were not acceptable so they changed them back and that's the reason that's where We are. Thank you.
S.B. 152 Public and Higher Education Collaboration · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Announces that budget changes must go through the EAC chairs or the President, that an EAC meeting is scheduled tonight, and that members should not contact budget staff directly.
▶ Watch at 13:50Read what they said
Yes. I'd just like to make an announcement. We are, uh, the bank is closed. I, I hope you know this. I had on my, uh, di on my, uh, my desk this morning. They bank is closed, signed. I don't know who gave this to me, but I think they must have worked in maybe a bar at one time. So, uh, anyway, uh, any any changes to the budget? We'll now either have to go through EAC chairs or the President. We're not going to, uh, make any changes. And we've got, we've got EAC meeting tonight, which we'll adopt the budget or that the, any changes in the budget. And then tomorrow night, of course the, the …
S.B. 152 Public and Higher Education Collaboration · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says budget staff are working hard, with about 15 fiscal note bills still pending, and that the Senate may move directly to them.
▶ Watch at 14:58Read what they said
Our staff is working hard over there, trying to put together their budget. We still have about 15, uh, fiscal note bills. We haven't, we didn't get to last night on our board, so, and we may, we may go directly there, uh, because I know they're trying to put together the budget and they need to know what bills pass, what don't pass. So, uh, we're trying to, we we're trying to, they're trying to do the budget, so I think as they get calls, it's, uh, somewhat challenging for them. So, uh, let's go ahead. Next bill up is Senate Bill 1 67.
S.B. 244 Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the bill's cost was negotiated down from about $600,000 to about $200,000 because most schools already have defibrillators, and moves to concur.
▶ Watch at 28:58Read what they said
We, we ended up negotiating down the, this had a, I think a $600,000, uh, price tag on it. Moved it down to about $200,000 just because, uh, most of the schools already have the, the defi defibrillators and, uh, did not need all that. So I would move for concurrence.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains the third substitute, which sets a transition timeline for electronic signature collection and makes it mandatory by about 2032.
▶ Watch at 35:53Read what they said
Yes. The third substitute, what it does is it just makes them, there's a few key policy changes that it makes it, uh, it gives a transition timeline in order of how you collect signatures. Uh, it kind of, it's a mandatory, it turns into mandatory by about 2032. And this is the time that the, uh, third substitute is the timeline that it presents.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says H.B. 2 from 2022 created electronic signature gathering that has not been implemented; the bill sets a phased requirement of 10% electronic signatures by 2028, 50% by 2030, and 100% by 2032, with security standards, reporting, and a process to halt the transition, and says it lowers costs, improves integrity, and expands access.
▶ Watch at 36:46Read what they said
I do. I have some presentation in, uh, in 2022. We pa uh, we pa in 2022, we passed House Bill two 18, which created an electronic seig signature gathering process for initiatives referendums and candidate nomination on the, on the local and statewide level, which the electronic system already exists in law. It has not yet been implemented. The reason being is because of the, as how complicated it is. So what this change does, and I, you know, we've talked a lot about electronic signature gathering. Uh, I keep thinking of the story of Edison and where he, it, he, he worked really hard to invent a light bulb and, and he failed many, many times until he …
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Confirms that candidates have rarely or not chosen electronic gathering and suggests Senator Riebe could explain her experience with it.
▶ Watch at 39:59Read what they said
Senator Stevenson, That is accurate. And I would, uh, you know, it would be very interesting to, to, uh, I think Senator Riebe has a, uh, she actually proposed to substitute this bill. Uh, and, uh, but it would be interesting, but she has actually tried to use the electronic gathering process
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says Senator Riebe can explain why electronic gathering has not worked well, and that the bill gives time to fix problems over the next few years.
▶ Watch at 40:46Read what they said
I think, I think Senator Riebe can explain to us why it hasn't worked well. But I will tell you that, that this possibly, like I mentioned in the beginning, this is, we're going to find out some ways not to build that light bulb as we go through this process over the next few years.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the bill may be altered several times and that its phased timeline gives time to get electronic signatures working.
▶ Watch at 44:11Read what they said
Yeah, I, I'm not sure this is the ultimate, uh, fix. I think that there's a possibility that this will be altered several times over the next few years, uh, until we get to a point where electronic signatures can be used. And I, I really, uh, again, I go back to my light bulb story. Sometimes it takes us a while to get things fixed. And right here, the thing I do like about this bill is it gives you time to get things fixed and get them to a position where, where we find something that works. And with that, I conclude my remark.
H.B. 223 Electronic Signature Collection Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Stevenson summarized the bill's funding and benefits and asked whether there were any further questions.
▶ Watch at 1:20:03Read what they said
But they have found the funding that makes this work. And, uh, and with that, um, if you remember the, what we went through before, we talked about really good things like light bulbs and we talked about how lowering costs increasing integrity. So with that, I would, uh, I would, uh, I would, uh, present, do you have any other questions?
H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks for a motion to enroll a House bill and notes that the bill number needs to be corrected.
▶ Watch at 1:39:03Read what they said
Thank you. I have a motion. Do you wanna sign encircle a bill? I need a motion to encircle house Bill. 5 93. Actually I think it's a fourth substitute of house Bill. Uh, 5 93.
H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Identifies the correct bill number as the third substitute on nicotine product amendments and tax amendments and moves to enroll it.
▶ Watch at 1:39:30Read what they said
Um, I think it's, excuse me, 5 97. I think that's the second time I've done that since yesterday. So I, uh, is the third substitute house bill 3 37. Uh, nicotine product amendment tax amendments. Is that the bill? Yes, That's correct, but that's
H.B. 136 Unlicensed Driver Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says he needs to move the bill to the next step in the process.
▶ Watch at 1:40:07Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. President. What we need to do is I need to move this to the fifth
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Presents H.B. 337 as updating nicotine product taxes, citing rising youth use of alternative nicotine pouches, and says cigarette tax would rise from about 8.5 cents to 11 cents per cigarette while most snuff rates stay the same.
▶ Watch at 1:40:50Read what they said
Uh, what this is, is this, uh, is a nicotine tax modification and, uh, as is in the naming of the bill, nicotine has been used for centuries for as an insecticide, uh, in the 16th century is used to wash hair, to take, to take lice out of hair. Um, we now use it, uh, it used to be used as insecticide and to kill flies and dairy barns, uh, spraying gardens and spraying different farm crops. I can remember when it was used to kill an, uh, what they call a th rip in onions in West Laden. Um, and it's been taken off the market because of, uh, first of all substitutes and others because it's deemed …
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says there is discussion about moist snuff language in the bill, that the draft may have changed, and that he has talked with Senator Cullimore about circling the bill to fix it.
▶ Watch at 1:44:47Read what they said
There is a, uh, there is some discussion on moist snuff. Uh, apparently the bill got drafted and it is, it has changed. And so there's questions about that. So I've just been, uh, just, uh, Senator Cullimore has just talked with me and we need to possibly, we should circle this and finish the, uh, Yeah. On the moist.
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks to replace the sixth substitute of H.B. 337 with a seventh substitute and to place it at the top of the calendar.
▶ Watch at 1:59:03Read what they said
and body, uh, house bill, uh, or yeah, house bill six. Substitute house bill 3 37. And replace it with seven substitute house bill 3 37. And again, I need to place it on the top of the calendar and I, I forgot to do that. So wait for the circle for a minute and I'll get it done here. So we need to get the sixth substitute on the, I'm gonna place it on the top of the second reading calendar. Are we there? There we go. I've got it. So I'm gonna go ahead and call it, make sure we do this right. So, uh, six substitute house bill, 3 37 6. Substitute house bill 3 37.
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Apologizes for a mix-up, saying an alcohol bill was drafted in place of a tobacco tax bill.
▶ Watch at 1:59:28Read what they said
You I apologize for the fiasco. I actually, when I started this, I, we wrote the alcohol bill in place of the tobacco tax and, uh, it's pretty easy to get confused when you have a lot of vices you deal with. Um, Mr. President, I'm not,
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves to delete the title and body of the sixth substitute and adopt the seventh substitute of H.B. 337.
▶ Watch at 1:59:55Read what they said
Thank you. Now I need, I need to delete title and body, the six substitute house bill 3 37 and adopt seven. Substitute house bill 3 37. Thank you.
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Refers to a substitute House Bill 337 for the motion.
▶ Watch at 1:59:56Read what they said
I'll bill three 30. Substitute house bill. Uh, 3 3 7. 3 3 7. Fifth. Substitute 3, 3, 7.
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the substitute removes moist snuff products from the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:00:08Read what they said
I'm going to introduce the six substitute, but all that does is take out the product of moist snuff, which is the cans that kids used to carry around their back pocket.
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the substitute corrects the account where the bill's money was placed, moving it to the general fund.
▶ Watch at 2:00:13Read what they said
The only difference is, the only thing this does is when we passed this bill earlier, we put the money in the wrong account. It went into an account called, uh, uh, electronic cigarette and, uh, uh, a nicotine product records account and or proceeds account. And it's, uh, needs to go into the general fund. I think I stated at the general fund, but that's where it needs to be. And, uh, as a result, uh, we've, we're just correcting that action.
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains the bill's tax changes for cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pouches and other nicotine products, says cessation products would not be taxed, and says the revenue goes to the general fund.
▶ Watch at 2:00:29Read what they said
I'm, I'm rather than explain to you about, uh, thrips and hair washing and those kind of things. I'm going to skip all that. I talked about it a few minutes ago. We're gonna just gonna go and talk directly about the tax that changes here. So cigarettes, we move to 11 cents from 8.50 cents. Uh, that's about, uh, about 50 cents. Well, it is 50 cents a pack puts us in a, a high range of most states around us, but we are in the range. Uh, then we go to the, uh, e-cigarettes and the vapes. We have a 71%, uh, of the sale price from the manufacturer. This is up from 56 cents. And then the …
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Waives summation and moves that H.B. 337 pass under suspension of the rules.
▶ Watch at 2:01:03Read what they said
I would waive summation and I would move that, uh, we pass under suspension rules. Uh, house bill 3 37 7 substitute
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Spoke on the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:03:27Read what they said
Uh, we need to replace this bill. So I would've moved that we, uh, delete Title and Body House bill, uh, 5 45 and replace it with four substitute house Bill 5 45.
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Spoke on the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:03:48Read what they said
All, all the, all the, uh, four substitute does, it allows money in the Department of Public Safety restricted account to be appropriated to pay the costs associated with law enforcement training facilities.
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Spoke on the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:04:16Read what they said
This bill, uh, tightens fiscal provisions across state government through the following ways. It changes names of funds and accounts to align with Gatsby requirements. It repeals, uh, five obsolete accounts.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Presents H.B. 545, which repeals five obsolete accounts, changes oversight of several state funds and the state auditor's office, and was sponsored in the House by Rep. Peterson.
▶ Watch at 2:04:30Read what they said
It repeals, uh, five obsolete accounts. It ensures, uh, it ensures Grant, uh, rewards will only be used for alternative costs of the legislature, uh, authorized, uh, through the intent language. It creates a revolving loan fund to facilitate DNR loans for energy projects using funds appropriated, uh, last year through Operation Gigawatt. It tightens the oversight of government of the Governor's office by requiring industrial assistance account by making funds in that account subject to appropriation and requiring recommendations from goo board. It, it tightens the oversight of the Energy Council for making, uh, funds in the energy development infrastructure funds subject to appropriation. And then, as I mentioned, it allows money in the Department of Public Safety, um, …
H.B. 337 Nicotine Product Tax Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Waives a summation and moves that the substitute bill pass under suspension of the rules.
▶ Watch at 2:05:15Read what they said
Uh, thank you. I will, uh, waive, but I would, uh, I and I would move that six substitute house bill. 3, 3 7 nicotine tax modifications under, I said under suspension. Rules pass.
H.B. 545 Budgetary Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves that H.B. 545 pass under suspension of the rules, as a substitute.
▶ Watch at 2:07:11Read what they said
I'll take a motion. I would move that, uh, under suspension of the rules that four substitute, uh, house Bill 5 45 pass.
H.B. 34 Victim Rights Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Moves to take up H.B. 2, a supplemental appropriations bill for the new fiscal year.
▶ Watch at 34:21Read what they said
Thank you. I would, I would move to encircle house bill two. New fiscal year, uh, uh, supplemental appropriations.
H.B. 2 New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents House Bill 2, which adds appropriations for fiscal year 2027 beginning July 1, totaling about $1.2 billion including $366 million from the general and income tax funds, and transfers another $29 million into other funds and accounts.
▶ Watch at 34:44Read what they said
Thank you very much. Uh, this bill supplements appropriations for the next fiscal year, fiscal year, uh, 2027, which begins on July the first. These are additions to the appropriations made in the base budget bills earlier this year contained many of the funding items, uh, appropriation adjustments and intent language approved by the Executive Appropriations Committee last Friday. From recommendations provided by the appropriations subcommittees, we have distributed, uh, an index which, uh, showing each approval funding item and there is a, in that is included in the Appropriations Act. For those items approved last Friday, there are fiscal note bills on those to be funded in the bill of bills, which will be a bill, which will be …
H.B. 2 New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Moves under suspension of the rules to pass House Bill 2, the new fiscal year supplemental appropriations bill.
▶ Watch at 37:20Read what they said
Thank you. It's a big bill. Uh, motion. Uh, to, uh, under motion under suspension of the rules to pass house bill two new fiscal year appro, uh, supplemental appropriations.
H.B. 241 Charter School Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Says sales to charter schools could make sense in high-growth areas and that the bill does not appear to interfere much with the market.
▶ Watch at 2:08:10Read what they said
You know, it, it seems like that it would depend on the area of the, of the state. It would depend on the school district. These would make very, very, it would make a lot of sense to, uh, sell to a charter school in a, maybe an area that was high growth. Uh, it make seems like it would make a lot of sense to that. A, uh, uh, a charter would be able to buy and build and, and the school district maybe not affect school population. But I think, you know, someone's made, made a statement here a minute ago that said, yeah, it should be the market. So I think, I don't see how this interferes …
H.B. 597 Alcohol Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Introduces the bill as a long-awaited alcohol bill and says he will offer an amendment in his name.
▶ Watch at 3:46:10Read what they said
Thank you, uh, Mr. President. Um, this is the long awaited alcohol bill that we seem to find every year. And, uh, let me just kind of give you a, a, first of all, I, I think it needs an amendment, uh, in my name. Edward, you would you like me to explain the amendment first?
H.B. 597 Alcohol Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains amendment one, which removes a beer definition change and driving privilege cards as proof of age, corrects typos, and changes the permitted carry distance from 30 to 35 feet.
▶ Watch at 3:46:38Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, what the, what the, uh, amendment does is it takes out, uh, an addition to the definition of beer that has been introduced as a sub, uh, was sub introduced as a sub this afternoon and committee. And it, uh, it preserves a list of, uh, products that can be rec or can be categorized as beer in the code today. It removes the language that would've allowed driving privilege cart to be used, uh, as acceptable proof of age from the bill. Um, it says right on the, they cannot be used as age. Uh, that was a request of DABC or DAB dabs. I guess it's not dabs. I think it's, uh, um, anyway, it …
H.B. 597 Alcohol Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Describes the bill, including ID checks for alcohol purchases, interdicted status on Utah driver licenses, entertainment district proximity exceptions, cash rounding to the nearest 5 cents, DABC audit changes, and reception center license changes.
▶ Watch at 3:48:30Read what they said
Thank you. Um, this year's Bill has got some things in it. A lot of 'em deal with proximity issues. We've had a lot of partners as we've gone through this process and, uh, there's been quite a few iterations. We started on this process back in June. Um, what the, what the bill does is it, um, it, it changes the, um, well under the bill that, uh, people, it, it changes the way you ID if they appear to be younger than 35 years old. When they're producing an alcohol, alcohol purchasing an alcohol product, it is dispensed, uh, in a dispensed area of restaurants and hotels. They can be idd regardless of age, uh, when they're entering …
H.B. 597 Alcohol Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Thanks the previous speaker and responds with brief remarks on the bill.
▶ Watch at 3:53:37Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you. I would thank you. I would, I would second that bill or second that motion to that may, this may be the worst job in the legislature, so, okay.
H.B. 597 Alcohol Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Thanks House and other partners for their work on the bill over several years and says he will move for its passage.
▶ Watch at 3:54:01Read what they said
Need, thank you. If I might just make a, I've had some amazing partners in the house that we've worked on the last several years. I had this on my own a few years, and it was, it's really tough. A lot of people, a lot of different, uh, a lot of different spectrum that we work with, uh, as we go through this. So I do appreciate, uh, the opportunity I've had to work with good people on this. Made a lot of friends on both sides of the issue. And, uh, with that I would move that, uh, that, uh, I lost a number on it.
H.B. 44 School Security Personnel Standards · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said last year's school security appropriation was distributed to LEAs, that some funds were held back, and that the funding is being worked through over a few years.
▶ Watch at 1:03:12Read what they said
Yes. Last year we appropriated a lot of money for, uh, school security, and it was passed out amongst the LEAs. It was, uh, some of us been held, and so we've been working on that money. We literally, uh, felt that it would go for two or three years. So
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Stevenson introduces S.B. 278, which modifies the Point of the Mountain land use authority, and explains the proposed changes to the bill and its second substitute.
▶ Watch at 37:56Read what they said
It's not about what I'm doing. It's about what the state is doing. Uh, let me, uh, the state owns the point of the mountain. I think we all know that they own all the property down there. This is where the former prison, where our prison used to be. And, uh, we put together a state land use authority, uh, clear back in, I think 2018, maybe 17. Anyway, this land use authority, uh, was charged with the, with the demolition of the prison and the, and the redevelopment of that site. And it was determined at that time that it would probably be better for the state of Utah to go through and follow through that development process. …
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Stevenson asks the committee to adopt the substitute first and says he will give a brief summary of the rest of the bill afterward.
▶ Watch at 41:48Read what they said
I'd, let's go ahead and adopt that substitute and then I will give you the rest of it. I'll give you the Reader's Digest version on the rest of it, if that's okay.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Stevenson describes the bill's changes, including a one-word change for Draper City, allocation of a privilege tax to phase one, and a 25 percent and 75 percent split of tax capture on transferred land.
▶ Watch at 42:07Read what they said
Uh, so, so what the, we have the one word change that I've already mentioned. Uh, the first, uh, first change in this allows the point to move forward on allocating 50 of the acres that we have, uh, for us at a, as a for sale housing project to support the state's goal of increase for, for sale housing. So that's, that's what the, the first point does. And the amendment requires the point to coordinate with Draper City, uh, to ensure, uh, development of the transfer of the parcels, um, that it is done in accordance with the point's, objectives and with, uh, with the, uh, Draper City, we, the mayor of Draper is on the board by, …
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Stevenson explains why the state uses a privilege tax equal to a property tax on state-owned land.
▶ Watch at 44:22Read what they said
Land. The reason we do that is on state property, we can't, we, we just don't charge ourselves a property tax. So when we put this together, we, we put together a privilege tax equal to it will, uh, equal to the, the property tax. Uh, it is really the same thing, but because it is on state property, it's very difficult. It causes a lot of confusion. Uh, I don't know, it causes more confusion or less, but it causes confusion if we, if we revert back and use the word property tax on state property.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Stevenson says the change returns more tax revenue to taxing entities and that 75 percent of the tax will go to the state for infrastructure.
▶ Watch at 45:02Read what they said
That's exactly right. The 25% will stay with the, uh, we'll stay with the, uh, the, the point of the Mountain Development authority. 75% will go to the state, but we have a lot of, a lot of infrastructure to take care of there before that's a completed project.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Stevenson says the privilege tax would apply to other state developments, but the Point of the Mountain is likely the only large one.
▶ Watch at 45:50Read what they said
Yes, it would apply to other state properties as they, as they, or if they development, if they develop as a state, uh, state development. Really, other than the prison, this is probably the only one. We have one, the, and the prison here in the one in Gunnison, it would be the only one where we have large construction projects going, but a prison would not create attacks, so that would, would be negated. This is really the only one I can think of in the state of Utah.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Stevenson says the state's development projects are under construction and that further bills on these authorities are likely.
▶ Watch at 51:07Read what they said
My only, my only comment, uh, would be is that, uh, of these different projects, and I think this is the second time I presented to this committee here, uh, we, we worked on the, the inland board bill a little earlier in this session. Uh, these, these are entities that are really under construction. Uh, it took, uh, I've, in my tenure in the legislature, I think I've presented 15 mitta bills to get MIT a to the organization that it is. It's got a pretty strict military tie. But, uh, I just, I just would, this isn't the last time you'll see this, probably just because, uh, it's, you know, it's kinda like we're making it up as …
S.B. 244 Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools · House Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Presents SB 244, which would require schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans, notes that most schools already have AEDs, and describes grant funding and priority for high-need schools.
▶ Watch at 1:31:32Read what they said
Thank you very much, uh, appreciate the committee's time. This, this afternoon I have with me, uh, Hannah Randall. H Hannah is with the American Heart Association, uh, Senate Bill 2 44, A cardiac emergency response plan in our schools. Uh, each year about 23,000 youth experience cardiac arrest across the country and they're outside the hospital. And if there, if there is no intervention, uh, that their, uh, their livability literally drops or survivability drops by about 10% with each passing minute. Uh, schools are the center of our communities and parents and community. Community members are often at schools for plays, concerts, and athletic events. That is why it's important for schools in Utah to establish cardiac emergency …
S.B. 3 Current Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Presents S.B. 3, which supplements fiscal year 2026 appropriations with funding items and intent language approved by the Executive Appropriations Committee, and summarizes its appropriation and transfer amounts.
▶ Watch at 1:11:35Read what they said
Thank you very much. Uh, this bill supplements appropriations for the fiscal year 2026, which need, which ends on June 30th. These are additions to the appropriations made in the appropriations bills passed in 2025. General session. It contains funding items appro, uh, funding items, appropriation adjustments and intent language approved by the Executive Appropriations Committee last Friday. From recommendations provided by the appropriation subcommittees, we have distributed an index, which is on your desk, uh, that shows each each approved funding item. And there is, uh, there is included in the appropriations acts for those, uh, items approved last Friday. There are physical notes on bills which will be funded in the appropriations bills, which will be in the …
S.B. 3 Current Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations · Senate floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Moves to suspend the rules and pass S.B. 3.
▶ Watch at 1:13:48Read what they said
Thank you. I would move that under, under, uh, uh, suspension of the rules as Senate Bill three pass.
H.B. 385 Specialized Product Sales Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Comments on nicotine's history as an insecticide and says bills like this should be passed, with a funding mechanism figured out if needed.
▶ Watch at 1:14:31Read what they said
Yeah, just to comment, you know, I find it interesting. Uh, I look at what I've, what I've done for a living over the years. I sold a, I've sold a lot of insecticides, you know, uh, nicotine was a fairly popular insecticide up through the forties and fifties. Mm-hmm. Used it in kelp flies and barns and delos things. And, uh, and so now we've, we've taken it off the market. You can't buy it now as a, for as far as an insecticide is concerned, I guess we've, we've, uh, moved it to where we can just put it in a pouch and tuck it in our cheek. And I haven't figured that out yet, how that makes …
S.B. 286 Interior Designer Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Sen. Stevenson said a very small amendment is pending and moved to circle the bill.
▶ Watch at 22:37Read what they said
Mr. President ProAm. We are waiting on a, a very small amendment and I would motion to circle All in favor of the motion to circle, say aye.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Presents S.B. 278, which modifies and clarifies the Point of the Mountain development authority law, including housing land allocation, a Draper City cooperation requirement, a sunset clause, privilege tax provisions, and changes to tax capture on transferred land.
▶ Watch at 1:16:33Read what they said
Thank you very much. Uh, this is, uh, legislation modifies and streamlines the, uh, legislation for the point of the mountain that we, and it clarifies amendments that we made in prior years. The first change allows the point to move forward with allocating 50 acres of land for, uh, sale housing, supporting the state's, uh, grant to increase for sale, uh, four for sale, housing, work, uh, or stock. Uh, the amendment requires the point to cooperate with Draper City to ensure that any transfer of parcels is done so in, uh, has done so in accordance with the point's, objectives, and also with Draper cities. Uh, it also has a Sunset clause that, uh, sunsets this process in, …
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Asks about the reading calendar and moves to pass the bill on the third reading calendar.
▶ Watch at 1:19:14Read what they said
So are we on the second first Substitute Senate Bill 2 78? Are we on the second or third reading calendar with this? We're on the third reading calendar, so I'm gonna take a motion to pass.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Moves to encircle S.B. 244 on cardiac emergency response plans in schools.
▶ Watch at 1:20:44Read what they said
Yes. Motion to encircle Senate bill 2 44, cardiac emergency response Plan in schools. We
S.B. 244 Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Presents S.B. 244 on cardiac emergency response plans in schools, describing required school plans, defibrillator access, and a grant administered by the Utah School Board to help schools purchase AEDs, with priority for high-need schools.
▶ Watch at 1:21:04Read what they said
Thank you very much. This, we talked about this bill last night. Uh, and what it does, it, we have a lot of heart attacks that take place in our, uh, schools, uh, across the country. There are over 20,000 or 23,000 per year, um, that happen outside the hospital. And every minute that you can help someone that has had a heart attack, you read you, uh, or every minute they're, they're, uh, are down with a heart attack, about 10% of, uh, the, their possibility of surviving diminishes. Uh, what this means is our schools are kind of a nucleus of our communities. Uh, parents, community members are, we have a lot of traffic through them. And so …
S.B. 244 Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools · Senate floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Moves that Senate Bill 244 pass.
▶ Watch at 1:23:40Read what they said
You. I would, uh, I would move that, uh, that, uh, Senate Bill 2 44 Cardiac emergency response pass.
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Introduced the first substitute of SB 225, noted a second substitute was available, and asked that it be adopted before the presentation.
▶ Watch at 1:24:54Read what they said
on SB 2 25. Uh, first substitute, and I'll note that there's a second substitute online is my understanding. Yes. And we would like the second substitute adopted before we begin. I think it'll, in the sake of, for the sake of time, it would be, be, uh, best.
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Presented SB 225 as a technical cleanup that defines distribution centers, allows boundary descriptions using GIS files, clarifies the tax increment trigger date, and moves a Fair Park developer out of the state procurement process, without expanding the port's boundaries.
▶ Watch at 1:25:38Read what they said
Thank you very much. Uh, let me just tell you very quickly, the substitute, uh, just Jim made a, a clarification regarding water around the Great Salt Lake. Uh, the Inland Port has, we do not have water policies. We adopt the water policy, uh, inside of the community that we are working in. They have that control and we don't, and that's, that's what the second substitute does. It just clarifies, there was a note in there that, uh, that we, uh, limiting, uh, uh, water around the lake and it was tied to Salt Lake Cities, uh, not around the lake, just in the Salt Lake City portion of our port. So that's, that's what it does. And …
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Deferred the boundary question to Ben Hart.
▶ Watch at 1:31:44Read what they said
That's exactly right. Let's could, I'm gonna have Mr. Hart answer that question, if that's all right.
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Said converting farmland to development creates runoff and tax revenue, and that water-efficient practices can reduce use, so the bill would not add to the lake's water demand.
▶ Watch at 1:47:34Read what they said
Well, some very quickly. I, I would certainly agree with everything that Mr. Hart has just said. And, uh, but if you look at what is going on in the basin that we live in, you know, we've, we've had a lot of agriculture in this area for a long time, and it's changing. But when you go in and, and pave over a farm basically, or you put a subdivision on it, you create runoff because that farm was utilizing almost every drop of water that ran onto it, and it was soaking it into the ground. Not a lot different than the turf you have in your yard. Uh, if you take, if you take that water and …
S.B. 286 Interior Designer Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Moves to encircle S.B. 278, the Point of the Mountain land use authority modifications bill.
▶ Watch at 38:43Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Uh, motion to encircle, uh, Senate bill 2 78. Uh, point of the mountain land use authority modifications. Thank You. The, the motion is to encircle Senate bill 2 78.
S.B. 286 Interior Designer Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says he would like to place an amendment in his name that adds a sunset date to provisions dealing with Draper City, and notes a substitute may be online.
▶ Watch at 39:02Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. I believe there is a, uh, uh, amendment, uh, on the, or on your on line for the, uh, for this amendment. One. Uh, I would like to place that in my name and, uh, would seek approval. What it does is it just, it just puts a Sunset date on the, on the points dealings with Draper City Senator. I think I have, uh, looking, I think there is a substitute online. I'm just double checking here. Gimme one second. There may be another substitute that it's a substitute bill. I think that it
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents the first substitute to S.B. 278, saying it lets the state capture sales tax tied to the Mountain Land Use Authority loan, adds a sunset date related to Draper, limits the privilege tax to phase one, and reverses the 75/25 split of the privilege tax.
▶ Watch at 40:17Read what they said
Thank you. I will present the substitute bill, the substitute, uh, parcel. I, and I apologize. I thought we were going to move this out of here, and I would just have that put in at the house and bring it back for conference. But what the substitute does is it just, it, uh, the point of the Mountain Land Use Authority has a large loan from the state of Utah. And what the substitute does, it allows the, uh, the, uh, state to capture the sales tax created there, uh, through the life of that loan. And not only that, through that, but through in perpetuity, that sales tax would come back, the state of Utah, not to the …
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Moves that S.B. 278 be read and moved to a third reading.
▶ Watch at 43:07Read what they said
Uh, I would, uh, I would move that, uh, Senate bill, uh, 2 78, be moved and read for a third time.
S.B. 244 Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Stevenson presented SB 244, which would require Utah public charter schools to create cardiac emergency response plans with automated external defibrillators, and suggested trust lands money could help pay for them.
▶ Watch at 52:12Read what they said
Thank you very much. Uh, each year more than 23,000 youth across our country experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. If there, if there's no intervention, then that person's chances of, of survival drop by approximately 10% with each minute, within each minute. Uh, schools are the nucleus of our community. These events take place there. Often, uh, parents and community members are often at schools for plays, concerts, athletic events, and certainly to go to school. That's why it's important that for schools in Utah to establish a cardiac, uh, emergency response plan. By implementing, uh, Senate bill, uh, 2 44, which would require schools to develop these lifesaving plans, schools will be prepared to make, uh, those …
S.B. 244 Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools · Senate floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Sen. Stevenson moved that SB 244 be read a third time.
▶ Watch at 54:47Read what they said
Thank you. I would move that SB 2 44, uh, pass. Or excuse me, be read for a third time. Thank
S.B. 31 Office of Professional Licensure Review Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Senator says he has no news but wants to run a bill, noting he has not run one all session.
▶ Watch at 1:54:51Read what they said
I don't have any, I don't have any news. I wanted to run a bill. Oh, That's the news. That is news. I haven't been here to run one all session.
S.B. 296 Student Consent Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Explains a no vote, saying there are still many questions about how the bill would work, and says they could change to yes after more discussion.
▶ Watch at 1:26:43Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanna explain my vote. Um, I again think that this is important to, uh, uh, to have this conversation because students should have the right to their privacy. Um, but I think that there are, uh, still many questions within what does that mean and how will this work? Um, so I, I will be a no today. Um, but I know that the good senator will continue to work on those issues and I think that, um, if I'm counting right, it will still move forward. So that's a, that's a marker I'm a no today, but I, I could easily become a a yes when, uh, we talk a little bit more …
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presents S.B. 225 as an Inland Port bill that changes operations, describes local partnership and constraints, and offers to take questions.
▶ Watch at 1:26:30Read what they said
Uh, thank you very much. Uh, Mr. Uh, Mr. President Pro Tem. Um, this bill, we talked about this the other day. There seems to be a lot of confusion on the water piece of it, but this is really a, it's the Utah inland port. We have some things tied to it that are with the, uh, the, uh, ballpark district down here, or the Fair Park District. And anyway, the inland port does not, we do not independently meter out water that is all done completely through the communities that we work with. And we represent the infrastructure and the development strategies that we use in the inland port are done in complete partnership with the communities and …
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Responds that constituents are concerned and appreciate the cap in Salt Lake County but want it extended to other counties, and declines the proposed change.
▶ Watch at 1:28:50Read what they said
Uh, is that a question on my appetite? Yes. Are you happy for that? That is, no, thank you. Uh, like I said, my constituents are very concerned and they appreciate the cap here in Salt Lake County, but they'd like to see that in further county. So I'll have to be a no thank you.
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to call the question on passage of the substitute S.B. 225.
▶ Watch at 1:29:13Read what they said
Uh, motion would be, I would call the question, The question is, shall first substitute Senate Bill two twenty five pass Roll call vote.
S.B. 169 High School Graduation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Makes a motion regarding Senate Bill 225.
▶ Watch at 3:22:38Read what they said
Thank you. Motion. I Would you call that again? I Motion to Uncer Senate bill 2 25.
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
The sponsor explains that the bill clarifies the definition of distribution center, project area boundaries and their adjustments, the tax trigger date, and the capital city tax differential limit, and discusses a 200,000-gallon water provision and the inland port's wetland contributions.
▶ Watch at 3:23:14Read what they said
You very much. I I may get accused of, uh, trying to disguise this bill. This is actually the Inland Port Authority bill and when we were putting it together, we added a few things, a couple of things, little things into it to help take care of the ballpark district out here. And they changed the name to Public Corporation Amendments and, uh, I didn't get that in time to change it on my, my talking points. So this is the Inland Port Authority Amendments or Public Corporation Amendments. What this does is it clarifies the definition of a, of a distribution center. There's been some controversy out there after the inland port bought the, uh, the landfill on …
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
The sponsor gives a closing summary of the bill and asks for the question to be called.
▶ Watch at 3:28:36Read what they said
Uh, I would, I think I've gave a, I hope I've given a pretty good summation of what we're doing and, uh, I would, uh, call the question
S.B. 174 Exercise of Religious Beliefs and Conscience Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Praises Dr. Wilson's expertise and thanks her for her participation.
▶ Watch at 1:10:40Read what they said
Senator Stevenson. Thank You. Just a quick comment. You know, um, uh, Robin, it's good to see you. Uh, we've, uh, there's been a, she's done a lot of work for the Utah legislature in the past and considered an expert in the field that she works in. Um, very impressed with her, and we have been for a long time. We've, uh, I think we could go back. I dunno, uh, maybe she could, I'm sure it's 10 or 12 years, maybe longer than that, that she's worked with Utah legislature, uh, certainly the right expert for the occasion. So I just, just want to thank Her for her participation. Thank you.
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Says workforce and society have changed and supports trying the approach as a pilot, but notes the budget is tight and the project may not be fully funded; says he is in favor.
▶ Watch at 46:59Read what they said
It should be on. Is that okay? There we go. Yep. Uh, you know, I've bounced back and forth on these type of things for a lot of years now, and as my tenure in the legislature and, and you know, we, we are in a, our society has changed, and where it's changed is, is that, uh, you know, everyone's not like me anymore. They were, but I've got 23 grandchildren. I've got most of my granddaughter, my, my, uh, kids are going to have to work. My children mostly work, and they have, this would certainly be an asset to them, but I think that this is something we need to try and see how it fits. I …
S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Thanks the sponsor for her work but says he is not comfortable with the state being in the childcare business to this degree, though he supports more childcare.
▶ Watch at 50:07Read what they said
I, I just wanna say, I so appreciate the work that you have done, Senator Es and we, we've had this conversation, but, um, I just am not sure that the state should, if we were leasing the facility, even if we said, we'll, our contribution will be, and we're not leasing the facility, but we're only gonna give you a really low cost lease. You could do the infrastructure, um, put it in, do the remodel, et cetera, and we want some, you know, some spaces I, I could support that. I just don't think at this, the state being in this childcare business is, uh, to this degree is something that, that, that I can support. And I'm …
S.B. 277 Utah Homes Investment Program Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moves that SB 277 be passed out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:07:53Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. Uh, I would move that, uh, bill, is it 2 77? It is Senate Bill two 70, Senate Bill 2 77 7, Uh, be passed out of committee with a favorable, favorable recommendation.
S.B. 277 Utah Homes Investment Program Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Says the bill makes a correction to put the program where it was originally intended, noting that bills like this can take several sessions to get right.
▶ Watch at 1:08:32Read what they said
To, just to what we're doing here, really, um, puts us into the place we intended this go when we put the bill together in the beginning. Uh, and, and this, this, uh, sometimes big bills take, this takes us a while to get right. Takes two or three sessions and this, this makes that correction.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Stevenson says the bill is an addition to earlier work on the project and that he has carried many land use authority bills this session.
▶ Watch at 1:09:54Read what they said
Well, you just passed it a few minutes ago, so we're really quite, quite good. Uh, we're just gonna, we're just gonna have one, but I think there will be No, that's not what I meant. How many times have you Oh, You know, Modified this bill? Well, it isn't a modification. It's really an addition to, oh, as we get in construction down there, we've, there's been a lot of things and, you know, it's, it's very interesting. These are big bills, uh, big, uh, big concepts that, and, uh, for instance, I think I've ran, I've ran, uh, 15 Mi a bills in the last 17 this counting, this session, so 15 and 17, but I think we're …
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Stevenson introduces Michael Ambre and describes the project and the authority's role in it.
▶ Watch at 1:10:38Read what they said
Um, the, I, I have with me, uh, Mike Ambre with, uh, he's our director, executive director at the point of the mountain, uh, land use authority, and also the project we have going down there where the old prison site was, if you remember. And then I think I got tied with this, if you ask how many bills I got tied with this, my first session here, I became the, uh, co-chair of the Prison Relocation Commission. And it's kind of rolled or evolved into this. And so it's been a, been a fun project, fun thing to watch happen. Uh, prison certainly moved to a different place. And we have what we think is one of the, …
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Stevenson says the bill was written specifically for the point of the mountain.
▶ Watch at 1:21:14Read what they said
Okay. We literally, this bill was put together specifically for the point of the mountain, which,
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Stevenson says he will provide an answer before the bill goes to the Senate floor if it passes committee.
▶ Watch at 1:21:29Read what they said
Uh, project. I, I will have you an answer for that before this goes to the floor of the Senate if it passes committee.
S.B. 278 Development Authority Modifications · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Stevenson says he has sponsored many land use authority bills over the years and urges the committee to vote for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:23:53Read what they said
Uh, again, this is, uh, I dunno how many bills I've ran with, uh, involving land use authorities in the state over the years, but it's probably in the range of, you know, 12 or 13. And, uh, they're really a great way for the state of Utah to do business, and they're a great way to create a camaraderie between the different entities in the state. But we haven't had a lot of, uh, consternation on anything we've done in any of the land use authorities. So, uh, I would just encourage you to vote for it. Thank you.
H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Comments on the timing of the Bountiful City Youth Council's attendance in relation to his own bill.
▶ Watch at 1:36:33Read what they said
I gonna make, I'm sorry. I'm going to make a comment Before the youth council left, uh, I'm sorry. I think we drug them a little. I mean, with my bill, it kind of put them in a, maybe a time slot. They wanted to be here for this hearing. So anyway, thank you. Thank You.
S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Said he has worked with veterans associations for many years, that they do a lot of good, and that veterans deserve appreciation.
▶ Watch at 1:50:42Read what they said
No, I just, I, I've worked with, uh, the, our Veterans Associations a lot in my, uh, staggered career and, uh, do a lot of, they do certainly a lot of good. And I don't think we can ever show enough appreciation to our veterans.
S.B. 244 Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools · Senate Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presents S.B. 244, which would require each Utah school to establish a cardiac emergency response plan, and introduces Hannah Randall of the American Heart Association to answer questions.
▶ Watch at 45:33Read what they said
you very much, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the opportunity to be before the committee this morning. Uh, this bill is rather unique in, in a lot of ways, but each year, more than 23,000 youth experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. And if no intervention is used, that person, actually the chances of survival drops about 10% per minute with, or, uh, drops 10% with each passing minute. Uh, our schools are really the nucleus of our communities if we look at them. We have a lot of parents there at times. Uh, community members are at schools for plays, concerts, and all kinds of activities. And that's why it's important for Utah schools to establish a cardiac emergency …
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Sen. Stevenson presented SB 132, which follows a feasibility study that found Utah could safely support space launches, and described three changes: allowing closed meetings to discuss trade secrets, expanding the study to include reentry operations, and moving the committee's recommendation deadline from September 30 to November 30, 2026.
▶ Watch at 2:11:00Read what they said
Thank you very much. Uh, you know, last year, uh, we passed a bill. Well, first of all, over 20% of the, of the, uh, economy of the state of Utah is tied to aerospace. And last year we passed a bill that created an exploratory committee, uh, to launch an initial, uh, feasibility study to explore how our state could fit into the, uh, our state's potential in future Space Hub. And, uh, we have worked through that this summer. I have, in fact, in the audience here, this is Mr. Carlos Braceros, our director of transportation, and he, uh, he co-chairs that committee with Senator Ann Milner. I'm on the committee, and I ran the bill last year. …
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · House Transportation Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Sen. Stevenson said the bill reflects Utah's commitment to the aerospace industry and its potential, and praised the committee's work over the summer.
▶ Watch at 2:14:32Read what they said
I just that this, this reflects, uh, our commitment in the state of Utah to the, to the, uh, aerospace industry, and also that, uh, the potential, the vast potential we have of, of seeing this come to pass. This is, uh, this really, it, it's been amazing to sit on that committee and watch this bowl together this summer. So, uh, big industry and a big deal for our state, lot of potential 47 G is kind of headed this thing up as we move through that process.
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Explains that SB 132 would allow the space committee to hold closed-door meetings on trade secrets with aerospace companies, expand the Exploratory Committee's scope to reentry operations, and move its final report deadline from September 30 to November 30.
▶ Watch at 23:13Read what they said
Senator Stevenson Spaceports. We, uh, we discussed this yesterday, um, the Spaceport committee is met and they're, they're working on a, on a very regular rotation, and we need three of three. Uh, this bill does three things that, uh, we would like to see pass. First, it allows the space committee to hold closed door meetings to discuss trade secrets with aerospace companies. Um, this would allow us to continue our work and not, uh, disrupt anything. And this is, is already done across the state in many other areas. It would allow us to expand the scope of the Exploratory Committee to include reentry, uh, operations. And it would push a deadline for the final report and recommendation …
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Responds that the bill does not violate the Open Meetings Act and that the closed discussions protect information that only competitors would seek.
▶ Watch at 24:54Read what they said
Senator Stevenson, will you yield? I would yield. Go ahead. Uh, thank you. We, we've, uh, in the review of this, we feel it does not violate their Open Meetings Act. And, uh, the only interest anyone would have is if they were a competitor. We don't feel that it's, that it's in violation of anything. We just, they don't want their secrets on the market. Or we discuss these with several different companies, several different options. And we feel that it's a, a good place for us to be, to be able to discuss that and Club behind Closed doors. Thank you.
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Says summation is adequate and moves that SB 132 pass. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 25:48Read what they said
Uh, I think we've had adequate summation. I would move that SB 1 32 Space Board, uh, amendments Pass.
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Says he would move the first substitute for SB 225, Utah Inland Port Authority Amendments.
▶ Watch at 33:23Read what they said
I would, yeah. I would move. Substitute Senate bill, uh, first substitute Senate bill 2 25 Inland Port Authority Amendments. Okay.
S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Introduces Ben Hart and describes the bill's changes, starting with the definition of distribution centers that include manufacturing.
▶ Watch at 34:02Read what they said
Well, I thank you very much. I have Mr. Ben Hart with me, who is our executive Director with the Inland Port. I've been involved with the Inland Port since its inception and I think it was 2018 18. And, uh, we have, uh, gone through some, uh, several different changes and, and, and actually thought it was falling apart at one time and got it back together. But it's become, I think, currently is probably the, at least the number, if not the number one, the number two economic development tool in the state of Utah as far as job generation and being able to take care of the very critical things that we have in the state. Um, …
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Presents S.B. 132, describing a spaceport site feasibility study, the committee's work, the bill's three changes (closed-door meetings, expanded reentry scope, and a later deadline), and the economic benefits of space industry to Utah.
▶ Watch at 1:05:13Read what they said
Senator Stevenson, thank you very much. Um, You know, last year we created, we passed a bill that created a exploratory, uh, committee that would, uh, launch Utah the space. And, uh, we looked at the feasibility of, of actually, uh, uh, okaying launches across the state, uh, Emery space. Uh, Ameri Space Court, uh, corporation, uh, recently concluded a feasibility study for us, and they determined that we have, uh, actually seven places in the state of Utah where we could make these launches and make them, uh, productive. So this includes both commercial launches and also governmental launch launches, um, or government space missions, um, such as satellite launches or orbital launches. It includes, uh, both, um, let's …
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Moves that S.B. 132 be moved to the third reading calendar.
▶ Watch at 1:07:55Read what they said
Thank you. I would, uh, I would move that, uh, Senate bill, uh, 1 32. Um, be moved to the third reading calendar. Thank
S.B. 195 Workforce Development · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Moves that S.B. 195 pass out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:22:22Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I believe this is Senate Bill 1 95. Yes, sir. I would move that we, uh, senate bill 1 95 pass out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
S.B. 7 National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and Legislature Base Budget · Senate floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Presents S.B. 7, which sets base budgets for four agencies at their current ongoing levels, about $77.9 million in state funds and $116.9 million in federal funds, for a total of $202 million in fiscal year 2027, with any adjustments to come in supplemental bills.
▶ Watch at 29:46Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Uh, this bill provides the base budgets for four agencies overseen by the Executive Appropriations Committee, capital preservation, uh, the Utah National Guard, veterans and Military Affairs and the legislature. As a reminder, the base budget starts the agencies at the same level that we were, uh, that we started, or that we ended in 2026 fiscal year 2026 in ongoing appropriations because the, uh, because EAC did not approve any base budget increases for December in these agencies. This bill appropriate 77.9 million in state funds for two th uh, for fiscal year 2027 matching the final ongoing amount of, uh, 2026 federal funds make up the largest share of this bill at 116.9 million. …
S.B. 7 National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and Legislature Base Budget · Senate floor debate (day 9) · Jan 28, 2026
Moves that S.B. 7 pass under suspension of the rules.
▶ Watch at 31:27Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, motion would be to, uh, under suspension the rules that Senate bill, uh, seven pass.
S.B. 134 Court Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 7) · Jan 26, 2026
Supports the bill, saying funding the judiciary is a responsibility to the citizens of the state.
▶ Watch at 19:41Read what they said
Senator Stevenson, you very, thank you very much, Mr. President. I rise in support of this bill and support of, uh, what's going on with our Juab judiciary. As I meet, uh, on an annual basis and semi-annual with the, all of the members of the, uh, various agencies and the various, uh, portions of government that we, we have to fund, I find that, uh, you know, I constantly meet with the judiciary, and we do have responsibility to them, uh, in spite of discrepancies that we have. We have discrepancies with the governor's office at times, but our, our responsibility is to make sure these organizations are funded so that they can support the citizens of this great …
S.B. 132 Spaceport Amendments · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Presented SB 132 to allow the Spaceport Committee to hold closed-door meetings on proprietary trade secrets, add reentry operations to its approved activities, and extend its recommendation deadline from September 30, 2026 to November 30, 2026.
▶ Watch at 1:30:26Read what they said
Thank you very much. This may not only be the last bill, but it may be the most important bill. There You go. Uh, last year, uh, we passed both House and Senate favorably, um, a bill, which allowed us to explore the, uh, um, or put together an exploration committee, uh, to look at the feasibility of putting a space port in Utah. I can honestly tell you, I don't know that I've ever participated in a bill or, or sponsored a bill that has had so much positive response to it. It's been, uh, at, uh, the lot of interest in the, in the newspapers and a lot of interest from the, the news media and, uh, but …
S.J.R. 4 Joint Resolution Concerning Federal Term Limits · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Presents the joint resolution, arguing that Congress is broken and that term limits would encourage new ideas, responsiveness, and accountability.
▶ Watch at 2:08:06Read what they said
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Uh, you know, we've, uh, as we look at what's going on in Congress and what's gone on there for a long time, I don't think anyone, you, you have to be real. Uh, first of all, I, I have a gentleman I'd like to ask to come up and sit with me if that's okay. Constantine, could you come up? Oh, no. Maybe He got tired and left. Hey, hey, Your support just left. Yeah. Yeah, he's out there somewhere. Well, anyway, let me go ahead and move forward then. Uh, Congress, Congress is, is broken. And the reason it's broken is because people are going back and they're taking, they're staying there …
S.J.R. 4 Joint Resolution Concerning Federal Term Limits · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Opens the floor to questions and invites Sen. Sandall to ask his question.
▶ Watch at 2:14:27Read what they said
Yes. We have some questions. And I may ask my partner here too, if he would answer those questions. Senator Sandall.
S.J.R. 4 Joint Resolution Concerning Federal Term Limits · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Gives closing summation, saying the resolution would keep the issue of Congress's effectiveness before the Legislature and urging passage.
▶ Watch at 2:44:37Read what they said
Uh, thank you. You know, I'm, uh, I'm term limiting myself, but I'm, this is my last term and I will tell you that, uh, that's maybe not what I really wanted to do, but my driver's license, the date on it says that's probably what I should do. And I think, uh, I think a lot of us in state government feel that we don't have people here that have been here for 30 and 40 years. Once in a while you'll have some, but they'll generally serve in both houses. And, uh, you have to have institutional knowledge to make this institution that we have here in Utah work. And, um, but as I listened to the comments …
From the official recordings' automatic captions, with speakers and summaries identified by AI. Use the ▶ links to check the recording before you rely on a quote.