Legislators / Christine F. Watkins
Christine F. Watkins
Republican · House District 67
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Christine F. Watkins
- Email: christinewatkins@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 435-650-1969
- Office: 1548 E 5700 S, Price, UT, 84501
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Watch or join a meeting
Every committee hearing and floor session is open to the public and streamed live on le.utah.gov. Each committee's agenda has the link to watch or join online, and how to sign up for public comment.
Christine F. Watkins serves on:
- Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
- House Public Utilities and Energy Committee
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee
- Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee
- Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel
- Native American Legislative Liaison Committee
What they've said
140 remarks on 49 billsH.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Explains that the amended bill directs Utah State University to study geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy development, including seismic safety and development techniques, with a focus on sites at or near coal-powered generation facilities.
▶ Watch at 21:06Read what they said
Yes. This, uh, bill will be a little bit different now. It now directs Utah State University, uh, to conduct a study on the geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy development in the state, including an examination of seismic safety and the impacts of different development techniques. It will also specifically examine impacts at or near coal powered electrical generation facility sites. And that is the change.
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks whether the sponsor knows the substitute would defund an air quality program in Uintah County by changing the infrastructure interest that funds it.
▶ Watch at 21:14Read what they said
Um, are you aware, um, that one of the things you're doing in this bill will totally defund the air quality program that's going on in Uintah County, Uh, that is not, uh, as part of this substitute and that's not an, uh, included in this substitute? One more question, Mr. Speaker by one more question. Mr. Speaker Representative, will you continue to yield?
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks whether the substitute would defund the air quality program in Uintah County, which is not included in the substitute.
▶ Watch at 21:14Read what they said
Um, are you aware, um, that one of the things you're doing in this bill will totally defund the air quality program that's going on in Uintah County, Uh, that is not, uh, as part of this substitute and that's not an, uh, included in this substitute?
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Says the substitute changes the infrastructure interest that funds the air quality program and states she will oppose the substitute due to air quality concerns in the Uinta Basin.
▶ Watch at 21:52Read what they said
In, in this substitute, there is a part where you, you are changing the infrastructure, uh, interest and that is where this program is funded from. Um, I just, I just want to say that we obviously have rural concerns because the Uinta Basin is one of the areas where we have to have attainment reached because of the industries there. So, uh, for that reason, um, I'm going to oppose this, um, substitute. Thank you Mr. Speaker
S.B. 254 Extracted Natural Resources Amendments · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Asks about changes to the infrastructure interest that funds the air quality program, citing Uinta Basin attainment concerns, and says she will oppose the substitute.
▶ Watch at 21:52Read what they said
In, in this substitute, there is a part where you, you are changing the infrastructure, uh, interest and that is where this program is funded from. Um, I just, I just want to say that we obviously have rural concerns because the Uinta Basin is one of the areas where we have to have attainment reached because of the industries there. So, uh, for that reason, um, I'm going to oppose this, um, substitute.
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Describes H.B. 401 as a feasibility study of building geothermal energy facilities near existing coal-fired power plants, citing existing power line and substation infrastructure and base-load power, then opens the floor to questions and calls on Senator Hinkins.
▶ Watch at 1:10:25Read what they said
of Energy Development to conduct a study, a feasibility study to do geothermal energy facilities near existing coal fired power plants. And for the reason for that is that the infrastructure for the power lines and the substations are already there. And we have, uh, a base load, uh, energy with the geothermal. We have the units at the Glendale plant in Beaver County that's been operational for 60 or 70 years down there. And so it's a, a good clean energy and so we would, uh, would be able to use the existing infrastructure. And with that I'm open to questions. Thank you. Senator Hinkins.
S.B. 216 Higher Education Performance and Enrollment Funding · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Moves Amendment 5, which would require technical college funding formulas to include equivalent funding for secondary and adult students and reflect their statutorily required services.
▶ Watch at 1:13:30Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker ProAm, I'd like to move, uh, amendment five in my name Motion is to adopt amendment number five. That's in order. Would you like to speak to it? Yes. On line 10, it says, it requires the higher education appropriation subcommittee to ensure the inclusion of certain factors in nons statutory funding formulas for technical colleges. And then on line 78, it says, and ensure that all nons statutory performance and growth funding formulas that contribute to appropriations for technical colleges include equivalent funding for secondary and adult students and reflect the full responsibility of the technical colleges, uh, statutorily required services. And so what this does is it, it was something that we worked on …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Watkins asks the sponsor to yield for a question.
▶ Watch at 1:45:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. Um, may, may, will the sponsor yield to, uh, a question Representative Shelley, will you yield to a question?
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House floor debate (day 44) · Mar 5, 2026
Watkins reads from a 2016 US Army Corps of Engineers letter describing potential significant adverse effects on streams and wetlands and the expertise a study would require, and asks how that work can be done for $5,000.
▶ Watch at 1:45:32Read what they said
Hey, uh, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to, um, give my colleagues some, uh, information that I have. And I, uh, I have a letter here from the Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers out of Sacramento, dated May 27th, uh, 2016. And there's a lot of stuff in here, but I'd like to read just this one part that says, after review of the comments and concerns related to your application, and in response to the public notice for your proposed project, we have determined that development of the proposed project has the potential to cause significant adverse effects to the quality of the human environment. And your proposed project would result in direct impacts to approximately …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Presents SB 124, which changes juvenile court warrant rules to separate custody and child safety warrants, adds entry protections, and raises required findings before DCFS action, and describes the cases behind the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:10:20Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, uh, Mr. Speaker, this is, uh, a really tough bill to present to everyone. It's something that we have been dealing with as the child, uh, oversight Child welfare oversight panel for, um, several years. And it's, it's just been really, really difficult. And what this bill does is it, uh, amends, uh, provisions regarding, uh, warrants by a juvenile co court. It distinguishes between a, a productive custody and a child safety warrant. It also, whoops, I'm reading the wrong one, just said it also, uh, gotta get to the right one. It also adds prog, uh, protections regarding entry into a home during, uh, the execution of a child safety warrant. And it …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Gives closing summation, saying the bill does not aim to take away parental rights, cites a recent Grand County case, and urges passage so the law can be tested and revised if needed.
▶ Watch at 1:30:11Read what they said
Thank you. Um, as I listen to the concerns, I take them very seriously. We've tried this before. We are not trying to take away parental rights. Um, as a mom, as a grandma, I absolutely, uh, don't believe in that. But we have a problem here in Utah. I don't know why. We just do. And we have too many people harming kids, keeping them away from everyone. And we're lucky because we have had people realize that something was wrong and, and reported them. We had one down in, uh, grand County in December. People noticed that the child was losing weight and then you start looking and there are marks on, on their wrists and on their …
S.B. 124 Child Welfare Modifications · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Gives summation in support, saying the bill is not about removing parental rights, citing a Grand County case, and suggesting the body try the bill and revisit it if it does not work.
▶ Watch at 1:30:11Read what they said
Thank you. Um, as I listen to the concerns, I take them very seriously. We've tried this before. We are not trying to take away parental rights. Um, as a mom, as a grandma, I absolutely, uh, don't believe in that. But we have a problem here in Utah. I don't know why. We just do. And we have too many people harming kids, keeping them away from everyone. And we're lucky because we have had people realize that something was wrong and, and reported them. We had one down in, uh, grand County in December. People noticed that the child was losing weight and then you start looking and there are marks on, on their wrists and on their …
S.B. 208 Vehicle Emission Inspection Program Revisions · House floor debate (day 43) · Mar 4, 2026
Asks which civil penalties the bill covers, specifically penalties for registering a vehicle to an invalid address or an address where the owner does not live.
▶ Watch at 2:20:11Read what they said
Would you say again, the penalties that they need to take care of If, if they're, um, given a civil penalty because they registered the car to a invalid address or an address that they don't live at. Okay. Thank you. That's all I needed. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 2 New Fiscal Year Supplemental Appropriations · House floor debate (day 42) · Mar 3, 2026
Urges a vote against the motion to circle, saying the expenditure came through her committee and is worth funding.
▶ Watch at 39:40Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I urge you to, um, vote against this, um, to be circled. This, um, expenditure came through my committee and, um, I think it's well worth it. And there's more than just one little thing that's involved in this. This has been an ongoing process and I think we need to, um, vote against this, uh, um, proposal. Thank you.
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Presented HB 468 to require insurers to contract with the state's mobile mammography providers in third through sixth class counties, said there is no fiscal note, and said the bill does not add new services.
▶ Watch at 1:05:47Read what they said
Thank you. I too wanted to vote yay and nay when I would hear your voice saying things 'cause it just seems so familiar. But thank you. Um, this mobile ma mammography amendments bill deals with, um, uh, women who live in rural Utah. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The evidence is clear. Early de detection through regular mammography saves lives, and it lowers overall healthcare costs. When screenings are delayed, cancers are found at later stages. When treatment is more intensive, outcomes are worse and the costs are significantly higher. So in Utah, women and live in living in rural communities are …
H.B. 563 Radon Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Says her area has had residents die of lung cancer without smoking history and supports making sure people know how to do radon work correctly.
▶ Watch at 19:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will say that. 'cause I'm like you. I'm, I'm like, why isn't my area more represented? But I, I will tell you, we've had a number of people over the years that I've lived there, uh, who have died from ca lung cancer, and they were nowhere near anybody that smoked or anything. And by the time they realized they had it, they literally had weeks Yep. Uh, before we lost them. So I know it's a, it is a problem. And, um, that was interesting about the earthquake and kind of disrupting that. So, um, but I'm, I'm glad that we're going to make it so people really know what they're doing. So, thank …
H.C.R. 5 House Concurrent Resolution on State Management of Federal Public Lands · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Waived comment on the amendment and placed the motion to pass it out.
▶ Watch at 56:14Read what they said
I'll waive on that To the sponsor. Waive. I'll place that motion that we pass out.
H.C.R. 5 House Concurrent Resolution on State Management of Federal Public Lands · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Mar 2, 2026
Moved to pass HCR 5 as amended out with a favorable recommendation and praised the sponsor's work.
▶ Watch at 56:30Read what they said
Yes. Thank you. Uh, I would like to make a motion to move HCR five as amended out with a favorable recommendation. And I'd would just like to say, I think this is a great bill. I've always supported the representative and in his endeavors for doing this. Thank you to the sponsor.
S.B. 234 Rulemaking Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Restates the motion to pass the bill out with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:08:24Read what they said
I'd like to, um, motion that we move second sub senate bill 2 34, um, out with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Presents H.B. 468 to expand coverage for screenings at mobile mammography units serving rural women, saying insurers have agreed to include those units in their networks, that the bill has no fiscal note, and that the mobile providers cannot balance bill patients.
▶ Watch at 52:55Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, Mr. Speaker, breast cancer remains the most common, uh, diagnosed, uh, cancer among women. And it is the second leading cause of death for women in the United States. The evidence is clear. Early detection is really, really important. If you can detect the breast cancer early, you um, prevent suffering, you prevent high costs and hopefully you will prevent a death in Utah. Women living in rural areas are not being, um, what's the word I want. We are not being, uh, screened at the same rate that women in urban parts of Utah are. It's not because they don't have insurance. It, it's not because they don't want to and they lack the …
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says they are not sure of the answer and asks for the question to be repeated. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 56:09Read what they said
I'm Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure. Uh, Do you want me to repeat the question? Well, Yeah, I'm just not sure what Mr. Speaker, what you're asking. So may Okay. Repeat it. Maybe change it a little.
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Says they do not know the answer, but that insurers were at the table and would not charge more for a mobile unit than for a brick-and-mortar site. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 56:53Read what they said
Mr. Speaker, I don't know the answer to that question, but the insurance companies were at the table and they, they were not forced to agree to something that they didn't want to participate in. So I, I don't, I personally don't believe that they will charge any more for a mobile unit than they would for a brick and mortar.
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Urges support, saying the bill matters for rural women who may have trouble getting screened in time.
▶ Watch at 59:10Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair or Mr. Speaker. Um, I think this is an important bill for all of the women that live in rural Utah. Not all of them need this. They may live closer to a hospital, um, that can do this, but there are so many that it just takes so much time and they're so involved in their lives that to do it, they put it off and that's where we can end up with the tragic consequences. So I'd appreciate your support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 572 Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and Social Services Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Supports the bill, citing rural patients who must travel to the Wasatch Front and a ready facility that needs funding to open.
▶ Watch at 1:25:11Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker proto I rise in support of this bill. Uh, we've talked about a lot of the issues that deal with, uh, with mental health and, and living in rural Utah and they not only have to travel up here because we don't have a receiving center, but, uh, what what we're also doing is taking our constituents, the people that we love and care for in rural Utah. We have to bring them up here and take the beds that people on the Wasatch front need. And so where we have, especially where we have, uh, a facility that's all ready to go and all we need is the funding to open it up. Uh, I …
H.B. 572 Behavioral Health, Mental Health, and Social Services Amendments · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Supports the bill, saying rural residents travel to the Wasatch Front for mental health care, using beds needed by urban patients, and that a ready facility in rural Utah needs only funding to open.
▶ Watch at 1:25:11Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker proto I rise in support of this bill. Uh, we've talked about a lot of the issues that deal with, uh, with mental health and, and living in rural Utah and they not only have to travel up here because we don't have a receiving center, but, uh, what what we're also doing is taking our constituents, the people that we love and care for in rural Utah. We have to bring them up here and take the beds that people on the Wasatch front need. And so where we have, especially where we have, uh, a facility that's all ready to go and all we need is the funding to open it up. Uh, I …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Watkins said the water rights are settled by the courts and asked how old Scofield Reservoir is.
▶ Watch at 1:08:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Uh, chair. A couple of questions, please. I, I know this has been going on forever, and it was started before either one of us was born or anything like that. And, and just so everyone knows, we're we are not arguing over the water, we know the court settled that, so that is absolutely not an issue. Um, I just wanted to throw in two things. One, one is sort of historical and the other one's actually a question that I know I shouldn't ask if I don't know the answer, but I don't know the answer. So, um, do you know how old Schofield is?
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Watkins asked why Scofield was built before Gooseberry.
▶ Watch at 1:09:34Read what they said
Yeah. Actually, when I looked it up, it wasn't even quite that old, but I'm, I'm, I'm wondering why I'm, 'cause I'm curious, do you know why we Scofield was built before?
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Watkins asked why the Army Corps of Engineers rejected the project around 2016.
▶ Watch at 1:11:05Read what they said
Okay. And then I have another question, and I know this happened, but I don't know why, and I'm sure one of you will know. I know the Army Corps of Engineers said, you cannot build this. And this was, this was fairly recent, like 2016 or 17. I don't know why they said that.
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Watkins moved Amendment 1 to expand the study to include water quality in Scofield, Colorado River demand, economic impacts on Sanpete and Carbon counties, and dam costs.
▶ Watch at 1:42:56Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion to, uh, move out Amendment number one in my name. Okay, that motion is in order. Do you wanna speak to it? Um, this amendment, as was questioned earlier, is about expanding the, uh, the, um, study for this state park, uh, with the possibility of the dam as it states in, in the bill as it is. So it'd be the storage, uh, uh, of the impact of a dam and a reservoir. I'm gonna just read through it real quick. Water storage, water quality in the Scofield Reservoir, if this happens. Efforts by the state and the state's political subdivisions to manage water demand in the Colorado system, …
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Watkins said the information already exists and the amendment would put it together.
▶ Watch at 1:46:13Read what they said
Um, I, I think all the information is there has been stated by an, um, on people on both sides. The information there is just to put it together and, and in one,
S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 26, 2026
Rep. Watkins said she did not expect the fiscal note to change much and considered it a friendly amendment. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:47:33Read what they said
I don't think it's going to change a whole lot if they felt like they could do it for that price. They mm-hmm. I just, it was just, you're going to throw in the economic impact for Sanpete County and Carbon County. So I, I, I actually considered this a very friendly amendment. Obviously you did not take it that way.
H.B. 522 Parentage and Child Support Amendments · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Presents HB 522, which would exclude low-income parents whose children are placed with a family member by DCFS from owing child support, and would let a separated spouse contest parentage with DNA testing after divorce.
▶ Watch at 1:31:17Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair. This bill has two different, uh, parts in it and they're, even though they're in the same part of the rules, uh, they are very different issues, but they both deal with child support. The first one is that we have, uh, most of the time, uh, when I'm have been dealing with people, uh, it's usually a single mom that's one incident away, uh, from being homeless and and losing everything. But if they get involved with DCFS and, uh, for whatever reason, 'cause there's a myriad of them, they have their child or children, uh, taken by DCFS and they are put with a family member while they, uh, go through whatever …
H.B. 582 Asbestos Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moves to pass HB 582 substitute out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:48:48Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to pass out House Bill 5 82 first sub. Um, the name of it, um, asbestos Amendments. That was too easy with a favorable rec, a very favorable recommendation.
H.B. 582 Asbestos Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asks whether the bill can go on the consent calendar and says he cannot imagine anyone opposing it.
▶ Watch at 1:49:58Read what they said
We put that on the consent? I, I just can't imagine anybody not loving this bill.
H.B. 464 Parent Taught Driver Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Shares personal experience with a family member's driver training in Oregon and compares it to the six hours proposed in the bill.
▶ Watch at 26:43Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker ProAm. Uh, I'd like to give some little recent personal, uh, experience with this. I have a grandson that I raised and then he went back to his mother in Oregon and they don't teach driver's ed in school at all. Schools have nothing to do with it. So the kids have to read the book, take the test, and pass the written test in order to be able to start driving, and then they have to drive for 50 hours, uh, with a parent, an adult, they can't be with another teenager. They have to be, they can't even take family members, only adults. So, uh, I was out there in December, my grandson's been …
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Presented the bill, which would direct insurers to contract with the state's mobile mammography providers so that rural women can receive covered screenings closer to home.
▶ Watch at 42:35Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. May I begin? Yes, Please. Thank you. Okay. Um, breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The evidence is clear. Early detection through regular mammography saves lives and lowers overall healthcare costs. When screenings are delayed. Cancers are found at later stages when treatment is more intensive. Outcomes are worse and the costs are significantly higher. In Utah, women living in rural communities are screened at lower rates than women in urban areas. The barrier is not awareness, it's access. For ma many rural women. Getting a mammogram can mean taking time off work, arranging childcare, driving long distances to an …
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the issue is that some insurers have not contracted with the mobile units, not a question of cost.
▶ Watch at 46:06Read what they said
I think that the, the issue here is that insurances have not, they have not approved the mobile unit. This is not a, a fiscal issue. This is not money. This is just the fact that they, um, haven't signed on to do this.
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said she was not sure whether the bill would require coverage of all mobile units and explained that insurers which have not signed on with a mobile unit would be covered under the bill.
▶ Watch at 47:11Read what they said
Representative? I'm not sure as to the answer of that. I don't think there's a very many mobile units. It's not like we've got 25 of 'em out there. I'm Just, if if there were, I'm just not sure. I'm not sure what the bill is requiring It is that if a company has not signed on as a provider, that they, they would, I mean, least it's gonna cover it just like they already do. Yep. It's just they have not signed on with at least one mobile unit, but yeah, exactly.
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Said the substitute is the same bill she presented.
▶ Watch at 54:54Read what they said
Thank you. Basically the bill, right? Yeah. Um, it's the bill I spoke to. Yep.
H.B. 468 Mobile Mammography Amendments · House Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Closed by saying early detection matters and that rural residents should have access to the mobile units, and asked for support.
▶ Watch at 56:13Read what they said
Thank you. Um, yeah, there we've lost too many, uh, women to breast cancer, but with early detection and from personal experience, the medicines that they have nowadays, um, uh, there's no reason almost, unless it's a particular aggressive kind. So, the earlier we find out, and having lived in rural Utah all of my adult life, um, access can be a real problem for a lot of things. And this, this shouldn't be the case when we have these units that are available to come out. So, appreciate your support. Thank you.
H.B. 494 Transfer of Water Interests · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Says the bill is important, that she has bought, sold, and leased water shares, and that she supports local control for canal companies.
▶ Watch at 51:08Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just, I want you to let you know, I think this is really, really an important bill. I deal, I don't have lots of water shares, but I've bought them, I've sold them, I leased them. And I like the idea of local control. I think that is critical to our canal companies. Thank you.
H.B. 522 Parentage and Child Support Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Presented HB 522, which clarifies child support rules for children placed with the state and creates a process for a husband to contest support for a child born during separation who is not his biological child.
▶ Watch at 1:27:58Read what they said
Thank you. Appreciate that. Uh, this bill has two different issues in it, and they are dealing with, uh, child support, but they're different issues. So we just, instead of having two different bills, they're, they're in one bill, just so I can explain that to you. Um, what the first one and these, uh, the first one comes from a constituent that I actually was working with this summer and, um, had some problems in their family and, uh, children were taken away. She's a single mom. And, um, a couple of years ago I passed a bill that put the, um, ceiling of where someone would have income and they don't pay child support, and it's supposed to …
H.B. 522 Parentage and Child Support Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Said the bill applies only when a child is placed with a relative by juvenile court or DCFS, not to district court divorce cases.
▶ Watch at 1:35:29Read what they said
Thank you. I appreciate that comment. That's exactly true. This is only, uh, uh, when a child's placed, uh, with a relative by the juvenile court or division of Child and Family Services. The woman who spoke before was talking about district court divorce cases, and they are very, very different. So it's not a, it's not a apples to apples kind of situation. This is, uh, uh, A-D-C-F-S situation. So, uh, I would appreciate your support. Thank you.
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Discusses the sharing table, the shift from homemade to prepackaged school meals, and whether the sponsor's children disliked school food.
▶ Watch at 41:11Read what they said
Um, I, I noticed on there you have the sharing table and I understand the concept of that. Uh, and, and back when I was a teacher and I realized that this too was in the last century, um, we had truly homemade meals in our school, and then gradually we've had people who thought they knew better take that away. And most of it is prepackaged now. And, um, having raised a grandson recently for many years, he refused to eat that prepackaged food he would have. He liked breakfast, but he didn't like the lunches and he still doesn't, so he has a debit card so he can buy something to eat at the snack bar or whatever …
H.B. 440 School Lunch Amendments · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Describes past homemade school meals and asks whether the sponsor has noticed children disliking prepackaged school food.
▶ Watch at 41:11Read what they said
Um, I, I noticed on there you have the sharing table and I understand the concept of that. Uh, and, and back when I was a teacher and I realized that this too was in the last century, um, we had truly homemade meals in our school, and then gradually we've had people who thought they knew better take that away. And most of it is prepackaged now. And, um, having raised a grandson recently for many years, he refused to eat that prepackaged food he would have. He liked breakfast, but he didn't like the lunches and he still doesn't, so he has a debit card so he can buy something to eat at the snack bar or whatever …
H.B. 372 Child Welfare Changes · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, citing her work as chair of the child welfare oversight panel and her constituent contacts.
▶ Watch at 1:41:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this great bill. Um, I could stand here all day and tell you stories, um, about gals and the things that they have or have not done. And, um, there are some port very important provisions in this bill. And I'm, I'm not gonna go through all of 'em, I just know with the work that I've done, uh, as the chair of the, uh, child welfare, uh, oversight panel and plus what I have done with hundreds of constituents, how important this bill is, and I urge you to support it.
H.B. 372 Child Welfare Changes · House floor debate (day 34) · Feb 23, 2026
Rises in support of the bill, citing her work as chair of a child welfare oversight panel and constituent concerns.
▶ Watch at 1:41:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this great bill. Um, I could stand here all day and tell you stories, um, about gals and the things that they have or have not done. And, um, there are some port very important provisions in this bill. And I'm, I'm not gonna go through all of 'em, I just know with the work that I've done, uh, as the chair of the, uh, child welfare, uh, oversight panel and plus what I have done with hundreds of constituents, how important this bill is, and I urge you to support it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
H.B. 36 Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program · House floor debate (day 31) · Feb 20, 2026
Supports the bill, drawing on her experience as an elementary PE teacher and a past school fitness program, and says it is good for rural Utah.
▶ Watch at 2:40:19Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this. I, um, I taught PE a lot as an elementary teacher, and part of that came from when I was in, uh, school, especially in high school. And we had a similar program. It was a pre presidential fitness program, and we just all got used to moving. And nowadays, even in rural areas, kids are on their, um, computers and phones way too much. And you have to say, it's time to go outside. And if we, if we can do this in school, like we did at Castle Dale Elementary, we had track programs, we had dancing, we had, um, all sorts of activities going on. And I …
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Presents HB 208 and explains it would shorten the look-back period for past child support liability in parentage actions from four years to one year, citing a constituent's case.
▶ Watch at 57:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Oh, sorry. That's on. There we go. Thank you Mr. Chair. Vice Chair Committee. Lovely, icy, snowy morning, which we all were wanting. Uh, I'm gonna tell you the story behind this bill, uh, as to what got it going. Uh, this last summer had a constituent call and her son-in-law received a letter from ORS saying that he, uh, a woman was claiming that he was the father of her child, and, um, that they would do the DNA testing and all that kind of stuff. But, and if he was, um, the, the mother was requesting child support. And the interesting part about this that was the child was 15, and so he had …
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Responds that the father in the case paid child support once paternity was established and that the bill does not change that duty.
▶ Watch at 1:02:43Read what they said
If the story I told you, he is paying child support and once it was established that he was the father, no way of sand or buts, you, you start paying child support. So, yeah, I just mean going back, I mean, there's, there's a long time where people might try to struggle for a while until they will admit, you know what, I Actually need help. Well, even with what we have now, you don't go back. This is kind of in a, in a different circumstance.
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Explains that the four-year limit appears in the divorce-related section of the parentage chapter and that she had wanted one year.
▶ Watch at 1:03:11Read what they said
So like four years To One year. This, This is where, um, in this one, if, uh, as you'll read on 36, if a parenting parentage action is brought under this chapter, this particular chapter, there's other chapters too. And they do protect that, but they don't go back. This is a little bit different circumstance. I wish I had my drafting attorney right here by me, and they would maybe explain that a little bit better. 'cause we did this during the summer. But, um, and, uh, but in this case that I told you about, and if, if somebody did it tomorrow, um, they don't go back. ORS doesn't go back. And so, and, and I don't know …
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says the provision applies in that chapter when divorce and related matters are involved.
▶ Watch at 1:04:11Read what they said
in this, in this particular chapter when it's divorce and involving that kind of stuff.
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says the case did not require going back four years and that the chapter as written states four years, which she wanted reduced to one.
▶ Watch at 1:04:31Read what they said
And I don't, I wish I had her here in the case that I told you about, he did not have to go back four years. He just started once that action, once she applied and they established that he was the father, it started, then he did. ORS does not go back. Some states do, but, and in this particular chapter, we, it said in this part of the law, it said four years. And I just said, let's just go one. So I I, I, without her here, I can't explain that exactly.
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says the bill addresses declarations of paternity during divorce and that she cannot fully explain without the drafting attorney.
▶ Watch at 1:05:20Read what they said
And one's talking a little bit more about divorce and, and if, uh, it talked a little, it talks about, uh, the, they can do a declaration of paternity, uh, during, uh, when they talk about a divorce. So if I had my drafting attorney here, which I don't Okay. I might be able to explain, because I even asked her this morning and she says, oh, she just said, oh, you wanted one year instead of four, but we did this during the summer and I have forgotten. So I apologize.
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Notes that the parties in the case did not want contact and that the court can address such issues.
▶ Watch at 1:06:10Read what they said
No, they actually can go to court and stop that. They could. And so, and, but this has been, this is so long, so far down the road, and he's now married. Right. There was no inclination.
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Says that in the case described, the father agreed to pay support and did not seek contact.
▶ Watch at 1:06:27Read what they said
Right? Yeah. But in this case, he just said, no, I, I agree with you. We don't, we don't want to have anything to do. I'll just write out the check until this child is 18.
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Explains that the age-26 provision lets a child establish parentage, and that some people may not want to be found.
▶ Watch at 1:07:52Read what they said
Oh, no. Uhuh. So it, That's To establish parents only to 18. But this is just to establish, oh, you are my dad And I, I did not know that a child could ask. And that's already in the law that They Yeah. That's in here. That They can mm-hmm. They can get a, A fraternity. Yeah. Some men, um, after so long, they, they don't want to be found. They don't even know, and they don't want to be found. Right. I
H.B. 208 Parentage Amendments · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 19, 2026
Offers to clarify the four-year provision and contact the parties before the bill goes to the floor.
▶ Watch at 1:09:49Read what they said
Thank you. Um, if you do pass it out, I will clarify the, the four years and get ahold of each before it goes to the floor, if, if you choose to do that.
S.B. 141 Child Welfare Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Presents the bill, which updates child welfare procedures, lets DCFS share information with the Division of Professional Licensing, expands the definition of relative, clarifies foster parent rights after 12 months of placement, and requires DCFS to notify parties when court reports or child and family plans are filed.
▶ Watch at 28:52Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, the Child welfare amendments in this bill, Mr. Speaker, the changes relate changes, uh, makes changes related to DCFS and the child welfare process. It updates and clarifies several child welfare procedures to improve safety, transparency, and, uh, timelines in this system. It allows DCFS to share information with the division of Professional licensing. It expands the definition of relative. It clarifies foster parent rights after 12 months of placement, and it requires D-C-F-D-C-F-S to notify all parties when court reports, um, or child and family plans are filed. Overall, the bill aims to create more stable, uh, placements, better informed families, and stronger protection for children. That's my presentation, Mr. Speaker.
S.B. 141 Child Welfare Amendments · House floor debate (day 30) · Feb 19, 2026
Gives a closing summation saying the bill is good and fixes issues that needed correcting.
▶ Watch at 30:10Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Uh, speaker. This is really a good bill is fixing some things we needed to have fixed. Thank you.
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presented H.B. 401, which directs the Office of Energy Development to study the feasibility of geothermal energy facilities at or near existing coal-powered generation facilities, with results published on the office's website, and noted the study would not cover the IPP power plant area.
▶ Watch at 34:40Read what they said
Heavy chair. Sorry. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, this is a, uh, a good bill, as we say on our side of the capitol. Had a bad one, right? No. Well, no. Try not to. So, uh, this is a geothermal study and what it does is it directs the Office of Energy Development to conduct a study to examine the feasibility of developing geothermal energy facilities, um, at or near existing coal powered electrical generation facilities. And it reports them, it requires them to report to, um, the Public Utilities Energy and Technology Interim committee. Uh, they, or to report, uh, to publish it on their website. It has an end date. And, um, it, it, it on the …
H.B. 105 Child Welfare Revisions · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Presents H.B. 105, which lets a parent petition for custody changes regardless of when the prior permanent custody order was entered, prompted by a constituent case.
▶ Watch at 33:27Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I've already made it through one committee meeting, so, uh, honor. Good roll here today. Um, uh, Mr. Chair and, uh, committee members, this is a, a pretty simple bill, but I'm gonna give you just a little bit of history. It actually started out as a totally different bill, and then I had a constituent call, uh, about a week into the session. And she told me what had happened in court that day. And she is an attorney and she had a constituent, uh, not a constituent. That's what I have. She had a client who, um, hired her, uh, and a bill that we passed last year. They were using that bill …
H.B. 105 Child Welfare Revisions · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Says the bill is subject to court approval and does not change other existing law.
▶ Watch at 36:07Read what they said
Thank you. Subject to certainly court approval and Oh, yes, absolutely. All the other things that were already in law. Okay. This does not change any of that.
H.B. 105 Child Welfare Revisions · Senate Health and Human Services Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Says a simple change can make a big difference for parents and their children.
▶ Watch at 37:37Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a, a simple change can be such a big change in the lives of a parent and, and their children. Thank you.
H.B. 489 Water Infrastructure Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 18, 2026
Moved to pass HB 489 out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 51:06Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Chair, I'd like to make, uh, uh, a motion to pass out house bill 4 89 with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Raised concerns that very small towns cannot raise enough through higher rates yet would be barred from state funding unless they comply.
▶ Watch at 1:10:57Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. May I ask a few questions? Yes. Um, we have talked about this, uh, uh, I'll find you and Candace, you just answered my question because, um, some of my cities and towns have gone through the, uh, drinking water board to get some, so, um, the thing that I'm concerned about is, um, we, we we're going to impose a higher tax, uh, for water, but in my area, I have some really small towns, literally one town that has like 38 residents. I, I don't know that raising taxes by a coup by a couple of percentage is ever going to put them in a position to do it, to do anything hardly with …
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said she understands the concept but remains concerned about small, aging communities.
▶ Watch at 1:12:02Read what they said
I struggle, I, I get the concept. I truly get that. 'cause some of my little towns are, are, have had to redo all those. In fact, I, couple of 'em are just finishing up. But we just have such small populations, I just dunno how they can, and, and a lot of 'em, we have old communities. We don't have lots of young people moving in. So I, I do have some concerns, even though we've really talked about, and, and I, I, I do get the vision and why you're doing this. I just have some concerns. Thank you. I
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Confirmed the income data is in the bill and thanked the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 1:13:13Read what they said
And that's in the bill? Yes. I mean, I've just got a couple of pages of it, yes. Okay. Thank you.
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asked for an explanation of how the bill handles secondary water.
▶ Watch at 1:19:00Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I forgot to ask a question. Explain to me, and, and I know this will take you a little bit, the secondary water issue that that's huge in my area. So I'm curious, would you explain that? Sure.
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Described the cost of replacing her own secondary water meter and concern for very small canal companies.
▶ Watch at 1:20:20Read what they said
Okay. Now, I, I have, uh, at least one little tiny, I'm gonna call it a canal company for better, you know what I'm talking about. And, uh, they just don't even hardly make enough to, for everybody to put their own meters in. And so they do a big chunk thing. And, and my meter broke this a year Yeah. This last year. And I had to put a new meter in, and that was not inexpensive. And, and that, and that falls on me. In fact, when I called the company to come out and put it in, they said, don't put it in. You don't have to do this. And I said, I said, yeah, I do. …
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether the substitute extends leave from three weeks to six weeks or to nine weeks.
▶ Watch at 44:41Read what they said
Yes. Uh, Mr. Speaker, I'm, I'm a little bit confused. I've been reading them. I have spoken with the, uh, sponsor. Do, is this substitute going from three weeks to six or three weeks to nine weeks?
H.B. 329 State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments · House floor debate (day 28) · Feb 17, 2026
Asks whether the substitute extends leave from three weeks to six weeks or from three weeks to nine weeks.
▶ Watch at 44:41Read what they said
Yes. Uh, Mr. Speaker, I'm, I'm a little bit confused. I've been reading them. I have spoken with the, uh, sponsor. Do, is this substitute going from three weeks to six or three weeks to nine weeks?
H.B. 413 Surplus Interconnection Service Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Presents HB 413, which would require utilities to analyze surplus interconnection service in integrated resource plans and let them solicit information from non-utility facilities.
▶ Watch at 45:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. Chair and committee, this is the surplus interconnection Service Amendments. Um, we're talking about something that's really new here, and I'm gonna describe it to you. Uh, what it does is it requires, uh, an affected electrical utility to analyze surplus interconnection service opportunities in integrated service resource plan filings. And it allows, uh, the electrical utility to solicit information from non-utility owned facilities regarding surplus interconnection service. And it requires an affected, uh, electrical utility to consider surplus interconnection service in the action plan. And it requires the commission to encourage inclusion of surplus interconnection service in integrated resource plans. And it allows them to, that they may recover approved cost surplus for …
H.B. 413 Surplus Interconnection Service Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says the utility already looks at this process in its resource planning, though she cannot say how much is included, and defers to a colleague who can speak to it.
▶ Watch at 48:51Read what they said
I have, uh, Mr. Cox here behind me who could speak better to it. Um, I would say that they look at this, I can't speak to directly how much it is or is not in their IRP, but again, this is a process they do. And you might know representative better than I.
H.B. 413 Surplus Interconnection Service Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says there is no intention to stop building transmission lines, that the focus is efficiency, and that she looks forward to working on the issue over the summer.
▶ Watch at 54:26Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, we knew we were kind of getting into new territory here, and, um, just to answer a question or statement that was said, there's no intention of stopping building transmissions lines. We're, we're probably gonna have to do that anyway. We just know how long it takes and the issues that are there. But, uh, in today's world, I guess in anything with energy, it's about efficiency and getting all that we can out of what we have. So I'm looking forward to working on this during the summer. Thank you.
H.B. 118 Driver Training Schools for Commercial Driver License Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Supports the bill, saying a family member completed CDL training and that verifying English up front protects applicants from paying for training they cannot complete.
▶ Watch at 1:02:05Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would just rise in support of this. Bill had a, a member of my family in the last year complete CDL training. Of course he's proficient in English, but as he has um, embarked on the, this career, even though the federal, um, department of Transportation is in charge of this, I'm not sure that's the correct correct one, it is not being enforced. Mm-hmm. He told me that when he, uh, drives out of state to drop off cars, to pick up cars, he has gone to numerous places where people are so relieved that he speaks English. It makes it so much easier for the paperwork and all of the things that they …
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to adopt amendment number one to the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:44:44Read what they said
Representative Watkins, uh, Thank you Mr. Speaker approach. Am that one kind of stuck upon me? I apologize. Uh, Mr. Pro, speaker ProAm, I'd like to make a motion to move amendment number one in my name.
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Says the amendment removes steam quality at the request of the geological survey because it was not appropriate for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:45:02Read what they said
Yes. Uh, the geological survey people asked that, that we just take out steam quality. It was not appropriate for the bill.
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Moves to adopt amendment number one.
▶ Watch at 1:45:21Read what they said
I'll waive, I'll place the mo I'll place a motion to adopt amendment number one.
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Explains the bill directs the Office of Energy Development to study the feasibility of geothermal power at existing power plant sites using information already available, and report back to the Legislature.
▶ Watch at 1:45:48Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tem, uh, Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. This bill directs the Office of Energy Development to conduct a study to examine the FI feasibility of having geothermal power pump, uh, a power facility anywhere where we have, uh, power plants right now. And it's just a feasibility. Is it something that we can do? Uh, we are also looking at, uh, nuclear power, something that we could put where a power plant is, uh, down the road when these power plants are, uh, no longer, um, uh, in operation. So it's, it's not an expensive thing. We made sure that they're not drilling holes in the ground, they are just using the information that they already …
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Says a company is coming online this spring and that a low-cost study can test whether sites are feasible before more money is spent.
▶ Watch at 1:47:41Read what they said
Well, we already have, uh, a company VO that's gonna be coming online, uh, this spring, and we're really excited about that. And for not a lot of money, we can research certain areas and see if they even are feasible, because if they're not, then why waste anyone else's money? Uh, and time to see if this is something that could happen down the road.
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Says government has already invested heavily in geothermal projects and the study aims to avoid wasting money on sites that are not feasible.
▶ Watch at 1:48:28Read what they said
Can I answer that? Hey, yes. Uh, well, with the government's already involved in all of these, we've had a ton of government money go into, uh, the geothermal, uh, plant that we have coming online soon. And so this certainly having government involved is, is not new. Uh, but what we're trying to do is, um, make sure that we're not wasting any more money down the road to see if any of these things are feasible.
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Summarizes that the bill puts available information together so legislators can know whether geothermal is feasible, and suggests looking at other sources if not.
▶ Watch at 1:49:05Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker ProAm. This is just a, a simple way of using information that is, is available and putting it together in, uh, in one place and making sure that we know as legislators that this is something that is feasible or no, it's not. Let's just table it, leave it alone, make sure industry knows that it's not, and, um, look at other sources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker Pro tem.
H.B. 389 Cannabis Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Asks whether a medical card is still needed to buy low THC products at pharmacies and says low THC products remain available outside pharmacies.
▶ Watch at 42:06Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, may I ask a few Questions? Go ahead. Um, I actually really like what you're doing. Um, I, I don't think anybody needs to apologize for changes 'cause we're still new in, in this arena. And, um, we're doing it very different than a lot of places. So I think we're rocking it. I'm just telling you. But I, I do have a question on the low THC product, which I certainly applaud. I think that's great. Do I still need to have a card just to get those, To get those at the pharmacy? Yes. Oh, So there are, there are some, there are some that I don't Like. Well, and, and I mean, that's, …
H.B. 389 Cannabis Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to pass HB 389 second substitute out favorably.
▶ Watch at 52:01Read what they said
Yes, please. Um, Mr. Speaker or Mr. Chair? Gimme a little bump there. Um, I, I'd like to make a motion that we, uh, move out house bill 3 89 second sub with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 469 Cannabinoid Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to pass the first substitute of the bill with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 58:50Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Chair, I'd like to move. We make, make a motion that we move first sub house bill 4 69 with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 157 Department of Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves that the committee adopt the third substitute for H.B. 157.
▶ Watch at 1:06:01Read what they said
Oh, okay. Well, I didn't, no. Okay. Thank you Mr. Chair. I, I, I'd like, I think I need to motion for the third sub. Okay. I'd like to, um, make a motion that, that we move the third sub for house bill 1 57.
H.B. 157 Department of Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Declines to speak to the motion and restates the motion to adopt the third substitute for H.B. 157.
▶ Watch at 1:06:24Read what they said
I'll waive. Alright. I'll place the motion that we adopt sub number three to HB 1 57.
H.B. 157 Department of Natural Resources Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves that the committee pass out the third substitute for H.B. 157 with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:06:36Read what they said
Thank you. I'd like to make a motion that we move out, uh, third sub house bill 1 57 with a favorable recommendation.
S.C.R. 4 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Permitting of Oil, Gas, and Mining · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Asks whether the BLM has been consulted about the memorandum of understanding or whether the resolution is only meant to send a message.
▶ Watch at 1:33:00Read what they said
So you've said that, uh, discussed resolution is discussed the intent, uh, to enter into a memorandum agreement with BLM. Have we talked to the B-M-L-B-L-M about this at all, or this is just to send that message?
S.C.R. 4 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Permitting of Oil, Gas, and Mining · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Moves to pass SCR 4 out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:34:25Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I'd like to make a motion that we, uh, move out SCR four, uh, permitting of oil, gas, and mining with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Asks to question the sponsor about the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:44:31Read what they said
Further discussion to the bill representative ch Speaker. Um, I just have a question on the, um, since we already have would dead, would we like to sponsor to question?
H.B. 248 Family Law Modifications · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Asks whether the bill will make parents who owe child support start paying.
▶ Watch at 1:44:50Read what they said
Um, since we already have deadbeat parents who are not paying, would it, is this going to somehow make it so that they will pay?
H.B. 105 Child Welfare Revisions · House floor debate (day 22) · Feb 10, 2026
Presents H.B. 105, which would let a parent whose former spouse was granted permanent custody petition the court for custody time regardless of when that order was entered, citing a recent case that the current law did not reach.
▶ Watch at 1:56:50Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro Tem. Mr. Speaker. A couple of weeks ago I had, uh, an attorney friend of mine from price, um, reach out to me and say, I have a great bill for you. And I said, well, we're kind of getting light here. But when she told me what it was, I totally substituted a bill I had, because I felt that this one was very, very important. She had been in court that day with a, a client who had at one time not been a good person and had legal things happen. Um, his, the former spouse had full custody of the kids and, um, they had come back after several years being able …
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Thanks the sponsor for work on the bill, which counties consider important.
▶ Watch at 55:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to thank the sponsor of this bill from, from many, many members of a lot of the counties. This is an important bill for them and they are very grateful for the work that he has put into this. Uh, bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank
H.B. 38 Local Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Thanks the sponsor on behalf of many counties, which consider the bill important and are grateful for the work on it.
▶ Watch at 55:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to thank the sponsor of this bill from, from many, many members of a lot of the counties. This is an important bill for them and they are very grateful for the work that he has put into this. Uh, bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank
S.B. 141 Child Welfare Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 21) · Feb 9, 2026
Explains that agreement was reached on child welfare provisions covering best interest, relatives, information sharing, case review, court reports, and timeframes for S.B. 141.
▶ Watch at 55:58Read what they said
Um, we've gotten to agreement on the provisions regarding best interest of the trial trial and how workers go through and clarify that and follow through on it. There are changes in definition of relatives which have been re requested and agreed to by the parties authorizes DCFS to share relevant information with, uh, professional licenses for limited and specified purposes. Um, goes through and, uh, specifies that parents who have cared for foster parents who have cared for a child for 12 months or longer may request case review if that has not happened and, uh, states that DCFS must notify every party when it files a court report or a child and family services plan so that everybody's …
H.B. 419 Environmental Legal Action Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Moved to pass HB 419 out of committee with a favorable recommendation and said the motion is simple.
▶ Watch at 51:11Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Uh, chair. Um, I'd like to make a motion that we move house bill four 19 Environmental legal Action Amendment out with a favorable recommendation. That Motion is appropriate. We'd like to speak to it. Nope. Pretty easy.
H.B. 419 Environmental Legal Action Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Moved to place HB 419 on the consent calendar and said it is a simple measure.
▶ Watch at 52:22Read what they said
I'd like to make a motion that we put it on the consent calendar. I think this is really a really simple thing.
H.B. 75 American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Thanks the chair and asks to speak on House Bill 75.
▶ Watch at 2:49:09Read what they said
Oh, thank you. Thank you. Um, but I'm ready to go. Uh, house bills, uh, may I speak?
H.B. 75 American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments · Senate Education Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Presents House Bill 75, which sets a plan and reporting requirements for an American Indian and Alaska Native education grant program and adds flexibility in how grant money can be used.
▶ Watch at 2:49:18Read what they said
It is about a bill that does not create any new funding. It has no fiscal note. It simply puts a clear plan and reporting structure around a grant program that has been in place for a number of years. It applies to schools in the fourth, fifth, and sixth class county. And in schools that have at least 29% of the students that are American Indian or Alaska native, it asks the State School Board of Education to formally adopt a plan so that the legislature can clearly see how the grant money is being used and how it's working. Uh, the bill adds guardrails and accountability, including regular reporting, uh, and to protect a program that already is …
H.B. 61 Navajo Trust Fund Amendments · Senate floor debate (day 18) · Feb 6, 2026
Describes H.B. 61 as a cleanup bill on the Navajo Trust Fund that keeps transparency, protects the fund and its investment strategies and beneficiaries, and changes the required board meeting frequency from at least monthly to at least quarterly.
▶ Watch at 10:15Read what they said
This one is dealing with a Navajo Trust Fund. Simple, um, cleanup bill. The bill preserves the transparency while protecting the fund and the investment strategies along with the bi beneficiaries. Uh, the bill also adjusts the board meeting frequency. The current requirement is at least every month, it does not reflect the practice or the need. So it's updating the statute to at least quarterly and that is the amount of the bill.
H.B. 154 Water Loss Study Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asked whether the committee had done something similar in recent years to identify water loss.
▶ Watch at 1:07:29Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Chairman may ask a question. Sure. Um, I thought we did this, did we do something like this in the last couple years to try and identify water loss or was it just secondary water? I'm, I'm just trying to remember what we did. So Nothing's coming to my mind. I thought that we had not,
H.B. 154 Water Loss Study Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asked whether there is a penalty and whether the bill applies to all sizes of water systems.
▶ Watch at 1:08:22Read what they said
So thank you. Appreciate that. Thank you. Mr. Chair Representative, is there a, a penalty or does this apply to all sizes of water systems throughout the state? I mean,
H.B. 154 Water Loss Study Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Moved to pass HB 154 substitute out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 1:11:08Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion to pass out, uh, house bill 1 54 for substitute with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · House floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, describing concerns about out-of-state mothers being brought to Utah for adoption and praising the sponsor's work.
▶ Watch at 37:40Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pro tem. Uh, I too rise in support of this bill. Um, the good sponsor didn't know that I had been involved in some of this for a very, very long time. And, uh, we were fighting money. We were fighting, um, people who were not being upfront and ethical. And, uh, in other states, young mothers who were under a great deal of duress were being directed to Utah to have their babies thinking that thing that, um, they'd be able to have their baby get some help and maybe, or maybe not put it up for adoption. And then once they were here, there just really wasn't a choice for them. And so they …
H.B. 51 Adoption Amendments · House floor debate (day 16) · Feb 4, 2026
Spoke in support of the bill, describing concerns about out-of-state adoption pressure on young mothers and praising the sponsor.
▶ Watch at 37:40Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pro tem. Uh, I too rise in support of this bill. Um, the good sponsor didn't know that I had been involved in some of this for a very, very long time. And, uh, we were fighting money. We were fighting, um, people who were not being upfront and ethical. And, uh, in other states, young mothers who were under a great deal of duress were being directed to Utah to have their babies thinking that thing that, um, they'd be able to have their baby get some help and maybe, or maybe not put it up for adoption. And then once they were here, there just really wasn't a choice for them. And so they …
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Presents HB 401, which asks the Office of Energy Development, working with the Utah Geological Survey, to study geothermal feasibility at current or decommissioned coal plant sites and report back to the committee before the bill sunsets.
▶ Watch at 36:46Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Vice Chair. Ms. Um, pretty simple. Bill. We're just curious. Uh, we'd like to know if, um, in any of the currently operating coal, coal powered, uh, power plants or any that are, have been, uh, decommissioned, but they're still there, if there's a possibility that there might be a geothermal energy there that could be used. Now this, for this bill, uh, we are not asking the holes be drilled and all that kind of really super expensive stuff. We just want, um, to, um, have the office of, make sure I say this right, energy development work with the Utah Geological Survey, just to conduct a sur uh, study to examine that, the feasibility of …
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Says the study is only to see whether geothermal is feasible if a coal plant were shut down, not to have them operate together.
▶ Watch at 39:42Read what they said
Only if it needed to replace, uh, the coal power plant. If it, if things, if it was shut down for whatever reason, this is not to coexist. This is just to see if it's there. If it's something that's feasible down the road.
H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Says the study does not aim to replace coal, which is still available in the area, and only checks whether geothermal is possible.
▶ Watch at 40:25Read what they said
We're not looking ob obviously that's where I live. We're not looking for that. Okay. We just wanna know if it's There. I just don't wanna make a bed that You don't No, because, um, our power plants are doing really well. Um, coal is still available. We, but is as in Carbon County, we're not mining coal anymore because we pretty well got all the easy, inexpensive coal, uh, mine out of our minds. And so we don't do coal anymore, but they do like in Emery County and or in Sanpete and stuff. So this has nothing to do with replacing anything, uh, in any near future. It's just kind of see, checking out where we have possibilities. …
H.B. 105 Child Welfare Revisions · House Judiciary Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Presents the substitute bill, which would let parents whose children live with a spouse or former spouse petition for custody time regardless of when the permanent custody order was entered.
▶ Watch at 42:06Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. Um, This is a substitute bill to house Bill 1 0 5. Um, they're not even the same. They're in the same code, but they are not the same. So if you read the original, uh, house Bill 1 0 5, uh, please ignore that. This one's a very, very different, uh, bill, and I'm gonna give you the story to the bill. Um, literally just a little over a week ago, I had a local attorney reach out to me and say that she had a great bill for me, and I said, Hey, we're kinda late in the session. And she goes, no, you really like this one. And she was right. And so …
S.B. 42 State Weed Committee Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Moves to pass SB 42 out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 2:10:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion to move, uh, Senate bill 42 forward with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 61 Navajo Trust Fund Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Presents H.B. 61 as a cleanup bill that aligns the Utah Navajo Trust Fund statute with investment confidentiality laws, keeps reporting by investment category, and changes the board's meeting frequency from monthly to quarterly.
▶ Watch at 57:39Read what they said
Thank you. Appreciate that Chair. And, uh, committee members. This is, uh, a bill that was brought, uh, by Marlow Oaks, our State Treasurer. It's, um, kind of a cleanup bill that updates the Utah Navajo Trust Fund statute to align with statewide, uh, investment confidentiality laws and longstanding reporting practices. And so it preserves transparency while protecting the fund and, uh, it, its investment strategies and its beneficiaries. The current statute could be in a, um, interpreted to require reporting on e each individual investment, which violates investment confidentiality. I didn't say that. Right. Compete that word agreements and exposes strategies that could harm the funds returns other parts of the Utah code already exempt this investment level information …
H.B. 61 Navajo Trust Fund Amendments · Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 30, 2026
Gives a closing summary that the bill brings the fund up to where it should be.
▶ Watch at 1:00:12Read what they said
Thank you. It, it is just bringing the fund up to where it should be, so
H.B. 75 American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Presented HB 75, saying it creates a plan requirement for a existing grant in certain rural schools with a high share of Native American or Alaska Native students, with reporting, and lets schools use grant funds for a Native American education conference and books.
▶ Watch at 46:02Read what they said
Watkins. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, Mr. Speaker, it seems like a month ago, but it was only last week. We handed out a little paper on your desk that, that spoke, uh, told you about this. Thank you. And, um, so I just wanted to let you know about this bill. There is no fiscal note because this bill is Juab just creating a plan around a grant that has already been, uh, going. This is in counties of fourth, fifth, and sixth class. It is in schools that have at least 29 per percent of their students that are Native American or Alaska students. And what this grant does is it creates a plan. We're telling the State …
H.B. 75 American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Responded that the program will involve tribal members and the LEA, and that some schools have already translated books, with book purchases allowed under the bill.
▶ Watch at 51:25Read what they said
They will be working with the tribal members and the LEA and I will tell you, uh, on the Navajo reservation, that they are already have already translated books into the Na Dene language, and they already are doing that. So that's one of the things that, uh, will be approved with this, is to purchase books.
H.B. 75 American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments · House floor debate (day 11) · Jan 30, 2026
Gave closing remarks and asked for the House's support of the bill.
▶ Watch at 53:48Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. It is a good bill and, um, I'm asking for your support. Thank you.
H.B. 222 Limitation of Actions Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Moved to pass HB 222 as substituted out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 53:26Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I make a motion that we move about, um, house bill 2 22 for sub, uh, with a favorable motion or, um, recommendation. Thank you.
S.B. 4 Economic and Community Development Base Budget · House floor debate (day 10) · Jan 29, 2026
Explains that the bill sets base budgets for four agencies under the Economic and Community Development Appropriations subcommittee at FY 2026 ongoing levels, with about $303 million in state funds, a list of one-time and ongoing adjustments, roughly $1.4 billion in federal funds, and a total of $1.8 billion for FY 2027.
▶ Watch at 21:52Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, Senate Bill, uh, provides the base budgets for the four agencies overseen by the Economic and Community Development Appropriations subcommittee. That is the Department of Alcohol Beverage Services, the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, and the Department of Workforce Services. As a reminder, the base budget starts to these agencies at the same level as their FY 2026 ongoing appropriations. This bill Appropriates 303 million in state funds for FY 2 2 20 27 matching the final ongoing amount for FY 2026 with the exception of some EAC approved amounts in December, which considered, um, consisted of restoration of lapse balances for ongoing projects, which consists of 125, …
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Asked about cases in Utah and neighboring states where children with toy guns were shot or killed.
▶ Watch at 22:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I believe we've had some instances in Utah where we've actually had children either shot or killed because they had toy guns that Loa people, the police thought were real am uh, am I correct? Do you That's
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Asked how police can tell whether a toy gun is altered and how children's safety would be protected.
▶ Watch at 22:24Read what they said
So my question on this, I I, I know what you're trying to do. I, I get it, but how do, how do, um, how does the police know if this, if this is an altered toy gun? You know, I, I, I just know and have seen kids playing with them and some, and you're like, whoa, you know, of course we're rural, hopefully we don't panic as much, but, um, I, I know that that can happen. So you're saying they're going to receive a, uh, an infraction Oh, great. Turn, get back in here, um, a, a, uh, a a warning or something like this. But how do we, how do they know that it really, how …
H.B. 83 Imitation Firearm Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Said the concerns could be fixed quickly and supported holding the bill so the sponsor and speakers can make revisions.
▶ Watch at 43:16Read what they said
Uh, thank you Mr. Chair. Um, we went through this last year with another bill, uh, where it was so close, but we did hold it and let the sponsor work on it and it came back and then it sailed right through. And I think we've got just a couple little things that could be done very quickly, very quickly. And we're at the beginning of the session. I think there's plenty of time, and I think we regulate toys all the time. We may not, but there are other people who regulate toys and it's not, I don't think we're regulating toys. I think we're, uh, trying to, um, let kids be kids, but also let 'em know …
H.C.R. 4 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Religious Freedom · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Notes that Utah's dominant religion now makes up less than half of residents, says the resolution does not single out Christianity, and calls it harmless.
▶ Watch at 1:19:03Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair representative. I'd like to ask you a question, um, something that's been changing over the years and see if you kind of know where this is, but I do. So if you don't, um, uh, for a very, very long time since this state was, uh, founded and became a state, et cetera, uh, we have had one, uh, dominant religion. And we've always allowed others, always. We've never been, oh no, you can't come to Utah or territory or a state, but, um, the dominant religion that we have, do you know what the percentage of that religion is in Utah now? Presently? I, I don't know, but it's not, it's not, certainly not a …
H.B. 214 Firearms Liability Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Moves to substitute the first substitute of HB 214 for the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:39:47Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe we need to sub do the first substitute. It is in your name representative. I'd like to motion that we pass out, uh, su substitute one in the good representative's name. Alright, so the mo adopt, Sorry, adopt
H.B. 238 Utah Energy Generation and Transmission Planning · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 26, 2026
Asks whether a Utah utility joining a regional transmission organization could come under California's control.
▶ Watch at 1:57:23Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, um, good representative Alrich and, uh, Mr. Finn. Uh, I attended a number of conferences this summer on, uh, on a lot of things that you're talking about, and I know enough to be dangerous now. So, but, and I learned how much we should appreciate our commission. Yes. Because you, you are not elected and, uh, heard the horror stories from some other states. You know, you, you just appreciate and go along with what we have. And that's what we've, we've done. And I really thank you for doing the good work that you do and to Utah for doing what we did. But I have, I have, I have a concern, and …
H.B. 63 Livestock Watering Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks whether the bill has been amended.
▶ Watch at 42:58Read what they said
Oh, good. Thank you. Mr. Chair has, has, uh, has it been amended? I just wanted to double check.
H.B. 63 Livestock Watering Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Asks whether there are one or two amendments.
▶ Watch at 43:06Read what they said
I will. I will gladly do that. Uh, both. Are there two amendments or just one?
H.B. 63 Livestock Watering Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves to adopt House Amendment number two to HB 63.
▶ Watch at 43:15Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Chair, I'd like to propose that we, uh, support House Amendment number two in Representative Chew name.
H.B. 63 Livestock Watering Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moves that HB 63, as amended, pass out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 43:51Read what they said
Uh, Mr. Chair, I'd like propose that we pass out, uh, house Bill, uh, 63 is amended with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Sought recognition to make a motion on the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:27:22Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I realized what she was doing and I'm like, I think I'll push my button.
H.B. 60 Water Rights Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 23, 2026
Moved to pass HB 60 out with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 2:27:30Read what they said
Okay, Mr. Chair, I'd like to, uh, make a motion to, uh, pass out HB 60, uh, water Rights Amendments with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 75 American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Presents HB 75, which would create a state plan for American Indian and Alaska Native student education in concentrated-enrollment districts and expand allowable uses of grant funds.
▶ Watch at 1:45:49Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for being here on our first day. Um, glad to be here on your first day. Okay. Uh, Mr. Chair and committee members, um, this is the, uh, an American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendment. And what it does is it addresses education planning for these students. Uh, just as a reminder, uh, if you didn't read it in the bell, uh, a concentrated school means there's at at least 29% percent of those school students are, uh, American Indian or Alaska native. And so, um, this also came through, um, our committee and we realized that we have been funding, uh, a lot of, well, a couple of our districts where we …
H.B. 75 American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Responds that the state plan is intended to determine what funding should be used for and that she cannot give a definite answer on individual district funding priorities.
▶ Watch at 1:51:51Read what they said
That's part of the plan. That's part of the plan is to figure out if that's really what they should be doing. And, and I will tell you, I have not been, um, uh, affiliated with them for a while. So I don't know, uh, the LEAs financial, um, Prioritization of Their funds, perhaps their conditions. So I don't know if they're doing that. It doesn't say we're going to make 'em, it just, it would be something that they could, and so I, I really can't give you a hard, hard answer to that one. Sorry.
H.B. 75 American Indian and Alaska Native Education Amendments · House Education Committee · Jan 22, 2026
Says the bill is important, that the guardrails and plan are needed, and asks for the committee's support.
▶ Watch at 2:01:53Read what they said
Thank you. I, I, I think it's really important. Um, we, we've had this sort of in place for a while. We needed, like we said, the guardrails, the plan, and, um, I feel it's very important. I would appreciate your support. Thank you.
H.B. 61 Navajo Trust Fund Amendments · House floor debate (day 3) · Jan 22, 2026
Presents H.B. 61 as a cleanup bill that updates the Utah Navajo Trust Fund statute to align with investment confidentiality laws, adjusts reporting to investment categories, and changes required meetings to quarterly.
▶ Watch at 36:13Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, this bill was brought to me by our state treasurer, Marlow Oaks, who is the chair of the Board of the Utah Navajo Trust Fund. And, uh, this is a simple but important cleanup bill that updates the Navajo Utah Navajo Trust Fund statute to align with statewide investment confidentiality laws and longstanding reporting practice. So it does, uh, preserve transparency while protecting the fund. Uh, its investment strategies and its beneficiaries. So current statute could be interpreted to require reporting on each individual investment, which violates investment confidentiality agreements and exposes strategies that could harm the funds returns. And we already have other parts of Utah Code that exempt this investment level information from …
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Asks how the state would work with the NRC, says Utah has the expertise and resources to do this, and supports the bill.
▶ Watch at 24:28Read what they said
Yep. That's it. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. Um, thank you for bringing this forward. I know we've, when you have been working diligently on this bill, um, I know other states have done something similar with energy to oversee kind of the process with NERC and whatnot. Um, would this be in replace of nerc? Would this replace nerc the oversight in terms of, or how are we as a state going to be working with NERC directly? I don't think you'll ever replace a government agency like nerc. Okay. Yeah, no, I just, I just, I know that this is taking a step forward for nuclear, and I wanna make sure, you know, we understand what that …
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Says she has one more question before making a motion.
▶ Watch at 26:15Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, may I make a motion, Uh, get that part? We've got, we've got one more question. Okay.
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Moves to pass HB 78 as amended out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
▶ Watch at 29:07Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion that we pass out house bill 78 as amended. Is that correct? Uh, with a favorable recommendation.
H.B. 78 Nuclear Regulatory Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Says she thinks it is a great bill and should be passed out.
▶ Watch at 29:54Read what they said
Thank you. I think it's a great bill. Think we need to pass it out.
H.B. 16 Solar Power Plant Amendments · House Public Utilities and Energy Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Says solar plants in her area bring in outside construction workers, offer few lasting local jobs, and she has no objection to them coming in.
▶ Watch at 46:52Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I want to, um, I wanna say something about something that was said earlier, because I live in an area where we've had lots and lots and we are still having lots of solar, um, being built and put into place. And I want everyone to know, because I live in these communities. I live in one, but they're a bunch around us when they come in and build these. So solar power plants we have, or, uh, units, um, we have a lot of people come in, a lot of men, and they build them and they're gone. There's nobody left. We have the solar units, but there's nobody left. So there is a …
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