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Checking In At The Legislature: 2023
Legislative Session Week Three

Neighbors and Friends,  

Friday, we had the opportunity to honor our Military and Veterans, including the 2009 Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha and decorated Green Baret John Wayne Walding. Legislators had breakfast with Utah military service men and women. Afterward, I sponsored a legislative citation honoring the following Veterans and founders of The Best Defense Foundation for them in the House and Senate.  

  1. Staff Sgt. Clint Romesha, 2008 Medal of Honor recipient for his leadership in the Battle of Kamdesh. Through his leadership and Air Support, he saved 24 American soldiers under rapid fire from 300 Taliban fighters and led a counterattack. His book “Red Platoon” and the movie “Outpost” directed by Clint Eastwood is the account of his experience.  

  1. Highly decorated Green Beret John Wayne Walding lost his leg in The Battle of Shok Valley in 2009. He tied a tourniquet on his leg, secured it to his hip, and continued in 4 more hours of constant rapid fire without a medic being able to reach him. His rescue helicopter was shot down, and he woke up in a hospital.  

  1. Donny and Kathryn Edwards founded the Best Defense Foundation, taking more than 30 Veterans back to Normandy, where they fought the battle 78 years ago. Their foundation, along with Utah resident Mike Siaperas, has dedicated hundreds of hours helping veterans heal.  

Click here to watch a 4 min video about them.  

Thanks to all of the men and women who fight to protect our freedom. 

 

Melissa 

Upcoming Events:

  • Town Hall Saturday Mornings 8:30-9:30am, click here to watch it and post questions.

  • Week 4 in the legislature is tax week 

Helpful Links:

  • Water ways Podcast can be listened to  here. 
  • For a list of bills that have passed through the Utah House during the 2023 Legislative Session, click here. 

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Water Week 
  • School Safety 
  • Existing firearm laws and firearm bills to watch 
  • Highlighting HB203 Inmate Education Amendments 
  • Neighbors on Capitol Hill 

Water Week  

This week, the legislature celebrated Water Week. My colleagues and I are committed to passing policies that will increase water capacity, expand conservation efforts, prepare for future water needs, and enhance outreach efforts. In addition to significant funding from 2022 in which we appropriated $500 million to water conservation and the Great Salt Lake. We anticipate appropriating an additional $600 million this legislative session. The following bills are top priorities for the House and Senate:   

School Safety 

This week, the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee heard five bills that address the hardening of schools, bullying, truancy, juvenile justice, and threat protocol. Click here to learn more.  

My sponsored bill, HB 136 Safe School Route Evaluations, passed the House this week which requires municipalities to respond to school safe route recommendations from the school traffic committee.  

Firearm laws in Utah and firearm bills to watch 

  • HB0027 Drug Possession Penalty Amendments 
  • HB0086 Firearm Reporting Requirements 
  • HB0089 Gun Safety Amendments 
  • HB0103 Weapon Possession While Under the Influence Amendments 
  • HB0107 Concealed Weapons Permit Fee Amendments 
  • HB0120 Weapon Possession Amendments 
  • HB0148 Firearm Amendments 
  • HB0165 Firearm Discharge on Private Property Amendments 
  • HB0199 Voluntary Firearm Safekeeping Amendments 
  • HB0219 Firearm Regulations 
  • HB0225 Firearm Possession Amendments 
  • HB0226 Sale of a Firearm Amendments 
  • HB0300 Voluntary Firearm Restrictions Amendments 
  • SB0050 Weapon Purchase Amendments 
  • SB0068 Restricted Person Possession Amendments 
  • SB0069 Firearm Identification Amendments 

Click here for existing Utah firearm laws 

HB203 Inmate Education Amendments

My bill, H.B. 203, passed the House this week. This bill expands opportunities for state inmates to have more access to K-16 education, access to post-secondary advisors to help apply for scholarships, PELL grants, and pathways for completion. It also provides tablets for constant access to downloaded books and courses, and it requires the Department of Corrections to help those preparing to leave to apply for jobs in preparation for their release. To listen to first-hand testimony of the importance of education access in corrections click here.
Thanks to NSL Police Chief Black and WX Police Chief Soffe for helping to keep our communities safe! Sheriff Travis Tucker Duchesne County and Sheriff Blaine Breshears Morgan County

Neighbors on Capitol Hill 

  • WX and Bountiful High students McCoy Diaz, Ana Taulanga, and Holland Staker 
  • LeAnn Haws, House of Rep Page from Bountiful 
  • Erin Minhondo, WX resident and visitor to the House 
Learn More About Melissa
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PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT
MELISSA GARFF BALLARD






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