Checking in at the Legislature: 2025 Session Week 3

CHECKING IN AT THE LEGISLATURE:
2025 SESSION WEEK 3

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It was a busy week in the legislature, and I'm excited to give you an update! I was proud to be joined by the Best Defense Foundation CEO Donnie Edwards and Lieutenant Colonel Nikki Pino for an RFA proposal. This program will continue to provide essential services to Utah veterans and their families, working to "take care of those who have taken care of us."

This week, we also saw issues like fluoridated water, bills on government efficiency, and solutions to the opioid and fentanyl crisis in our state. We are working hard to make Utah an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Thank you to our veterans, and have a great Super Bowl weekend!

Warmest regards,

Melissa

QUICK LINKS
UPCOMING EVENTS
  • Legislative Updates every Saturday morning during the Session, from 8:30-9:30am. Click here to watch live.

IN THIS ISSUE

1. My Vote on HB81
2. Veteran Rehabilitation and Wellness RFA with the Best Defense Foundation
3. HB317: Executive Agency Innovation Incentives
4. HB49 2nd Sub: Juror Eligibility Amendments
5. HCR5: House Concurrent Resolution on Permitting Reform
6. Legislation Addressing Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis
7. Friends on the Hill
8. Bills Passed by the House this Week
My Vote on HB81
We voted on HB81 in the House today. Here's why I did NOT vote for it, but it passed the Hosue and will be in the Senate next week:

There were two votes on the Davis County ballot, and both times, the majority of citizens and Davis County wanted fluoride in the water. But it was a close vote both times. 

In 2000, 52% were for fluoridating our public water and 48% against it.

In 2004, 51% for it and 49% against it.

1) This is a county voter issue. Only Davis County and SL County have fluoridated water. 2) All three Davis County Commissioners plan to put this issue on the ballot in 2025 for Davis County residents to decide. 

Woods Cross has a functionally separate culinary water system, and its people voted not to have fluoride added to the water, so they have never had it added.

Next week, this bill will be in the hands of the Senate for a committee vote and for the Senate chamber vote.
Veteran Rehabilitation and Wellness RFA with the Best Defense Foundation
There’s nothing more American than Veterans, the American flag, and the Superbowl! All three came together this week for an RFA presentation I gave in Economic Development Appropriations on Wednesday. The Best Defense Foundation brings combat Veterans and their spouses to Bruin Point near Price, UT to foster their mental and emotional well-being. They bring veteran Medal of Honor recipients, veteran mentors, and NFL greats to "take care of those who have taken care of us". Their 40x80ft flag is flown at the highest point in the entire country!
HB317: Executive Agency Innovation Incentives
On Tuesday, I presented and passed HB317 in the House Government Operations Committee. 

This bill provides clear metrics for demonstrating service delivery, cost, and time savings for government agencies. It allows them to propose reallocating these savings to employees or recognizing staff efforts to drive improvements. 

I’ve worked on several government efficiency bills during my time representing House District 20. Here's a sample of some of these bills: 
With Utah Legislative Auditor General, Kade Minchey 
HB49 2nd Sub: Juror Eligibility Amendments
This bill allows individuals previously convicted of a felony to serve on a jury if their felony has been expunged or reduced to a misdemeanor. Expanding juror eligibility creates more diverse, representative jury pools, contributing to more fair trial outcomes. Additionally, it incentivizes individuals to pursue expungement and rehabilitation, fostering positive societal engagement.

Utah has already restored the rights of former convicts in two other areas: once released, they are given back their right to vote, and 10 years after release, they are eligible to run for public office.
HCR5: House Concurrent Resolution on Permitting Reform 
This resolution urges Congress to streamline federal permitting processes on essential infrastructure projects in Utah. We are currently experiencing significant project delays due to an inefficient and inflexible permitting process, effectively preventing us from building cleaner and more efficient energy systems in our state. 

For example, The TransWest Express transmission project took 15 years to receive its permits. Although new mines in Canada or Australia are approved within 2-3 years, the same permit can take up to 10 years to be approved in the United States. We need to accelerate energy infrastructure projects while maintaining environmental protections.

Sending this resolution directly to Congress from the Utah Legislature is an important message for Utah's energy independence and managing our own lands. 

Click here to learn more. 
Legislation Addressing Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis
HB199 addresses Utah’s opioid crisis by banning supervised consumption sites, enhancing recovery-focused harm reduction, and supporting Mobile MAT clinics to reach underserved areas. It empowers first responders with treatment resources and updates nuisance laws to combat drug-related crime, promoting safety and public health. Click here to learn more about how this program will be implemented, or watch the committee hearing here. 
Friends on the Hill
(Left to right, top to bottom) Brian McKenzie, Davis County Clerk,  Brandy Grace, Utah Association of Counties (UAC), and Curtis Koch, Davis County Clerk/ Auditor; Erich Nygaard, constituent of NSL (advocating for dust mitigation at the GSL); Willie, who has worked in the Capitol bill room for 30+ years; Aaron Jones, Special Agent for the Utah Attorney General and a NSL resident; Tina Cannon, Utah State Auditor; Pat Jones CEO of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. 
Bills Passed by the House this Week

H.B. 150 Emergency Communications Modifications

H.B. 105 Criminal Code Modifications

H.B. 157 Energy Education Amendments

H.B. 252 State Custody Amendments

H.B. 127 Sexual Crime Amendments

H.B. 133 Dangerous Weapons Amendments

H.B. 167 Offender Reintegration Amendments

H.B. 49 Juror Eligibility Amendments

H.B. 197 Criminal Conduct Amendments

H.B. 41 State Water Policy Amendments

H.B. 265 Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment

H.B. 46 Water Rights Applications Amendments

H.B. 47 Public Lands Watering Rights Amendments

H.B. 54 Hemp Amendments

H.B. 85 Environmental Permitting Modifications

H.B. 53 Litter Cleanup Amendments

H.B. 80 Disorderly Conduct Amendments

H.B. 161 School Bus Route Amendments

H.B. 164 Vehicle Accident Liability Amendments

H.J.R. 2 Joint Rules Resolution - Fiscal Note Process

H.B. 112 Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Modifications

S.B. 12 Board of Tourism Development Amendments

S.B. 46 Youth Electronic Cigarette, Marijuana, and Other Drug Prevention Program Sunset Extension

S.B. 30 Forest Fire Resources Compact Amendments

S.B. 19 Utah Retirement Systems Amendments for Military Personnel

S.B. 53 Election Code Amendments

S.B. 23 First Home Investment Zone Amendments

S.B. 42 Consumer Protection Amendments

S.B. 33 Water Rights Recording Amendments

H.B. 223 State Grant Requirements

H.B. 235 County Auditor Modifications

H.B. 249 Nuclear Power Amendments

H.B. 120 Time Change Amendments

H.B. 208 Urban Farming Assessment Modifications

H.B. 141 Adoption Modifications

H.B. 159 Protection Order Amendments

S.B. 14 Private Sale of a Firearm Sunset Review Amendments

S.B. 41 Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry Amendments

H.B. 345 State Park Road Amendments

S.B. 34 Mineral Surety Study

S.B. 59 Commercial Driver License Revisions

H.B. 99 Residential Mortgage Loan Amendments

H.B. 114 Architects Licensing Act Amendments

H.B. 98 Landowner Liability Amendments

H.B. 134 Food Cart Amendments

H.B. 230 Blockchain and Digital Innovation Amendments

H.C.R. 5 House Concurrent Resolution on Permitting Reform

H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Urging Changes to Federal Homelessness Regulations

H.B. 42 English Learner Amendments

H.B. 209 Homeschool Amendments

H.B. 228 Public Education Immunization Amendments

H.B. 260 First Credential Program

H.B. 93 Rehabilitation Services Modifications

H.B. 152 Health Care Facilities Amendments

H.B. 253 Agriculture and Food Amendments

H.B. 24 Limitations on Liability Amendments

H.B. 117 Sexual Abuse Statutes of Limitation Amendments

H.B. 196 Vehicle Traction Amendments
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Paid for by the Committee to Elect Melissa Garff Ballard

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