As we approach the end of the 2026 Legislative Session, my focus remains on working hard to keep life affordable and the government accountable for every family in our community. We’ve passed meaningful legislation to lower costs and ease the burdens families are facing. We’re also taking proactive steps to safeguard our critical resources, increase innovation in education, and ensure our communities remain some of the safest in the nation.
Your voice is the most vital part of this process, and I encourage you to stay involved as we head into the final week. You can read every bill, watch live floor debates, and view daily committee agendas in real-time by visiting le.utah.gov.
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Our Community to the Capitol
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Last Friday afternoon, I had my dad and stepmom join me on the House floor during floor time. It was special to have the chance to show them the legislative process up close.
My mom and dad taught me the importance of hard work, faith, and personal responsibility. Growing up in South Jordan, I was also shaped by great neighbors, local church leaders, teachers, and coaches who took the time to invest in kids in this community. I am a product of that kind of place.
Having my dad there in the chamber was a reminder that public service did not start when I first ran for office. It started years ago in a home and a community that cared enough to teach, guide, and set high expectations.
Now Aliona and I are raising our kids here. I believe deeply that Utah is one of the best places in the country to build a life and raise a family, and that does not happen by accident. It takes strong families, strong neighborhoods, and steady leadership. I ran for office because I want my kids to grow up with the same opportunities, values, and sense of community that shaped me.
I'm so grateful for the people who invested in me. Grateful for family who continues to support me. And focused every day on keeping South Jordan, West Jordan, and our state a place where the next generation can thrive.
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Four years ago this week, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Last year, I helped organize the signing of a Utah flag by legislators from across our state. We sent it to the front lines of Ukraine as a symbol of solidarity. That flag made its way to Kharkiv, Ukraine, and Kharkiv answered.
The Kharkiv Regional Council sent a flag back to Utah. We formally received it at the Capitol, delivered by Nathaniel Saunders. I was honored to speak at the press conference alongside Governor Spencer Cox, Speaker Mike Schultz, President Stuart Adams, Ukrainian Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna, and Honorary Consul Jonathan Freedman. Later, on the House floor, I led a moment of silence for those lost in this war and a prayer for peace in Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine is not abstract to me. I served in Ukraine as a missionary more than twenty years ago. My wife is Ukrainian. Our children are Ukrainian. We have close friends and family still living there today.
The streets I once walked in peace are now scarred by war. Civilians are still killed almost daily. Russian bombs and drones strike homes and power stations, leaving families without heat, light, and water.
They defend their homes. They rebuild what is destroyed. They refuse to surrender their freedom.
This flag is more than fabric. It carries sacrifice. It carries resilience. It carries hope.
Utah stands with Ukraine.
And I will continue to stand with them.
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Lowering Gas Prices for Utahns
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I know the rising cost of living is the top concern for families in our community. As a Legislature, we are taking decisive action to provide relief. The state of Utah has reached a landmark agreement with industry partners to boost our fuel supply and, most importantly, lower prices at the pump.
Through H.B. 575, we are cutting through the red tape to boost our energy infrastructure. By streamlining the permitting process for pipelines and midstream facilities, we are clearing the way for millions of gallons of additional fuel to enter our market every single day. This isn't just about infrastructure; it's about basic economics: when you increase supply, you lower prices. While we build for the future, we are also delivering immediate savings. Beginning July 1, the state gas tax will be reduced by 15%, providing direct relief to your household budget every time you fill up. I am committed to a future where energy is reliable, taxes are low, and our state remains the best place in the nation to raise a family.
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Supporting the Next Generation
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I had the opportunity to welcome Ava, a senior at Herriman High School and the president of DECA, to the House floor, and I left genuinely impressed.
She is articulate, thoughtful, and clearly driven. You can see the confidence that comes from preparation and real leadership experience. We talked about business, public service, and her plans after graduation. Students like Ava are not waiting for the future, they are already building it. I would not be surprised to see her run for office someday.
This is why the work at the Capitol matters. The policies we debate are not theoretical. They shape the opportunities available to students like her. Education, workforce development, economic growth, these are not buzzwords. They determine whether the next generation can succeed and build their lives here in Utah.
We have some remarkable young leaders in our community. If we do our job right, they will not need to leave to find opportunity. They will create it here.
Grateful to represent a community filled with talent and ambition. The future of Utah is bright.
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Keeping Costs Low for Utah Families
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When you work hard for your paycheck, you should get exactly what you pay for at the checkout counter. Utah families should not have to worry about being overcharged due to inaccurate commercial pricing or faulty scales. Through H.B. 493, we are strengthening our state’s "Weights and Measures" protections to hold businesses accountable for pricing accuracy. By establishing a clear schedule of civil penalties for repeat violations, we are providing the Department of Agriculture and Food with the teeth it needs to protect your wallet. This is about common-sense enforcement and fundamental fairness. We are making sure that in Utah, the price you see on the shelf is the price you pay at the register.
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Fostering the Future and Supporting our First Responders
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I had the chance to meet with Camilla, a constituent studying at the University of Utah, and hear about the research she is conducting as an undergraduate. Utah’s universities are giving students real opportunities to dive deep, ask hard questions, and produce serious academic work long before they graduate. Those experiences build discipline, critical thinking, and confidence that carry into whatever path they choose next.
We are fortunate to live in a state where students can turn initiative and hard work into meaningful results.
On the policy side, several of my bills moved forward in committee, including HB416, Firefighter Cancer Amendments. This one is especially important to me.
Our firefighters and first responders repeatedly walk into environments that most of us would never choose to enter. Over time, that exposure significantly increases their risk of certain cancers. When a diagnosis comes, the last thing a family should be worried about is whether treatment will be covered while a workers’ compensation claim works its way through the system.
HB416 creates a dedicated fund to help cover cancer treatment costs during that gap. It provides stability in the middle of crisis. It tells firefighters and their families that Utah stands behind them the same way they have stood behind us.
When someone spends a career protecting our homes and our communities, we have an obligation to make sure they are protected too. This bill is one practical way to do that.
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Working Hard for Our Community
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This week, I met with Mayor Dawn Ramsey of South Jordan and Mayor Dirk Burton of West Jordan. We talked through the real issues our cities are facing, growth, infrastructure, public safety, and how we preserve the quality of life that makes this part of the valley such a great place to live and raise a family.
During the legislative session, we are in constant communication about bills that could impact our cities, for better or worse. I rely heavily on their feedback. We do not always land in the same place on every issue, but I take their perspective seriously. They are on the front lines of implementation, and they see firsthand how state policy plays out at the local level.
Mayors carry an enormous responsibility. They balance budgets, manage essential services, respond to residents, and plan for long term growth, all while trying to keep their communities strong and stable.
As the representative for District 44, my job is to make sure South Jordan and West Jordan have a strong voice at the Capitol. That only happens through real partnership and honest communication. I am grateful for the strong relationships we have and for the leadership they provide to our communities.
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Building the American Dream
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In Utah, we believe the American Dream of homeownership should be within reach for every hardworking family, which is why we are taking bold action to lower the cost of new construction. Through H.B. 492, we have established the State Housing Infrastructure Partnership, a $100 million initiative designed to fund the "hidden" costs of housing—the essential roads, water lines, and sewers that often drive up home prices. We are removing development barriers and specifically prioritizing the construction of single-family starter homes. Our goal is to ensure that we aren't just building more houses, but are actively strengthening the foundation for Utahns to own their own piece of our great state.
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Increasing Judicial Transparency
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Utah has unfortunately lagged behind the rest of the nation in judicial transparency. H.B. 540 marks a turning point in our commitment to ensuring all branches of government remain open and accountable to the people. This legislation creates a single, secure website where the public can search for and download public court records free of charge, removing the financial barriers that have long obscured our legal system. The bill requires financial disclosure requirements for judges, similar to those of other public officials. By opening the doors of our courtrooms, we are ensuring that Utah’s judiciary operates with the same openness as the executive and legislative branches, proving that in our state, the government truly belongs to the people.
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Innovation in Higher Education
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A degree should prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce by ensuring graduates leave with the specific skills our economy demands. H.B. 373 establishes the Higher Education Research Funding Pilot Program, a strategic initiative that prioritizes research tied directly to Utah’s core industries and economic needs. We are creating a high-tech pipeline for innovation. This bill also advances the Utah First Credential Program, which provides students with stackable, industry-recognized certifications and scholarships that translate directly into high-wage jobs. We are modernizing higher education to be more agile and industry-aligned, ensuring that every dollar invested in research and tuition serves the dual purpose of student success and statewide prosperity.
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Promoting Physical Fitness
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We are launching the Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program to instill lifelong habits of physical fitness and nutrition in our elementary schools through H.B. 36. By rewarding schools that meet rigorous physical education criteria with a Gold Medal Recognition Award, we are encouraging students to engage in regular physical activity and choose healthy eating habits daily. This program doesn't just provide funding; it grants local schools the autonomy to create wellness policies that fit their specific community needs while holding them accountable through measurable health outcomes. We are investing in our children's physical well-being today to ensure a stronger, more vibrant Utah tomorrow.
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I would love to hear from you!
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