Legislators / Jason E. Thompson
Jason E. Thompson
Republican · House District 3
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Jason E. Thompson
- Email: jthompson@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-505-8787
- Office: 350 N 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.
Jason E. Thompson serves on:
- Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Education Committee
- House Judiciary Committee
- Education Interim Committee
- Judiciary Interim Committee
- Federalism Commission
What they've said
148 remarks on 46 billsH.B. 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the change is minor, recommended by the Department of Agriculture, and refers to cannabinoid substances intended for use in electronic cigarettes.
▶ Watch at 10:20Read what they said
I would like to speak to it. We're just a very minor change, um, recommended by the Department of Agriculture. Just a couple words, um, to, uh, um, refer to cannabinoid substances that are intended for use in electronic cigarettes. That's it. To tighten up the language.
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Rises in support of the bill, saying he initially had concerns about costs passed to businesses but believes the Legislature should protect children from large companies.
▶ Watch at 2:00:59Read what they said
You. Thank you. Um, Madam Speaker Pro, Tim, you, I, I rise in support of this bill. Um, I initially had, um, some concerns, um, about what might be passed on to businesses. And as I've thought about our role and responsibility in this body to watch out for and to protect our children, I've realized and, and have very strong feelings that we cannot have our backs against the wall by trillion dollar companies, um, who know how to manipulate the system and do so. And we know that because every time, uh, there's social media, uh, legislation that comes before this body, we have all the high powered lobbyists that come to lobby against it. I would urge …
S.B. 287 Targeted Advertising Tax · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Supports the bill, saying protecting children should outweigh concerns that costs would be passed on to businesses.
▶ Watch at 2:00:59Read what they said
You. Thank you. Um, Madam Speaker Pro, Tim, you, I, I rise in support of this bill. Um, I initially had, um, some concerns, um, about what might be passed on to businesses. And as I've thought about our role and responsibility in this body to watch out for and to protect our children, I've realized and, and have very strong feelings that we cannot have our backs against the wall by trillion dollar companies, um, who know how to manipulate the system and do so. And we know that because every time, uh, there's social media, uh, legislation that comes before this body, we have all the high powered lobbyists that come to lobby against it. I would urge …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the third substitute removes a grant program that had an estimated cost of $2.5 million.
▶ Watch at 3:08:17Read what they said
I will speak to that. Uh, this, uh, third substitute removes a grant program, uh, that had an estimated cost of $2.5 million. Um, that has, uh, been removed in the third substitute.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the substitute does not change the discipline process and affects funding for seclusion rooms already in schools.
▶ Watch at 3:09:28Read what they said
Um, so this substitute doesn't really change the discipline process. Uh, it just would affect funding, uh, for seclusion rooms that are already in place in our schools.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the substitute does not change the discipline process and affects funding for seclusion rooms already in schools.
▶ Watch at 3:09:28Read what they said
Um, so this substitute doesn't really change the discipline process. Uh, it just would affect funding, uh, for seclusion rooms that are already in place in our schools.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves to adopt amendment one to the third substitute.
▶ Watch at 3:10:27Read what they said
Okay. Uh, Mr. Speaker motion to adopt amendment one to third substitute Senate bill 180 1.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves to adopt amendment one to the third substitute.
▶ Watch at 3:10:27Read what they said
Okay. Uh, Mr. Speaker motion to adopt amendment one to third substitute Senate bill 180 1.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Describes the amendment as clarifying language on procedures and milestones and giving the state board and LEAs discretion on bringing existing seclusion rooms into compliance.
▶ Watch at 3:10:36Read what they said
I will. Yeah. There's just, um, some, uh, some small clarifying language about procedures and milestones and also, um, discretion given to, uh, the state board and LEAs, uh, for bringing, um, current con um, uh, seclusion rooms into compliance.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Describes the amendment as clarifying procedures and milestones and giving the state board and LEAs discretion to bring existing seclusion rooms into compliance.
▶ Watch at 3:10:36Read what they said
I will. Yeah. There's just, um, some, uh, some small clarifying language about procedures and milestones and also, um, discretion given to, uh, the state board and LEAs, uh, for bringing, um, current con um, uh, seclusion rooms into compliance.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Explains that the bill sets safety standards, reporting requirements, and accountability for seclusion rooms, requires immediate parent notification, and requires audio and video recording devices in new school seclusion rooms.
▶ Watch at 3:11:12Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, a third substitute Senate bill. Um, 180 1 is, is a relatively simple bill. If, if we're gonna have seclusion rooms, um, in schools throughout the state of Utah, they should be a last resort emergency safety measure. So what this bill does is it establishes clear safety standards, reporting requirements, and also accountability. So we're putting guardrails in place to make sure that seclusion rooms are safe, that they're limited for emergencies, that parents are notified immediately, and that, um, schools and administrators can be held accountable, accountable for misuse. Um, so the transparency element here is important. We also have safety standards for seclusion rooms where as new schools are built, um, going …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the bill sets safety standards, reporting requirements and accountability for seclusion rooms, including immediate parent notification and audio and video recording devices in new schools.
▶ Watch at 3:11:12Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, a third substitute Senate bill. Um, 180 1 is, is a relatively simple bill. If, if we're gonna have seclusion rooms, um, in schools throughout the state of Utah, they should be a last resort emergency safety measure. So what this bill does is it establishes clear safety standards, reporting requirements, and also accountability. So we're putting guardrails in place to make sure that seclusion rooms are safe, that they're limited for emergencies, that parents are notified immediately, and that, um, schools and administrators can be held accountable, accountable for misuse. Um, so the transparency element here is important. We also have safety standards for seclusion rooms where as new schools are built, um, going …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says there is not a clear line and that the bill is intended to put guardrails around seclusion rooms, neither promoting nor preventing them.
▶ Watch at 3:14:17Read what they said
Well, uh, thank you Mr. Speaker. I, I don't know that there is a clear line where there's not a seclusion room. This occlusion room becomes the classroom, uh, where there's other, where there's other students. Um, so, uh, there there's not necessarily a clear line, but, um, right now this bill is not intended to, um, either promote, um, seclusion rooms or, or, or to, um, prevent seclusion rooms. This bill is intended to put guardrails around seclusion rooms.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says there is not a clear line and that the bill is intended to add guardrails, neither promoting nor preventing seclusion rooms.
▶ Watch at 3:14:17Read what they said
Well, uh, thank you Mr. Speaker. I, I don't know that there is a clear line where there's not a seclusion room. This occlusion room becomes the classroom, uh, where there's other, where there's other students. Um, so, uh, there there's not necessarily a clear line, but, um, right now this bill is not intended to, um, either promote, um, seclusion rooms or, or, or to, um, prevent seclusion rooms. This bill is intended to put guardrails around seclusion rooms.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Urges colleagues to support the bill, citing its guardrails and transparency for students, administrators, and parents.
▶ Watch at 3:14:56Read what they said
This is an important bill. These, uh, guardrails are extraordinarily important to protect our students, our administrators, parents. Uh, the transparency, um, aspect of this is extraordinarily important. I would encourage my, my colleagues to support this bill.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Gives summation, stressing the importance of guardrails and transparency to protect students, administrators and parents, and urges support.
▶ Watch at 3:14:56Read what they said
This is an important bill. These, uh, guardrails are extraordinarily important to protect our students, our administrators, parents. Uh, the transparency, um, aspect of this is extraordinarily important. I would encourage my, my colleagues to support this bill.
S.B. 312 Educator License Amendments · House Education Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Praised the committee chair's leadership this year.
▶ Watch at 2:11:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I just wanna, I wanna recognize, um, I chair we, we've been really lucky and blessed this year with a, a great new chair who, um, has run our committee really well. Um, appreciate his leadership. I just wanted to publicly, uh, vocalize that. Thank you. I appreciate that.
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Opposes the bill, citing Fourth Amendment concerns about entering private homes, transparency concerns with juvenile court and DCFS, and concern that the warrant could become routine.
▶ Watch at 1:27:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I, I too rise in opposition to this bill. I, I appreciate, um, the comments of, of our good colleague from, uh, Weber County, um, and his, uh, expertise in law enforcement. Um, I, I too am concerned that this is a new mechanism for, for government to have the ability to enter private homes, um, concerned about the potential significant fourth, uh, fourth Amendment intrusion issues. Um, there are mechanisms in place now through the district court to be able to, um, address these concerns. And I think going through a juvenile court and DCFS, um, will, will lead to, um, some problems when it comes to transparency and oversight. I also have concerns …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Opposes the bill, citing Fourth Amendment concerns about entering private homes, transparency concerns with juvenile court and DCFS, and concern that the warrant could become routine; says he supports protecting children.
▶ Watch at 1:27:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I, I too rise in opposition to this bill. I, I appreciate, um, the comments of, of our good colleague from, uh, Weber County, um, and his, uh, expertise in law enforcement. Um, I, I too am concerned that this is a new mechanism for, for government to have the ability to enter private homes, um, concerned about the potential significant fourth, uh, fourth Amendment intrusion issues. Um, there are mechanisms in place now through the district court to be able to, um, address these concerns. And I think going through a juvenile court and DCFS, um, will, will lead to, um, some problems when it comes to transparency and oversight. I also have concerns …
S.B. 58 Public School Attendance Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Moves to adopt floor amendment one in his name.
▶ Watch at 1:55:14Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tim, uh, motion to move amendment one in my name.
S.B. 58 Public School Attendance Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Explains that amendment one changes one word, replacing a full audit with an annual internal review.
▶ Watch at 1:55:24Read what they said
I would, yeah, it's, we're just changing one, um, one word on line 4 62, um, where we're, we're referring to conducting an annual internal review versus a full on audit. So it's just a one word change.
S.B. 58 Public School Attendance Amendments · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents the bill to address chronic absenteeism by defining absence, setting attendance data collection requirements, requiring parent notice within two days of an unexcused absence, adding data accountability and transparency, and addressing kindergarten readiness with exemptions for IDEA and disability protections.
▶ Watch at 1:55:51Read what they said
Yeah, so this is, uh, this is a, uh, a bill that's dealing with, um, absenteeism, uh, and, and our public schools. As I've, uh, traveled around to different schools and talked with, um, a lot of administrators, a lot of parents, a lot of teachers, one of the biggest concerns is chronic absenteeism. And most of the time that's in the context of our students that are struggling, um, to perform well or hit benchmarks or beyond grade level. So what this bill does is it defines some really important terms within some of our districts. Believe it or not, there's not even standardization for, um, uh, for what an absence is or isn't even within certain school districts. …
S.J.R. 10 Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules Regarding Jury Selection · House Judiciary Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Supports the amendment and bill, saying in-person jury selection allows face-to-face reading of jurors and reconnecting as a society, and thanks the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:42:59Read what they said
I I just want to say that I, I think we have a major connectivity problem in society that we haven't gotten back around and, and reconnect with each other on a human level and be able to make eye to eye contact and have connections. Um, I am not an attorney, but I don't know how in the world I would be able to do jury selection without having somebody right in front of me looking 'em in the eye. I could only imagine how complicated that would be. It would be like me, my profession was selling door to door pest control and, uh, knock on the door and, and, and sell somebody face to face. Read their …
S.B. 167 Reintegration for Disciplined Students · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asked whether schools are properly documenting disciplinary records so they are available to new schools.
▶ Watch at 1:03:01Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, thank you for your work on this, on this bill. I think this is great. I I have a question with regard, uh, to, um, records. I've heard of a number of, of cases where schools are not keeping appropriate disciplinary records, um, and in, in fact not documenting stuff. Um, so it's easier as students, um, leave that it doesn't, it doesn't complicate things there, is there, is there any consideration given to whether or not schools are properly documenting, um, disciplinary, um, uh, events and making sure that that is actually available for, for the new school?
S.B. 167 Reintegration for Disciplined Students · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Asked whether the broad phrase 'school safety incidents' in the bill was intentional.
▶ Watch at 1:04:55Read what they said
So, um, so the phrase quote, any school safety incidents or safe school violations seems to be a, a little bit broad. Is that broad on, on purpose? Um, we actually had that discussion this morning on whether that needed to be narrowed down
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presented HB 520 to study student housing, citing owner-occupancy rates in Logan and other college towns, difficulty recruiting faculty due to housing costs, and a study of impacts and solutions expected to cost about $60,000 that the governor's office believes can be absorbed.
▶ Watch at 1:07:17Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so, uh, this committee is well aware that we, we, we are struggling, uh, with a housing crisis in our state. Um, and, uh, we're, we're grappling at, at ways of, of how to, how to address that. And, um, prior to the session, the beginning of the session, I received, received some data, um, from Logan City. And I want to, I wanna share that data with a committee. Um, Utah State University has 20, about 20,000 can students on campus at USU, uh, in Logan City proper. There's 18,570 units. Now, that's, that's, um, uh, single family detached. That's townhomes, that's apartments, that's all the above. So 18,570. Now, of the 20,000 students …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said he shares Senator Johnson's concerns, stated the study is meant to gather good information without a one-size-fits-all approach, and offered to work with local communities and the senator.
▶ Watch at 1:18:14Read what they said
Yeah, I, I would, and I, I think Senator Johnson, I, I think I would have the same concerns you do. Um, and I'd be happy to work with you. Um, um, throughout the, the process, we want good information. That's what we want. We want good information. The reason I think that the, the league's involvement is so important is, number one, for me, there is definitely no desire for a one size fits all. This is having towns, um, and surrounding communities around their college and universities to be active participants with the university presidents to find, um, potential solutions for their, for their communities. So, um, this, this is left a little bit vague because what we …
H.B. 553 Dog Attack Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Says the amendment was developed with rural Utah stakeholders to address their concerns, and that those concerns have been addressed.
▶ Watch at 46:02Read what they said
Yes. This, uh, amendment, um, is an amendment that we were able to come up with working with, uh, rural Utah and concerns that, um, uh, that rural Utah would have. Um, and we feel like we've addressed those items and got 'em to a good place.
H.B. 553 Dog Attack Amendments · House floor debate (day 41) · Mar 2, 2026
Explains that HB 553 would extend the statute of limitations for dog bite claims from three years to four years and raise the arbitration cap from $50,000 to $75,000, and that the cap has not changed in about 18 years while costs have risen.
▶ Watch at 46:45Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, HB 5 53, um, is, uh, a bill that this body has seen before. Um, it is, uh, um, a bill addressing, um, two elements of dog biting claims. Uh, the first is the statute of limitations, and then the second is the arbitration cap. Uh, for most, um, um, personal injury cases in the state of Utah, um, you'll have a four year statute of limitations. Um, for those cases, however, with dog biting bills, because liability for a dog biting bill is explicitly stated in our code, um, that sets it to a default of a three year statute of limitations. So what HB 5 53 would do would, would increase the statute …
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend SB 180 second substitute to the full House.
▶ Watch at 1:33:58Read what they said
Thompson? Yeah. If you willing make, I make a motion that we favorably recommend, uh, Senate bill, um, 180 1. 180 1, substitute two, uh, to the full house for consideration.
S.B. 181 School Discipline Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Spoke in favor of the motion, saying the sponsor added appropriate guardrails and that he is willing to work on definitions for other seclusion areas.
▶ Watch at 1:34:13Read what they said
I, I would like to speak to it. Um, the seclusion rooms have been, uh, a hot topic of conversation, um, uh, now for a few years, um, as, as they should. Um, it's very unfortunate situations that lead, um, to the need, um, for a seclusion room. I've, I've spent a considerable amount of time, uh, in our public schools and in classrooms where extreme behaviors are manifested. I've seen the grace, um, and love and compassionate, which, um, teachers and administrators work, um, with these, um, students. And the ones that I've experienced and seen have been rather young. Um, and, uh, to, to answer the good representative's question a little bit more, um, the seclusion, um, oftentimes …
S.B. 241 Early Literacy · House Education Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Thanks Senator Millner for her work on early literacy and says he fully supports the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:26:57Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I just wanna take the opportunity, um, to thank, um, Senator Millner for her, um, tremendous work on early literacy over the years, and just express my appreciation for that. Um, I fully support this bill today and, uh, would encourage my colleagues to do the same. Thank you.
S.B. 92 Prosecution Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Spoke on the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:24:04Read what they said
Thanks, Senator. And I, uh, Senator Wilson, were you speaking to the second substitute for this first substitute?
S.B. 92 Prosecution Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend the first substitute of SB 92.
▶ Watch at 1:24:13Read what they said
I, oh, it's already adopted. Yeah. I'd like to make a motion that we favorably recommend, um, sorry, I need to get the bill number here. Um, first sub of Senate Bill 92.
S.B. 92 Prosecution Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Speaks in favor of the motion, praising Desiree's strength and thanking the sponsor for the thoughtful work on the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:24:33Read what they said
Uh, I would like to speak to it. Um, Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Turner. Um, I am from Cash Valley and, um, I, uh, I want to take this opportunity to, um, to tell you, um, how much strength that Desiree, um, has brought and continues to bring, um, to our community. Um, she was a tremendous fighter, and I think you said it best, um, today when you said her victory should not be the victory of, of, um, those who did such horrendous harm. And, um, I, uh, you know, I was just, I was trying to find a quote that will be meaningful. Um, but I think, I'm just gonna speak from the heart here when I say …
H.B. 183 Sex Designation Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Says clear statutory definitions of sex and gender promote consistent enforcement and that protections against gender identity discrimination are preserved.
▶ Watch at 2:33:35Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Bryn, it's great to see you. Um, Bryn and I have sat down and had, um, uh, a great conversation in the past. Um, I wanna share a few thoughts, uh, today that, um, um, that I can tell you there's been a lot of thought and consideration and painstaking work that's gone into, um, today's bill getting to sub two. Um, and, and I have a couple prepared remarks that, that I wanna to share, um, that I think are, are, are really important, um, and that I like to drive home. But because sex and gender, um, can carry distinct biological, social and legal meanings, clearly defining them in state statute promotes …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Thanks the presiding officer and moves to adopt amendment one.
▶ Watch at 11:59Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro. Tim, I would like to move, uh, amendment one in my name.
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the amendment adds the municipalities where higher education institutions are located to the study, at the request of the League of Cities and Towns.
▶ Watch at 12:08Read what they said
Working with a League of Cities and Towns, uh, we just added a small line to make sure and include the municipalities in which higher education institutions, um, uh, are are part of in, in the study that we're proposing
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents HB 520 to direct a statewide feasibility study of how student populations affect surrounding housing markets, citing Logan data and noting the bill mandates no construction and appropriates no funding.
▶ Watch at 12:35Read what they said
Thank you, uh, Mr. Speaker Pro Tim. So, um, colleagues, uh, Mr. Speaker municipalities, um, that our colleges and universities reside in are experiencing some of the, the worst effects of the affordability and availability crisis that we're having with housing. So before the session started, I received a, a batch of data from Logan, a city, a city which I represent, and I was astonished at what I learned, um, from the data. I'm just gonna recite some of it just so everyone has context. University of or, or, uh, Utah State University has 20,000, approximately 20,000 students that attend, uh, uh, courses on campus at Utah State. In the city of Logan itself, we have 18,570 housing units. …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the study will coordinate universities and private-sector input to measure impacts, and that the governor's office and the Gardner Center may cover the study cost so the fiscal note may not be needed.
▶ Watch at 17:24Read what they said
Uh, thank you, uh, Mr. Speaker Pro tem. Uh, we we're actually going to be doing all the above. Uh, so what we'd like to do is we'd like to bring and have a coordinated effort amongst the university presence. Also working with a private sector to look and say, Hey, what's possible here? What we're really wanting to look at are the impacts. And my argument would be if the private sector was solving the issue that we wouldn't have 35% owner occupancy in a, in a college town. Um, so my concern is not, um, about who has what conversation, where I think we need to all be having that conversation. We're gonna be working to do that, …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the study looks at overall housing impact, including single-family homes occupied by students, young professionals, and faculty, and at adverse effects of colleges on home ownership.
▶ Watch at 18:47Read what they said
Uh, that's a great question Mr. Speaker Pro, Tim, this is just to look at overall impact on housing. Um, as I've looked at this, you can't separate student housing from single family housing. The problem is, is it's all got clumped in to one where a lot of traditional single family homes are now being occupied, uh, by college students because others have been pushed out. So this is actually, um, looking at, at single family homes, um, homes for young professionals, homes for students looking homes for faculty. Just looking at the overall impact that these colleges and universities have. We, it's, it's very clear that college universities have a tremendous amazing economic impact on the cities that, …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the study focuses on housing availability and the impacts of student housing, with affordability as part of the equation.
▶ Watch at 20:05Read what they said
This is looking at house housing availability. It's looking at the impacts of student housing, um, in these communities. Um, and, uh, affordability is always part of the equation, but mostly looking at the impact.
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the study does not yet have a full scope but that examining city regulations would be an important part of gathering comprehensive data.
▶ Watch at 21:00Read what they said
Um, thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. Absolutely. This study is gonna be looking at, at, um, I don't have the full scope of this study outlined yet, but that would be a very important thing for us to look at as part of the study, um, if we're trying to have a, a comprehensive gathering of data and information. Perfect.
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Summarizes the study as a way to gather data on where student housing impacts are greatest, while keeping local control over zoning.
▶ Watch at 21:44Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Speaker. Pro tem, just in, in, in summation, this study I think is going to be enlightening. It's gonna provide some great insight, it's gonna provide some great data. Um, and I think it's gonna give us some guidance on, um, hey, maybe we can concentrate our efforts in some specific areas, um, in the state versus, um, uh, approaches that have been considered of taking over zoning on a statewide level. I wanna maintain local control, but I wanna look at where the greatest impacts are and say, Hey, what can we do to, to mitigate those impacts? So I would appreciate your support
H.B. 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Presented H.B. 265, saying it extends Utah's nicotine vape product registry to non-nicotine inhalation products, adds escalating civil penalties and permit revocation for retailers, bans sale of cannabinoid vapes outside the medical cannabis framework, and requires FDA-authorized products.
▶ Watch at 7:46Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. Chair. Uh, today I appreciate the opportunity to present HB 2 65 and explain why this bill is a necessary step, uh, forward to keep Utah's work for public health, especially for the health of our kids. Um, over the past several years, Utah has taken significant bipartisan action to regulate electronic cigarettes, particularly flavored vapes that disproportionately attract youth. Most notably, during the 2024 legislative sessions, um, this body passed legislation led by Senator Brady Grammar that created Utah's electronic C cigarette product Registry and Strength and Enforcement against Flavor and unauthorized vape products. Um, what this bill is, is a bill to clean up a a few loopholes. Um, it is important …
S.J.R. 1 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence Concerning Crimes or Other Acts · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Offers to make a motion at the motion stage.
▶ Watch at 1:24:20Read what they said
Um, if we're we're at motion, the motion stage, I'm happy to, to make a motion. Is that an order? Yes, sir. Okay.
S.J.R. 1 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence Concerning Crimes or Other Acts · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend SJR 1 substitute 1 to the full body.
▶ Watch at 1:24:28Read what they said
I'd like to make a motion that we, um, favorably recommend SJR one, uh, substitute one to the full body for consideration.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Presents HB 190 as aligning the state childcare tax credit with recent federal changes, citing childcare costs, business productivity losses, and expected employer participation.
▶ Watch at 1:39:26Read what they said
Well, hey, I, if you're looking at me and it's just good so far, I'm, I'm off to a good start. So, um, thanks Randall. So I'm, I'm gonna just keep this as brief as I, as brief as I can. Number number one, uh, thank you Mr. Chair Committee. Um, this business, uh, uh, childcare tax credit is a childcare tax credit that we currently already have on the books. Um, the, the current tax credit that we have mirrors federal, uh, code. And, um, unfortunately it's very tilted towards large, large businesses that can afford to build out the infrastructure to provide childcare. But the conversation day starts with families. Um, a lot of people are unaware that …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Responds that each credit dollar under this bill is tied to childcare provided and that he supports both this approach and giving families more money back.
▶ Watch at 1:48:01Read what they said
Um, that's a great question. Um, Mr. Chair, the, the, um, I will always support giving more money back to, to our families. I will always support that. Um, one thing I can say with confidence, and I've, I've talked to a, a lot of parents, if, if we give a child credit back, um, to, to families, there's a lot of our families that are going to be using that money. Um, not because they're misusing it, but they're gonna use it to put food on the table. They're going to use it to pay for electricity, they're gonna use it for gas or for just survival. The, the difference with, with this bill is this bill, every single …
S.B. 164 School Construction Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Asks whether the second substitute needs adoption and moves to favorably recommend SB 164 as substituted.
▶ Watch at 1:39:23Read what they said
Yeah. Do we, um, do we need to adopt sub two? It's already adopted. It is already adopted that, yep, that's correct. Then I would move that, um, that we favor favorably recommend, um, uh, Senate Bill 1 64, um, as substituted.
S.B. 164 School Construction Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Speaks in favor of the motion, saying the bill has been worked on since the interim and would provide statewide consistency and accountability.
▶ Watch at 1:39:46Read what they said
Would you like to speak to that motion? Yeah, I would. Um, I, you know, first of all, the notion that the sponsor's been frantically working on this during the session to just push something through. Um, not true. Um, this has been worked on since the interim. Uh, there's been a lot of work and energy and effort and conversation and collaboration that's gone in, um, to this bill. Um, you, you know, I was fortunate enough to start, um, a company that, um, with, with business partners that became a nationwide company. And, um, when we started out with our first couple branches, um, we, we spent a lot more money. Um, we weren't very good at it. …
H.B. 528 Local School Board Reporting · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 528 as substituted.
▶ Watch at 2:19:07Read what they said
To you. Yeah, I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 5 28 as substituted.
H.B. 487 Legislative Branch Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Asks whether a substitute is to be adopted and moves to adopt the first substitute for HB 487.
▶ Watch at 55:28Read what they said
Uh, so there's, there's no subs to be adopted, correct? First sub. First sub. There is first sub. Yeah, I moved that we adopt, uh, first sub four house Bill 4 87.
H.B. 487 Legislative Branch Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 487 as substituted.
▶ Watch at 58:19Read what they said
Yeah, I move that we favorably recommend HB 4 8 7 legislator autonomy amendments, um, as substituted
H.B. 487 Legislative Branch Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Speaks in favor of the bill, saying it outlines the roles and powers of legislators so their voice for constituents is not limited, and thanks the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 58:29Read what they said
Um, I, um, this bill goes without saying th this just clearly, um, outlines and articulates what our powers and roles are, and our constituents elect us to come here and have a voice for them. And this, um, outlines that we have a voice and it shouldn't be limited. Um, so I, I appreciate the sponsor for his work on this bill.
H.B. 487 Legislative Branch Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to place HB 487 on the consent calendar and then declines to speak on that motion.
▶ Watch at 59:25Read what they said
Chair. I'd like to make another motion. Okay. If I can, I'd like to make a motion that we place this on the consent calendar. That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it? Uh, no. I'll waive. Okay.
H.B. 553 Dog Attack Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Presents HB 553, which would align the statute of limitations for dog bite claims with the four-year standard and raise the arbitration cap from $50,000 to $75,000.
▶ Watch at 1:17:05Read what they said
Good morning, Mr. Chair. Good morning. Committee. Um, I have a co-presenter, um, online. Uh, Jake, uh, is he online and good to go, panelists. Okay, great. Um, uh, this is actually another, um, simple bill. HP 5 53 makes two practical targeted fixes to Utah's civil, uh, justice system. Number one, align the statute of limitations for dog biting cases to four years consistent with most other personal injury claims. And then number two, it raises the arbitration cap from $50,000 to $75,000 reflecting inflation and rising medical costs. So this is a technical cleanup, uh, bill that promotes fairness and efficiency. It does, um, not expand liability, um, creates new cause of action or increases damages. So, issue …
H.B. 553 Dog Attack Amendments · House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Closes by noting that $50,000 has lost value since 2005 as medical costs have risen, and describes a friend's child's dog bite injury as the reason for supporting arbitration.
▶ Watch at 1:31:30Read what they said
Yeah. Th thank you. I, I thank you for the, thank you for the motion. Um, you know, when you, you sit and look at what $50,000 is today and how much that was back in 2005, I can't find my reverse calculator, but my, my guess would be it would be somewhere in the $30,000 range. Um, healthcare costs have climbed exponentially. Um, I do have a personal experience of, um, of, of a very close friend whose daughter, um, was, was bit in the face and was ripped from just below the eye, through the nose, down through the lip, um, multiple plastic surgeries. Um, this is, this is very real. I do think there's an element of, …
S.B. 109 Alienation of Affection Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to proceed to the next agenda item.
▶ Watch at 1:54:37Read what they said
Oh, sorry. Yeah, I, I would move that we move on to the next agenda item.
S.B. 109 Alienation of Affection Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Says his main concern is protecting the sanctity of marriage and that he prefers keeping a role for the courts under centuries of common law.
▶ Watch at 1:54:48Read what they said
I'll briefly speak to it. I, um, you know, I think that there, you know, there's been good debate today, um, but my, my biggest concern is protecting the sanctity of marriage. Um, I do think that there is, uh, a place and a role, um, for, for, uh, for the courts here and to, um, um, I just, um, uh, don't feel good with, um, moving away from, um, from centuries of common law to, um, what I feel would, would weaken the institution of marriage. So, Thank you, Representative Thompson.
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Presented HB 520 to fund a statewide feasibility study of how college student housing affects surrounding housing markets and of mitigation options, including university-owned land and private partnerships, and said the bill does not mandate construction or appropriate funding.
▶ Watch at 28:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I'm gonna have, uh, Steve Waldrop from the Governor's office. Uh, join me if that's okay with you, uh, for my presentation. That is, that is great. Yes. I'm trying to figure out the lights in here Saying, that's great representative. I was worried about your answer To that question, So I'm ready when you are. Mr. Chair. I'm, we are ready? Yep. Okay. Uh, Mr. Chair, I, I have, uh, I have prepared some, some prepared, um, comments. This, some of this is a little bit technical. Um, so, um, I'm gonna use some prepared comments to go through it and then excited to take any questions. So, um, HB five 20 is, is …
H.B. 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Summed up the bill, urged a favorable recommendation, said the requested funding is well spent on the state's housing and talent challenges, and yielded the rest of his time to Steve Waldrop.
▶ Watch at 38:15Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Chair, if I may sum with, uh, a couple just very quick statements, um, and then turn a little bit of time over for the remainder of my sum to, uh, Steve Waldrop. Would that be okay? Yep. Um, I, number one, I really think this committee for the favorable recommendation, um, number two, it is incumbent upon us as elected, duly elected representatives to work and to find the best possible solutions that we can find that provide for the health, the welfare, and the safety of our citizens. And the funding that is, is being requested with this bill is some of the best spent taxpayer funds that we can spend to help solve one of …
H.B. 463 Special Education Funding Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Thompson supported the bill's goal but said fiscal realities make the interim the best place for progress and committed to working with the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:12:33Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanna thank the, um, the good sponsor for, for, for bringing this bill. Um, we, we do, we do have an issue, um, and we do need to address the issue. I am in full support of what you are, um, uh, what you're endeavoring, um, to, to do here. And it breaks my heart that the reason that we have to sit here and have the conversation about holding is because of the fiscal realities this year and where and where we are. Um, I also, um, uh, appreciate my good colleague for his motion, recognizing the realities of what's on the board. Um, and, and, um, the, the reality is I think the …
H.B. 334 Educator Organization Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 20, 2026
Thanked the sponsor and said communication between the legislature, education agencies, and the state board needs improvement, and that the commission could help close those gaps.
▶ Watch at 1:51:32Read what they said
I would love to speak to it. Um, uh, I want to thank the, the sponsor for bringing this bill. Um, I've spent a considerable amount of my time over the past year working in the public education space, and I'm gonna make one very clear and simple statement. Um, education, uh, communication and coordination between, um, the legislature and LEAs between the state board and LEAs between the state board and the legislation. It's a freaking mess. And to be honest with you, this is, if, if, and I know there's, this is a workload bill, this is a workload bill, there's gonna be some concern about that. But if there is one place in education that we can …
H.B. 331 Criminal Offenses Modifications · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Asks why the religious rights provision requires two or more people and explains the reasoning for that threshold.
▶ Watch at 1:40:40Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just have one, um, one question going back to the deprivation of religious rights. Um, so it creates a third degree felony. Um, and, and I'm just, I have a question about why it's with two or more individuals and why, why we wouldn't do this if it's one person doing it. I, I think the two or more is more of a practical concern wherein if you're looking at blocking, uh, parishioners from entering a church practically, you would probably need more than one individual to, to do so. Um, I, I, I think that's, that's the other piece too, in terms of, uh, you know, where, where it may go from trespassing. So …
H.B. 331 Criminal Offenses Modifications · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute of HB 331.
▶ Watch at 1:47:53Read what they said
First. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so we need to adopt first sub, um, I move that we adopt substitute one, uh, two HB three 30, uh, 3 31.
H.B. 331 Criminal Offenses Modifications · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 331 as substituted to the full House.
▶ Watch at 1:49:27Read what they said
I move that we favorably recommend HB 3 31 as substituted to the full house for consideration.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Thompson said he wants to speak to the motion to circle and needs a little more time while waiting on some numbers for the body.
▶ Watch at 1:00:38Read what they said
That motion is an order we'd like to speak to. Uh, I just need a, a little bit more time waiting back on a couple other numbers I'd like to have for the body.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Said he was ready to present the bill after receiving the dynamic fiscal note.
▶ Watch at 1:09:38Read what they said
Yeah, I've gotten, uh, the dynamic fiscal note that I was waiting for and I'm ready to present the bill.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Presented H.B. 190 to update Utah's employer childcare tax credit, citing low fertility, childcare costs, and the federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill, and said the credit is voluntary and non-refundable.
▶ Watch at 1:10:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, colleagues. Mr. Speaker. Uh, childcare is broken in ways that, um, that are starting to shape how families live their lives and how businesses higher and whether young couples in our state even can afford in their minds to have children. Utah's total fertility rate has steadily decreased from 2.65 in 1990 to 1.8 in 2023. That's marking a 32% reduction over three decades. Childcare issues are felt by families first. Employers feel it next and eventually the whole state feels it. Today, roughly 64% of Utah families have all available parents in the workforce. In recent years, we've seen sky high inflation and wages that have not kept up. Some families are finding ways …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Said the amendment is a friendly motion and thanked the sponsor for preparing it.
▶ Watch at 1:17:46Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, this is a friendly motion, uh, motion and I, uh, appreciate the sponsor of the amendment for, uh, for preparing the amendment.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Said the credit differs from federal grants, is tied to income tax returns, and can only be claimed if the federal credit is also claimed.
▶ Watch at 1:23:31Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, that, that's a very important question and one that I was extraordinarily concerned with. Um, when we look at the other state in in mind, these were federal grants that were provided that were, um, separate from a business, um, tax credit that's tied directly to, um, uh, income tax returns. It's not a grant that's given for somebody to provide some kind of a program. So this is, um, this is entirely different. This is trackable on, um, uh, the federal tax return in the state of Utah as an additional protection. The only way that you can claim this credit in the state of Utah is if you qualify for and claim the federal …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House floor debate (day 29) · Feb 18, 2026
Gave summation saying the bill addresses affordability for families, described the fiscal note's employment and revenue figures, and argued the credit will increase state revenue.
▶ Watch at 1:27:58Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I really appreciate, um, all the thoughts, Mr. Speaker. We have major affordability issues in the state of Utah. Our kids can't afford housing. Our kids can't afford childcare. People are struggling to afford food. I wholeheartedly agree that family tax credits and putting more money back in our family's pockets is imperative. That's a bill that we voted on today to do that, that's part of a broader package to address the affordability concern with making sure that we're not exporting our kids and grandkids. I want to touch on the one topic of outsourcing our childcare to someone else. I would love to have that conversation around a table with folks who feel …
H.B. 480 Medical Record Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says the bill is an excellent fix for a problem the committee had not considered.
▶ Watch at 1:18:44Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, uh, I just wanted to thank the, the sponsor of the bill. And, um, like, I'm, I'm actually a little frustrated because, um, I, I'm sitting here thinking about, um, just the whole concept and, and like, I'm like struck right now. Like, this is heartbreaking, right? And it's like, I've never thought about it. It's like we never thought about it. We just go on, um, about things. So I'm just really grateful that, um, that you, that you're bringing this forward and that we're gonna be able to get this cleaned up for a lot of people. And, um, I think this is an excellent bill. I just wonder where else we've got …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said he watches for unfunded mandates and asked where the funding would ultimately come from.
▶ Watch at 1:10:53Read what they said
Thank you Madam Vice Chair, um, representative Arthur. Arthur, thank you for, for being here and, um, for your services as a teacher. I, um, I have questions about the fiscal note as well. Mm-hmm. Um, uh, there, I have two priorities on this committee. Number one, um, watching out for unfunded mandates. Mm-hmm. Um, that, that, um, there, there's been too many times that I've talked to my superintendents where, um, you know, where, where the frustration is that we're, we're, we're passing legislation, um, requiring certain things without providing funding for it. In fact, I, I would like to change the fiscal note altogether to show local impact and have it right at the top in a big …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Withheld his next question for time.
▶ Watch at 1:12:39Read what they said
You. I, uh, for the sake of time, I'll, I'll withhold, um, um, my, my next question, but thank you. Thank you.
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said he supports the policy but is concerned about the $1.7 million cost in a tight budget year and began to make a motion.
▶ Watch at 1:21:32Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so, um, Uh, representative Arthur, I, um, when it comes to libraries, you won't find a bigger supporter in reading and early literacy and libraries than right here. Um, the, the role and responsibility of this committee is to be the gatekeeper. Um, not just a policy, but to look and say, how do, how do we fund this? How do we make the, how do, how do we make this happen? My concern today has, um, very little to do with the policy. Um, I, I actually really support and love what you're trying to do with the bill. Um, I, I don't see anything limiting, um, a a district from being able to …
H.B. 364 Certified Teacher Librarian Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Attempted to move to hold the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:22:56Read what they said
I'll, I'll make a motion, then I'll speak to it. I'll make a motion that we hold well,
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Opposed the substitute over concerns about unfunded mandates on LEAs and said he is willing to work with the sponsor on another approach.
▶ Watch at 53:01Read what they said
Uh, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I too would rise in opposition to, um, to this substitute for, for the same reason. Um, we have got to control unfunded mandates from, from this body, especially to our LEAs. Um, and that's, that's my number one concern. I am fully committed to work, um, with, with the sponsor of, of, of the motion to try and find a way to do this in a way that it doesn't put, um, a burden on our LEAs and send the wrong message from this body, um, that, Hey, you guys go deal with it. Figure it out. We don't, we don't care. Um, I think there's a way that we can do this …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Opposes the first substitute over concerns about unfunded mandates on LEAs and says he is willing to work with the sponsor on a solution.
▶ Watch at 53:01Read what they said
Uh, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I too would rise in opposition to, um, to this substitute for, for the same reason. Um, we have got to control unfunded mandates from, from this body, especially to our LEAs. Um, and that's, that's my number one concern. I am fully committed to work, um, with, with the sponsor of, of, of the motion to try and find a way to do this in a way that it doesn't put, um, a burden on our LEAs and send the wrong message from this body, um, that, Hey, you guys go deal with it. Figure it out. We don't, we don't care. Um, I think there's a way that we can do this …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Opposes the substitute over unfunded mandates on LEAs and says he wants to work with the sponsor on a way to address the concern.
▶ Watch at 53:01Read what they said
Uh, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I too would rise in opposition to, um, to this substitute for, for the same reason. Um, we have got to control unfunded mandates from, from this body, especially to our LEAs. Um, and that's, that's my number one concern. I am fully committed to work, um, with, with the sponsor of, of, of the motion to try and find a way to do this in a way that it doesn't put, um, a burden on our LEAs and send the wrong message from this body, um, that, Hey, you guys go deal with it. Figure it out. We don't, we don't care. Um, I think there's a way that we can do this …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks for leave of the body to open a bill file.
▶ Watch at 1:04:50Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'd like to, um, um, motion that to request, uh, leave of the body to open a bill file.
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks leave of the body to open a bill file.
▶ Watch at 1:04:50Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'd like to, um, um, motion that to request, uh, leave of the body to open a bill file. Thank you representative. That motion is in order. Would like speak to it? I would, um, I would like to open a bill file
H.B. 216 Child Support Calculation Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Asks whether any substitutes or amendments need to be adopted for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:02:22Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I'd like to do, there's no subs or amendments need to be adopted, is that correct?
H.B. 216 Child Support Calculation Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moves to favorably recommend HB 216 to the House.
▶ Watch at 1:02:29Read what they said
Um, I'd like to move that we favorably recommend HB two 16 with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 216 Child Support Calculation Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Supports the bill as common sense, saying child support should meet children's financial needs and those of the other parent, and commends the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:02:40Read what they said
Speak to that? Yeah, I will. Just briefly. Yeah, it, it does seem like it's common sense. Um, you know, you, you think, um, you know, there is a responsibility in child support to, um, make sure that the financial needs, um, of children and, um, uh, the other parent are, are met. Um, this seems like common sense. I don't know why it hasn't been done before. And, uh, I commend the sponsor for, for his work here. So yeah, I support it.
H.B. 370 Sex Offender Oversight Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Asked what number of registrants without addresses would constitute a public safety risk.
▶ Watch at 1:25:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so there, um, you've alluded to the, the thought or the idea that there's not a public safety threat. Um, you, you've kind of talked the numbers down and my my question to you is, um, what number of people who don't have an address, um, that may be homeless or otherwise, um, that are, that that should have an address for the sex offender registry, what number would equal a public safety risk in your mind?
H.B. 370 Sex Offender Oversight Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Asked whether something should be done in the meantime to mitigate public risk.
▶ Watch at 1:27:19Read what they said
Okay. That's not my number. I'm just, I'm just asking what number would create a public safety threat, um, in the meantime. And, and I don't, I don't disagree with some of the things you're saying in the meantime. Um, do you feel that there should be something done to mitigate risk to the public, or, or do you think things should just stay as is and, um, and, and then work to address the issues you're concerned with?
H.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution Authorizing Adult Sentencing and Supervision Length Guidelines and Juvenile Disposition Guidelines · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Thompson says he previously voted to hold H.B. 540, now is confident in the sponsor's work with stakeholders, and moves to reconsider.
▶ Watch at 2:23:32Read what they said
I would, um, on, uh, HB five 40, um, I previously, um, uh, voted to hold that bill and speaking with a sponsor and with where we are in this session, um, I am confident in the sponsor's ability to work with stakeholders, uh, to get this bill to where it needs to be. Uh, and if not, well we'll be able to determine that on the floor. So, I, uh, that's the reason I'm making this motion. Okay.
H.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution Authorizing Adult Sentencing and Supervision Length Guidelines and Juvenile Disposition Guidelines · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Thompson thanks the chair for the opportunity to reconsider.
▶ Watch at 2:24:32Read what they said
Thank you. I, um, I'll, I'll, uh, I'll wait. I appreciate the, the opportunity to reconsider the action. So, um, okay.
H.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution Authorizing Adult Sentencing and Supervision Length Guidelines and Juvenile Disposition Guidelines · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Thompson says work still needs to be done on the bill and that his reconsideration request shows his confidence it will happen.
▶ Watch at 2:26:21Read what they said
Thank you. I I just wanna make the same, the, the same, uh, point as Represe, uh, Representative Clancy, that, um, there is, there is work that needs to be done here. And, um, um, my request to reconsider is, uh, to, to show my confidence that that will happen. And, uh, I too will, will be watching very closely and, um, uh, hope that it gets there. And, um, my vote on the floor will reflect my confidence in that.
H.B. 197 School Materials Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says the fourth substitute is sensible, manageable policy that protects students and schools, and that he will support it.
▶ Watch at 1:35:09Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I, um, the first thing I I wanna do is I want to thank the good sponsor for her work on this bill. Um, I, uh, um, I was, I was a no, um, out of the gate because for me, I am extraordinarily frustrated that protecting our kids from harm harmful materials even needs to be a political debate in conversation. And one, uh, I'm, I'm, uh, I'm hoping and praying that we can, that we can have policy in place and move on and not have a reoccurring conversation, um, that that continues to go on and on. Um, but I am grateful for, for the good sponsor for her work, um, that she's …
H.B. 219 Higher Education Civics Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asked Killebrew to confirm whether he meant that teaching these documents runs counter to current education thought.
▶ Watch at 1:52:18Read what they said
So I just wanna make sure I'm understanding correctly. I think I heard you say it correctly that, um, these documents and teaching this material is contrary to current education and current thought. I, I'm maybe paraphrasing, is that, is that correct? Is that what you said?
H.B. 399 Prohibition Against Student Character Tracking and Grading Systems · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Makes a motion to hold the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:55:25Read what they said
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'd like to make a motion to hold
H.B. 399 Prohibition Against Student Character Tracking and Grading Systems · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Expresses concern about declining values and asks how teachers can keep teaching durable skills and leadership under the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:55:45Read what they said
Um, when I look at the world that we live in today, um, we look at the world of, of ai, we look at a world of rapid growth. We look a world of declining values. We look at a world where, um, the family in the home is in decay, um, for crying out loud, we don't even have a boys, uh, a boy scout system to send our our boys to anymore. I think the girl scouts are still still there. But for centuries and centuries, and I promise this is a question for centuries and centuries, our, our institutions, whether they're, um, and I do believe the family first and foremost is where character is forged and …
H.B. 399 Prohibition Against Student Character Tracking and Grading Systems · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks what more SEL means and where the line is between acceptable character development and tracking.
▶ Watch at 2:57:29Read what they said
So, so if could, could you, could you talk to that for me for a sec? How do I go back to my teachers and say, Hey, we're not annihilating your ability to, um, uh, help teach and correct kids that are in the classroom. Um, how do I, how do I go back and do that with, with confidence if we, if, if, if we pass this bill, Um, I think it's clear from the data that sel harder isn't fixing the problem. And so I think we need to think outside of the box of that we've been in. And again, I think that this bill still holds in place all the other things. We're not saying teachers, …
H.B. 399 Prohibition Against Student Character Tracking and Grading Systems · House Education Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to hold the bill, saying it goes too far and that its character education language would limit classroom support.
▶ Watch at 3:30:11Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move, uh, that we hold first substitute how house Bill 3 99. That motion is in order. Would you like to speak to it? I would. Um, the first thing I'd like to say is, is that I can say with full confidence that I think everyone in this room, whether you're for or against this bill, are here because you care about our kids. And this is a, a complicated issue. Um, it's, it's extraordinarily complicated for me because I care about the leadership development of our kids. I care about the soft skills or the durable skills that our kids are, are, um, are learning. I care about the, you know, I believe …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Says he worked on the bill with the sponsor, describes it as eliminating a hurdle for employees and small businesses without mandates, and urges support.
▶ Watch at 49:19Read what they said
Thank you, uh, Mr. Speaker, I don't want to be belabor the issue, but I, I have had the, the, uh, privilege of working on this bill. Um, uh, over the interim with the sponsor. Um, this is one of the more important bills that we are going to be voting on, um, this session. And, uh, as we look at the financial planning that we're trying to do here at the state level, um, because of, uh, uh, federal's, the federal government's lack of ability to continue to fund things at the level that they are, um, we as a state are having to take on more responsibility and say, Hey, how are we going to watch out for …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Thompson said he worked on the bill with the sponsor over the interim, called it an important bill that gives small businesses and employees easier access to retirement plans without mandates, and urged support.
▶ Watch at 49:19Read what they said
Thank you, uh, Mr. Speaker, I don't want to be belabor the issue, but I, I have had the, the, uh, privilege of working on this bill. Um, uh, over the interim with the sponsor. Um, this is one of the more important bills that we are going to be voting on, um, this session. And, uh, as we look at the financial planning that we're trying to do here at the state level, um, because of, uh, uh, federal's, the federal government's lack of ability to continue to fund things at the level that they are, um, we as a state are having to take on more responsibility and say, Hey, how are we going to watch out for …
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Thompson thanked his co-sponsor for his work on the bill and urged colleagues to support it.
▶ Watch at 50:35Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. And I do wanna recognize my wonderful colleague that just spoke. He has been, he's actually the, uh, the co-sponsor. I wish there was a way we could put us both on this bill. That way he has been totally locked step working on this and I really appreciate his efforts. Um, colleagues, this is a pivotal point. We don't need to belabor that. Uh, I would appreciate your support on this bill.
H.B. 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Sponsor presents HB 265 to extend the state's registry and pre-market authorization framework from nicotine products to non-nicotine inhalation and cannabinoid inhalation products, citing products such as melatonin and vitamin vapes.
▶ Watch at 52:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, today before us, uh, we have House Bill 2 65. Um, the first substitute, um, our state, um, for, for a long time has made protecting our children one of its top priorities. Um, uh, whether that's ai, whether that's pornography, um, uh, gambling, whatever it may be, we take these issues on because being, um, uh, out there in front for our children is our number one priority. What HB 2 65 does is it builds on progress that we have already made as a body, um, over the past couple years, if, uh, if you'll remember back to 2024, uh, uh, Senate Bill 61, uh, was passed that did some pretty important things …
H.B. 273 Classroom Technology Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Moves to offer amendment number three to the second substitute of H.B. 273.
▶ Watch at 3:19:18Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I, um, I would like to, uh, offer amendment number three to second substitute 2 73 in my name. Alright, The motion is to, the motion is to adopt the third amendment to the second substitute of House Bill. Uh, lemme make sure I got my right one here.
H.B. 273 Classroom Technology Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Explains that the amendment removes some reporting elements while keeping the requirement that LEAs have a policy and submit changes to the state board, and changes the AI tools language to require use of student-facing AI tools that the LEA approves.
▶ Watch at 3:19:39Read what they said
I, I do. Yeah. Um, Mr. Chair, I, I chair task force, um, to work to eliminate, um, re reporting. Um, and our LEAs right now, I think the number is up to 350 or 360 reports, um, that, um, that have to be produced. So, um, there's some trimming of the fat here that where, where I think, um, we could still accomplish what, um, the good sponsors attempting to accomplish here. Um, by eliminating a couple reporting elements, um, what we still are gonna require is that, uh, a policy is, is reported, uh, um, to the state board and the language remains in the underlying bill that on line two 90 an LEA that changes a policy. …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said he will speak to the second substitute and asked that handouts be distributed.
▶ Watch at 1:43:10Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes. I'll be speaking to the second substitute. Okay, perfect. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Chair, could, would it be okay if my, uh, if my interim passes out some flag?
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Presented HB 190 as a small-business childcare tax credit that expands the existing employer credit to offsite care and reduces barriers to employer participation, then introduced Emily McCormick.
▶ Watch at 1:43:22Read what they said
What's being passed out is an overall information sheet. There's also, um, two op-eds, one that was written quite a while back to, um, articulate the, um, childcare issues in the state. The second one kind of brings the multi bill solution together that we're working on this session. So just for context and for information, Thank you. We, we do have a slide presentation, I think he's trying to put up And Mr. Vice chair, I think we, we do have a slide presentation that I think that they we're gonna try and put up. Yeah, he's, He's working. He's, uh, he's very close. That's either good news for the passage of a bill or bad news for the …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said the bill aims to make funding available so providers can stay open and families can afford care.
▶ Watch at 1:57:49Read what they said
That, that's a great question. So again, we're, we're attacking this with multiple bills. Um, right now there's another bill there, there's another bill that we're running this session that's going to greatly address supply. Um, what we're doing is we're making sure that the funding is there. We're finding a lot of our childcare providers are simply, they, they simply have to shut the doors because people don't have the money to pay for childcare. So people just can't keep their doors open. So I think once there's, once there's funding there, once people can afford to pay for childcare, there's a bunch of people who want to watch children. They just need it to be affordable. And, um, …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said the bill is tied to new federal changes that give small businesses a federal childcare credit, and that the state credit requires claiming the federal credit.
▶ Watch at 1:58:47Read what they said
Yeah, that's a great question. Um, so the, the, the, the impetus for, for this major policy change here in the state of Utah is, um, major federal policy changes in the one big beautiful bill, the one big beautiful bill took, um, childcare coverage from being, uh, for a business tax credit from being limited to large businesses who build out infrastructure to now including it for all small businesses across the country. So this is, this is new terrain, but, um, what they did in the one big beautiful bill is they put small businesses first. Um, and what I mean by that is they, they're giving a, the federal government's offering a 50% credit for small businesses. …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said a legislative working group recommended business involvement and that surveys showed many small businesses were interested. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 2:00:07Read what they said
Yeah. Um, just to add to that, there was, uh, uh, legislative working group women in the economy, and this was one of the main policy recommendations ca that came out of there was to have businesses involved in this way. And so when they did look at, this was one of the slides, but when they looked at St. George and I think, um, Salt Lake, it was like 60 to 70% of small businesses say they'd be interested. We don't know the federal numbers, but we can also look those up and I can follow up with you.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said the bill expands last year's credit and mirrors the updated federal language.
▶ Watch at 2:00:59Read what they said
So, yes, that's a great question. Thank you. Um, so what, what this does is this, um, essentially expands what we did last year. It builds on what we did last year. So what was in place last year? This is ki um, uh, we've taken, expanded the language to still mirror the federal language last year. It mirrored the federal language this year, mirrors the federal language. We're just changing it on the state level because of the fact that they updated it in the one big beautiful bill.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said Utah already has parental childcare deductions and that federal child tax credits and childcare deductions were expanded this year.
▶ Watch at 2:02:34Read what they said
Um, there, there currently are, uh, parental deductions and this year there were also increases to parental deductions also on the federal level as well. Um, we've seen an ex, uh, an expansion with child tax credits as well as as deductible expenses for childcare. Both.
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Spoke in favor, saying the bill encourages private employers to offer childcare benefits, increasing supply, and that it is a small-business bill rather than a mandate.
▶ Watch at 2:17:13Read what they said
Um, colleagues. Um, this bill is important for, for a lot of reasons. Um, number one, first and foremost, um, families are one of the most important things to us in the state of Utah. It's one of the things that we value the most, and I see in my district and I see around the state, families struggling, struggling to get by, struggling to make ends meet, working multiple jobs. Um, I believe the statistic was 76%, uh, of households have both parents working. Um, I've talked to numerous childcare providers in Cash County who simply had to close the doors because people couldn't afford to pay. So when we incentivize the private sector, not mandate, incentivize the private …
H.B. 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit · House Revenue and Taxation Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Said the bill is a voluntary small-business measure aimed at families and that it could have an outsized impact, and urged support.
▶ Watch at 2:31:19Read what they said
Uh, thank you. Um, I, I, I appreciate all the comments. Um, this is, this is a really difficult, um, issue. Um, uh, the, the comment of, um, government outsourcing our children at government, I, I can't disagree with that. Um, more, um, the realities of life, um, are that we have multiple parents that are in the workforce that are being forced to, um, to, to work, to be able to pay jobs, to make ends meet. We've got a wage gap that's unlike anything we've ever seen before. And what we're saying here with this legislation is private sector, Hey, we want you to step, step up, and we want you to provide a benefit to your employees, …
H.B. 204 Higher Education Student Belief Accommodation · House Education Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Supports the bill, saying broadening the language provides valuable protections and that students should receive a rigorous education without a climate of fear.
▶ Watch at 1:17:32Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, you know, I, I came in, um, I came into this committee meeting, um, fully, you know, fully sort of supportive of the, the, the principles and, and the ideas and just wondering, you know, looking through state code, wondering, okay, um, is this already covered somewhere in state code? And, and looking through it's, it's not the, the language, the broadening of the language, um, I think provides some valuable protections. Um, I I will say that the comments that I've heard, um, some of the comments that I've heard today, um, um, were a little bit alarming. Um, uh, something in effect of universities or faculty should not be forced to receive, uh, …
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Supports the bill, cites the George Mason quote, and speaks in favor of a brief hold so the bill can pass this year after meeting with stakeholders.
▶ Watch at 1:45:32Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Um, so, um, I wanna thank the sponsor of the bill, first and foremost for bringing, um, for bringing this bill. Um, there, there's a quote that the sponsor actually put me onto that I wanna share, and I know our time is short. This is a George Mason quote, George Mason's maxim that no free government or the blessing of liberty can be preserved to any people, but by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles. And that is what this bill is getting to the heart of. I support this bill 100% as I think most of my colleagues do. Um, I am going to support, um, and vote in favor of the hold. Um, …
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House Education Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Says the first substitute addressed some issues but still favors a hold so the bill can move quickly with the other bills.
▶ Watch at 1:48:57Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. And, and I, um, I don't know when the first sub, I appreciate you with the first sub, um, addressing those couple of issues, but I still think with the other bills coming, we can, I think we can still get this to move quickly. So I would still, I'm still going in favor of a, of a hold.
H.B. 317 Social Health in Public Education Curriculum · House Education Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Offered a substitute motion to favorably recommend the first substitute of H.B. 317.
▶ Watch at 2:34:17Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like to offer a substitute motion to favorably, uh, favorably recommend, uh, first substitute of, uh, house Bill three 17 to the floor.
H.B. 317 Social Health in Public Education Curriculum · House Education Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Said the amendment addressed his main concern, described classroom behavior problems he has seen, and argued a standard definition would depoliticize social health instruction.
▶ Watch at 2:34:31Read what they said
Yeah, I would. I, um, I might, one of my biggest concerns was, um, uh, what my, my good colleague, um, struck from, from the bill, um, with her offered amendment. Um, I, I do not believe schools are made, um, and equipped to be an a, be a be all, end all, um, I and to provide everything for our kids. But I can say that I've spent enough time in our schools to know that we need to have a definition and a standard, especially when we're dealing with this topic, this issue that has become so political in so many ways. Um, the reality is these things are dealt with on a daily basis. I've been in …
H.B. 298 School Design Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Raised concern about existing underused school buildings and asked whether districts must study current inventory before building new schools.
▶ Watch at 2:48:43Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. So this may not even be applicable to this bill, but I've, I've heard multiple occasions of school districts building schools with current school inventory sitting there, or schools, multiple schools sitting at 40% occupancy. So this probably isn't the bill to address that, but, um, has there been any, given any consideration that, that in a case where schools have x number of schools that are only so much occupied, that they have to do a study to see if what they currently have in their inventory could be usable to meet the needs of what they would be building another school for, um, before they would go and make a selection from? I I …
H.B. 298 School Design Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 4, 2026
Moved to recommend HB 298 to the full House as amended.
▶ Watch at 2:55:10Read what they said
as amended Representative Thompson. Yeah, I, uh, move that we, um, I think we recommend HB 2 98 as amended to the full house.
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · House floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, citing his travels and the adoption concerns he has heard about, and thanks the sponsor for her work.
▶ Watch at 36:20Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wanna rise in, uh, support of this bill. Um, this, uh, you know, I've, I've traveled, um, uh, quite a bit and there's, um, two occasions over the past year that adoption has come up on my travels. And, um, and, and both the times that that adoption came up and the fact that I was from Utah, um, Utah's reputation for adoption was anything but acceptable. And, um, I've been, um, on committee, I've heard the committee hearings, I've heard the testimony, uh, I've seen the countless, um, hours that the sponsor has put in to try and, um, make sense of the issue to try and be fair to try and protect birth …
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · House floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Spoke in support of the bill, citing concerns about Utah's adoption reputation and praising the sponsor's work.
▶ Watch at 36:20Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I wanna rise in, uh, support of this bill. Um, this, uh, you know, I've, I've traveled, um, uh, quite a bit and there's, um, two occasions over the past year that adoption has come up on my travels. And, um, and, and both the times that that adoption came up and the fact that I was from Utah, um, Utah's reputation for adoption was anything but acceptable. And, um, I've been, um, on committee, I've heard the committee hearings, I've heard the testimony, uh, I've seen the countless, um, hours that the sponsor has put in to try and, um, make sense of the issue to try and be fair to try and protect birth …
H.B. 213 Criminal Proceedings Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Moves to move on to the next agenda item.
▶ Watch at 1:28:54Read what they said
Um, yeah, I'd like to make a motion that we move on to the next agenda item that, that motion's in order.
H.B. 213 Criminal Proceedings Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Says the committee is taking steps to address a bottleneck in district courts and is concerned the bill could be counterproductive, and suggests a working group during the interim.
▶ Watch at 1:29:01Read what they said
I, um, I, I appreciate all the comments that have been made today, and, um, you know, I, I think probably everyone here, um, wants to make sure that, um, that, that people have a right to a speedy trial and that that's, that that's happening. Um, that concern is we're, we're, we're taking some steps during this session now, um, to correct, um, a bottleneck, especially in, in our, in our district courts. And I am concerned, um, that, uh, that we could be counterproductive with what we're trying to accomplish. Um, my sincere hope is that, that this could go back through, um, the interim, that there could be a working group on this to try and help, …
H.B. 213 Criminal Proceedings Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Says he has already spoken and thanks the sponsor for willingness to keep working on the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:30:54Read what they said
No, I think I already have and I appreciate the sponsor's willingness to, to continue to work, so thank you.
H.B. 330 Liability Limitations Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asked whether terms such as authorization and exceeding scope could be defined in the bill to limit court discretion, and the Attorney General said it is possible.
▶ Watch at 2:12:16Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, my question is for the attorney general. Um, so in the language of this bill, by the way, I, I I really love this bill. It, it seems like common sense, um, in, in a lot of ways. Um, is there any concern with, um, the courts being left to define what authorization is or, uh, for them, for example, to define what exe exceeding scope is, things like that. Is is, is that something that could be added to the bill to give the courts maybe a little less discretion on, on what those definitions are? Oh, it, it's possible. I think the, the objective here is to create what's just called an affirmative …
H.B. 330 Liability Limitations Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asked whether there were amendments, then moved to favorably recommend HB 330 to the full House.
▶ Watch at 2:41:03Read what they said
All right, Representative Thompson. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so there's no substitutes or amendments, is that correct? Correct. Okay. Um, uh, I move, um, that we favorably recommend HB three 30 to the full house.
H.B. 330 Liability Limitations Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Thanked the sponsor and said he is confident in the bill and in his recommendation.
▶ Watch at 2:45:56Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. I, I just, I appreciate the, the, this, the good sponsors work, um, on the bill and, um, the, the willingness to work, um, uh, um, with my colleagues here on the committee to address a, a, a, a few concerns there, but I'm confident enough in the bill and, um, in, in my recommendations. So, um, yeah, I'm, I'm, uh, excited to push this onto the full house.
H.B. 250 Utah Retirement Plan Exchange · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Supported the bill, citing 700,000 to 900,000 Utah workers with no retirement savings and his own difficult, costly experience setting up a 401(k) as an employer.
▶ Watch at 58:25Read what they said
Um, I am, uh, very proud to have, uh, worked, um, with, with a sponsor on this bill from the beginning. And, um, where this, where, where the, the words groundbreaking, um, uh, or used this is, this is groundbreaking, this is, this is new, um, from the very beginning of the sponsor, as well as myself as, as well as those of us having the conversations to pull the ideas together, we were bound and determined that this would not be a mandate, that it would not be a state funded, um, program. That this would be the private sector that came. But members of the committee, 700 to 900,000 of our citizens that are working in the state …
H.B. 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Presented HB 265 to extend the nicotine product registry to non-nicotine inhalation products, add escalating penalties for retailers, restrict cannabinoid vapes outside the medical cannabis framework, and require FDA authorization evidence.
▶ Watch at 2:11:13Read what they said
PF. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Mr. Chair Committee. I have Crystal Dent with DHHS here. Um, this bill is a little bit technical, um, in detail. Uh, I want to explain, um, the origin of this bill. Um, right after being elected, I had the opportunity to meet with the Bear River Health Department's Youth Council. And guys, I was blown away by this youth council and their engagement, their involvement, their concern for other students, and for their community. I actually met with him here on the hill the other day. There were 22 of 'em, but they brought this, um, um, brought these concerns to me. And, um, I ran a bill. This bill actually died, um, …
H.B. 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Answered that the bill separates the permitted medical use from the newly prohibited non-medical use of cannabinoid vapes.
▶ Watch at 2:18:01Read what they said
That is exactly correct. The, the, the language of the bill separates the 2 1 1 is a permissible use. The other is, is now would be, um, prohibited. Correct.
H.B. 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments · House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Thanked the committee for its support and said a cleanup bill may return next year as the industry adapts.
▶ Watch at 2:25:31Read what they said
the sponsor. Yeah, I, I just really appreciate the committee support. Um, we'll probably be back with another cleanup bill next year. Um, as industry, uh, adjust does some adjusting and adapting to regulation to find new, um, exciting products they can present to us. So we'll just stay on top of it. Appreciate the committee support.
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Offers amendment one, two to the substitute for HB 40.
▶ Watch at 39:27Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to, uh, offer Amendment one, two for substitute, uh, 40 in my name.
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Moves to offer amendment one to substitute H.B. 40.
▶ Watch at 39:27Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to, uh, offer Amendment one, two for substitute, uh, 40 in my name.
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Says the amendment lets employees, including contractors and call center staff, get a temporary license for up to 90 days after 12 months of Utah residency and a returned state background check, while federal checks are pending.
▶ Watch at 39:42Read what they said
I would, yeah. This is, um, this is a simple change. Um, what, what, um, my, my concern is, is that, um, I I wanna make sure that all employees, both contractors and call center employees and everyone have the ability to get a temporary license to work while background checks are being completed. One of the things that, um, that, that are being run into specifically in the alarm industry is we have a requirement for both a state and a federal background check, which I think is, uh, perfectly appropriate. And I agree with however, uh, federal back backlogs, um, lead to extended wait times. And sometimes you could be months waiting for somebody to be able to …
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Explains the amendment would let employees, including contractors and call center staff, get a temporary license for up to 90 days after a state BCI check returns and 12 months of Utah residency, while federal background checks are pending.
▶ Watch at 39:42Read what they said
I would, yeah. This is, um, this is a simple change. Um, what, what, um, my, my concern is, is that, um, I I wanna make sure that all employees, both contractors and call center employees and everyone have the ability to get a temporary license to work while background checks are being completed. One of the things that, um, that, that are being run into specifically in the alarm industry is we have a requirement for both a state and a federal background check, which I think is, uh, perfectly appropriate. And I agree with however, uh, federal back backlogs, um, lead to extended wait times. And sometimes you could be months waiting for somebody to be able to …
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Says the federal background check is more comprehensive, but state and federal checks overlap in what they return.
▶ Watch at 41:59Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Speaker. From my experience, um, there, there are a lot of things that a state background check will catch. Uh, the federal background check is more comprehensive, and that's why we do both. But you do get overlap. You do get, um, you do get things on the, the state background check that that comes back. That will be the same thing as what you get on the federal background check.
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Says the federal background check is more comprehensive, that both checks are done, and that the state and federal checks overlap in results.
▶ Watch at 41:59Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Speaker. From my experience, um, there, there are a lot of things that a state background check will catch. Uh, the federal background check is more comprehensive, and that's why we do both. But you do get overlap. You do get, um, you do get things on the, the state background check that that comes back. That will be the same thing as what you get on the federal background check.
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Says the amendment is not a major policy change because it extends an existing allowance for alarm company call center employees to seasonal general contractors.
▶ Watch at 43:15Read what they said
Yeah, I, I'll just sum, uh, Mr. Speaker with, uh, this is, this is not a, a huge policy change. We're already doing this for employees that are in a call center, in an office administrative facility, uh, of an alarm company. This just, uh, enables general contractors that tend to be seasonal workers to fall under that same, um, same category. I would generally agree with, um, the, the good representative, um, that we don't want substantive policy changes and re reification, but this is far from a substitute, uh, policy change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Says the amendment is not a substantial policy change because it extends an existing call center provision to seasonal general contractors.
▶ Watch at 43:15Read what they said
Yeah, I, I'll just sum, uh, Mr. Speaker with, uh, this is, this is not a, a huge policy change. We're already doing this for employees that are in a call center, in an office administrative facility, uh, of an alarm company. This just, uh, enables general contractors that tend to be seasonal workers to fall under that same, um, same category. I would generally agree with, um, the, the good representative, um, that we don't want substantive policy changes and re reification, but this is far from a substitute, uh, policy change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 163 Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Asks the sponsor whether he sees increased burden and need in special education, then asks the superintendent how special education teachers feel about their workload and conditions.
▶ Watch at 1:43:27Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, thank you for, uh, for, for running this. Um, I, uh, um, I guess since this is a time for questions, I guess my question for, for the sponsor would be, um, you know, as you've, as, as you've gone to schools and have you talked with, as you've talked with teachers, um, have, are you feeling an increased burden and increased need within special education? I think that's, uh hmm. I, I don't think that's unique to special education. Um, increased need from a staffing perspective. Yes, that's true. Um, but I think you, you mentioned increased burden and need, like the training requirements all Yeah. There's a lot of, there's a lot right …
H.B. 163 Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Moves to favorably pass HB 163 out of committee.
▶ Watch at 1:47:19Read what they said
Thompson. Yeah. I'd like to make a motion that we, uh, favorably pass out a committee HB 1 63.
H.B. 163 Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 27, 2026
Supports the bill, citing his school visits, special education teacher burnout, and the need for qualified staff in special education classrooms.
▶ Watch at 1:47:35Read what they said
I would like to, um, you know, my time, uh, uh, in, in a large number of schools, um, I, um, my heart breaks when I get to some of our special ed classrooms. It's also warmed at the same time. I mean, you look at the compassion that these teachers have for, for these kids. Um, but you also look at the number of extreme behaviors and you look at the things that they deal with on a daily basis. We can't keep, um, in some of the districts that I visited, we can't keep temporary Paradise in with a special education, um, students because they get burned out and they don't come back. And I think that we …
H.B. 65 Construction Code Amendments · House floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Asks what increased construction and compliance costs for childcare centers in one section of the bill might be.
▶ Watch at 33:25Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I just have a question about, um, there's one section of the bill, uh, where there's potential increased construction costs and compliance costs for childcare centers. Uh, could you maybe speak to what those in increased costs might be?
H.B. 40 Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 8) · Jan 27, 2026
Says the amendment addresses concern about temporary licensure for employees, especially seasonal workers, waiting for background checks, noting state checks return quickly while federal checks may not.
▶ Watch at 48:28Read what they said
Amend? I do. I, um, I appreciate the work that the sponsor, uh, has done on the bill. This just addresses a, a major concern that I have. Um, with regard to temporary licensure, uh, for, uh, employees that are waiting for background checks. Uh, what we find is that when you have seasonal employees, uh, you get your state background check, that generally comes back pretty quick. You cannot count on the federal government to do anything in a timely Sense. Represent. I hate to interrupt you and I apologize.
H.B. 209 Voting Amendments · House floor debate (day 7) · Jan 26, 2026
Says he sought a personal privilege and had his light on at the wrong time.
▶ Watch at 34:37Read what they said
I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker. I was, um, uh, seeking a personal privilege, so sorry I had my light on the wrong time.
H.B. 146 Mentoring and Supporting Teacher Excellence and Refinement Program Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Asks whether other programs could be folded into the Master Teacher program and how much that has been studied.
▶ Watch at 1:19:08Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Dr. Hart, you, you had mentioned that there's potentially some other programs that could be rolled into this program. Um, as, um, as you're well aware, I I'm all about that. How, how can we, how can we condense, how can we bring this up? You, um, figured out programs that can be in isolated amounts. Um, what have, how much have you looked into that?
H.B. 146 Mentoring and Supporting Teacher Excellence and Refinement Program Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Expresses support and offers to help work through the numbers on consolidating programs.
▶ Watch at 1:21:07Read what they said
Okay. I love it. I'm, I'm happy to help. Um, if I can help in any way to sit down and look at those and figure out some numbers, I'm willing to spend the time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
H.B. 31 Local Education Agency Financial Reporting · House floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Rep. Thompson says this is a committee bill, that there are a few things to work through, and asks for a little more time.
▶ Watch at 1:28:49Read what they said
Uh, this is a committee bill. We have a couple things to work through. So yeah, we just need a little bit of time.
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