Checking In At The Legislature:
2022 Legislative Session Week 5

Friends and Neighbors,

This past week Legislators had the opportunity to go on a helicopter tour around the Great Salt Lake. Our community is fortunate to live next door to this beautiful lake. We were surveying the continued decline of the lake over the past few decades. Ongoing drought and increased usage of the lake's water supply have contributed to its decline. The Utah Legislature is taking a hard look at this problem, and we are providing proactive solutions. HB410- Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement is a bill being run by Speaker Wilson that creates a program to conserve and restore upstream habitats that are key to protecting the Great Salt Lake's health. Read more about the bill here. 

I am happy to report that there have been multiple water conservation bills this session. These are aimed at the continued threat of drought and water usage. If you have any questions or concerns about legislation being worked on, please reach out to me.

- Melissa

Helpful Links:

• You can watch committee meetings and floor time live at le.utah.gov
• Link to the bills passed as of February 18^th https://le.utah.gov/asp/passedbills/passedbills.asp?session=2021GS
• 2022 Revenue Numbers for the state fiscal year 2022-23. https://house.utah.gov/press-release-governors-office-and-legislature-release-updated-budget-estimates/
• The Legislature is working hard to minimize the impacts of inflation and ensure the excess in revenue is carefully spent. Watch this short video to learn more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMhrp7uOlOw

In this issue

• Sponsoring an updated history of women in the legislature
• Beyond Zero Clean Air Award
• Honoring state troopers

Funding Request for a History of Women in the Utah Legislature

Efforts by former Bountiful legislator Sheryl Allen and the Aileen Clyde Foundation have led to a legislative request for $40,000. The request will hire graduate students from the University of Utah Department of History to write the history of Utah women legislators from 1994-present. Printed copies of the book will be sold and distributed free of charge to Utah libraries, schools, museums, and available for individual purchase. Read more on the appropriation here https://le.utah.gov/interim/2022/pdf/00000794.pdf 

Beyond Zero Clean Air Award

I was honored to be awarded the Beyond Zero Clean Air “Advanced Fuel Legislator of the Year” by Utah Clean Cities. 1HB311-Clean Air Heavy Equipment Tax Credit and HCR7- Concurrent Resolution Regarding Improving Air Quality Through Enhanced Zero Emission Rail are my efforts this legislative session to improve our air quality. For three years, I have worked hard to bring hydrogen producers, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers together to prepare for Utah to be a hydrogen hub for the country. I am a cosponsor of 2HB244, allowing for Carbon Capture to be stored 10,000 feet underground. This allows our coal industry to produce hydrogen from coal and bury the carbon.

Thank you, State Troopers