Legislators / R. Neil Walter
R. Neil Walter
Republican · House District 74
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. R. Neil Walter
- Email: nwalter@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 435-627-5720
- Office: 243 E. St. George Blvd Ste. 200, St. George, UT, 84770
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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.
R. Neil Walter serves on:
- Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Education Committee
- House Political Subdivisions Committee
- Education Interim Committee
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee
- General Oversight Committee
What they've said
232 remarks on 57 billsS.B. 34 Public Education Revisions · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Moves that the House concur with the conference committee's amendment and adopt the conference committee report.
▶ Watch at 1:27Read what they said
Representative Walter. Thank You Mr. Speaker. I move that we concur with the amendment, uh, move that we, uh, prove the conference committee.
S.B. 34 Public Education Revisions · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the committee addressed a technical change in a few minutes and was a very good committee.
▶ Watch at 1:38Read what they said
Uh, we were able to address the technical change in just a few minutes. It was very good committee.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the bill was revised with input from electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and Rocky Mountain Power, including changes requested by the Treasurer's Office on bond approval and a narrower Special District area around the Intermountain Power Project at those members' request.
▶ Watch at 27:32Read what they said
Yes. Uh, we work to do, uh, one very important thing that, uh, we work very closely with, uh, uh, the, uh, co-ops, the, uh, munis and, uh, frankly, Rocky Mountain Power. The Treasurer's Office made a couple of adjustments. Uh, one was we accommodated the treasurer's, uh, office request to, uh, address, uh, the approval of the bonds that would be issued under the five 14. And then we narrowed the scope of the Special District two only area around the Intermountain Power Project, uh, at, at the, at those members' request.
S.B. 206 Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the substitute clarifies how personal property tax is treated in tax increment and other public finance tools.
▶ Watch at 37:40Read what they said
Yes. It just clarifies the proper treatment of property, uh, personal property tax, uh, in a, um, uh, at the end of a tiff or a, uh, uh, other kind of public finance tool. So it just, it's proper treatment to, uh, of personal property tax.
S.B. 206 Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says the substitute clarifies the proper treatment of personal property tax in tax increment and similar public finance tools.
▶ Watch at 37:40Read what they said
Yes. It just clarifies the proper treatment of property, uh, personal property tax, uh, in a, um, uh, at the end of a tiff or a, uh, uh, other kind of public finance tool. So it just, it's proper treatment to, uh, of personal property tax.
S.B. 206 Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Presents S.B. 206 as a reporting package for tax increment and other public finance tools, requiring authorization meetings, but-for analyses, 40-year projections, and annual reports to the new state data program starting January 1, 2027.
▶ Watch at 38:18Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, Senate Bill 2 0 6 is the bill that some of you have been waiting a very long time for. If you've been concerned about or trying to understand what's actually going on with various kinds of tax increment financing. I'm talking about PIs, I'm talking about tiffs, I'm talking about, uh, crass. I'm talking about, uh, the authorities like the Inland Port and MAA and, uh, fair Park, et cetera. If you're, if you're just been trying to figure out how to get your arms around what's happening in this space, uh, this is a very important bill for you. Uh, so what we're doing here is, uh, first of all, uh, looping in …
S.B. 206 Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Presents SB 206 and describes its reporting requirements for tax increment and other public finance tools, including authorization meetings, a 40-year projection, and annual reports to a new statewide data program starting January 1, 2027.
▶ Watch at 38:18Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, Senate Bill 2 0 6 is the bill that some of you have been waiting a very long time for. If you've been concerned about or trying to understand what's actually going on with various kinds of tax increment financing. I'm talking about PIs, I'm talking about tiffs, I'm talking about, uh, crass. I'm talking about, uh, the authorities like the Inland Port and MAA and, uh, fair Park, et cetera. If you're, if you're just been trying to figure out how to get your arms around what's happening in this space, uh, this is a very important bill for you. Uh, so what we're doing here is, uh, first of all, uh, looping in …
S.B. 206 Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Thanks the body and gives closing remarks on the bill.
▶ Watch at 42:54Read what they said
I appreciate the body's time on this. I know this is a really important issue for many of our members and I'm really excited, uh, to learn about how, uh, we've actually deployed these tools. So thank you Mr. Speaker. I'll conclude my remarks.
S.B. 206 Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Thanks the body for its time, says the issue is important to many members, and concludes his summation.
▶ Watch at 42:54Read what they said
I appreciate the body's time on this. I know this is a really important issue for many of our members and I'm really excited, uh, to learn about how, uh, we've actually deployed these tools. So thank you Mr. Speaker. I'll conclude my remarks.
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Presented S.B. 196 as floor sponsor, saying it clarifies restrictions on wrongful liens tied to old transfer fee covenants and makes it easier for homeowners to have such liens removed.
▶ Watch at 2:18:37Read what they said
Representative Walter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, a couple of decades ago, we started to see the emergence of what we call transfer fee covenants, uh, in the state of Utah. So when a developer would build a, uh, development, they would put a deed restriction on that, that would require the property owner essentially to pay them forever. They were bad, they're very, very bad. Um, a co, uh, 15 years ago, we prohibited transfer fee covenants in the state of Utah and, and, uh, made it, made sure that that kind of beha, that kind of, uh, tool wouldn't be able to, uh, continue. Uh, this is where SB 1 96 wrongful Lien Act amendments comes into play. …
S.B. 78 Property Tax Relief Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Said the amendment leaves the veterans program and the abatement or circuit breaker program untouched, keeping them status quo.
▶ Watch at 2:22:13Read what they said
Yes. That, uh, yes. This amendment leaves the Veterans program untouched. Uh, so a lot of people have been worried about whether veterans and the, um, abatement or the circuit breaker program would be, um, taken away. This ensures that it's untouched and remains status quo.
S.B. 78 Property Tax Relief Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Presented the bill, saying it repeals three state property tax programs including the renter's credit, lets counties choose whether to offer an abatement, and converts the state-funded 9 million dollar abatement into a deferral at 3 percent interest repaid on transfer, with surviving spouses and special needs trusts protected.
▶ Watch at 2:22:56Read what they said
Presentation. Thank you. I appreciate that. So, uh, I'm gonna be brief, uh, colleagues, I know where we're out of timewise. Uh, Senate Bill 78 is a bill that was, uh, heard last year. It passed both bodies. Uh, it was vetoed by the governor. There was some improvements that were made this time. It took a long time for those improvements to be made, which is why we're here at this late hour. Uh, so let me briefly articulate what the bill does. First of all, it repeals three existing state property tax programs. The renter's credit, the homeowner's credit and abatement for indigen individual state property tax relief. I'm just gonna note that in some previous conversations I'd …
S.B. 78 Property Tax Relief Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Opposed the motion to circle, noting that some bills without hearings were circled and others were not.
▶ Watch at 2:27:56Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Speaker. I would, uh, ref, I would, uh, oppose the motion to circle. I'll note that some of the bills that did not have a hearing were circled, um, but others were not. And, uh, I would resist the motion to circle this bill.
S.B. 78 Property Tax Relief Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Summarized that the policy has improved since last year, that counties endorse it, and that the deferral lets property owners pay the tax later without shifting the burden to other county residents.
▶ Watch at 2:29:17Read what they said
Thank you. I appreciate, uh, the body's, uh, consideration of this policy. Uh, I want to just note that the, uh, current policy is, uh, improved substantially from last year. Uh, the policy that was vetoed spent a a tremendous amount of time and effort to, uh, get to a place where the, uh, counties, uh, could step forward. And they've endorsed the policy. You have that endorsement. Uh, uh or haven't. They're, they've been very clear about their support of this policy. Uh, the issues that led to the veto have been resolved. Um, this is a policy that I think is, uh, the right policy for, from a tax standpoint in this particular case. We have a number …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Said the sponsors clarified language on easements and leasing in the disposition of real property so the bill works as intended, and resolved issues raised by Salt Lake County.
▶ Watch at 3:03:50Read what they said
Would. Uh, we just clarified some issues around easements and leasing in the disposition of real property. Uh, to make sure that the bill operated the way that it was intended. There were some issues that were brought up by Salt Lake County that we resolved.
H.B. 377 Real Estate Amendments · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
The Senate amendments clarify that consumer complaints about a real estate licensee's activity are handled by the Division of Real Estate instead of the Division of Consumer Protection.
▶ Watch at 3:19:26Read what they said
Yes. Uh, the amendments clarified when there is a consumer complaint regarding a real estate licensees activity. When that, uh, particular activity there, that particular complaint would be handled by the Division of Real Estate instead of the Department of the Division of Consumer Protection.
S.B. 228 Community Reinvestment Agency Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves to adopt amendment number three to the bill.
▶ Watch at 34:21Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker ProAm, I move that we adopt amendment number three in my name.
S.B. 228 Community Reinvestment Agency Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that entities already in dissolution keep the five-year timeline under the amendment, while new dissolutions fall under the bill's two-year timeline.
▶ Watch at 34:32Read what they said
I would, we, uh, in working through, uh, CRA amendment, the this CA amendments bill, we made an accommodation. So this bill deals with dissolution. Some of our crass are in a dissolution process already, and that dissolution process previously gave them five years. We're shortening that up to two years. The amendment allows those that are already in a dissolution process to be grandfathered under the five year provisions that we previously had. Any new dissolutions will be under the two years time period that's in the bill going forward.
S.B. 228 Community Reinvestment Agency Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Presents the bill as focused on the dissolution of community reinvestment agencies, including a six-month dormancy period, distribution of held funds to taxing entities, and early dissolution, and says the disclosure provisions were moved to another bill.
▶ Watch at 35:52Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, Mr. Speaker Pro TE community reinvestment agencies are a tool that, uh, is used to help, uh, create re to create development in specific areas. Um, they are commonly associated with, uh, finance tools that many of you have heard about or familiar with, like tax increments and, and PIDs. They don't have to use those tools, but oftentimes they do. This bill at one time in an earlier version, dealt with some, some transparency issues and reporting. Some of you might see that, uh, language removed in earlier versions of the bill. It's not gone, it's in another bill that, uh, uh, I'll be presenting, uh, later house. Uh, Senate bill 2 28, uh, sorry, 2 …
S.B. 228 Community Reinvestment Agency Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that a community reinvestment area is created by a municipality to promote development in an area that might not otherwise develop.
▶ Watch at 39:03Read what they said
So typically what they're looking for is to create, uh, development in an area that wouldn't otherwise receive development without the use of, without this particular designation. It's important to note that it's created by the political body. So think it's created by the municipality and it's for a purpose of, uh, promoting and incentivizing, uh, development in a particular area that might not have otherwise receive the development that they're hoping for.
S.B. 228 Community Reinvestment Agency Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says new areas are still being created, but some older ones have reached the end of their purpose and must be unwound, and that the handling of held funds and distribution timelines needs clarification.
▶ Watch at 39:43Read what they said
and we're just winding them down? No, They're, they are being used and, uh, they are, uh, they're new ones, but, but we have some that have been around for a very long time and they're at the end of their period, uh, of, uh, at the end of their purpose, rather their intended purpose. And so, um, we're having to unwind some of them. And there are, there've been some issues that we've discovered in unwinding them that need to be clarified. For example, what happens to the funds, uh, that are being held by the CRA. And in this case, again, we're specifying the timelines under which they have to dissolve and also how the, uh, funds that …
S.B. 228 Community Reinvestment Agency Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says Senate Bill 206 covers the reporting provisions previously in this bill, while this bill covers dissolution, and that he is not prepared to speak to other legislation.
▶ Watch at 40:45Read what they said
So, uh, I can't, I'm not gonna, I, I'm gonna speak to, I can speak to, uh, what is Senate bill 2 0 6, which will be the reporting issues that were previously in this bill. And this bill is, uh, dissolution of those entities. I don't think I'm prepared to speak to any other piece of legislation.
S.B. 228 Community Reinvestment Agency Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
In summation, says the amended bill deals only with the dissolution and proper unwinding of community reinvestment agencies, and that the earlier reporting provisions are no longer in it.
▶ Watch at 41:15Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Uh, speaker Pro tem. Again, uh, there's a lot of concern about how these tools get used. Um, what we're trying to do is make sure that they're unwound properly. Previously, the bill had additional reporting provisions, uh, right now, uh, this version of the bill that we, that's before us as amended, only deals with the dissolution or the proper unwinding of community reinvestment agencies.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the second substitute limits the bill's financing authority to the IPP project at the request of the state finance commissioner and treasurer, allowing bond sales, and moves the substitute.
▶ Watch at 42:32Read what they said
and substitute it with second substitute of House Bill five 14. The difference in this, what this bill does is, uh, we've been asked by the finance, uh, commissioner and the treasurer to limit this to, uh, only one project, um, that the Energy Council might be involved in. Uh, and it, this sets up some FA financing structure, um, that it, depending on what we decide to do, uh, with IPP, um, this would allow us to be able to sell bonds. Um, but they want to make sure that this, this authority is limited to the IPP project. With that, I'd like to, I'm open to questions on the substitute. If not, I'd like to move the substitute.
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves to encircle S.B. 54, Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments.
▶ Watch at 1:17:52Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that we encircle SB 54. The motion is to encircle Senate bill 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments.
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the substitute lets taxpayers choose the tax year for applying the credit up to April 15 and bars claiming the credit on both federal and state returns.
▶ Watch at 1:18:23Read what they said
I would. The third substitute, uh, clarifies a couple of very specific things. Uh, the first one is it allows somebody who is utilizing the tax credit that goes, that funds the Carson Smith, uh, scholarships, uh, to be able to designate the tax year, uh, that they are going to apply them, um, up until April 15th when the tax returns are due. And the second thing it does is it prevents double dipping on the tax return, uh, for, uh, federal and state. So you can either, you, you, you can't double dip on both federal and state, uh, tax credits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the third substitute lets taxpayers choose the tax year in which to apply the credit, up to April 15, and bars double use of federal and state tax credits.
▶ Watch at 1:18:23Read what they said
I would. The third substitute, uh, clarifies a couple of very specific things. Uh, the first one is it allows somebody who is utilizing the tax credit that goes, that funds the Carson Smith, uh, scholarships, uh, to be able to designate the tax year, uh, that they are going to apply them, um, up until April 15th when the tax returns are due. And the second thing it does is it prevents double dipping on the tax return, uh, for, uh, federal and state. So you can either, you, you, you can't double dip on both federal and state, uh, tax credits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Presents the bill, saying it changes how funding is allocated to Carson Smith scholarship students based on need, reverting from the 2024 change, and eliminates sibling enrollment, which has no current users; he notes growing participation and a waiting list.
▶ Watch at 1:19:23Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Pro Tem. Uh, the Carson Smith scholarship program was created to help, uh, individuals with special needs, uh, provide a customized education option for them. Many of you're familiar with Utah Fits all. Uh, the, the Education Scholarship Program, the Carson Smith program, uh, predates, uh, the, the, uh, Utah fits all. In fact, it was created, um, in 2007 and, uh, it really, it really provides for a customized, uh, education experience for individuals with, uh, some of, uh, the most difficult, uh, challenges and disabilities in this context. Uh, the bill has always been pro funded through, uh, tax, uh, credits that are essentially a income tax credit in the state of Utah. It's, …
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Describes the Carson Smith program's history and funding, says the bill returns the funding allocation to its earlier structure, and eliminates sibling enrollment.
▶ Watch at 1:19:23Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Pro Tem. Uh, the Carson Smith scholarship program was created to help, uh, individuals with special needs, uh, provide a customized education option for them. Many of you're familiar with Utah Fits all. Uh, the, the Education Scholarship Program, the Carson Smith program, uh, predates, uh, the, the, uh, Utah fits all. In fact, it was created, um, in 2007 and, uh, it really, it really provides for a customized, uh, education experience for individuals with, uh, some of, uh, the most difficult, uh, challenges and disabilities in this context. Uh, the bill has always been pro funded through, uh, tax, uh, credits that are essentially a income tax credit in the state of Utah. It's, …
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Responds that the program is a good use of scholarship funds and that he believes it is a proper role of government.
▶ Watch at 1:22:25Read what they said
Uh, thank you for the question. Uh, I think in this particular case, uh, this is a great use of our scholarship funds. So this is a scholarship, it's not a program that's funded through public education funds. Uh, it is a, uh, it's a great program to help, uh, youth who need a customized experience in education. And, uh, I think it's a, I think it's a really, it's a precursor to what we have established and, uh, have strong support in the state of Utah, which is now the, uh, Utah fits all program. Uh, but the answer is, uh, I do think this is the proper role of government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the program is a scholarship funded separately from public education funds and that he believes it is a proper role of government.
▶ Watch at 1:22:25Read what they said
Uh, thank you for the question. Uh, I think in this particular case, uh, this is a great use of our scholarship funds. So this is a scholarship, it's not a program that's funded through public education funds. Uh, it is a, uh, it's a great program to help, uh, youth who need a customized experience in education. And, uh, I think it's a, I think it's a really, it's a precursor to what we have established and, uh, have strong support in the state of Utah, which is now the, uh, Utah fits all program. Uh, but the answer is, uh, I do think this is the proper role of government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Responds that the bill does not contain any rulemaking authority.
▶ Watch at 1:23:10Read what they said
It does not. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, rulemaking authority is a, uh, concern and this bill does not have any rulemaking authority in it.
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the bill does not have any rulemaking authority.
▶ Watch at 1:23:10Read what they said
It does not. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, rulemaking authority is a, uh, concern and this bill does not have any rulemaking authority in it.
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Gives summation, saying the program has been long-running and effective, and asks colleagues to support returning the funding allocation to its earlier method.
▶ Watch at 1:26:47Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pro Tem. I assure the body this SB 54 is not that SB 54, uh, you can with full faith and confidence, uh, expressed to your, uh, expressed to your constituents. Uh, this is a great program. This is a program that's been around for a long time. This is a program that, uh, helps, uh, kids who are in the, the most need. Uh, it is a program that, uh, is growing and it's a program, uh, that is, uh, used as a funding mechanism that is not only unique, but it's highly effective. Um, I, I, I want to, uh, uh, ask the colleague support or my colleague support, uh, for the ability to …
S.B. 54 Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Gives closing summation, saying the bill is not the earlier SB 54 and that it restores the earlier funding allocation based on student need.
▶ Watch at 1:26:47Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pro Tem. I assure the body this SB 54 is not that SB 54, uh, you can with full faith and confidence, uh, expressed to your, uh, expressed to your constituents. Uh, this is a great program. This is a program that's been around for a long time. This is a program that, uh, helps, uh, kids who are in the, the most need. Uh, it is a program that, uh, is growing and it's a program, uh, that is, uh, used as a funding mechanism that is not only unique, but it's highly effective. Um, I, I, I want to, uh, uh, ask the colleague support or my colleague support, uh, for the ability to …
S.B. 34 Public Education Revisions · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Presents S.B. 34, which updates public education provisions by defining general control and supervision, clarifying oversight of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind, expanding Grow Your Own educator pipeline funds to paraprofessionals, allowing school safety coordination with the State Security Chief, clarifying suicide prevention grant funding, and renaming and adding funding and accountability to the Catalyst program (now APEX).
▶ Watch at 1:28:44Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, each year the, uh, house and Senate in their interim, uh, meetings, work with the State Board on a couple of policies that would be important to the state Board. So, uh, this year, uh, that bill was carried by Senator Johnson at Senate Bill 34. And most of the issues are issues that were brought to, uh, the chairs by the State Board and asked to address a few clarifications and then, and then there's a, uh, important change. So let me, uh, an important change to last year's, uh, catalyst program. So let me identify the few items that, uh, the state Board has asked us to work on. The first one is …
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Opposes the motion to concur, saying more time is needed, and reads existing state law on civics and character education.
▶ Watch at 1:41:34Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I rise in opposition to the motion to concur, uh, for a couple of reasons that are different than what we've discussed so far this morning. First one is, uh, curriculum remains and still is a local decision. Standards are a state board decision or state board is, uh, worked on and, and continues to approve and adjust standards. Uh, our local LEAs continue to, uh, work on adopting curriculum. There's not anything in this bill that requires a local LEA to adopt this curriculum, but I do think that coordinating and figuring out how to move forward, uh, in the right way is, uh, gonna be important. Um, I'm supportive of …
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Presents House Bill 73, which shifts the burden of proof in retaliation claims to the employer, and says the bill came unanimously out of committee.
▶ Watch at 1:56:07Read what they said
Thank you. This is actually a bill that came out of the, um, general Government Oversight Committee. Uh, when we met this last summer, uh, in working with, uh, some of the employees that were there for whistleblower purposes, we, um, uh, after they came forward to, uh, address some issues and report on issues that they were seeing, uh, they subsequently, um, had some issues come up with their licensing. Uh, and as a result, uh, of that licensing concern, uh, this brought up, you know, the prohibition or the idea that an employer might take retaliatory action at the state level against an employee or even at the local level trying to have their license taken away for …
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves to adopt substitute two to SB 12.
▶ Watch at 1:59:37Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would move that we adopt substitute two in my name.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says that combining sunset extensions into one bill reduces committee and floor time, and that substitute two adds sunsets that were missed.
▶ Watch at 1:59:46Read what they said
I would love to. Colleagues. When I started here eight years ago, we ran a separate bill for every Sunset extension and it was super exciting and it took a ton of committee time and it took a ton of time on the floor and we were trying to minimize this process by putting them all into one bill. So substitute two just includes some that we missed.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks which sunsets were added in the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 2:00:30Read what they said
Would you just identify the, uh, sunsets that were missed that are included in the second substitute?
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks which sunsets were added in the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 2:00:30Read what they said
Would you just identify the, uh, sunsets that were missed that are included in the second substitute?
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says some sunsets were not renewed this year and asks that they not be in the bill; has no further questions.
▶ Watch at 2:01:49Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, there's a couple of sunsets that we did not renew this year. I just wanted to make sure they weren't in the bill. Thank you. Uh, that concludes my questions.
S.B. 12 Sunset and Repeal Date Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says some sunsets were not renewed this year and asks whether they are in the bill; has no further questions.
▶ Watch at 2:01:49Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, there's a couple of sunsets that we did not renew this year. I just wanted to make sure they weren't in the bill. Thank you. Uh, that concludes my questions.
H.B. 312 School Curriculum and Standards Modifications · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Rep. Walter said the House and Senate reached agreement on changes to H.B. 312, including broader discretion for the state superintendent, an expanded grade range, removal of a reporting requirement, and returning AP course adoption to the State Board of Education, and he thanked the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 2:09:15Read what they said
Walter on Thank You Mr. Speaker. I'm sorry I'm slow on my, uh, uh, mic here today. Um, I just want to, uh, uh, tell the, uh, tell the uh, um, uh, members here that, uh, yes, we were able to come to an agreement. Uh, we worked out the provisions with the Senate. There was a, there was a couple of changes that we made primarily to Senate bill, um, one 19 that was adopted into three into house Bill three 12. Um, we made a, we made a couple of specific changes. The first one was we gave the, uh, state superintendent of education, uh, some broad discretion about how to implement, um, the, uh, program that would …
S.B. 122 HOA Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it was heavily negotiated with HOA residents and groups and adds homeowner protections for quiet enjoyment and property rights.
▶ Watch at 2:17:55Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, appreciate the good sponsor's, uh, work on this particular policy and also the, uh, Senate sponsor. Um, I've worked really hard in this, uh, particular policy issue. Um, I was, uh, very involved in the substitute that was inv, uh, adopted. We spent a lot of time negotiating with, um, uh, both, uh, the HOA, uh, addressing concerns from HOA residents and also, uh, HOA, uh, community Association Institute. Um, this was a heavily negotiated bill and, uh, we got to a really good place where we could protect some of the, uh, uh, property rights, uh, uh, some of the property rights issues that we were concerned about last year. Uh, this bill clarified …
H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Rep. Walter presented a substitute to lengthen the bill title and a handout, and explained that the bill would sweep a large portion of one-time money into a trust or endowment to convert it into ongoing funds, and asked that the bill be moved to interim study.
▶ Watch at 34:19Read what they said
I can, we, we can run an amendment to make it longer if you'd like. Actually, technically, that would have to be a substitute. So, uh, thank you, uh, Mr. Uh, Mr. Chair. Appreciate the opportunity. Um, I do have a brief hand, a handout that I'd like to provide. Can I, would I, yes. Can I bring that up to you? Staff will grab that and pass it out. Thank you. So, with all due respect to the committee's time, I'm gonna do this very quickly. A number of years ago, we created the public education stabilization, uh, economic stabilization restricted account. Uh, it's a, uh, very important tool to make sure that if we have a recession, that …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Presented H.B. 535, which would require notice and a 45-day posting before a government entity sells, leases, or joint-ventures public property, with airport short-term leases addressed in the fourth substitute and a 500,000 dollar significant-parcel threshold.
▶ Watch at 37:05Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the committee. It's great to be here. Um, you know, it's a very interesting time in the last, uh, couple of days of the session. It seems like you, we find, find ourselves running into each other in each other's committees. So it's great to be here with you today. Um, house Bill 5 35, disposition of public property. I'll just, uh, this is, we're on the third substitute. I'll just note that there was a, uh, very simple change that was, uh, dropped in a, a force substitute at the request of Salt Lake City because of the airport. There were some airport issues that we needed to clarify, and I'll come back …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said the 10-year threshold was somewhat arbitrary, chosen to avoid exempting nearly all leases and to accommodate airports' short-term leases.
▶ Watch at 42:13Read what they said
We, it's kind of an arbitrary number to be honest, Senator. Um, we didn't want to do 20 years because that's, uh, frankly, that's, uh, pretty common for a uncommon for a lease to be longer than 20 years. So it would've essentially exempt all leasing. And we didn't want to create a burden on the airports, which they, they have lots of very unique types of leases that would be typical from different than what you would typically see out in a community. And so we're, we're trying to accommodate, uh, the unique nature of their short-term leases, where literally you can't put up a sign like it, it was, that was
S.B. 269 School Board Meeting Notification Requirements · House Education Committee · Mar 3, 2026
Said he supports the motion to hold because the bill would set a standard different from other governmental entities.
▶ Watch at 1:24:38Read what they said
Alright. Seeing no further lights, uh, I'm just gonna note that, uh, I'm supportive of the motion, um, primarily for the reason that we're already articulated. We've got, uh, we're setting a, uh, we're setting a standard that's different for all of our other governmental entities.
H.B. 231 Restaurant Tax Repeal Amendments · House floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Supports the bill as a step toward addressing restrictions on county tourism funds, while raising concerns that tourism promotion spending adds to housing costs.
▶ Watch at 2:03:39Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Spreaker pro, pro te uh, I rise in support of this bill, but, uh, for maybe a little bit different reason than was articulated in the sponsor's comments, uh, I want to acknowledge and, uh, uh, thank, uh, the good representatives from severe and Sam Pete for their comments. I, uh, respect, uh, that perspective and, and Phil, uh, strongly about, uh, some of the comments that were made there. Um, uh, frankly in opposition to the bill. But I wanna speak to a specific provision about the reason why I'm rising in support today. Uh, as we look at, uh, this restaurant tax and some of the related taxes, including transient room tax, uh, they've been …
S.B. 163 Municipal Prosecutor Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved to recommend Senate Bill 163 favorably.
▶ Watch at 36:57Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we recommend favorably Senate Bill 1 63 Municipal Prosecutor Amendments.
S.B. 163 Municipal Prosecutor Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Declined to speak to the motion.
▶ Watch at 37:06Read what they said
Would you like to speak to your motion? I'll waive to the committee to the motion Discussion.
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether transfer fees were prohibited in Utah and whether existing transfer fees were grandfathered.
▶ Watch at 41:04Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I thought that transfer fees were not authorized. That they were, they were not permitted in the state of Utah. Did they? Did we grandfather the existing transfer fees that were in the, that were existing at the time?
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether the wrongful lien concern involves new transfer fee covenants or liens recorded for permitted fees before March 16, 2010.
▶ Watch at 42:07Read what they said
So, um, when we're looking at the wrongful lien, are you looking at, uh, essentially new applications of transfer fee covenants that are, uh, illegal essentially? Or are you looking at a, uh, lien that is improperly, um, recorded for these permitted trans, uh, transfer fees prior to, um, March 16th, 2010?
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Thanks the presenter and says he appreciates the work to protect homeowners from wrongful liens.
▶ Watch at 43:34Read what they said
Thank you. I appreciate you looking after, uh, homeowners for, uh, these, uh, uh, wrong, frankly wrongful. So thank you. Thank you.
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moves that the committee adopt the second substitute of S.B. 196.
▶ Watch at 44:06Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I move that, that we, uh, adopt the second substitute to Senate bill 1 96 wrongfully act amendments.
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Speaks in support of the motion, saying the bill continues recent work on real property transfer fees and addresses old transfer fee covenants that remain on properties.
▶ Watch at 44:20Read what they said
Uh, I think this is, this is, to me, this is a really important issue. We've been working on these various forms of the way that, uh, real property transfers happen. We've been trying to clean that up. Uh, we've worked really hard on the, um, the, uh, reinvestment fees. We've worked hard on the administrative or the association transfer fees and HOAs. Um, uh, the association set up fees, I'm sorry, we're renaming them now. So we'll try to keep all the terminology straight. And, uh, these old, uh, transfer fee covenants, um, that are lingering out there, just the having some good enforcement around that and avoiding the situation where somebody shows up and they feel under duress …
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Asks whether an amendment needs to be adopted or was already included in the substitute.
▶ Watch at 45:43Read what they said
Thank you. I think we have an amendment. It needs to be adopted. Is that correct or did that get picked up in the substitute?
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Confirms the amendment was on the first substitute rather than the second substitute.
▶ Watch at 45:58Read what they said
No, I, I think I'm just, I'm just double checking. It was on the first substitute, not on the second substitute.
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moves that the committee recommend the second substitute of S.B. 196 favorably.
▶ Watch at 46:03Read what they said
So, uh, I move that we recommend favorably, uh, Senate bill 1 96, second substitute wrongful lie act amendments.
S.B. 196 Wrongful Lien Act Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says he already spoke on the substitute and thanks the committee for the motion.
▶ Watch at 46:17Read what they said
I already did. In the substitute adoption of the Substitute. Thank you to the committee, to the motion
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presented HB 426, which would require local education agencies to adopt policies with a licensed teacher of record for learner validated online programs, covering pacing, student identity verification, teacher interaction, and reporting on student progress.
▶ Watch at 2:56:13Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the committee, thank you for, uh, your patience and recognize the hours late. Uh, household 4 26 online education service provider amendments, uh, seeks to do a couple of things. Um, uh, specifically, uh, it asks LEAs to, uh, create a policy where they will have a licensed teacher of record who can make sure that, uh, we have some basic, uh, insight as to the, um, uh, learning objectives and outcomes for some of our students that are participating in alternative learning models. So, let me tell you where this came from and then, uh, provide some little bit of additional context. Uh, this all started a long, uh, few years ago with …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the policy was developed closely with local education agencies and online education service providers to address concerns raised in the audit.
▶ Watch at 3:02:38Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'll just make, I think one comment. Uh, th this is a policy that we worked really closely with the LEAs who are providing these programs, uh, to find a solution that we felt like, that they felt like would help them in their relationships with the online educators, that their, uh, service providers that they're contracting with. And it's also a policy that we spent time with the online education service providers to understand some of the, um, uh, needs and the, uh, the unique, uh, collaboration that's going on between them and the LEAs that sponsor them. Um, this was, uh, this was a very, uh, at least I would say it was …
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presented the bill, which removes the mandatory two-year contract for business administrators and clarifies that the deputy superintendent for finance reports to the superintendent.
▶ Watch at 3:04:11Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I'm, uh, grateful to be the final bill and, uh, but probably not as grateful as you are. So, uh, uh, let me explain very briefly. Uh, house Bill 5 24 public education financing officers is pretty simple. There was a provision in statute that, uh, was a little bit unusual. It specified that business administrators were oblig that, uh, boards, when they hired business administrators were obligated to off to pro, uh, enter into a two year contract. It couldn't be more, it couldn't be less. It had to be a two year contract. It's very different from the way that superintendents were treated. Um, uh, so what we tried to do was very …
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the amendment was available but not visible unless opened, and thanked the senator for noticing it.
▶ Watch at 3:07:29Read what they said
No, it's okay. It wasn't some, as you know, they don't sometimes print. You have to look at them, uh, click on them to see them. So thank you for, thank you for noticing that.
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Explained that the bill aims to create alignment by having the chief financial role report through the superintendent, which is the common structure, while the board keeps hiring authority over the superintendent.
▶ Watch at 3:08:56Read what they said
Mr. Chair, would you like me to respond? Yes, please. Um, I think that the, uh, not, I think the intent is actually alignment. So to be very clear, the chief financial officer for the, whether it's the local school board or frankly the state school board, um, it makes sense for them to report through the chief executive officer. That's a, uh, that's a not, not a, that's not just a typical, that's the most common structure. Um, further, I think that, um, it, uh, I think that the focus has been on the business administrator or the, um, deputy superintendent of our operations. But really this is about, in some ways, this is really about the superintendent, if …
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the bill addresses the two-year contract requirement for business administrators and the alignment between the deputy superintendent and superintendent.
▶ Watch at 3:11:53Read what they said
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I think I've already articulated it. Number one was, uh, there's this, uh, odd function in statute where we could only hire a business man, a business administrator, under a two year contract. Um, I think that that needs to be resolved. And I think that that is a, a decision that is properly left to the LEA. And then the second one was, uh, the alignment between the role of the deputy superintendent and the superintendent.
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said he does not think the change creates pressure, and that employment agreements can set clear expectations between the financial officer and the board.
▶ Watch at 3:12:56Read what they said
Um, I wouldn't think so. Um, I understand that that's a concern that's been raised, but, uh, I wouldn't think so. I think that the deputy, the deputy superintendent or the business administrator has the ability when they sit down and, and, uh, enter into either a, an employment agreement, which does not have a contract, it sets at will or an employment contract if they enter into an actual contract, that they can, uh, have a clear understanding of what their expectations are from, uh, the board and how that they, uh, see that working. But I think it's also very important to make sure that, um, there isn't conflict within the organization, um, about, uh, what the role …
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the structure matches typical executive reporting, where chief financial and operating officers report through the chief executive.
▶ Watch at 3:13:58Read what they said
CFO. Actually, the CFO is doesn't normally report to the board. I think that the structure that we've made, the adjustments are aligned with the typical structure for A CFO. It'd be highly unusual for A CFO not to report to the CEO. Same thing, the, the Chief Operating Officer. It would be highly unusual for the Chief Operating Officer not to report through the CEO.
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · Senate Education Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said the bill is intended to create organizational alignment so that boards, superintendents and deputy superintendents can help achieve the education vision and mission in statute. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 3:25:26Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I appreciate the committee's time and I appreciate the, uh, um, uh, long evening tonight. Um, I just wanna make, I just wanna make, uh, one particular comment as it relates to this particular proposal. In the state of Utah, we have a vision and mission for public education. The legislature envisions. This is in statute. The legislature envisions an educated citizenry that encompasses the following foundational principles, citizen participation in civic and political affairs, economic prosperity for the state by graduating students who are college and career ready, strong moral and social values, and loyalty and commitment to constitutional government. The legislation recognizes that the public education's mission is to assure …
H.B. 489 Water Infrastructure Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presents HB 514 first substitute, which adds members and a co-chair structure to the Utah Energy Council and creates a special district to finance energy infrastructure with revenue bonds.
▶ Watch at 1:09:54Read what they said
Thank you. Um, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, grateful to be here this morning. Uh, house Bill five 14 is a, uh, continuation of a discussion that started last year. We created the Utah Energy Council, um, in statute last year. The energy councils now stood up an operating, um, it started meeting this fall. Uh, the Utah Energy Council is tasked with leading out on energy, uh, strategy and, uh, um, energy development. It's working very closely with it's staffed by the Office of Energy Development in the Governor's office, and it is chaired by, uh, the, uh, OED director, um, the Energy Council, uh, in this bill. We're making a couple of adjustments. The first, the …
H.B. 489 Water Infrastructure Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the bill does not intend to impair co-op service areas and that the sponsor will meet with them that day.
▶ Watch at 1:13:53Read what they said
We're meeting about that at 10 o'clock today. I've committed to them that, uh, we have absolutely zero interest in, in fringing on or impairing their, uh, service area, the revenue streams that are committed to, to them. We, we do not want that. The intent here is not to provide service. The intent is not to step into, um, to that space. The intent here really is a, um, financing feature. Um, yeah, so I, I'm committed. I've committed to them and, and, uh, we're going to, we are gonna meet later today to see if we can work through that issue. So.
H.B. 489 Water Infrastructure Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says he shares the concern and is committed to more work on the co-op issue.
▶ Watch at 1:15:21Read what they said
We share, I share that same concern, and we're committed to make, we, we thought that we had it resolved with the amendment that we ran in the house. Um, there is concern that, uh, we, we need to do some more, and we're gonna, we're, I'm committed to that. So thank you, Senator. Thank You.
H.B. 489 Water Infrastructure Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Explains that revenue bonds have been used for projects such as Intermountain Power Agency, with power purchasers serving as collateral.
▶ Watch at 1:16:18Read what they said
Yeah. So thank you. First of all, I wanna clarify, this isn't a new structure. This is a structure that, uh, the special district has been around since 1896. Um, I wanna also point out that, um, the, uh, use of, uh, revenue bonds to finance these projects, uh, has been around. We've, we've done this in multiple cases that the most, the one that most people are familiar with, frankly, is Intermountain Power Agency. They're all of those, uh, all of the, both the original coal units and the, uh, subsequent to gas fired units were financed with revenue bonds. So the question is, how, how does that actually work? The power purchasers, um, are the collateral for the …
H.B. 489 Water Infrastructure Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says the entities would be centrally assessed and would pay a privilege tax like other state-owned assets, with a statewide interest in energy development.
▶ Watch at 1:17:42Read what they said
they are essentially, uh, these would be like any other state, uh, owned asset. They would be exempt from the tax per, um, uh, per state statute. Uh, what we're trying to do is make sure that we can protect the property tax streams that would be available to, uh, potentially the local, uh, to the local governments. Um, again, the best example of this is, uh, um, Intermountain Power Agency and Intermountain Power Agency's context and the context of that, we created a, uh, it was a slightly different type of a structure. It's an interlocal, um, but, uh, that entity pays a privilege tax. Um, it's, uh, controlled by 23 of our municipalities. What we're seeking to do …
H.B. 489 Water Infrastructure Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says an initial step was taken and points to the Utah Constitution provision on the special district.
▶ Watch at 1:20:51Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I think we took an initial step, but we probably could take one more, but let me just point out, um, the Utah Section 11, article 11, section nine of Utah Constitution.
H.B. 575 Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments · Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Said issues were found after House passage, an amendment was adopted with co-op input, and more language is being worked on.
▶ Watch at 1:25:17Read what they said
Thank you. I'll just comment that, uh, the issues that we're trying to work through were discovered after the bill passed off the house floor. Um, we made it, we did pass an amendment that we thought would address the concerns. Um, that was, uh, in collaboration with Munis, the co-ops in Rocky Mountain. It just turned out that we, um, after reviewing it, that they felt like there's some additional language that we need to get in there, and we're working, uh, diligently to get that done. Okay. Thank you very much.
H.B. 548 Primary Election Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Supports the amendment but says he will vote no because the bill could still result in plurality winners instead of head-to-head primaries.
▶ Watch at 1:07:18Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Vice chair. I'm supportive of the, uh, amendment that we just passed. Um, but I'm gonna be a no, just because I recognize that it does give discretion, but it all also could set up plurality still. Um, where, because, uh, some, because the, uh, government entity thinks that there might not be interest in supporting a particular candidate, but then there could be tremendous support for a particular candidate. And we end up, uh, we end up instead of a head-to-head primary, we end up with a polarity. So I'm supportive of the underlying motion. I think it's better than the original bill, but I'm gonna be a oath.
H.B. 544 County Land Use Authority Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says he had discussed the issue with the sponsor thinking it applied to municipalities, and asks whether the bill covers only counties.
▶ Watch at 1:13:50Read what they said
Uh, thank you, uh, Madam Vice chair, I spoke with a sponsor about this particular issue, um, and when I spoke, I, I, uh, the context that I was looking at was a municipal issue. Right Now you're focused exclusively on a county, is that correct?
H.B. 544 County Land Use Authority Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the clarification does not change his view and that he has a similar municipal issue in his own area that may be addressed later.
▶ Watch at 1:14:10Read what they said
Okay. Yes. I I, I appreciate that clarification. Um, I, uh, I don't think that changes my feelings, but anyway, I, I appreciate that clarification might be something we wanna work on in the future. So, uh, I have a, uh, a situation in my county where there's a municipality with the same challenge. It's just a municipal issue, not a county issue. So, thank you Madam Chair.
H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Presented H.B. 521, which would move $350 million of the public education stabilization account into a public education trust or endowment while keeping the stabilization feature, to create a long-term funding source for education.
▶ Watch at 30:20Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I, uh, had to take just a moment and wake up there. So, uh, let me speak to HB 5 21 Public Education Stabilization account. Um, this is a, uh, uh, policy that, uh, I've been thinking about for a little while. And as many of you're aware, uh, six or seven years ago, we created the Public Education stabilization account. What that the, the whole purpose of the public education stabilization account was to, uh, deal with a recessionary period so that we didn't have to have a impact on our public education. So, uh, in 2008, when we went through the Great Recession, it took a minute, but, uh, tax receipts, uh, income tax …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Moves to adopt the third substitute for House Bill 535.
▶ Watch at 32:07Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that we adopt the third substitute to house Bill 5 35.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Moves to adopt the third substitute to H.B. 535.
▶ Watch at 32:07Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that we adopt the third substitute to house Bill 5 35.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Explains that after the committee hearing, meetings with the League of Cities and Towns and redevelopment agencies led to changes covering different city government forms, non-significant parcels, exchanges, and negotiations in closed meetings.
▶ Watch at 32:17Read what they said
I would, uh, after the, uh, bill was originally heard, we had a meeting with the League of Cities and Towns and the, uh, RDAs. Uh, there were some concerns that they had, that they had expressed that they would, that they wanted to have worked on. We were able to sit down and work on those issues and their, their comfortable with the outcome. And so let me explain what we did briefly to address their concerns. Uh, first of all, uh, there's a two different forms of government and, uh, for example, a strong mayor form of a government versus a weak mayor. The language didn't really properly account for these various forms of city governance. And so …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Explains that after meeting with the League of Cities and Towns and redevelopment agencies, the substitute addresses their concerns about different forms of city government, non-significant parcels, property exchanges, and negotiating terms in closed meetings.
▶ Watch at 32:17Read what they said
I would, uh, after the, uh, bill was originally heard, we had a meeting with the League of Cities and Towns and the, uh, RDAs. Uh, there were some concerns that they had, that they had expressed that they would, that they wanted to have worked on. We were able to sit down and work on those issues and their, their comfortable with the outcome. And so let me explain what we did briefly to address their concerns. Uh, first of all, uh, there's a two different forms of government and, uh, for example, a strong mayor form of a government versus a weak mayor. The language didn't really properly account for these various forms of city governance. And so …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says the bill requires governmental entities to post a sign and give public notice of intent to dispose of significant property valued at $500,000 or more, to record the final disposition in meeting minutes, and clarifies that exchanges are not included as dispositions.
▶ Watch at 34:12Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker house Bill 5 35. Uh, disposition of public property, uh, is a, to me, uh, a policy that, uh, I think is gonna have a tremendous impact on transparency of public entities selling land or other real property. So, uh, uh, one of the things we discovered, uh, over the course of the last year was that there was a, uh, frankly, there was a loophole in the disposition of real property where a governmental entity could, under certain circumstances, sell property without, uh, going through an open and public process. Meaning they provided notice to the public that they intended to sell the property, and then after they made a decision about who they were …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Explains H.B. 535, which requires governmental entities to post a sign and give public meeting notice of intent to sell property valued at $500,000 or more, and to record the final action after a sale; exchanges are excluded, and he is open to questions.
▶ Watch at 34:12Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker house Bill 5 35. Uh, disposition of public property, uh, is a, to me, uh, a policy that, uh, I think is gonna have a tremendous impact on transparency of public entities selling land or other real property. So, uh, uh, one of the things we discovered, uh, over the course of the last year was that there was a, uh, frankly, there was a loophole in the disposition of real property where a governmental entity could, under certain circumstances, sell property without, uh, going through an open and public process. Meaning they provided notice to the public that they intended to sell the property, and then after they made a decision about who they were …
H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Summarizes the bill's three goals: preserving the stabilization feature, building a long-term revenue stream for tax policy, and making education appropriations more fiscally responsible.
▶ Watch at 36:25Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I appreciate the opportunity to present today. Uh, I think this is an important policy. Uh, I think it's gonna help us with three specific things. Number one, it's gonna preserve this stabilization feature that we set up, uh, a number of years ago and, uh, uh, allow us to navigate, uh, recessions with our funding model. Number two, it's going to help us, uh, build a long-term revenue stream that again, over the longer term, will help us with our tax policy, whether that's income tax or property tax in the state of Utah. And number three, it will, uh, allow us to, uh, uh, I think be really fiscally responsible in our public …
H.B. 315 Human Development Instruction · House Education Committee · Feb 26, 2026
The chair said he is pro-life but concerned about prescribing a specific video, and supported the motion.
▶ Watch at 1:21:39Read what they said
Um, I'm gonna speak in favor of the motion. I'm a pro, I'm pro-life, um, very much so, but I am concerned about prescribing a specific video.
S.B. 131 Charter School Eligibility · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents S.B. 131, which adds residence within the school's political subdivision as an optional preferential enrollment criterion for charter schools and removes COVID-era language.
▶ Watch at 39:27Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, Senate Bill 1 31, uh, addresses a provision, uh, that has been around for a long time in charter schools. So, uh, in a charter school, there is a preferential enrollment option that is an option for the school to use if they choose. Um, the, uh, preferential enrollment option gives, uh, school, uh, founders, school board members, school employees, um, individuals residing within a two mile radius. Um, and, or, uh, siblings a preferential enrollment, uh, option that if the school chooses to use one of those, uh, they can. Uh, we've added one more preferential option if, uh, and it is very simple that if you, if a student resides in the, um, …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute for H.B. 514.
▶ Watch at 1:08:00Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that we adopt the first substitute to house Bill five 14.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute for H.B. 514.
▶ Watch at 1:08:00Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that we adopt the first substitute to house Bill five 14.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the bill's policy is unchanged across versions and that the bonding structure was developed with the LFA, Treasurer, governor's office, bond counsel and a financial advisor, who advised using a special district.
▶ Watch at 1:08:07Read what they said
I would. Um, there is a, an, uh, as we were working through this, the policy has stayed the same throughout the versions of the bill. Um, but, uh, as we were working through, uh, this, uh, bonding authority for the Energy Council, we worked with, uh, the LFA. We worked with the Treasurer's Office. We worked with the governor's office, um, and we worked with, uh, outside legal bond counsel, and we worked with the, um, uh, financial advisor to the State of Utah to figure out the right structure. And we've been advised that we need to use a, uh, special district. Uh, this is a special districts exist at the co at the founding of our state …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Explains that the substitute keeps the bill's policy the same and uses a special district structure for bonding authority for the Energy Council, as advised by the LFA, Treasurer, governor's office, and bond counsel.
▶ Watch at 1:08:07Read what they said
I would. Um, there is a, an, uh, as we were working through this, the policy has stayed the same throughout the versions of the bill. Um, but, uh, as we were working through, uh, this, uh, bonding authority for the Energy Council, we worked with, uh, the LFA. We worked with the Treasurer's Office. We worked with the governor's office, um, and we worked with, uh, outside legal bond counsel, and we worked with the, um, uh, financial advisor to the State of Utah to figure out the right structure. And we've been advised that we need to use a, uh, special district. Uh, this is a special districts exist at the co at the founding of our state …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says Amendment 1 makes clear the Energy Council will not interfere with municipal, cooperative or private utilities that provide electric service.
▶ Watch at 1:09:28Read what they said
I would, um, amendment one makes it very clear that nothing we're doing in the Energy Council would interfere with a, um, municipality who operates, uh, electric service as part of their, uh, public service to their residents. Uh, a co-op, um, for example, uh, we have a number of, uh, uh, co-ops that, uh, provide electricity, electricity service in their service area, or a public utility, uh, like Rocky Mountain Power. There's, there's nothing in the, the, we wanted to make it very clear that there's nothing in what the, uh, uh, energy Council is doing that would replace or displace or any way, uh, cause them to be a provider of, uh, electricity. Everybody's on the same page. …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says Amendment 1 clarifies that the Energy Council would not interfere with municipal, co-op, or private utility electric service.
▶ Watch at 1:09:28Read what they said
I would, um, amendment one makes it very clear that nothing we're doing in the Energy Council would interfere with a, um, municipality who operates, uh, electric service as part of their, uh, public service to their residents. Uh, a co-op, um, for example, uh, we have a number of, uh, uh, co-ops that, uh, provide electricity, electricity service in their service area, or a public utility, uh, like Rocky Mountain Power. There's, there's nothing in the, the, we wanted to make it very clear that there's nothing in what the, uh, uh, energy Council is doing that would replace or displace or any way, uh, cause them to be a provider of, uh, electricity. Everybody's on the same page. …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Explains the bill expands the Energy Council from five to seven members, adds a co-chair structure, and creates a financing mechanism for large energy projects that does not create a state debt obligation.
▶ Watch at 1:10:41Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, last year we created the Utah Energy Council. Uh, the Energy Council has, uh, started functioning. I'll just, uh, remind the members that the Energy Council is, uh, not a, not a regulatory body. The Office of Energy Development does that, that's housed in the governor's office. The Energy Council is tasked with leading out on statewide energy policy and trying to help make sure that we have a reliable, affordable dispatchable energy for, uh, decades to come. Uh, the Energy Council started meeting, uh, we're, uh, it, it has started, uh, taking up some initial issues. And as, as the Energy Council has met, one of the things that the Energy Council and, uh, …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Summarizes the bill: it expands the Energy Council from five to seven members, adds a co-chair structure, and creates a financing mechanism for large energy projects without a state obligation.
▶ Watch at 1:10:41Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, last year we created the Utah Energy Council. Uh, the Energy Council has, uh, started functioning. I'll just, uh, remind the members that the Energy Council is, uh, not a, not a regulatory body. The Office of Energy Development does that, that's housed in the governor's office. The Energy Council is tasked with leading out on statewide energy policy and trying to help make sure that we have a reliable, affordable dispatchable energy for, uh, decades to come. Uh, the Energy Council started meeting, uh, we're, uh, it, it has started, uh, taking up some initial issues. And as, as the Energy Council has met, one of the things that the Energy Council and, uh, …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the special district is for energy generation and transmission infrastructure and does not change service to residents, and notes the state constitution requires local consent for electric facilities using streets.
▶ Watch at 1:15:40Read what they said
Yes. So let me just clarify. Last year, uh, uh, separate from the creation of the Energy Council, there were energy zones that were created. And so those are, those are preexisting. This, uh, special district, as I mentioned, it's a special district, like a water conservancy district or a mosquito abatement district is a good example. But, but this would allow for, uh, the creation of an, the, uh, construction of, um, ener energy generation, infrastructure, energy, transmission infrastructure. It wouldn't have an impact on, uh, a consumer, uh, for example, serving a resident to a city. That would still be, if it was a municipality, that would still be a municipality if it were a private entity, um, …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Explains the special district would address generation and transmission construction and would not change municipal or private utility service, and notes the state constitution requires coordination with local authorities for such construction.
▶ Watch at 1:15:40Read what they said
Yes. So let me just clarify. Last year, uh, uh, separate from the creation of the Energy Council, there were energy zones that were created. And so those are, those are preexisting. This, uh, special district, as I mentioned, it's a special district, like a water conservancy district or a mosquito abatement district is a good example. But, but this would allow for, uh, the creation of an, the, uh, construction of, um, ener energy generation, infrastructure, energy, transmission infrastructure. It wouldn't have an impact on, uh, a consumer, uh, for example, serving a resident to a city. That would still be, if it was a municipality, that would still be a municipality if it were a private entity, um, …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says eminent domain is not used, explains that water and air resources are needed for generation, and says out-of-state demand is driving the need for in-state infrastructure.
▶ Watch at 1:19:07Read what they said
No, the an the answer, uh, is not imminent domain. Um, this is a very good question. I, I was gonna address a portion of it in my sum, but I appreciate the question. In order to build power generation, you have to have a place to build it. You have to have, uh, water, and you have to have, uh, air meaning, uh, make sure that we're not, uh, emitting above the attainment levels. So those things have to be in place. Um, uh, we're not, we're definitely not doing this through eminent domain, but what's happening right now, Mr. Speaker in the state of Utah across the state, is, um, we have on the west coast, some of …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says eminent domain is not used, explains that power generation requires water and air permits, and says neighboring states are seeking Utah resources, so the state should plan carefully over the next 25 to 30 years.
▶ Watch at 1:19:07Read what they said
No, the an the answer, uh, is not imminent domain. Um, this is a very good question. I, I was gonna address a portion of it in my sum, but I appreciate the question. In order to build power generation, you have to have a place to build it. You have to have, uh, water, and you have to have, uh, air meaning, uh, make sure that we're not, uh, emitting above the attainment levels. So those things have to be in place. Um, uh, we're not, we're definitely not doing this through eminent domain, but what's happening right now, Mr. Speaker in the state of Utah across the state, is, um, we have on the west coast, some of …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says state assets are exempt from property tax and that a privilege tax can apply where an exempt entity operates.
▶ Watch at 1:21:26Read what they said
Yes, Mr. Speaker, this is also a very good clarifying question. So, um, all state assets, uh, wherever they are in the state, are exempt from, uh, property tax. I'll note that we do have a privilege tax, which is essentially the replacement for a property tax, uh, when the, uh, state or another, uh, entity that is not taxable is operating in an area, there, there is an option and a provision for the implementation of a privilege tax.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says state assets are exempt from property tax and describes the privilege tax as the replacement tax when a nontaxable entity operates in an area.
▶ Watch at 1:21:26Read what they said
Yes, Mr. Speaker, this is also a very good clarifying question. So, um, all state assets, uh, wherever they are in the state, are exempt from, uh, property tax. I'll note that we do have a privilege tax, which is essentially the replacement for a property tax, uh, when the, uh, state or another, uh, entity that is not taxable is operating in an area, there, there is an option and a provision for the implementation of a privilege tax.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the privilege tax goes to the county members, using the Millard County generation unit as an example.
▶ Watch at 1:22:00Read what they said
So, yes, Mr. Speaker, I, I appreciate also that question. Um, the privilege tax, uh, has all, I'm gonna use the example of the two existing, uh, power, sorry, the existing power generation unit in, uh, Millard County. The privilege tax, uh, does go to the county members in that case. This is the best example that I can demonstrate for how this would, would work. We're really trying to, uh, as I mentioned earlier, um, create a, uh, model something, uh, model this after something that's been around for a long time that will benefit all of our residents, not not just a portion of the residents in that are participating in one particular interlocal.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Says the privilege tax goes to the county members, using the Millard County power unit as an example, and that the model is meant to benefit all residents.
▶ Watch at 1:22:00Read what they said
So, yes, Mr. Speaker, I, I appreciate also that question. Um, the privilege tax, uh, has all, I'm gonna use the example of the two existing, uh, power, sorry, the existing power generation unit in, uh, Millard County. The privilege tax, uh, does go to the county members in that case. This is the best example that I can demonstrate for how this would, would work. We're really trying to, uh, as I mentioned earlier, um, create a, uh, model something, uh, model this after something that's been around for a long time that will benefit all of our residents, not not just a portion of the residents in that are participating in one particular interlocal.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Closes by saying electricity is critical infrastructure, that the bill is one tool for reliable, affordable power, and asks for the body's support.
▶ Watch at 1:23:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I think the final point that I'd like to leave with, uh, the body this, this evening, and appreciate the good questions and the good debate that we've had. I think the final point that I'd like to leave with the body is that, um, when electricity very first started and we started creating energy infrastructure in our state, uh, uh, a hundred years ago, it was all very local. And as that energy infrastructure grew and the demand for energy in infrastructure grew, we started to see, um, uh, a lot more collaboration and cooperation by, uh, communities to try and figure out how to supply that growing power demand. Um, there came a …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Gives closing remarks that energy infrastructure is critical, that markets now span multiple states, and that the bill is one tool to ensure reliable, affordable, dispatchable power.
▶ Watch at 1:23:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, I think the final point that I'd like to leave with, uh, the body this, this evening, and appreciate the good questions and the good debate that we've had. I think the final point that I'd like to leave with the body is that, um, when electricity very first started and we started creating energy infrastructure in our state, uh, uh, a hundred years ago, it was all very local. And as that energy infrastructure grew and the demand for energy in infrastructure grew, we started to see, um, uh, a lot more collaboration and cooperation by, uh, communities to try and figure out how to supply that growing power demand. Um, there came a …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Presented HB 535, which would require public notice and disclosure before a public entity sells, leases, or joint-ventures a significant parcel valued at $500,000 or more.
▶ Watch at 54:13Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's, uh, appreciate the members of the committee. I know we had this on the last agenda and, uh, we ran out of time, so, uh, appreciate the opportunity to visit about 5 35. Um, I do have a second substitute, and I will be speaking to the, um, second substitute. So lemme provide a little bit of background. Um, a number of years ago, this was quite a few years ago, um, we were working on, um, uh, some real estate related, uh, questions. This originated in Washington County. The city was, uh, had sold some parcels of land and, uh, down by the convention center. And we had a very simple question, what did …
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Said he would explain the change in the substitute, which is simple.
▶ Watch at 1:08:13Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. Um, this, this is just to adopt the sub, Right? Yes, that's right. And, and I was just gonna speak to the change, if that's all right.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Said the substitute corrects the option period for school districts and similar entities to the 90-day period, as reviewed with drafting attorneys.
▶ Watch at 1:08:22Read what they said
Towards the very bottom of the bill, um, there was an issue where we had incorrectly, uh, addressed the option period for school districts and some of those other entities. And so we worked with the drafting attorneys to make sure that that 90 day period was properly reflected in the substitute.
H.B. 535 Disposition of Public Property Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Thanked the committee and said the sponsor is working with the League on language to accommodate various forms of city government.
▶ Watch at 1:09:21Read what they said
I'd just like to thank the committee and acknowledge that, uh, we are working with, uh, uh, the league on that language that they referenced, and I'll make sure we get that right to accommodate the various, uh, forms of, uh, city government. Um, we just discovered that this afternoon.
H.B. 363 Water Easement Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asked how the bill interacts with contractual negotiations, citing a family property and a city that would not abandon easements.
▶ Watch at 1:36:31Read what they said
I think Mr. Chair, um, I'm trying to understand why this, what would prohibit this from doing, being done through some kind of contractual arrangement. So when they decide they're gonna abandon the, when the canal company decides they're gonna abandon the easement, the canal company says we need to work out something with municipality. There's been storm drain use here. Um, I'm Juab I'm just trying to figure that out, that out partly because I'm thinking of, frankly, my own family's property. We have a, we have a piece of land that was for a hundred years irrigated by a canal. And, uh, the city, um, sorry, the canal company put the canal into a pipeline in a different …
H.B. 363 Water Easement Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asked a follow-up question about the contractual provisions.
▶ Watch at 1:38:35Read what they said
But, so may I ask another follow up question, Mr. Chair? Go ahead. So, um, you answered my first question about the, you addressed the first part about the contract, the contractual provisions.
H.B. 363 Water Easement Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Raised concern that the bill could give a municipality a right of first refusal and a continuing right to cross property after a canal is no longer used.
▶ Watch at 1:38:52Read what they said
Um, for the storm drain, I guess what I'm worried about is essentially giving the municipality a right of first refusal, right? Right. That where the, where the municipality by default essentially is going to convert this canal easement, which is all of the collective members having access to maintain the canal. I mean, when I was a kid, they, I, you, some of you probably remember this, but we would go burn the canals mm-hmm. Because that's how you got rid of the, um, uh, that's how you got rid of all the plant material that would soak up all the water and slow down. So, but it was all of the members individually doing that. Well, now the …
H.B. 363 Water Easement Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Said he is trying to understand how the bill works in other contexts and thanked the chair.
▶ Watch at 1:41:39Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chairman. I, my wife grew up in Orem. I know exactly the kinds of scenarios that you're talking about where they carrying large amounts of water. So I, I appreciate you working on this issue. I'm just trying to figure out how this works in some other context. So thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Representative Kohler.
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Said he had not known about the community cat provisions and needs to learn more about them.
▶ Watch at 1:52:53Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I have one question for the, uh, sponsor, uh, Senator Grover. I am like, you've made my day because I had no idea we had a community cat act. Ooh. And I just learned that. And I think, I think like I know we have some obscure things in, uh, statute, but I think that wins the award for the day. So We all learned something, representative. So, um, anyway, uh, appreciate you bringing that to, to our attention. And, um, I, I guess I need to learn more about the Community Cat Act. There you go. So thank you. And I, I will say, I know it's not a question, but I have learned …
S.B. 228 Community Reinvestment Agency Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moves to recommend the bill favorably and supports it, saying a clear process to dissolve project areas is important and that an extension provision exists.
▶ Watch at 2:21:01Read what they said
Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I move that we recommend favorably Senate Bill 2 28 first substitute. The motion is to recommend favorably first substitute Senate Bill 2 28. We'd like to speak to your motion. Uh, I actually would. Um, I know that, uh, the sponsor's been working really hard, um, for many years in this space. And, uh, I, I know that, uh, this particular bill is one that, um, I think we really need to clarify the dissolution of project areas that we've created many years ago. Um, I understand that there's some, uh, uncertainty that was expressed about that, but, but I think that having a clear process to dissolve, uh, community reinvestment agency project …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Moves to circle H.B. 514 because a substitute bill is still being prepared and members need time to review it.
▶ Watch at 1:09:37Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that we circle house Bill five 14. Motion is to circle house Bill five 14, you'd like to speak to it. I would, uh, we're waiting on a substitute, uh, that, uh, we've been talking about with, uh, mentioned in the committee. Um, but anyway, we're, um, working on getting that substitute out so that we can, uh, have everybody have a chance to look at it and also, uh, speak to the, uh, the bill that we want to hear.
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Supports the bill and says tax increment tools need balance with community needs and care about shifting development costs to existing residents.
▶ Watch at 1:34:44Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I also rise in support of this, uh, legislation. I appreciate, uh, the sponsor's efforts here. This is an issue that we've talked about, uh, each of the sessions that I've been in the legislature and, and in each of those sessions in one form or another, we've actually had growth in, uh, uh, entities that are issuing increments. Um, there's been a lot of debates about what they should be used for and how they sh how often they should be used. Um, I really appreciate the efforts to consolidate, organize and appropriately, uh, provide some boundaries on, um, how we can move forward in a proper balance between, uh, economic development tools, public …
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Says he supports the bill, which seeks to balance economic development public finance tools with community needs and the costs placed on existing residents.
▶ Watch at 1:34:44Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I also rise in support of this, uh, legislation. I appreciate, uh, the sponsor's efforts here. This is an issue that we've talked about, uh, each of the sessions that I've been in the legislature and, and in each of those sessions in one form or another, we've actually had growth in, uh, uh, entities that are issuing increments. Um, there's been a lot of debates about what they should be used for and how they sh how often they should be used. Um, I really appreciate the efforts to consolidate, organize and appropriately, uh, provide some boundaries on, um, how we can move forward in a proper balance between, uh, economic development tools, public …
H.B. 125 Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Supports the bill, saying his family was asked for aquatic invasive species proof while tubing and that the bill exempts such cases.
▶ Watch at 1:51:48Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, I rise in support of this bill. Uh, this is something that I've been concerned about for a couple years. Last year, the good sponsor made some efforts to resolve this issue, uh, that, uh, didn't get passed at the end of the session and uh, it's very ironic. Um, but uh, I had some of my, uh, kids, adult children and my in-laws, uh, and his, my son-in-law and his adult siblings who were tubing on an inner tube. And uh, they were asked for their aquatic evasive species proof of, uh, compliance while they were tubing. This exempts them from that particular requirement, which I think is entirely appropriate and I wholeheartedly support. …
H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presented HB 521, which would sweep unneeded public education stabilization funds, about $350 million, into a permanent education trust fund that could later support ongoing education spending while keeping the stabilization account available in a recession.
▶ Watch at 2:28:34Read what they said
All right. To our good chairman. All right. Thank you. Uh, members of the committee, um, I passed out a little handout that, uh, uh, provides some data, uh, related to, uh, the house Bill 5 21, public education, economic stabilization, restricted account amendments. Um, we created the economic, the public education economic stabilization account so that if there were a recession like there was in 2008, and that recession, um, created a dip in education, uh, funds, um, that there would be a short term way to backfill those funds, uh, that are committed to ongoing expenses, uh, until we work through the economic cycle. Um, that process, uh, has worked, uh, very effectively at, uh, building the stabilization …
H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said he had discussed the proposal with the State Treasurer, who is comfortable managing the funds.
▶ Watch at 2:34:18Read what they said
So I've spoken to the treasurer, uh, and we've discussed the proposal and, um, they feel very comfortable in their ability to, uh, manage the funds.
H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the stabilization account would remain available in a recession because swept funds would only be taken when the stabilization feature is not being used.
▶ Watch at 2:35:00Read what they said
That's a great question. If we have an event, so a recession that would, that would trigger the provisions that authorize us to use the public education stabilization account funds, you wouldn't sweep those funds would be available for the stabilization purpose. So, uh, that was one of the, that was one of the things that was really important, uh, to me in trying to figure out how to work through this, is if we have a need for the original purpose of the stabilization account, it's still there. It functions exactly in that capacity, and we haven't depleted those resources. Um, it's only in the case where we are not using the stabilization feature that the funds would be …
H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Explained that the first substitute clarifies the treasurer's authority to manage the fund under exemptions to the Money Management Act, at the treasurer's request.
▶ Watch at 2:38:27Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, I'll just mention the first sub clarifies that, um, the treasurer has the authorization to manage the fund, uh, along with a number of other exemptions to the Money Management Act. So it doesn't have to all just go into like, short term, uh, treasuries or other low risk investments. It allows them to invest like a, like for example, CIFO is a best example to think about. So that's what the first sub does. It's a clarification that was requested by the treasurer's office.
H.B. 521 Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Thanked the committee and said the bill addresses how to put growing education resources to good use.
▶ Watch at 2:39:45Read what they said
Thank you. Appreciate the committee's time. Uh, this was something that, uh, really did come out of, um, trying to figure out how to solve what is a, I think it's a fortunate problem that we have. Um, we've got some resources, um, we wanna make sure they get put to good use. And, um, and so anyway, I appreciate the committee's time and support.
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Rep. Walter presents H.B. 426, which would require each local education agency to adopt a policy on pacing, student work, teacher-of-record interaction, and state standards for online education providers.
▶ Watch at 23:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, grateful for the body's time with regard to HP 4 26 online education, service provider amendments. Um, this bill has a, uh, long history, I won't tell you the whole history, but there, it started with the legislative audit that, uh, made a recommendation. One of the possible recommendations was to move certain online educator pro education providers from, uh, LEA. So either charter school or district, uh, district school, uh, oversight, funding and supervision to Utah fits all. Uh, there's a long, there's a reason why, uh, that wasn't the right choice. One of the biggest reasons why we met with a large number of the families, uh, who were participating in some of …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Rep. Walter gives a brief closing summation before the vote opens.
▶ Watch at 28:02Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wa, Summation is my, my voting will now be open on first substitute.
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Explains the bill clarifies that business administrators report to the superintendent, allows boards to set contracts of varying length or at-will agreements, and notes board financial responsibilities remain.
▶ Watch at 36:38Read what they said
Public education financial officers makes a couple of very, um, minor technical changes. Uh, the first thing that it does is it clarifies that the deputy superintendent, so this is your business administrator, um, this is the person that is typically considered your chief financial officer in a, uh, school district reports to the Chief executive officer, or in some cases the chief administrative officer, the superintendent. Um, in many cases, uh, we have, uh, business administrators, which the, the statute still includes a provision for. So the business administrators or this deputy superintendent role, they're hired by the board. Um, but, uh, my bill clarifies that as the deputy or the, and or the Chief financial Officer, they still …
H.B. 294 Employer Verification Amendments · House floor debate (day 35) · Feb 24, 2026
Supports the bill as a step in the right direction, noting he previously sponsored a bill to return the threshold to 15 employees that did not pass.
▶ Watch at 1:13:12Read what they said
I thank Mr. Speaker. I rises in support of this bill. As many of you know, I ran a bill last year, uh, to try and move it back to its original, uh, threshold of 15. We tried five and 15 and that didn't work last year. And I recognize this is a step in the right direction. Appreciate the sponsor's efforts.
H.B. 377 Real Estate Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Presented H.B. 377, describing changes to the property manager license, restoration of the dual broker license, trust account and document retention rules, and division of real estate complaint handling.
▶ Watch at 37:41Read what they said
Representative Walter, Uh, thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss House Bill, uh, 3 77 today. Um, I'm gonna provide a little bit of background and I'll just, uh, uh, note for the members of the body, there is a substitute online, but, uh, in my name, but we're not gonna adopt the substitute today. Um, house Bill 3 77 started actually last year with House Bill 3 37. Yeah, we're not, we don't need to adopt this substitute. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, house Bill 3 77 started last year with House Bill 3 37, which created the role of a property manager in the division of real estate. So we've historically had a number …
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Says the amendment addresses a concern he raised and that he will support the bill and amendment.
▶ Watch at 10:26Read what they said
This addresses the concern, uh, that I had raised and I appreciate the sponsors. I'll be spo supporting the bill and the amendment. Thank you.
H.B. 245 Construction Wage Standard Act · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying it will raise the cost of construction and housing in the state.
▶ Watch at 57:29Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, our rise in opposition to the bill. I think this will raise the cost of construction and housing in the state. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 405 State Purchasing Reserve Funding · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Speaks in opposition, citing concerns about the fee versus tax precedent and about gold prices being volatile and set by global markets as an inflation hedge.
▶ Watch at 1:24:10Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to, uh, to speak in opposition to this bill. Uh, I'm concerned about, uh, first of all the precedence that we might set, um, in, uh, taking this, uh, conversation about the fee versus the tax, uh, provision. I think that's been well said. One of the other things I wanted to just mention, there's a very interesting dynamic, uh, that's a very, very long run dynamic, and we've, we talk a lot about, uh, sound money. We can talk a lot about, um, gold, uh, and silver and their role in our monetary system. Um, but one thing I do have a little bit of concern about is over the very …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Presented H.B. 514, which expands the Utah Energy Council, designates it as the State Energy Financing Institution, and authorizes it to issue bonds or other debt for energy infrastructure with repayment limited to project revenues.
▶ Watch at 54:54Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair and committee members. Uh, thank you for accommodating the, uh, schedule today. Looks like you've had a, a full agenda, which is great. Um, I'm here to speak to House Bill five 14 Energy Council Amendments. Um, the Energy Council was, uh, created last session. There were, it was an interesting dynamic where there were two bills, uh, good, uh, Representative Albrecht and I both ran bills that, uh, because it was, we're in the same section code, uh, uh, created the energy council. This was, uh, um, at, uh, Senator, or, sorry, representative Albrecht's, uh, idea. And it's been a great thing that's now launched. The Energy Council is up and running. Um, we've …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Said that any assets financed under the structure would be operated by a third-party operator, such as an experienced utility or energy company, and that the goal is to lower capital costs for Utah residents.
▶ Watch at 1:02:50Read what they said
Yeah. So, um, any of the assets that would be financed under the structure would be operated by a third party operator. So it could be Rocky Mountain Power, it could be DT Power, it could be another experienced operator. We have a number of, uh, um, uh, organizations that are trying to figure out how to get commercial scale nuclear, uh, up and running. Um, that'll be expertise that, um, uh, will, will, would be able to, uh, take, would, would be able to, uh, operate these kinds of assets. I'll also note that it might be a transmission asset, not just a generation power generation asset. Um, but the idea is that those with expertise, uh, in that …
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Answered that the bill does not change the Intermountain Power Agency, which was used as an example, and that the 23 participating municipalities could continue participating.
▶ Watch at 1:06:26Read what they said
Yeah, very good question. So this, um, doesn't have anything to do with, um, that particular agency. I used it as an example because it's there to benefit the 23 municipalities. But, but I, this is a perfect ex perfect question. Instead of, um, having the energy council or having a, uh, governmental entity that's essentially working for, uh, the interests of those 23 entities, what we're trying to do is actually create a, a state version that allows us to work, work on statewide interests, right? And that doesn't prohibit or, uh, block those 23 municipalities participating in the Intermountain Power Agency interlocal from continuing to, uh, participate in that capacity.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Explained that the bill gives the Energy Council access to a common bonding financing tool, with state authorizations such as from the Treasurer's Office.
▶ Watch at 1:07:13Read what they said
Well, what it does is it takes the existing Energy Council and gives it access to a tool that's used very commonly in lots of other places. So, uh, bonding, um, that this financing tool, um, it gives the energy council the ability to, in conjunction with the appropriate authorizations in state government, for example, the Treasurer's Office, et cetera. Um, it gives them access to that tool in the same way, for example, that the 23 municipalities already have access at IPA. Awesome.
H.B. 514 Utah Energy Council Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Gave closing remarks, saying electricity prices are important, neighboring states are looking to Utah for generation, and supply is the way to protect residents from volatile markets.
▶ Watch at 1:18:55Read what they said
I, I appreciate the discussion and, uh, I recognize the time. Uh, but I would like to make just a couple of concluding remarks. Um, first one is, I, I wanna express great appreciation to, uh, Representative Albrecht for his vision. This, uh, con, this energy council, and this way that we're ex, the way that we're trying to pull together our strategic vision for our state and, and leadership on energy issues wouldn't have happened without, uh, your efforts last session to bring this con bring this, uh, idea to fruition and actually get it launched. And I, I acknowledge and appreciate that. I think it, I think it is a tremendously impactful policy for our state in general, …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presented HB 426, which would require LEAs running learner validated programs to have a licensed teacher of record responsible for academic progress, participation, and assessment compliance, while keeping flexibility for families and providers.
▶ Watch at 41:16Read what they said
Alright, thank you Madam Chair. Appreciate the opportunity to be here in front of the committee today. Um, I'm here to talk about House Bill 4 26. I'll be speaking to the first substitute. Um, I wanna provide a little bit of background. So, um, in statute for, for now, uh, seven years, we have pub public education's vision and mission. I just wanna share, I've talked a lot about this in a lot of different contexts, but the legislature recognizes that public education's mission is to assure Utah the best educated citizenry in the world, and each individual, the training to succeed in a global society by providing students with learning and occupational skills, character development, literacy and numeracy, …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the bill does not apply to Utah Fits All or to homeschool families not using state resources, only to learner validated programs operated by an LEA.
▶ Watch at 46:33Read what they said
No. So no, this does not apply to the Utah Fits all scholarship. This does not apply to homeschool families who are, um, not using state resources. This is only individuals who are participating in a alternative learning environment. We call it a learner validated program. Uh, that is o that is operated under the discre under the direction and the funding of a, uh, local education agency in LEA.
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Confirmed that these are public schools funded through the State Board of Education and the appropriations process.
▶ Watch at 47:34Read what they said
That is correct. These are public schools. Okay. They are, when, when I say public schools, that could mean a, a district or a charter, but yes, they are public schools. Um, they are funded through the State Board of Education. Um, they're funded through, um, our appropriations process. They're, they're public school schools and all those rights.
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Explained that licensed educator interactions can be contracted out now, that the bill keeps that arrangement, and that LEAs may need to hire licensed educators for the teacher of record role and set their own policies.
▶ Watch at 48:09Read what they said
So the answer is, uh, yes, but they can, all, all of the licensed educator, uh, uh, interactions can be, can be contracted out. And if I go back to the, uh, part of the issue, frankly, that was, uh, identified in the open ed audit, one of the big issues was the LEA is, uh, contracting a large, uh, all of the almo, virtually not, not all, but much of the education, um, to a third party vendor, which is authorized. Um, and this bill doesn't change that. Um, but if you wanna think about it, I'm not actually making requirements for the, for the family or for the education, um, uh, education service provider, whoever who's contracted. But …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the services are already funded, so any added teacher positions would come from existing funding.
▶ Watch at 49:58Read what they said
It's because it's already funded from us. We we're already funding all of those, uh, in my, we're already funding those services, So, so if they add additional teachers head counts, that's coming from an existing bucket.
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Explained that the bill dropped the earlier proposal to move these students to Utah Fits All and instead works with LEAs and providers on a mechanism, after talking with many LEAs and providers.
▶ Watch at 50:30Read what they said
Yeah. Yes. Actually, to be, to be very direct, the audit originally contemplated that, um, these programs, some of them would be, would be entirely moved from outside of the LEA structure to Utah fits all. It contemplated it, contemplated that as one option. Another option that it contemplated was, uh, essentially more oversight and more resources from the LEA to, um, uh, engage with the students who are participating in a learner validated, uh, in, in certain types of learner validated programs. So when we met in the fall in interim, and we discussed, uh, uh, options, the original bill contemplated moving all of these students out from the LEA and moving them to fits all. And for a …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said some programs already require learning logs, that the bill leaves reporting requirements to each LEA's policy, and that the LEA and provider already have a working relationship.
▶ Watch at 52:37Read what they said
So some of the programs, not all of them, but some of the programs, for example, require learning logs. And the LEA has the ability in their policy to determine what that reporting requirement looks like. You'll notice that we didn't specify that. So there's already an existing relationship between the LEA and the education service provider about how to work that in a, uh, work through that in a way that is, uh, good for both, um, the students, the families, the, um, service provider and the LEA. And we've left that in that court. So if the LEA says we're, we're comfortable with what we're doing from a reporting standpoint, they have, they have discretion over that policy, …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said moving many students to Utah Fits All would be a large administrative shift, so the phased move was not the right time, and that the LEA approach addresses audit concerns.
▶ Watch at 53:30Read what they said
Uh, yes. The number of students that would be potentially moved would be a massive, uh, shift in the, um, administrative responsibility and oversight to fits all. And we just felt like that originally we were contemplating a phased move. We just felt like that right now wasn't the time to do that. And, and this solution is a, um, it's a good, uh, I think it's a, I think in some ways it's a, it's a very good solution that allows us to address the concerns that were raised by, um, some of the concerns that were raised by the audit without, um, uh, creating, uh, confusion or a large administrative burden on the fits all program in the …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said standards still apply under an LEA, and that families he spoke with preferred the flexibility and options available within the LEA programs.
▶ Watch at 54:46Read what they said
Yes. And to be clear, technically because, um, these services are being provided currently under an LEA, there are required, there are state standards that are required. But to your point, um, I was on a call with a number of, uh, with a number of, uh, families that are participating in, um, the, some of these programs. Um, they're having a great experience. They really love the programs, and it seemed very clear to me listening to them that they prefer the flexibility that they have inside the LEA to, uh, choose curriculum and have access to certain options that, um, are today better built out, and there's more functionality and more customization for them where they are than …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said students can opt out of tests, that the bill does not prescribe assessment format, and that LEAs set their own methods for measuring progress, such as third grade reading.
▶ Watch at 55:58Read what they said
Or did the Okay. So Yes, yes. They can opt out just as they can. There are no, there are no requirements that it has to take a specific form, but, uh, uh, we're, we're gonna have a debate, uh, in this committee, um, about, for example, um, third grade re we, we call it third grade retention is like the, what we're talking about. But, but the idea, the idea behind it is that we just wanna know where our third graders at. We want to, we have a goal of, as a state, to move from 70 to 80% of our third graders being prepared to be being prepared to read at a specific level. And so, one …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said he cannot speak definitively to contract effects but that no one he spoke with raised that concern.
▶ Watch at 57:38Read what they said
Or will it, none of the, none of the conversations that I've had have indicated that that would be the case. So I can't speak definitively to that, but nobody's expressed, nobody that I've spoken with in the number, in the large number of conversations that I've had, um, with LEAs, education service providers, various different, um, uh, models, uh, that hasn't been raised. Um, I, I can't say for certain that under no circumstance, but I, but I haven't had anybody raise that concern.
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Agreed to work with Rep. Lisonbee on contract language, explained the earlier specificity was removed to avoid state board rulemaking, and said he has a first substitute.
▶ Watch at 1:09:19Read what they said
Okay. Thank you. So, um, I'm happy to, I'm happy to, uh, visit with that visit with you and try and work on that. Uh, at, at length. Let me just provide a little bit of context. We did have quite a bit more specificity in the bill. Um, one of the big concerns from the education service providers would was how would the state board interpret that specificity? And would that invite rulemaking That was not intended in this case. And so we intentionally, uh, tried to be very careful about how we, um, uh, essentially crafted these, uh, requirements. And we were very, very careful to make sure that the policy was a LEA policy. You'll notice this …
H.B. 426 Online Education Service Provider Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said he is happy to keep talking about the bill with Rep. Peck.
▶ Watch at 1:13:48Read what they said
Happy to continue to visit about the bill and try and work to get to a better place.
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presented HB 524, which would let school boards choose whether to hire a business administrator under a contract or at will, and would clarify that the business administrator reports to the superintendent.
▶ Watch at 1:15:55Read what they said
All right. Thank you. Members of the committee, um, this bill, there's an amendment. The amendment is very important. This is a very simple bill, but the amendment is critical to, uh, what we're doing here. So, uh, in statute right now, if a, um, uh, district hires a business administrator, they're required to enter into a two year contract. They don't have any other option by statute. Um, my first objective was to give the board the ability to make a determination. And the amendment reflects this more clearly to give the board the ability to make a determination of whether they want to enter into a contract, if they want to have an at will agreement, however they …
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said current law requires a two-year contract and the bill would give the board discretion.
▶ Watch at 1:19:36Read what they said
there's no limit on how long that contract can be? Nope. It just says it right now. It has to be two years. That's the only option. And all we're doing is giving them the discretion.
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the board is responsible for hiring and firing and that evaluation details are left to each district.
▶ Watch at 1:19:52Read what they said
That would be between the, uh, uh, superintendent and the board who are essentially, the board is responsible for the hiring and firing. And they would've to figure out how they wanna do that inside their LEA. There's no specific, there's no specification today.
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Explained that the bill aims to align the board, superintendent and resources so the strategic plan can be carried out.
▶ Watch at 1:20:40Read what they said
Very good question. If you have two totally independent individuals reporting to the board, and you're tasking one of them with implementing the strategic vision, that's the superintendent with whom you're supposed to hold accountable. And just for sake of discussion, the, um, there's a disagreement and the, uh, CFO chooses not to allocate the resources that the CEO needs to execute the strategic plan. You just set up conflict inside the organization. So now you have a misalignment. The intent is to essentially say, we have to work towards alignment, um, in order for us to actually execute on our strategic priorities, on our goals. So, so that's, that's the intent is to have, um, uh, a better alignment …
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the statute does not specify accountability measures and that local education agencies decide them.
▶ Watch at 1:22:23Read what they said
So, to be very specific, the statute doesn't speak to that. It's left to the LEAs to decide how to, you know, how to implement those accountability metrics that you're, uh, articulating, whether that's in an annual review process, whether that is in a student proficiency and outcomes context, whether it is, uh, uh, financials, uh, relative to, uh, you know, financial performance relative to budget, right? That it's all those, all that specificity is left to the LEA to work through. It's not, it's not called out in statute.
H.B. 524 Public Education Financial Officers · House Education Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Summarized the bill as two simple steps: making the contract optional and having the business administrator report to the superintendent.
▶ Watch at 1:29:13Read what they said
That's okay. I appreciate the committee's time and, uh, I, I recognize that there, um, two sides of this issue. One is we might not be going far enough, and one is why are we changing the status quo? And I think, uh, my intent is to try and take a step forward. Um, I recognize that, um, uh, there's different issues with, uh, each of those, uh, each side of that coin. Um, but I do think, uh, an initial step forward to just clarify that you don't have to have a two year contract as the only way to hire a ba, number one and number two, that the CFO or the deputy superintendent should report to the …
H.B. 450 Data Privacy Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said there is good work in the bill but significant law enforcement concerns remain and the sponsor should have time to address them.
▶ Watch at 1:27:10Read what they said
I think there's a lot of good work here. I think there's a lot of effort that's gone into this. Um, there's, there are some significant remaining concerns, um, specifically related to law enforcement and, but I'd like to give the sponsor time to work on those issues.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moved to adopt Amendment #1 to HB 422.
▶ Watch at 2:01:54Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I'm getting to the amendment. Just one second. The, the sub was moved Yeah. In rules. The sub was adopted in rules. Thank you. So, um, my motion is to adopt the first amendment to house bill 4 22, And the motion is to adopt the first amendment to house bill 4 22.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moved a verbal amendment to strike lines 918 through 936 of the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:02:41Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. And I realize we've just amended the bill, but, uh, I also wanna do a voice amendment. My motion would be to, uh, strike lines nine 18 through 9 36.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said the disclosure provision is not structured correctly, that PID information already appears on the preliminary title report, and that the provision should be removed and revisited.
▶ Watch at 2:03:09Read what they said
I would. I, I understand what we're trying to do here, um, with the, uh, disclosure piece, um, to be, uh, I, I, I'm supportive of what we're doing with the bill in general, but this disclosure provision isn't structured. Uh, you know, it's not structured correctly. Um, and I think we can move the bill forward and, um, uh, continue to work on the main policy proposals. Um, I spent a lot of time looking specifically about PIs and PI disclosures. Right now, you cannot buy a pers you cannot buy a property without getting a preliminary title report. I don't, I, that's just the way that works. Doesn't matter if it's commercial, residential, um, land. And, and in …
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Thanked the maker of the substitute motion for following the rule.
▶ Watch at 2:06:13Read what they said
Thank you to the good sponsor of the substitute motion for making sure we followed the rule.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Said he is not comfortable passing the bill with the disclosure part in it and wants it removed now and fixed later.
▶ Watch at 2:06:58Read what they said
Oh, thank you. So I would suggest that we go forward with the amendment that I'm proposing. I'm not comfortable passing the bill out, even if we have a wink and a nod that's gonna be changed, I want to take this part out of the bill. I know it'll have to be fixed and we're leaving you two lines to start with.
H.B. 422 Public Infrastructure Districts Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moved to recommend HB 422 favorably as amended, first substitute.
▶ Watch at 2:07:59Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. I move that we recommend favorably house bill 4 22 as amended first substitute as amended.
H.B. 377 Real Estate Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Presents H.B. 377, which reinstates the dual broker license, limits the property manager license to residential property, and clarifies trust account, earnest money, and document rules.
▶ Watch at 32:09Read what they said
Good morning, Mr. Chair. I am ready. And thank you for, uh, uh, giving me a few minutes this morning. I'm here to speak about, uh, house Bill 3 77 real estate amendments. I'm just gonna note there is a confusing aspect here. Last year there was a, there was a property management bill. This is also a property management bill. It was 3 37, last year was 3 37. This one's 3 77. So, uh, last year's bill is really important. Is this the, is this the same? This isn't the same bill, is it? It is a very, it is a, it is the fix to last year's bill. So, let me explain. Last year's. I'm gonna explain …
H.B. 377 Real Estate Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Explains that holding earnest money or other funds outside a trust account is common in other states and in some commercial situations, and that the bill would clarify what is authorized.
▶ Watch at 38:21Read what they said
So the answer is in most states, um, it's not a requirement. In most states, it's already authorized, um, for funds to be held outside of a trust account if it's, uh, agreed to by the parties in the transaction. But let me give you a simple example in a context of a real estate transaction that I think makes a lot of sense for folks. Uh, we'll, we can talk about that separate from just a property management transaction. In a real estate transaction. When you are, um, um, when you're, for example, buying a home and there's an earnest money deposit made historically, and I'm not, and I, and I mean very, very long in history that money …
H.B. 377 Real Estate Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says the security bond added last year is a financial product that does not actually exist.
▶ Watch at 41:15Read what they said
So last year, that provision was added, and unfortunately, that product doesn't actually exist. So it was an idea that was thought could be helpful, but after the session, it was learned that this security bond that was being proposed in lines 9 85 to 9 88, that was part of last year's legislation, that financial product does not actually exist. Nobody can sec, nobody can acquire that security bond.
H.B. 377 Real Estate Amendments · House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Thanks the committee and says the policy needed corrections that should have been made in the general session rather than the special session.
▶ Watch at 46:18Read what they said
I appreciate the opportunity to, to visit with the committee. Um, this was, uh, again, a policy that we spent a lot of time on last year. Um, it needed some corrections, but it needed to happen during the general session, not the special session. And so I appreciate the time from the committee this morning.
H.B. 486 Fraudulent Deeds Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Says the bill makes a small clarification to the fraudulent deeds law passed two years ago, about who may use its provision (the owner holding the original deed), and asks for the body's support.
▶ Watch at 20:38Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. For the last two years we've been working on a problem that is a terrifying problem if it ever happens, uh, there's a fraud scheme out there where individuals are attempting to try and convince members or convince individuals to sign over or fraudulently transfer the deed to their home. Uh, two years ago we passed a bill, uh, named fraudulent Deeds amendments, uh, that made it easy to easier for a court to restore that home to its rightful owner in the event of a fraudulent deed. Uh, this particular provision provides a very small clarification, uh, with regard to, uh, the deed that basically says that it has to be, it has to be …
H.B. 42 School Cybersecurity Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether the policy is tied to the RFA and how it would be funded if the RFA is not approved.
▶ Watch at 27:22Read what they said
Thank you. Is, is this, uh, policy tied to the, uh, RFA? We heard earlier, uh, we have a program for local and, uh, cybersecurity grants that are handled by the cybersecurity center, and there's an effort to bring in the schools and the LEAs to be a part of that program. Is, is this related to that? That's correct. Uh, so the, this would be, uh, to follow on that this would be funded as if, if that RFA was approved, and if that RFA is not approved, what happens?
H.B. 42 School Cybersecurity Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asked how the cost was reduced from the first version.
▶ Watch at 28:39Read what they said
The thank you Mr. Speaker. The, the first version had a very, uh, a multimillion dollar cost to it. Right. How did, how did you re reduce that By, uh, taking out the services but keeping the standards?
H.B. 42 School Cybersecurity Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asked about the delineation between the roles of UETN and the Cybersecurity Center.
▶ Watch at 29:32Read what they said
And the, um, thank you. Is there a delineation between the role of UETN and the Cybersecurity Center?
H.B. 332 School District Project Financing Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Shared concerns about school facility costs but said the financing tool is not the problem, noting charter schools use revenue bonds and partnerships yet have the lowest costs, and supported holding the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:23:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wasn't gonna say anything, but I felt like maybe I should. Um, in a number of different contexts, I've been very, very vocal about my concerns about the cost of school facilities. Um, I think, uh, frankly, one of the most exceptional ones is a lease as a general obligation bond that was passed for the Salt Lake School District for $700 million for two high schools, $300 million a piece. Um, and the voters supported that. That was their prerogative. I I think that that's an un it's just a wild amount of money for, uh, for the, for, uh, those two high schools. But I think about this. So I think about this …
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Said he is fine with the bill and that sheriffs should have a choice, but his concern is that a one-time decision would bind future sheriffs and could change employees' status every election cycle.
▶ Watch at 1:43:11Read what they said
So I appreciate everyone's testimony today and I too come with unique perspective in that I myself am appointed now. Now the sheriff being elected, I think should have the ability to have some command staff that are at will. The sheriff is elected to carry out those duties and if they have command staff that are obstructive whatnot, they should have the ability to let those go who aren't in line with the mission that they're trying to serve at, at the request of their, uh, constituents. I myself am at will. My command staff are merit. So I'm constantly in my own head wondering whether or not that should continue to be a problem or if they should …
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moved to adopt the second substitute to H.B. 335, and waived discussion.
▶ Watch at 1:48:47Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I move that we adopt the second substitute to house bill 3 35. The motion is to adopt second substitute house bill 3 35. Would you like to speak to your motion? I'll waive discussion to the motion Representative Christofferson for on the same I'll waive Representative Walter a waive place the motion to adopt second substitute house bill 3 35.
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Moved to recommend H.B. 335 second substitute favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:49:22Read what they said
Representative Walter, I'll continue. I move the recommend favorably house bill 3 35 second substitute. The motion is to recommend favorable house Bill 3 35.
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Said the bill is messy but he likes the one-time election and flexibility, struggles with a sheriff's decision binding employees and with sergeants choosing at-will status when promoted, and will still support moving it forward.
▶ Watch at 1:49:36Read what they said
Christofferson, I just have a couple of comments. I appreciate your work on this. It's a little messy, I would say, but I appreciate your efforts. I like the part where there's a one-time election so the employees know what they're in for. You know, it's not gonna change your year. I think that'd be horrible. And I like the flexibility. But if you're an employee and every year you might be married at that will, depending who the sheriff is, that I don't see how that works. So I like that part. The part I struggle with is, is the sheriff that's making the decision, you know, which is like the executive. Okay. And we say, well, each sheriff …
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Said he recognizes the effort behind the bill, is supportive of moving it forward, and wants to engage more voices.
▶ Watch at 1:52:21Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I recognize there's a lot of effort here. I appreciate all the, uh, statements for and against. Um, I'm not sure, uh, I don't think I'm the right person to determine for sure if we have the right policy, but I think we've trying very hard to get to the right policy. And I'm supportive of continue to try to move forward, uh, with the legislation and, uh, engage as many voices along the way as possible. So that's why I made the recommendation to, uh, uh, recommend the made, the, made the motion rather to recommend favorably. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
H.B. 68 Housing and Community Development Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Supports the substitute, saying it requires agencies that receive state housing funds to report how many housing units those investments produce.
▶ Watch at 1:30:47Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, appreciate the opportunity to talk about, uh, the addition in house Bill 68. Uh, a couple of years ago there was a, uh, this body and conjunction with our legislative process authorized more than $600 million worth of low income housing tax credits to Utah Housing Corporation. There was $150 million that Uintah deeply affordable housing projects. There was a number of other initiatives, uh, that we, uh, funded. Um, as part of that, uh, process, um, one of the questions I've always had is how many units did we get? How many housing units did we actually get for the investment that the state has made? And so what this substitute does is it …
H.B. 68 Housing and Community Development Amendments · House floor debate (day 25) · Feb 13, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it would require agencies that receive state housing funds to report how many housing units their investments produce.
▶ Watch at 1:30:47Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, appreciate the opportunity to talk about, uh, the addition in house Bill 68. Uh, a couple of years ago there was a, uh, this body and conjunction with our legislative process authorized more than $600 million worth of low income housing tax credits to Utah Housing Corporation. There was $150 million that Uintah deeply affordable housing projects. There was a number of other initiatives, uh, that we, uh, funded. Um, as part of that, uh, process, um, one of the questions I've always had is how many units did we get? How many housing units did we actually get for the investment that the state has made? And so what this substitute does is it …
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks what happens to general obligation bonds and how their covenants would be divided between two counties.
▶ Watch at 52:32Read what they said
Thank you. A couple of questions. First one is, um, what happens to general obligation bonds? Do we know, or just like, we're just gonna try and figure it out because right now the bond holders have a very, very, I mean, it's a, those covenants are a big, big deal. Like how do you divide those covenants between two counties? Yeah.
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks whether the sponsor wants the second substitute adopted.
▶ Watch at 53:44Read what they said
Um, I want to, um, on the second substitute, um, I, I presume that's you're wanting the second substitute adopted, right?
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks whether only Salt Lake City could trigger a split under the substitute's municipality provision.
▶ Watch at 53:55Read what they said
Um, on the substitute, there is, uh, uh, provision that talks about, you know, petition municipality may initiate an election for the creation of a new county as described in this section, if the petitioning municipality's legislative body adopts a triggering resolution, and the petitioning municipality has a population of at least one third of the county population, does that mean only Salt Lake City could trigger this?
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Questions whether the wording refers to municipalities in the plural or singular.
▶ Watch at 54:31Read what they said
But it's not municipalities, plural, it's possessive. Uh, no, I think it is plural. Petitioning municipalities in on line 76 Says municipality has a population at least one third.
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Thanks the sponsor and says he has no more questions.
▶ Watch at 54:51Read what they said
On, on, yeah. On line 76. Okay. Yeah. All right. So I, I think that, thank you for that clarification. That concludes my questions. Thank you.
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks to reserve the right to make a motion and asks whether the sponsor consulted county treasurers and financial advisors about municipal bonds.
▶ Watch at 59:46Read what they said
Uh, thank you Madam Chair. Um, may I reserve the right to make a motion? Yes. Um, uh, just a quick question. Um, have you spoken to any of the, um, like the county treasurer, the, uh, the financial advisors to the county about municipal bonds, about how OL might play out or how it might work?
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to proceed to the next agenda item.
▶ Watch at 1:00:16Read what they said
Uh, I think, uh, the, so the motion I'd like to make is to move to the next agenda item
H.B. 212 County Formation Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the bill improves the process but may make a split more likely, and wants to consult municipal advisors before supporting it.
▶ Watch at 1:05:58Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I, I acknowledge it that you're improving the process. I believe you're improving the process for a county split. Um, but I also do think that it makes it more likely. And so I think before, um, voting in favor of that, I, I'd just like to be able to talk to some of the municipal advisors and find out how this actually would work. And if this, if, um, if this is something that is reasonably, uh, you're reasonably able to navigate, or if it's gonna create, uh, a bunch of unintended consequences with, uh, bond holders that we don't, we don't actually understand today. To my knowledge, it doesn't seem like that question's …
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to adopt the first substitute to HB 335.
▶ Watch at 1:28:41Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. Um, I move that we adopt the, is it the first substitute? I'm just pulling it up right now. Yeah. First substitute, I move that we adopt the first substitute to, uh, house Bill four 40, excuse me. 4 3 35 County Employment amendments.
H.B. 445 County Government Land Purchasing · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asked to confirm that county land in another county would be taxed as if privately owned.
▶ Watch at 1:52:33Read what they said
I'm gonna restate to try and make sure we're, um, all on the same page. And I'd just like to know if my statement is correct. So, if a county buys land in another county, from a property tax standpoint, it is treated as though it were privately owned property for tax purposes, meaning assessed value, rollbacks, et cetera. Is that correct?
H.B. 445 County Government Land Purchasing · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Restated that development would trigger rollbacks just like a private parcel.
▶ Watch at 1:53:15Read what they said
So if it's in, if it stays in greenbelt is treated as greenbelt, if they develop it and they do something different, then you have to pay the rollbacks. Yes. If it becomes homes that like it, it's just treated as though it were a privately owned parcel in that other county,
H.B. 445 County Government Land Purchasing · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asked what public purpose a county would have for owning land in another county.
▶ Watch at 2:05:22Read what they said
Yes. I, I don't want this question to be misunderstood, but do you, can you explain a public purpose for owning land in another county? Like why would Salt Lake County, what, what, what benefit would there be to own land or buildings or resources in another county?
H.B. 486 Fraudulent Deeds Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presented HB 486, which clarifies the previous fraudulent deeds law by defining the interest holder as the person who holds the present lawful property interest, so the record owner can recover title after a fraudulent transfer.
▶ Watch at 2:15:21Read what they said
Thank you. Members of the committee. If Sarah Wade is here with Cottonwood title, you're welcome to join me. Um, two years ago we passed a bill that sought to make sure that if a deed was fraudulently transferred, so think about a homeowner who somebody, uh, fraudulently transferred the ownership of their home into, into their own name in order to literally steal the real property. Um, we put in a number of boundaries around that and um, it's been, it's a problem nationwide. That is legislation's been happening. Anyway, we did this two years ago. We made a clarification last year. It's been brought to our attention that there's an additional clarification. I'm just gonna point it out. …
S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to adopt the First Amendment to SB 84 and says the amendment is being pulled up because he does not have a copy.
▶ Watch at 17:01Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that we adopt the First Amendment to SB 84. Uh, we have that, but I don't have it with me, so we're gonna pull it up really quick. But, uh, that motion is in order.
S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Says the amendment makes a technical correction so the new fund is set up properly.
▶ Watch at 17:34Read what they said
Yes. There was a very minor clarification to make sure that this new fund that's being set up that, uh, will speak to, um, was actually set up properly. There was a, there was a technical correction.
S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Explains that SB 84 creates a fund in the Department of Commerce for bulk public records fees, which would be brought in-house from a third-party vendor and used for technology and training.
▶ Watch at 18:12Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, I appreciate the opportunity to speak to SB 84. This, uh, creates the Department of Commerce Technology, education and Transportation, uh, training, sorry, not Transportation Training Fund, um, in the Department of Commerce. Lemme explain what we're doing here. Uh, for, for many, many years, uh, department of Commerce, which you can think about, business entities, et cetera. Uh, they have been public records and there have been bulk public records requests that have been fielded by the Department of Commerce for many, for many years. Uh, those bulk records requests have a fee attached to them. Uh, the service of those bulk records requests has been outsourced, meaning that we're sending that to a …
S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Responds that the bill does not add a new charging limit, that the intent is to keep costs low, and that fees would support operations and training rather than only a third-party vendor.
▶ Watch at 21:17Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, this is a great question. Uh, there, the way that they're going to charge in, in the pa the way that they've done this in the past, there isn't essentially a, uh, specific limitation. And so what we're doing here is we're not introducing, essentially, a new requirement. We're just authorizing them to continue their practice. The intent is, uh, to continue to keep the cost as, uh, low as possible. But what it does allow them to do is use those fees instead of to pay only a third party vendor. It allows them to use those, uh, fees that are generated for the bulk requests, uh, to support, um, the operations that are …
S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Says that all fees charged by an agency to the public must be approved by the legislature.
▶ Watch at 22:58Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is all the fees that are charged by an agency to the public have to be approved by this body.
S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Responds that these bulk records would not fall under the GRAMA request system. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 23:14Read what they said
None of these would fall under, for example, grandma Bowl or other types of records requests that we'd be, uh, providing through now a fee service rather than through, uh, the grandma system.
S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Says the bill does not change how individual or bulk records requests are made or their availability, and that it only brings the service in-house to fund technology and training.
▶ Watch at 24:02Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, this bill doesn't change any of that. And I wanna be really clear, uh, to the, uh, to the body that yesterday I went and I looked up a business entity. I wanted to, I wanted to see, um, some of those records that were public about that entity. Um, I'm able, I was able to look it up. Nothing is changing with this bill in terms of those individual records requests or, um, a bulk records request. The availability of those bulk records requests. And there's nothing that would prohibit somebody from submitting a records request or, uh, other, uh, gram I should say, a grammar request for certain types of information. So, uh, …
S.B. 84 Department of Commerce Amendments · House floor debate (day 23) · Feb 11, 2026
Gives closing remarks on the bill, saying it will help the department serve the public's access to public information.
▶ Watch at 25:06Read what they said
I appreciate the, uh, body's time on this particular issue. Uh, I think this is gonna actually help in the long run with our ability to service the public and their desire to get access to certain types of information that are public about, um, entities and the way that they operate and other activities in that space. And so appreciate the body's support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 99 Eyewear Sales Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Spoke to the motion to circle, proposing time to consider an amendment to allow the prescription lens portion to proceed while addressing designer frames.
▶ Watch at 32:39Read what they said
Yes, I would. As a member of the glasses wearing community, uh, I think that, uh, the conversation around frames specifically is a good conversation. I'd like to allow us for some time to consider, um, an amendment that would, uh, allow for the prescription glass, the prescription lens portion to proceed. Um, but, uh, work out an accommodation on the designer glasses that we've discussed in our meeting today. Thank you, Representative Walter.
H.B. 99 Eyewear Sales Tax Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Summed up the motion to circle, supporting the underlying bill but seeking an accommodation for affordable frames and recognizing designer frames.
▶ Watch at 34:56Read what they said
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. As, uh, we're considering this motion, um, I'm supportive of the, uh, underlying bill. I'm supportive of the principal, uh, that we're going to, uh, uh, exempt, uh, prescription lenses. Um, but prescription but frames, uh, can be very, very expensive. And that's a choice. And I think that, uh, particularly with the sensitivity in our state with regard to sales tax in general, um, uh, finding some reasonable accommodation that allows for families that need glasses and a frame, um, uh, that is affordable is, is a good accommodation. While simultaneously recognizing that there are frames that, uh, might, uh, uh, be considered designer. And I think that making that, making that adjustment in …
H.B. 352 Higher Education Alignment · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it helps higher education institutions coordinate and gives students a more seamless experience.
▶ Watch at 1:06:45Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this bill. Um, we have a coordinated system of higher education where our institutions provide different roles. We have our, uh, research institutions, we have our regional, uh, universities, we have our community colleges, we have our technical colleges. And I think this is, uh, a step in the right direction towards helping those, uh, high institutions of higher education coordinate better, make us a more seamless experience for our students and, uh, really help promote our, uh, goals for higher education in the state of Utah. So appreciate the support. Thank you.
H.B. 241 Charter School Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Describes the charter school revolving fund, which has expanded from startup loans to help charter schools fund small capital improvement projects that they repay over time.
▶ Watch at 1:30:27Read what they said
Walter, Mr. Speaker, uh, I appreciate, uh, the good sponsor's efforts. Uh, she's been highly engaged with, uh, stakeholders for a, a number of months on this particular issue. And, uh, I was one of those that, uh, approached her and, uh, was able to collaborate with, uh, the sponsor. And I appreciate, uh, the good efforts to collaborate on this particular bill. Uh, for many years, for decades, we've had the charter school revolving fund and the charter school revolving fund, uh, was specifically and exclusively used to help fund, uh, charter schools, uh, in a startup capacity. So as they would start up, they would have the ability to borrow a, uh, or take out a loan that …
H.B. 241 Charter School Amendments · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Describes the charter school revolving fund, which now also offers repayable loans for small capital improvement projects under a million dollars.
▶ Watch at 1:30:30Read what they said
Speaker, uh, I appreciate, uh, the good sponsor's efforts. Uh, she's been highly engaged with, uh, stakeholders for a, a number of months on this particular issue. And, uh, I was one of those that, uh, approached her and, uh, was able to collaborate with, uh, the sponsor. And I appreciate, uh, the good efforts to collaborate on this particular bill. Uh, for many years, for decades, we've had the charter school revolving fund and the charter school revolving fund, uh, was specifically and exclusively used to help fund, uh, charter schools, uh, in a startup capacity. So as they would start up, they would have the ability to borrow a, uh, or take out a loan that had to …
S.B. 58 Public School Attendance Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Asks whether the fourth substitute removed the not-excused language from the 10 percent absence threshold.
▶ Watch at 1:06:56Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. I just wanna make sure I'm looking at the right thing. So when I pull up sub four line lines, 1 49, 1 48, 1 49 still say, has been absent for at least 10% of the days of instruction, whether the absent was excused or not excused, did we take off the not excused part on sub four or, or not? I'm, I'm gonna defer that to sub four sponsor. Okay.
S.B. 58 Public School Attendance Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Asks whether there is a cap on the number of excused absences.
▶ Watch at 1:08:06Read what they said
Okay. And can I have a follow up question, Mr. Chair for Yeah, go ahead. Probably the, the amendment sponsor. Is there a cap on how many excused absences? Like if you go on vacation for two weeks and then you're sick for five days, you're technically under that threshold, but now you've missed almost 20 days of school. Is there like a cap on the number of, of excused absences or that's completely parent choice?
H.B. 448 Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Moves Amendment #1 so that the superintendent appointed for the schools reports through the state superintendent, while finances remain under the state board.
▶ Watch at 1:49:58Read what they said
and make a motion to adopt an amendment to the first sub. Um, that amendment has just, uh, been posted online. Um, if you wanna follow along, you can check it, you can see it online, or you can, uh, just on the first substitute look at line 3 0 5. Um, what it does is that right now we have, uh, two, uh, options that the state board is authorized. One is to appoint a superintendent for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind, or to appoint one to work with the state board of, to to work with the state superintendent. What my substitute does, or sorry, what my amendment does is it makes it, uh, it, …
H.B. 448 Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind Amendments · House Education Committee · Feb 9, 2026
Explains that the amendment writes into statute that the state superintendent supervises the superintendent of the schools, with state board approval, to keep a clear chain of command.
▶ Watch at 1:53:08Read what they said
Okay. Seeing no further lights, uh, to the amendment, um, I'll, uh, just note that what I'm trying to do here with the amendment is to actually put in statute the way that it is currently working, which is that with the approval of the state board, the state superintendent, uh, points and supervises the Superintendent of Utah schools for the Deaf and blind. So the state board still retains, uh, oversight for that appointment, but then they report to the superintendent so that we have a clear line, a clear chain of command through the state superintendent. Um, what I'm, what I'm looking at is essentially a governance structure so that we don't have essentially financial or other policy …
S.B. 43 Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Speaks in favor, saying the bill is designed to support public schools and other trust beneficiaries and that they support it.
▶ Watch at 33:56Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, appreciate the opportunity to speak in favor of this bill. As, uh, many of you know, last year I had a bill to actually, um, uh, essentially Sunset the Land Trust Advocacy and Protection Office. Um, I was, uh, uh, very much involved in this negotiation and the, um, trying to work through a good long-term solution that would help this agency, um, operate in a capacity that allow them to cooperate very well with Cifo and sit a, um, the board composition is, uh, structured in such a way that the number one beneficiary here is the schools in the state of Utah. And, um, they have been huge in, uh, uh, advocating for …
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Walter presents H.B. 73, saying it responds to a committee review of a presumption in the code that made it hard for employees to prove retaliatory action, and that it shifts the burden of proof.
▶ Watch at 57:30Read what they said
Thank you Mr. President. Uh, this bill is a result of the General Government Oversight Committee and Rules Review Committee this last, uh, this last summer. Uh, as we're digging through trying to, um, deal with whistle blowing and retaliatory actions by employers, what we found is that there was a presumption, uh, in the code that made it such, that made it really difficult for an employee. Uh, it shifted the burden in an unnecessary way to an employee that made it hard for, uh, made it hard for the employee itself to ever prove that there was retaliatory action taken against the employer. And so the purpose of this bill is, uh, is to deal with, um, to …
H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Rep. Walter supports the resolution and says that housing prices depend on both supply and demand, suggesting state promotion may stimulate demand.
▶ Watch at 1:37:55Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. I speak in support of, uh, house concurrent resolution regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan. Um, I want to just note two things. First one is the strategic plan is focused on supply. It's focused almost exclusively on supply. Um, for us to determine price, there are two parts to that equation. There's supply and there's demand. And one of the things that I just, uh, suggest or recommend to my colleagues as we continue to move forward, um, while we are doing all that we can to increase supply with the purpose, this, this the stated objective of housing, affordability housing at Obtainability. Um, we're also simultaneously through our other policies, sterilizing that action by …
H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Moved to adopt Amendment 2 to H.B. 324, which raises the fee cap to $600,000.
▶ Watch at 1:40:23Read what they said
Uh, thank you Representative Ballard. Um, so we do have a, my motion is to adopt amendment two, which is now online to, uh, HB 3 24, Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments. Okay. The motion is to adopt amendment two to HB 3 24, Utah Marriage Commission fee amendments.
H.B. 55 Privacy Compliance for Education Technology Vendors · House floor debate (day 14) · Feb 2, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it gives a pathway to address vendors that violate state data privacy laws by having schools terminate contracts if the violations are not fixed.
▶ Watch at 29:46Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the sponsor's Good work. This is, uh, I think a really important bill. Um, the idea that if we have a data privacy, uh, a vendor that's violating data privacy laws in the state of Utah, um, that somehow that could continue, this provides a, uh, pathway to address those concerns once we discover them. The, uh, in, by instructing the LEA to, um, by instructing the LEA to terminate the contract, if they're unwilling to violate, uh, unwilling to address the data policy violations, this is the right, this is the right policy for our students in the state. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 241 Charter School Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Explains that the charter school revolving loan fund, once used for startup costs, would be repurposed to help fund small capital improvement projects.
▶ Watch at 1:05:25Read what they said
So, um, Representative Peck, historically, there's been a charter school revolving loan fund, which was used to help fund charter school startup, which startup costs. Um, though they, when it's, when I say it's a revolving load and fund, it's always been a loan, it's always had to be paid back. Um, there's not as much need for that fund. And so there's been an interest over the last couple of years to repurpose that so that it could be used to help support small capital improvement projects in the school that they might not have the cash to, uh, support, for example, a portable, um, on site. So, um, all we're doing is repurposing the charter school loan fund …
H.B. 241 Charter School Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Speaks in favor of the bill, citing stakeholder work, balancing community interests, and the revolving loan fund.
▶ Watch at 1:24:35Read what they said
Um, I'm gonna take the prerogative of the chair and speak in favor of the bill. Um, I know that this has been a lot of time and effort and energy to, uh, work through a number of, uh, stakeholders to work to this place. I realize that, uh, um, there are some concerns out there, but I, I appreciate the sponsors good efforts. I appreciate the effort to balance the community interests and the, uh, um, uh, particular school community, uh, dynamics around our, uh, charter school community. And I, I appreciate the efforts to work through evolving loan funds.
H.B. 234 Education Testing Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Says concern about high opt-out rates is a reason for the pilot and that he will support the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:46:25Read what they said
Um, uh, I just wanna make one comment as the, uh, about this discussion. You know, this has been a tough one for me. Um, one of the things I've been really concerned out about is just we do have a large number of opt-outs and I respect those, uh, parents and their right to opt out of our standardized assessments. Um, I'm hoping that, uh, this is a policy that will help us, uh, with some of those families who, for various reasons have chosen to opt out, where we might be able to find, um, a better way to move forward in a standardized assessment where we can have a better indication of their learning out their learning …
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Asks whether the recording fee is increasing from $40 to $45.
▶ Watch at 57:38Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, Madam Chair, um, I'm just looking at the change in the recording fee. I, I think I've got this right. Is it an increase from 40 to 45 on 1168? Do I have that correct?
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Confirms the Salt Lake and Utah county exceptions to the fee increase and comments on small counties' revenue and electronic recording.
▶ Watch at 59:53Read what they said
Okay. So did I hear you correctly that Salt Lake and Utah counties are an an exception to that fee? That's correct. I think that that, I think that addressed my question. Um, I just wanted to point out one other thing that's gonna be really interesting. And I, uh, I appreciate the good work of our recorders and, and, uh, recognize that particularly for many of our counties, there's not that many recordings. And so there's not that very, not very much revenue and acknowledge that. I'm also recognized for some of our, uh, counties, uh, we've primarily moved to electronic recording and I think we're getting a lot better and a lot more efficient at this. And so, …
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Presents HB 73, which adds filing a complaint with a professional licensing body to the list of retaliatory actions against state employees who report government abuse.
▶ Watch at 2:28:42Read what they said
Right. No, I'm, I'm joking. I'm very happy to be here. Appreciate the committee's time. I know you've had a long day today. I'm happy to be here for, uh, house Bill 73 public educ public employee Retaliatory Action Amendments. This is, bill was heard in the, uh, rules review and government oversight committee during interim. Um, it passed unanimously there. Uh, the bill's very simple. Uh, what it does is it adds one additional provision to the section of code that, uh, defines retaliatory action by an employer. So, if this, if an employee of the state or a, a state entity, if, uh, there's an individual that is reporting, uh, gross negligence, uh, misuse of public funds or …
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Explains that the bill covers all state employees who report wrongdoing, and that firing, denying a promotion, or reporting them to a licensing body would count as retaliation.
▶ Watch at 2:30:15Read what they said
So this employee, so this is a good question. It employee, it, it applies to any employee of the state. If they were to report, um, wrongdoing as a whistleblower, right? Then what would happen is they would, there would be, um, if, if there was a retaliatory act, for example, firing them would be retaliatory. Um, denying, uh, an earned promotion is one of the things that's, uh, provisioned there, reporting them to a li professional licensing body to try and have their license taken so they couldn't continue their employment. That would be considered a retaliatory act. That's the provision we added.
H.B. 73 Public Employee Retaliatory Action Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Rep. Walter presents House Bill 73, which adds a provision protecting people who report wrongdoing or misuse of public funds from retaliation, including retaliatory reports to a licensing body, and says the bill was heard in Rules review and in general government during the interim.
▶ Watch at 18:07Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, appreciate working through that. Uh, brief confusion. We're, uh, appreciate the opportunity to talk about House Bill 73 public employee retaliation, retaliatory Action Amendments. Uh, this is a bill that was, uh, heard in, uh, rules review in general government. Um, uh, during the interim, uh, this bill is not creating a new section. We're adding one specific provision that would, uh, protect, uh, individuals who are reporting wrongdoing or, um, illegal activities, um, misuse of public funds. Uh, we're adding one provision that simply says that as, uh, that that if the action of reporting an individual to a, who has a license to their licensing body is done in a retaliatory manner or …
H.B. 16 Solar Power Plant Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Moves to lift HB 55 from the consent calendar and place it at the bottom of the third reading calendar.
▶ Watch at 53:14Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that we lift House Bill 55, privacy comp, privacy compliance for education technology vendors from the consent calendar and place it at the bottom of the third reading calendar.
H.B. 16 Solar Power Plant Amendments · House floor debate (day 4) · Jan 23, 2026
Explains that an amendment adopted in committee created a fiscal note, which is the reason for moving the bill.
▶ Watch at 53:34Read what they said
Yes. Uh, thank you. When we adopted this bill and committee, we uh, there was an amendment to the bill. The bill had no fiscal note. Um, we found out later that, that we do actually have a fiscal note because of the amendment, which is the reason for moving it to the house. Third, reading
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Walter opposed the motion to table and said he would like the bill to return with more specificity.
▶ Watch at 56:05Read what they said
So I'm opposed to the, uh, motion to table. Um, I also would like to see the bill come back with some more specificity.
H.B. 29 Unfair and Deceptive Pricing Amendments · House floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Asks how the bill would apply to credit card processing fees that are now often added at checkout.
▶ Watch at 1:13:55Read what they said
Thank you. Just wanna clarify how will the bill work in specific relation to, for example, credit card processing fees, which historically have been included part of the purchase, but now more and more often are an additional charge at checkout. Thank,
H.B. 29 Unfair and Deceptive Pricing Amendments · House floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Asks whether the same provision would apply to government entities that charge credit card processing fees for required purchases.
▶ Watch at 1:14:57Read what they said
Thank you, Ms. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And will this same provision apply to governmental entities, for example, the state of Utah or school districts who are charging those same credit card processing fees as a, um, condition for purchasing a product or service? Specifically one that you can't purchase without using a credit card?
H.B. 29 Unfair and Deceptive Pricing Amendments · House floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Supports the concept but says government entities should not be exempt from the same disclosure standard.
▶ Watch at 1:15:59Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll just, uh, comment by saying I think that, uh, the concept that we're working with here is a good concept, but I do think that if we're going to apply this standard, that we should apply it to governmental entities as well as well, I don't think there should be an exception for a governmental entity to be able to essentially charge a hidden fee or a surcharge or some other, um, some other assessment against a, uh, uh, citizen of the state of Utah who's may be required to purchase a particular service just to operate their business without having, um, without having the same kind of disclosure and the same kind of opportunity …
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