*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Checking In At The Legislature:
2021 Legislative Session Week 6
Friends and Neighbors,

One week left! All of my bills passed this week on the House Floor. We are working to find the right balance between spending and saving our tax dollars in the most optimal way. This week the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) finalized recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget which increased funding for education, healthcare, housing, infrastructure, and transportation, all while providing a significant tax cut. 
 
“What’s happening in Utah is remarkable, especially compared to the rest of the county,” said Speaker Brad Wilson. “Coming out of a pandemic, we will set new funding records for education, address our affordable housing crisis, and provide resources to address homelessness all while providing tax cuts for seniors, veterans, and families. We faced difficult decisions, but I feel very good about the budget our process has produced.”

Three bills, S.B. 153, S.B. 11, and H.B. 86, target families, veterans, and elderly citizens and further boost Utah’s economic success. "Our goal must always be to collect the smallest amount of tax that still allows the state to provide necessary services and prepare for future needs," said Speaker Brad Wilson. "This year, we are able to deliver a $100 million tax cut, targeted to three groups who will most benefit from it: families, veterans, and seniors. Utah's economy is primed for expansion, and putting more money in the hands of the people is an important element of our ongoing prosperity." Read the full press release here. 
 
-Melissa
“The Mighty 8” Republican Women legislators: Christine Watkins, Candice Pierucci, Marsha Judkins, Karianne Lisonbee, Me, Susan Pulsipher, Cheryl Acton, Kera Birkeland

Helpful Links

  • The CDC approved the Pfizer vaccine for people age 16 and up. 16- or 17-year-olds can get vaccinated if they have one of the conditions listed at coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine AND can make an appointment at a location with the Pfizer vaccine. 
  • Link to Town Halls with me, Rep Ward, and Sen Weiler
  • Information regarding PPP loans in Utah

In This Issue

  • Update on My bills
    • HB326 Performance Reporting and Efficiency Requirements
    • HB223 Alternative Fuels Tax Incentives
    • HB318 Higher Education Amendments
    • HB407 Standard Issue Pioneer License Plate
    • HCR16 Honoring the 125th Anniversary of the 1st Utah Legislature
  • Bills passed this week

HB326 Performance Reporting and Efficiency Requirements:

HB326 requires any entity, public or private, that receives funds from the state of Utah to do a self-audit once a year. They have to report on performing metrics, efficiencies, and optimization. HB326 also puts the Gov’s office, auditors, and fiscal analysts in the same information system making it easier for entities to report to one system and easier for staff to streamline goals and accountability for taxpayer funds. This is a good bill for Utah.
Legislative Staff working with me on HB326.
Back row L-R: Jonathan Ball - Director Fiscal Analyst, Kade Minchey - Auditor General, Steve Allred - Deputy Director Fiscal Analyst. Front Row L-R Darin Underwood - Deputy Auditor General, Brian Dean - Deputy Auditor General, Me, Clare Tobin Lence - Staff Fiscal Analyst, Megan Bolin - Deputy Director LRGC, Andrea Wilco - Deputy Director Fiscal Analyst

HB223 Alternative Fuel Tax Incentives

HB223 establishes hydrogen tax incentives on a utility-scale. Watch the brief presentation I gave on the House floor to the bill.

HB318 Higher Education Amendments-

HB318 streamlines the mission and goals of Tech Colleges and Higher Education with their Boards of Trustees, Presidents, and the mission of the institution.

HB407 Standard Issue Pioneer License Plate

In 2022 we will Celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the pioneers entering this valley.  Our very own Greg Mortensen, the relative of the 10 yr old Bodil Mortensen who died on the trail west, started the initiative for this plate. GO HERE TO SEE THE PLATE AND SIGN THE PETITION TO HAVE THIS LICENSE PLATE A REALITY.
 
Go here to see the KUTV news highlight of the license plate.
Proposed license plate celebrating the 175th Anniv of the pioneers entering the Valley. HCR 16 With my Mom, Kathi Garff, holding up the roster of the 1st legislative session which was compiled for the first time in honor of the 125th Anniversary. Many photos and artifacts celebrating the 125th of Utah’s statehood are on display on the 4th floor of the Capitol.

HCR16 Honoring the 125th Anniversary of the 1st Utah Legislature

HCR16 Honored the members of the first Utah legislature on this 125th Anniversary. They established the foundations of our state and built upon principles of American democracy. A government for the people and elected by them, with fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget, promoting strong families and individual rights, funding public schools and higher education, founding police and fire departments, prisons, and 2 universities.

We have had many legislators since 1896 who have strengthened the cause of these principles and values. Utah has a culture of community, service, and love for liberty and civic duty. Many current legislators have had ancestors serve in the Utah legislature, including 3 of us who had fathers who served in the Utah House. These include me, Stewart Barlow, and Jefferson Moss. Many have uncles, grandfathers, great-great-grandfathers, and even husband/wife teams that have served.

I’m the 5th person in my family to be in the Utah House. My great-great-grandfather Daniel Heiner was a Republican in the first legislative session. My great grandfather Royal Brigham Garff and his Sister Thelma Garff served as Democrats in 1939. My dad Robert Garff served as a Republican from 1979-1986.

I love this great state and appreciated the many legislators who spoke to this resolution in appreciation for their own ancestors and the many who served since in the Utah House or Senate.

Bills Passed This Week (As of Thursday at 5 pm)

This week, the House passed 65 bills and has passed a total of 369 bills this session. 
H.B. 76 Firearm Preemption Amendments
H.B. 77 Aviation Liability Insurance Amendments
H.B. 216 Firearms Amendments
H.B. 224 Pollinator Amendments
H.B. 227 Self Defense Amendments
H.B. 237 Lethal Force Amendments
H.B. 246 Ballot Measure Transparency Amendments
H.B. 256 County Land Use and Development Amendments
H.B. 257 Utah State Park Amendments
H.B. 271 Home Child Care Amendments
H.B. 285 Juvenile Recodification
H.B. 286 Juvenile Code Recodification Cross References
H.B. 290 Probation and Parole Amendments
H.B. 301 Domestic Violence Training Amendments
H.B. 308 Covid-19 Vaccine Amendments
H.B. 319 Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act Amendments
H.B. 320 Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Amendments
H.B. 321 Division of Consumer Protection Amendments
H.B. 324 Alimony Amendments
H.B. 326 Performance Reporting and Efficiency Requirements
H.B. 327 Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative
H.B. 332 Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Amendments
H.B. 333 Medicaid Amendments
H.B. 334 Special Needs Training for Law Enforcement Amendments
H.B. 335 Investment Fees Amendments
H.B. 337 Child Mental Health Amendments
H.B. 346 Natural Resources Entities Amendments
H.B. 347 Homeless Services Amendments
H.B. 350 Mental Health Records Confidentiality Amendments
H.B. 352 State Identification Amendments
H.B. 355 Workers' Compensation Revisions
H.B. 356 Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Financing
H.B. 358 Guardianship Amendments
H.B. 359 Dental Billing Amendments
H.B. 360 Telephone Solicitation Amendments
H.B. 369 School Bus Inspection Amendments
H.B. 371 Alcoholic Beverage Control Amendments
H.B. 373 Conviction Reduction Amendments
H.B. 388 State Energy Policy Amendments
H.C.R. 16 Concurrent Resolution Honoring the 125th Anniversary of the First Utah Legislative Session
H.C.R. 17 Concurrent Resolution Recognizing August 31 
H.C.R. 18 Concurrent Resolution Supporting Extension and Expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
H.C.R. 19 Concurrent Resolution Recognizing Farmers Feeding Utah
H.J.R. 6 Joint Rules Resolution - Request for Appropriation
H.J.R. 7 Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Criminal Procedure on Motions
H.J.R. 11 Joint Rules Resolution - Executive Appropriations Committee
H.J.R. 12 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Special Session Appropriations
H.R. 5 House Rules Resolution -- Standing Committee Modifications
H.R. 6 House Rules Resolution -- Chamber Procedure
S.B. 33 Uniform Building Code Commission Amendments
S.B. 76 Controlled Substance Database Access
S.B. 79 Insurance Policy Notification Amendments
S.B. 85 Disinheritance Following Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults
S.B. 99 Child Welfare Amendments
S.B. 110 Tax Commission Appeal Amendments
S.B. 124 Parole Amendments
S.B. 126 Sentencing Commission Requirements
S.B. 133 Severance Tax Revenue Amendments
S.B. 135 Motor Vehicle Insurance Amendment
S.B. 136 Higher Education Scholarships Amendments
S.B. 145 Military Family Education Amendments
S.B. 152 Vehicle Load Penalties Amendments
S.B. 160 State Audit Amendments
S.B. 166 State Holiday Amendments
S.J.R. 10 Joint Resolution Commemorating the New Salt Lake City Airport
 
Learn More About Melissa
Facebook Facebook
Instagram Instagram
Email Email