CHECKING IN AT THE LEGISLATURE:
2025 SESSION WEEK 5

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

With only two weeks left in the session, we have been working hard to vet bills and evaluate their economic and family impacts on Utahns. Requests for appropriations have been completed, and finalizing the budget is our priority over the next few days.

We'll have to wait for the last week of the session to determine which policy changes can be funded. We are combing through proposed policy and law changes with experts and the public to determine a vote on the last few bills still remaining. It’s a fascinating process that requires a lot of input.  

Please reach out to my intern, Katherine, (385) 420-3107 if you will be on Capitol Hill and would like to stop by. I'd love to see you.

Warmest regards,

Melissa

QUICK LINKS

• Listen or participate in meetings here
• Find the hot topics and issues here 
• Learn more about crucial policy areas  
• Updated Budget Estimates  
• Demystifying the Compensation Bill 
• The Quest for Accountability 
• The Budgeting Balance: Revenues, Requests, and Reality 
• Q&A with the LFA: Top 5 Questions Answered 
• Now You See Me: The Illusion of Revenue Timing 

• Join us next Saturday morning (March 1st) for our final legislative update from 8:30-9:30am. Click here to watch live.

IN THIS ISSUE

I'm committed to ensuring transparency and accountability within our government, which is why I've sponsored HB317, Executive Agency Innovation Incentives. This bill changes the government culture from financial “use it or lose it” to incentivizing agency employees to make improvements by identifying inefficiencies and adopting recommendations made in efficiency evaluations. It establishes METRICS demonstrating success in service delivery, cost, or time savings. This bill is in its final stage of being passed into law.

The Office of the Legislative Auditor General is Utah’s government watchdog and plays an important role in maintaining efficiency in our state agencies. HB215, Office of Legislative Auditor General Provisions, aims to enhance our ability to conduct thorough audits and evaluations of state agencies, ensuring they operate efficiently and effectively and use taxpayer dollars wisely. You can check out past audits here. 

As your representative, I take seriously the responsibility of ensuring your tax dollars are used wisely, and Utah’s Constitution requires us to pass a balanced budget. This commitment to fiscal responsibility has made Utah one of the best-managed states in the nation. Click here to learn more about the latest budget estimates.

Utah's fiscally responsible policies and strategic planning have earned us the best economic outlook for 17 consecutive years. Over the past four years, the Legislature has reduced taxes by over $1.3 billion, adding $1.4 billion to education funding, more than $1 billion in water conservation, and expanded energy policy. As we navigate a more normalized fiscal environment, we stay focused on preserving Utah’s long-term prosperity, ensuring that future generations can thrive in an affordable, stable economy.  

There are three more news articles on public safety I would like to share this week.

Last week, I was quoted in a KUTV article expressing frustration with policing in Salt Lake City. The same day, Mayor Erin Mendenhall fired Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown.

Mayor Mendenhall announced on Thursday she would be nominating Brian Redd, our current Director of Corrections, as the new Salt Lake City police chief. I have full confidence in Chief Redd’s ability to improve public safety in Salt Lake!

We passed HB465, Law Enforcement Agency Amendments, which allows the Department of Public Safety to coordinate with cities of the first class (St. George and Salt Lake City) to help mitigate organized crime, drug and sex trafficking rings, and homelessness. This will be a great partnership with our largest cities to collaborate with the Utah Department of Public Safety.

NSL residents Justin Herrin and Jim Haws, Sergeant at Arms; Utah Automobile Dealers and Assoc. leaders in support of HB516: Blake Murdock with Murdock Auto Group, Jason and Craig Bickmore UT Automobile Dealers Association, Chris Hemmersmeier from Jerry Seiner Auto Group, and Frank Pignaneli of Foxley & Pignaneli.

Catalina Reynolds (11 yrs old) and her mom, Diana Haro.  

“My mom and I met with Rep. Ballard to talk about House Bill 420. This bill would regulate bromine and chlorine by reducing emissions of these halogens by 75%. These two specific pollutants currently mix with the winter inversions and make our air quality 10-25% worse.” 

H.B. 339 Law Enforcement Investigation Modifications 

H.J.R. 3 Joint Resolution Regarding State Prisoner Placement in Iron County Correctional Facility 

H.B. 299 Election Code Time Computation Revisions 

S.B. 151 Income Tax Contributions Amendments 

H.B. 142 Service Member and Veteran Amendments 

H.B. 436 Impaired Driving Amendments 

H.B. 92 Private Individual Force and Detention Amendments 

H.B. 136 Alternative Incarceration Program Amendments 

H.B. 183 Noncitizen Restricted Person Amendments 

H.B. 65 Firefighter Cancer Amendments 

H.B. 323 Correctional Drug Enforcement Amendments 

H.B. 353 Criminal Code Amendments 

H.B. 358 Criminal Sexual Conduct Amendments 

H.B. 244 Wildlife Management Area Amendments 

H.B. 308 Driving by Minors Amendments 

H.B. 313 State Construction and Electrical Standards Amendments 

H.B. 215 Office of Legislative Auditor General Provisions 

H.B. 310 Disability Coverage Amendments 

H.B. 347 Social Services Program Amendments 

H.B. 372 Dental Practice Amendments 

H.B. 153 Hunting Amendments 

H.B. 292 Political Signs Amendments 

H.B. 122 Military Affairs Amendments 

H.B. 40 School Safety Amendments 

H.B. 188 Dry Needling Amendments 

H.B. 224 Inmate Reentry, Finances, and Debt Modifications 

H.B. 442 Construction Trades Licensing Amendments 

​​S.B. 50 Limited Purpose Local Government Entities Board of Trustees Compensation Amendments 

S.B. 95 Truth in Taxation Amendments 

S.B. 29 Charter School Amendments 

S.B. 66 School Personnel Amendments 

S.B. 101 Dog Related Liability Amendments 

S.B. 36 Water Quality Board Amendments 

S.B. 96 Advanced Air Mobility Amendments 

S.B. 54 Appearance of Candidate Name on Ballot 

S.B. 37 Minimum Basic Tax Rate Amendments 

S.B. 55 Unauthorized Use of Real Property Amendments 

S.B. 44 Professional Licensure Amendments 

S.B. 43 Income Tax Credit Review Amendments 

H.B. 191 High School Credit Amendments 

H.B. 210 Higher Education Board of Trustees Amendments 

H.B. 447 Statewide Catalyst Campus Model 

H.B. 274 Water Amendments 

H.B. 296 Recovery Residence Services Amendments 

H.B. 400 Blood Transfusion Amendments 

H.J.R. 1 Joint Rules Resolution - Sponsor's Handout 

 H.B. 225 School Zone Speeding Amendments 

H.J.R. 6 Joint Rules Resolution - Legislative Process Amendments 

S.B. 118 Political Party Procedures Amendments 

H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution on State Innovation for Transition from Government Benefits to Self-reliance 

S.B. 145 Technical Senate District Boundary Adjustment 

S.C.R. 2 Concurrent Resolution Encouraging Practices that Promote Child Independence 

S.B. 45 Juvenile Court Procedures Amendments 

S.B. 77 Public Safety Animal Amendments 

S.B. 48 Behavioral Health Amendments 

S.B. 120 Controlled Substances Modifications 

S.B. 76 Marriage Amendments 

S.B. 100 Estate Planning Recodification 

S.C.R. 1 Concurrent Resolution Authorizing Adult Sentencing and Supervision Length Guidelines and Juvenile Disposition Guidelines 

H.B. 334 Guardianships and Supported Decision-Making Agreements Amendments 

H.B. 370 State Holiday Modifications 

H.B. 383 Court Fine Amendments 

H.B. 354 Criminal Justice Revisions