Week 3 (of 7) Newsletter for 2022 General Session

WEEK 3 (of 7) General Session Review

Utah House of Representatives sent this bulletin at 02/09/2022 01:53 PM MST

LEGISLATIVE NEWSLETTER

DISTRICT 43

Representative Cheryl Acton

WEEK 3 (of 7) General Session Review

I had a couple of late nights during Week 3 in Chair meetings for Executive Offices & Criminal Justice Approps. Our committee appropriates over a billion dollars annually to many of the core functions of government, including Public Safety, Corrections, the Governor's Office, and the Courts. It's important to get it right. (Our #1 priority was increasing pay for certified officers at Adult Probation & Parole and Corrections to help them recruit and retain staff. Officers have been working mandatory overtime for years now!)

I also presented three RFAs (Requests for Appropriations) in three different committees: one to pay for court-admissible tests for victims of domestic violence, one to complete the Big Bend Project on the Jordan River, and a smaller one to send 50 Utah teachers to the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge to participate in civics and history workshops. RFAs are not guaranteed to receive the funds. It all depends on available revenue and other legislators' priorities.

During Week 3, I spoke to the League of Women Voters, to participants in the Leadership Academy for Chamber West, and to precinct chairs and elected officials at the Salt Lake County Central Committee Meeting on Saturday morning. Whew!

There is so much happening on the Hill! Thank you for following along with me. Thank you for your interest and engagement.

Cheryl

This Session:

Fallen Officers

Each year we invite the family members of fallen police officers and firefighters to honor their sacrifices. It is always the most emotional day on the floor. We all owe a tremendous debt to our heroes and their families.

Black History Month

February is Black History month when we take time to learn and reflect on the history of Black Americans and their remarkable contributions to our country and our communities. And I think it’s a great reminder for all Utahns to take time to appreciate the cultural differences between those who call Utah home and those who come from across the world to visit our great state.

Federal Funds

The Federal Government spent over $5 trillion in stimulus money in 2020 and 2021! The excess of revenue in our state budget this year is a direct result of federal spending. Additionally, these funds increase inflation and tax revenue. Watch this short video to learn more.

Clean Air Caucus

The Utah Legislature’s bipartisan Clean Air Caucus held a press conference this week to discuss upcoming legislation and appropriation requests. Utah faces unique challenges with air quality including health concerns associated with air pollution and the impact it has on our economic development. Click here to learn more.

Water Projects and ARPA Funds

With an ever-increasing demand on a diminishing water supply, action to conserve, optimize, & preserve our water is more critical than ever. For the past year, a working group of water experts and policymakers has been meeting to determine how best to use the state’s federal ARPA funds to address our water needs.

This week, the group presented how they recommend the funds be used, including:

Secondary water metering
Drinking water infrastructure
Ag water optimization
Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake preservation

Polling Data for 2022 Legislative Session

Earlier this year, Speaker Brad Wilson contracted with Dan Jones and Associates to gather data on current issues and potential legislation. A statistically significant group of Utahns from across the state with varying ages, genders, political leanings and backgrounds were polled. This information provides us a clearer insight into the public sentiment on some big issues and will allow us to better represent our constituents and the people of Utah. Click here to view the results.

Podcast

Check out this week’s podcast about HB 23, First Responder Mental Health Services Amendments, with Representative Wilcox as we discuss the ever-increasing need to provide first responders with mental health resources. Listen today on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Civics Education RFA

I escorted board members of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge on a tour of the legislative areas of the Capitol. (Please let me know if you are ever at the Capitol. I'd love to have you sit with me on the floor.)

HB 29

William Carlson of the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office presented a bill with me in the House Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Committee. HB29 Driving Offenses Amendments passed the committee unanimously and received every available vote in the House as well. On to the Senate next!

Arts and Culture

This week, the Utah Cultural Alliance held a press conference with the Legislature to recognize the economic impact of the arts in our state. In 2020, Utah’s cultural industry generated $17.8 billion in total sales and supported an estimated 108,560 jobs. The Legislature is committed to investing in the arts and culture where Utahns can gather statewide to make memories and experience the magic of the industry.

Period Products

During Week 3 we passed "the Period Products Bill," which installs period product dispensers in every school thanks to a private donation. Studies show girls are often absent from school because they do not have the supplies they need. After floor time, the women of the House gathered on the steps for a photo.

Some great bills I voted on this week:

HB15 CHILD CARE AMENDMENTS - Expands available childcare slots for better availability and affordability.

HB32 HEALTH CARE WORKER AMENDMENTS - Increases the penalties for assaulting a health care worker performing his/her duties.

HB116 MEDICAL BILLING AMENDMENTS - Requires medical providers to send out a bill within 120 days of a person's last date of service.

HB134 VICTIMS RIGHTS REVISIONS - Requires prosecutors to notify victims when a plea bargain is being considered or an alleged perpetrator is being released from custody.

HB155 VETERANS ACCESS TO STATE PARKS - Allows free day use of all state parks for veterans with any degree of VA-approved disability.