September 2026 with Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard

CHECKING IN AT THE LEGISLATURE
September 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As fall settles in and we get closer to the next General session, Utah has been hard at work delivering wins for families, I want to tell you all about it.

Warm regards,
Melissa 

QUICK LINKS
IN THIS ISSUE
1. Host a Yard Sign
2. Inmate Re-entry Reform and Opportunities
3. Record Job Growth in Utah
4. Interim Session Highlights
6. In the Community
Host a Yard Sign
You will see my yard signs pop up around our district over the next few months. If you'd like to host a yard sign in your neighborhood, you can text or call me directly at (801) 633-6561.

You will also see me on your general election ballot. If you have not yet registered to vote, or if you'd like to check your voter registration, you can do so at vote.utah.gov. Mail-in ballots will be sent on October 13th, and Election Day is November 3rd.
Inmate Re-entry Reform and Opportunities
After years of reforming re-entry opportunities for incarcerated individuals, this webinar highlights the many efforts for postsecondary educational pathways we have created in Utah. As the Chair of Utah’s Higher Education and Corrections Council, I have helped direct our council to align education, future careers, financial literacy, housing stability, personal skills, rehabilitation, and job offers. Watch the webinar below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/19ab2N9xJe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Record Job Growth in Utah

The latest jobs report provides more evidence of Utah’s stable economy. During the past year, Utah's job count grew by an estimated 1.2%, with the state’s economy adding 20,600 new jobs. The state’s unemployment rate is estimated at 3.5%, down a tenth

 of a percentage point from its level in July. The August national unemployment rate is estimated at 4.1%, unchanged from July. Listen to Chief Economist

Hear Ben Crabb’s analysis of the August 2026 employment report here:
soundcloud.com/utahdws/utah-employment-report-August-2026. 

Interim Session Highlights

The Legislature's interim work has continued since the General Session ended in March. The purpose of our interim meetings is to dive deep into the state's top issues so we can properly legislate them during the session. These meetings are open to the public and live-streamed, so you can be a part of the process if you choose. I am a part of the Business & Labor, and Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice interim committees. Here are some of the things we've been discussing this month:


Business & Labor

  • Artificial Intelligence Policy Act

    • We reviewed Utah's Artificial Intelligence Policy Act and considered whether it should be renewed, allowed to expire, or have its repeal date removed. The committee recommended renewing the act with a sunset date of July 1, 2037.

  • Workers' Compensation Advisory Council

    • We reviewed the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council and the Coal Miner Certification Panel as part of the Legislature's review of state boards and commissions and considered whether either should be repealed.

  • Employment Non-Competition Clauses

    • We continued our discussion of post-employment non-compete clauses, including how other states regulate them, recent legislation limiting or prohibiting them, and other protections for employees. We also reviewed potential options for changes to Utah's existing regulations.

Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice

  • Salt Lake City Police Department Audit

    • We received a presentation on a performance audit of the Salt Lake City Police Department and heard the department's response, with a focus on its strategic plan to improve public safety.

  • Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office Audit

    • We received a presentation on a performance audit of the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, focusing on the management of criminal caseloads, and heard the office's response.

  • Salt Lake County Jail Audit

    • We reviewed a performance audit of the Salt Lake County Jail concerning jail capacity and overcrowding releases and heard a response from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

  • Repeat Criminal Offenders

    • We received a review of Salt Lake County's criminal justice system focused on repeat criminal offenders and heard a response from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.

  • Automatic License Plate Readers

    • We received presentations on automatic license plate readers, including their legislative history, how law enforcement agencies use and audit them, examples of their use in solving crimes, and privacy oversight.

You can view the interim achievements for every committee here.
In the Community

I attended the 2026 Republican National Convention in Dallas. It was a great opportunity to see how Utah’s priorities align with national interests and to build bridges between the state and federal governments.

So grateful to be joined by my District 20 neighbors at the Capitol. Earning their support is a blessing, and I’m proud to represent them in the Legislature.

I spent time this month with the teachers and students of Foxboro Elementary. I am grateful for the work they do to keep our communities great and prepare our children for the future. Thank you, Foxboro!
Melissa Garff Ballard has served as Representative for Utah House District 20 since 2019. She has served as Chair of Higher Education Appropriations, Founding Chair of the Higher Education and Corrections Council, Chair of Education and Mental Health Council, and Chair of the Utah Marriage Commission. She resides in North Salt Lake. Learn More
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