CHECKING IN AT THE LEGISLATURE:
SUMMER 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you all have had a great summer!

Over the last few months, there have been multiple SCOTUS and Utah Supreme Court decisions made that directly affect Utah laws, with more rulings regarding abortion and Title IX still pending. All of these are crucial to how the legislature will respond in the next few weeks and months. I’ll keep you updated. 

My condolences go out to the family of Bountiful City Councilman Jesse Bell, who passed away August 13th from an aggressive brain cancer. The city of Bountiful is grateful for his life of dedication to our community. You can read about his life and see information on funeral services here.

I would like to thank you once again for your unwavering support and trust. It is truly an honor to serve you in the legislature, and I am committed to working hard for our community.

Warmest regards,

Melissa

QUICK LINKS

• 2024 General Legislative Session Brochure
• May Legislative Interim Highlights
• June Legislative Interim Highlights

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Photo snapshot: Summer events highlighting my bills from the 2024 General Session and Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024!
2. Utah updates by the numbers
3. Highlighted news articles on the challenges and successes in Utah

UTAH UPDATES

I am excited to share some updates with you about our great state.

• The Office of the Legislative Auditor General released its audit on the property tax system in Utah. The audit’s policy recommendations included:
  • Consider allowing the Property Tax division to adopt multi-tiered enforcement mechanisms. 
  • Consider the benefits and risks of adopting a policy that would require the disclosure of property sales data.
  • Consider requiring counties to provide clear information to taxpayers about the property tax appeal process.

• For the 17th consecutive year, the American Legislative Exchange Council ranked Utah No. 1 for best economic outlook, according to the ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index.

• Utahns have created 324,821 small businesses that employ 45% of the state’s workforce. WalletHub recently found that 10 of the 30 best small cities to start a business are located right here in Utah.

• Utah landed the No. 2 spot for best economy in the nation, according to a study by WalletHub.

• Utah’s all-of-the-above energy policies help keep electricity rates low. How low? Utahns pay the lowest electricity bills in the nation.

• Last year, Utah’s graduation rates continued their ascent above the national average while our students tested No. 1 for college readiness among comparable states. Here’s how the Utah Legislature has buoyed public education in Utah:
  • Increased per-student spending by $211.7 million from 2023-24 – a 5% jump
  • Expanded educational choice by awarding 10,000 Utah Fits All Scholarships to Utah kids
  • Prohibited schools from charging curricular school fees for required classes
  • Improved educational transparency
  • Invested $74 million to increase paid prep time for educators
  • Significantly increased teacher compensation to retain our best educators
  • Increased classroom supply fund by up to $500 so educators don’t pay out of pocket
  • Created paid stipends for student teachers
  • Increased penalties for school hoax threats
  • Took unprecedented steps to improve physical security and student and teacher safety

• This past session, the Utah Legislature created the Office of AI Policy to help state leaders learn, discover, react, and create effective frameworks and policies for Utah. This lab spurs innovation while working to protect our data privacy. You can learn more here. 

IN THE NEWS

St. George News: Cedar City Regional Airport begins $5.2M expansion to enhance traveler experience

Deseret News: Utah to finally get its own passport office

KSL: Utah is aging, but new Census Bureau data shows benefits in its youth

:Economy

Daily Herald: Utah tops ALEC’s list of states with the best economic outlook, again

Deseret News: Opinion: Utah’s economic success is no accident

KSL NewsRadio: Several small Utah cities named best in country for starting businesses

KUTV: Utah is state with 2nd best economy, coming in behind Washington

:Education

Washington Examiner: Utah defies Biden’s Title IX rules: ‘We have a state law that will be enforced’

Deseret News: Utah Fits All Scholarship applications are closed. How many applied?

Fox News: Utah legislature doubles funding for school choice program after 'overwhelming number of applications'

KUTV: Utah County teachers finish academy made to help educate, prepare for school shooting

Daily Herald: Legislature passes bill to prevent local school boards from initiating school redistricting

Brad Mortensen op-ed: Weber State is embracing change in our approach to serving students. As its leader, I welcome scrutiny.

Higher Ed Dive: Federal judge blocks final Title IX rule in four more states

:Sports

USA Today: Winter Olympics are officially heading back to Salt Lake City in 2034. Everything to know.

Deseret News: Utah’s ‘Olympic blossoming’ since 2002 Winter Games on display for IOC

ABC 4: PGA TOUR to return to Utah after 60 years, coming to Black Desert Resort

KSL NewsRadio: Utah leaders present plans to the IOC in hopes to host the 2034 Olympics

Deseret News: Here's how big of a boost Utah's economy would get from hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics 

:Transportation

KSLTV: UDOT installing high-visibility lane striping along Wasatch Front highways

:Immigration and the Border

Deseret News: The border crisis reaches Utah schools, says Rep. Burgess Owens

Fox 13: Utah legislature's organized crime subcommittee talks border security, retail theft and gangs

KSL: US immigration officials seek info on possible detention center for Utah

:Technology

CNN: New Utah lawsuit claims TikTok Live feature puts children at risk

KUER: Utah’s new Office of Artificial Intelligence will first focus on mental health care and AI 

KUER: Utah’s social media laws pick up a partial court win

:Public Safety

KUER: Hoping for ‘tangible results’ on recidivism, Utah is casting a wide net for solutions

Fox 13: Agents on pace to set record this year for amount of fentanyl seized in Utah

KSL TV: As Utah political threats rise, security measures becoming tighter, says DPS

Fox 13: Fentanyl seized in Utah in 2024 already surpasses mark set last year

:Politics

Utah News Dispatch: Utah Republicans celebrate toppling of federal agencies’ rulemaking power

:Energy

Fox 13: Rocky Mountain Power faces the wrath of Utah's Capitol Hill over rate hike

KSL: Utah commission approves Enbridge plan to cut natural gas rate by nearly 30%

:Environment

Utah News Dispatch: Utah’s reservoirs and streams in ‘impressive’ shape, state says

Utah News Dispatch: Utah leaders gearing up to fight new BLM conservation rule in the courts and Congress

KSL TV: New water treatment plant will improve water heading for Utah Lake

Fox 13: Israeli agriculture experts collaborate with Utahns on water-saving practices

Fox 13: Utah looks to ink deals with Israel for water-saving technologies

Fox 13: After years of killing invasive species, native plants finally return to Utah Lake

KSLTV: Utah delegation studies future geothermal potential in Iceland

KUTV: Utah's new helicopter bolsters firefighting efforts ahead of 2024 fire season

Utah News Dispatch: Not all mineral companies on Great Salt Lake pay their fair share, audit finds

KSL NewsRadio: Nearly half of Utah reservoirs are 100% full

Fox 13: Fire restrictions to go into place for Salt Lake Co., 8 others in Utah

Herald Journal: Northern Utah rangeland finds new purpose as nursery for wild bighorn sheep

KUER: Rather than mooove beef, a new cattle processor in Sevier County can keep it local

Deseret News: Energy and public lands issues taken up in the special session

Standard-Examiner: Antelope Island State Park breaks ground on new visitor and learning center expansion 

Utah News Dispatch: Great Salt Lake commissioner report details ‘busy and fruitful’ year

Deseret News: Foreign countries are buying up Utah land. New state legislation aims to tackle the conundrum. 

KSL TV: New remote avalanche control systems to be installed in Little Cottonwood Canyon

KSL NewsRadio: “Planting parties” at Utah Lake working to rid the lake of invasive phragmites

KUTV: Utah faces more critical fire conditions, smokey air as dry, hot weather continues