General Session Week 1 (of 7)
UPDATE FROM CAPITOL HILL
Representative Cheryl Acton
District 38
General Session of the 65th Legislature
With the 2023 general legislative session officially underway, it's been a busy and productive week full of legislation and debates. Over the next six weeks, my colleagues and I will continue working on ways to help the people of the great state of Utah. You can follow the process online by tracking bills, listening to and commenting on committee meetings, viewing agendas, etc. here on the legislative website.
Let me know what YOU think!
This Legislative session is full of big topics for Utah this year! Let me know what you care about by filling out this survey. You may also let me know by email or text.
Upcoming Town Halls & Capitol Tour
Town Hall #2 at Bingham Creek Library on Sat. 2/4/23 (1-2pm)
Behind-the-Scenes Capitol Tour (All ages welcome!) Mon. 2/13/23 (6:30-8pm) [Meet inside the east entrance to the Capitol building.]
Town Hall #3 at Bingham Creek Library on Sat. 2/25/23 (11-Noon)
2023 Legislative Priorities
The House Majority Caucus has identified three general categories to focus on this year:
Stewardship: Safeguarding our natural resources
Affordability: Keeping Utah affordable
Investment: Laying the foundation for our future
You can learn more about each of these legislative priorities and what they mean for Utah here.
State of the State
On Thursday evening, I enjoyed hearing Governor Spencer Cox's inspiring State of the State address, which focused on policies to help families and the next generation of Utahns. I look forward to working with him and my legislative colleagues to ensure that Utah continues to prosper for our children and grandchildren.
The Bills I'm Working On
One of my bills for this session (HB133) passed unanimously through committee yesterday and will soon be heard on the floor before moving on to the Senate. It's a patients' rights bill, ensuring that patients at health care facilities in Utah will be allowed to have visitors, who are often a very important part of the healing process.
Coming to committee soon I have a bill (HB60) to automatically expunge nonviolent, nonajudicated juvenile records in an effort to remove obstacles to education, housing, and other pursuits. [Expunged records are still accessible to a very limited number of public safety agencies on a need-to-know basis, but are not shared publicly.]
Another bill (to be numbered soon) will prohibit the creation or use of a Social Credit Score by any governmental entity in Utah. Social Credit Scores are used in China to control public behavior, but it's UnAmerican to attach an alpha-numeric score to a human being's personal choices and behaviors.
Yesterday I prioritized a bill to require notice by email one week in advance when an online subscription is set to renew (if the subscription is not a regular monthly expense.) The notice must include clear instructions on how to cancel the subscription.
These and a few other bills will keep me busy over the next six weeks, but please continue to let me know your thoughts on legislation. PLEASE NOTE: I do read the emails and texts I receive almost immediately after they come in, but I do not always have time to respond to them as quickly. I like to respond personally, whenever possible. My intern, Calvin, and I flag all constituent emails for future response.
[Representatice Acton listening to debate on bill HB215, Funding for Teacher Salaries and Optional Education Opportunities]
Constituent Dale Brady recognized for driving 4 million miles for UTA without an accident!
I attended Friday's House Transportation Committee meeting, where Utah House District 38 resident Dale Brady was honored for driving a UTA bus for four million miles without an accident. That's truly a record and an accomplishment unmatched by anyone in the known universe!
Twelve years ago, when Dale reached the three-million-mile mark, I wrote a newspaper story about him, and I still remember the wisdom he shared, which I use even today as a driver and a legislator. He said the way he has avoided accidents for the past 47 years, despite pulling in and out of traffic all day in a UTA bus, is by looking down the road and around the corners. It's all about situational awareness.
Thank you so much for your safety conscious service, Dale! And huge congratulations!
[Pictured: Me, Cheryl and Dale Brady, and Jay Fox, Executive Director of the Utah Transit Authority. Friday 1/20/23, Capitol Building]
Meet the Intern
Hello! My name is Calvin and I'm here as Representative Acton's intern for this legislative session. I'm excited to be working at the capitol building these next few weeks and hope that I'll be able to help your representative address your concerns and keep in contact with all of you! If you need to speak or meet with Representative Acton, you can contact me at (385) 420-3102 or at cmaughan@le.utah.gov.
Congressional Delegation Visits
In caucus meeting on Thursday, we heard reports from two of Utah's D.C. representatives, John Curtis and Chris Stewart, who answered questions and gave us their views on national issues.
Economic Outlook & Housing Affordability
Our latest podcast episodes dive deep into housing affordability and Utah’s 2023 economic outlook. Listen as Rep. Stephen Whyte discusses housing affordability and Rep. Robert Spendlove explains where current economic indicators are pointing and what Utahns might be able to expect over the coming year. Click here to listen.
Bills Passed By The House This Week
H.B. 12 Department of Commerce Electronic Payment Fees
H.B. 13 Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Amendments
H.B. 14 Insurance Commissioner Authority Sunset Amendments
H.B. 15 Board of Credit Union Advisors Sunset Amendments
H.B. 17 Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission Sunset Extension
H.B. 20 Collection Agency Amendments
H.B. 22 Local District Amendments
H.B. 24 Prescription Discount Program Amendments
H.B. 28 Arson Amendments
H.B. 34 Boards and Commissions Amendments
H.B. 36 Long Term Care Ombudsman Amendments
H.B. 43 Domestic Violence Modifications
H.B. 44 Transportation Corridor Funding Amendments
H.B. 45 Domesticated Elk Program Amendments
H.B. 46 Criminal Code Recodification and Cross References
H.B. 47 Criminal Code Evaluation Task Force Sunset Extension
H.B. 48 Early Childhood Amendments
H.B. 49 Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Advisory Council Amendments
H.B. 53 Protective Order Amendments
H.B. 55 Off-highway Vehicle Registration Requirements
H.B. 58 Tax Modifications
H.B. 65 Division of Technology Services Amendments
H.B. 67 Title 71a - Veterans and Military Affairs
H.B. 72 Medical Cannabis Governance Revisions
H.B. 74 Utah Marriage Commission Amendments
H.B. 75 State Commemorative Periods Amendments
H.B. 77 Local District Revisions
H.B. 99 Sex Offender Restrictions Amendments
H.B. 215 Funding for Teacher Salaries and Optional Education Opportunities
I would love to hear from you!
(801)-809-3571
cacton@le.utah.gov