We went into the 2024 General Session with the goal of echoing our pioneer ancestors’ thoughtful planning in everything we did. Their forward-thinking changed this once arid land into the fertile landscape we know and love today, which is why we implemented a Utahns-first approach with water, energy, housing, criminal justice reform and tax cuts. These fundamental components will lay the groundwork for future generations to live, work and thrive in this great state.

Interim meetings will begin in May. This is when legislators come to the Capitol once a month to discuss future legislation and receive reports on previously passed legislation. I always welcome your feedback throughout the year. You can reach me by email at ssandall@le.utah.gov. I will continue sending monthly newsletters to inform you of our work, recommencing after our May interim session.

Budget OverviewA balanced budget ensures the state government allocates resources efficiently and sustains essential public services without burdening taxpayers. By practicing good financial stewardship, Utah can foster economic growth and resilience while safeguarding long-term success for the state. It has made us the best state for economic outlook for the past 16 years. This year, the Legislature passed a balanced budget and appropriated the $29.4 billion while making strategic generational investments across critical areas such as education, social services, infrastructure, economic development, energy and water.

Here are a few of the budget highlights from the session:

• $29.4 billion fiscal year 2025 budget

• $2.7 billion in new investments, including $1.2 billion investment in new infrastructure, $832 million for public education, $188 million for higher education, $113 million for law enforcement, $300 million for affordable housing, $60 million for homelessness and services, and $170 million per year in ongoing income tax

Tax CutsOver the past four years, the Utah Legislature has reduced taxes by more than 1.3 billion. To continue Utah’s commitment to lowering taxes and cultivating a family and business-friendly environment, the Legislature provided $170 million in tax relief during the 2024 General Session. An income tax cut helps Utah remain competitive and makes the state an even more desirable place to live, increasing incentives to work, save, invest and spend money.

EducationUtah students’ success is critical to the state’s future success. Legislation this year focused on helping attract and maintain qualified teachers who can provide quality education to students. We made significant progress toward creating better teacher retention and ensuring our kids have access to the necessary tools and resources to thrive.

Public education accounted for $8.43 billion of the budget, including $832 million in new funding. We also increased the WPU by 5%. Funding education has been and will continue to be a top priority for the Utah Legislature.

Affordable HousingA lack of affordable housing threatens the sustainability of Utah’s middle class. To continue jump-starting more homeownership in the state, we built on the first-time homebuyer assistance program to help more families purchase their first home and encouraged developers to build more affordable units.

Water ConservationHaving a reliable supply of fresh water is vital to maintaining our high quality of life in Utah. Just as the pioneers before us did, we must dedicate resources toward preserving natural treasures such as the Great Salt Lake, which is vital to our state’s ecosystem. This session, we’ve made further strides in investing in water conservation and infrastructure, securing a more sustainable future for us all.

EnergyThis session, we’ve made strides toward energy independence. Utah’s all-of-the-above approach to energy has provided reliable, affordable and sustainable power for decades. Ensuring the state has a long-term strategic energy plan will foster economic growth and build a more competitive energy market to keep lower energy costs for Utahns, protect ratepayers and create a sustainable, safer power grid.

Infrastructure & TransportationAs our state continues to expand, it is important that our transportation infrastructure reflects that growth. We are actively working to improve our public transportation system while simultaneously seeking innovative solutions to reduce traffic congestion. This year, we’ve invested $1.2 billion in new infrastructure, including expanding transit throughout the state and making essential investments in development.

School SafetyNothing is more important than the safety of our children. School safety policies are paramount in ensuring the well-being of students, educators and staff, providing a conducive environment for learning and development. By enacting comprehensive safety measures this session, including implementing emergency communication systems and penalties for school threats, we can ensure our schools remain safe and secure.

TechnologyWhile technological advancements provide opportunities to improve our lives, they also provide challenges. The Legislature has made efforts to protect consumers from certain technology advancements.

Other Significant LegislationS.B. 57 Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act defends Utah’s interests and stands up against unconstitutional federal policies and regulations that negatively impact the state. This bill sets up a legislative framework and a legal process for the Utah Legislature to restore the proper balance between the state and federal government by refusing to comply with federal directives that a supermajority of legislators deem unconstitutional.

S.B. 240 Government Records Access and Management Act Amendments clarifies the long-standing interpretation of the statute and has always been legislative intent that the calendars of government officials and employees are protected records. Disclosing elected officials and state employees calendars has immense safety concerns and this bill provides clarification.

S.B. 272 Capital City Reinvestment Zone Amendments provides Salt Lake City with an avenue to gather funds for the revitalization of downtown Salt Lake City, including constructing a hockey stadium with the goal of obtaining a National Hockey League team. As we prepare to welcome a NHL franchise to Utah, it is vital to have an enlivened environment for professional sports teams.

H.B. 30 Road Rage Amendments increases the penalty for road rage. If drivers commit a criminal offense in response to an incident on a roadway, the criminal punishment will be enhanced. It also works to increase public awareness of the dangers of aggressive driving.

H.B. 257 Sex-based Designations for Privacy, Anti-bullying and Women’s Opportunities strengthens criminal charges for those who commit offensive behavior in a bathroom. It enhances criminal penalties for simultaneous violations of the following: lewdness, lewdness involving a child, voyeurism, criminal trespass or loitering in privacy spaces. This bill only applies to private spaces in government-owned and operated facilities. It also requires state and local government entities to improve privacy by providing adequate single-occupancy facilities in new buildings and studying the feasibility of retrofitting existing facilities.

H.B. 261 Equal Opportunities Initiatives prohibits higher education institutions, public education systems and government employers from engaging in discriminatory practices. The bill:

• Invests in “Student Success Offices” that provide support, guidance and resources to equip all students with experiences and opportunities that benefit their academic and career goals without discrimination.

• Ensures common-sense policies in state agencies and higher education institutions by no longer requiring applicants to provide submissions or attend training that promotes political ideologies.

• Prevents discriminatory practices based on an individual’s race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender, religion or gender identity.

• Focuses on removing barriers and ensuring fairness so all students can succeed.

• Protects free speech and open dialogue on campuses.

H.B. 373 Environmental Quality Amendments repeals the Air Quality Advisory Board and requires the Department of Environmental Quality to meet with the Federalism Commission in order to review federal air quality requirements. As federal air quality rules change, having these meetings is vital to ensuring the state is aware of rule changes and compliant with federal law.

Until Next TimeI’ll continue to update you on my work on Capitol Hill. We will begin holding monthly interim meetings in May. I will send you monthly updates about our work during the interim. Likewise, please keep in touch — I’d love to hear your insights and opinions. I can be reached by email at ssandall@le.utah.gov. My mobile phone number is (435) 279-7551.

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me to serve such wonderful people. Thank you for all you do to make Utah the best state in the nation — and thanks for paying attention.