Hi House District 18 –

I’m glad we’re in touch. I’m Paul Cutler, your representative for House District 18, and it’s my job to take your voice to Utah’s Capitol Hill. House District 18 includes a sliver of Bountiful, most of Farmington and Centerville, and a part of West Kaysville. To keep you informed about what’s happening on Capitol Hill, I send out regular newsletter updates.  We’ve just moved to a new system for sharing this newsletter, and some might be receiving this newsletter for the first time.  I’d love your feedback on whether you received the newsletter and what content you find useful or interesting.  I typically try to include a few pictures of events I attend and comments on issues at the legislature that might impact you.  For example, in this issue, I’ve included some information on some of the recent US and Utah Supreme Court decisions that will impact policy in Utah.

As your representative,  I’ve been focused on the things that matter most to us: local control, education, proactive planning to manage growth, and most importantly, living within our financial means to keeping Utah the best managed state in the country with a small, efficient, responsive government. Every lawmaker sits on a number of committees, I’m lucky enough to serve on these committees:

• House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
• House Political Subdivisions Committee (oversees relationships between state and local governments)
• Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee (oversees state spending on roads, buildings and other infrastructure)

As Legislators, many of our committee meetings are open to the public. Check out le.utah.gov to learn more. You might find something that’s important to you, and I would love to hear about it. If you have any concerns, questions, or ideas on how to improve state government, reach out anytime. When we work together, we can make real change in our community and state.

I would love to connect with you | Follow me on Facebook @CutlerLegislature or Twitter (X) @parttimepolpaul

All the best,

Paul Cutler  

House District 18

July is a time of celebration in our community.  It was fun to see so many friends and neighbors at the Centerville 4th of July Parade, and the Farmington Festival Days Parade. And of course, Utah’s own 24th of July Pioneer Day celebrations give us a chance to reflect back on those who went before us and built the foundations of our state.  I’m grateful for our Pioneer ancestors, and for those today who are pioneers in their own families and communities, blazing new trails, and building up new opportunities for the future.

This year, we had even more to celebrate over pioneer day as we received the official word that Utah will host the 20234 Winter Olympics. Utah’s previous experience in hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics set a high standard and we are committed to an excellent games again. I believe that the 2034 Olympics will benefit our community with an economic boost, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement with our amazing Utah volunteer spirit.  

Earlier in July, I enjoyed the opportunity to attend the Show Up for Teachers event —it’s always an inspiring, uplifting event. We are fortunate to have such amazing, talented, committed teachers in Utah.

During last month’s special session, the Legislature took action to protect Utah's freedoms and push back against federal regulations that conflict with state law. We stood up for state sovereignty, worked to secure energy independence, and protected women's sports and women's spaces. I am proud of the Legislature’s commitment to putting Utah’s people and Utah’s values first.

In case you missed last month’s interim meetings, you can watch full recordings at le.utah.gov or click here to read the highlights. We will resume our meetings again on August 20th and 21st at the Utah State Capitol. As always, meetings are open to the public, and I would love to see you there. 

For decades, federal overreach has devastated Utah's lands, economy, and people. Now, with a groundbreaking U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Chevron Doctrine, Utah is ready to defend our rights confidently. 

The Chevron Doctrine was a 1984 case that required a federal court to give deference to a federal agency's interpretation of an ambiguous statute that the agency administers.  This meant that when the details of implementing a law were not clear, the Chevron Doctrine previously allowed federal agencies to interpret laws broadly, writing detailed rules, often resulting in policies that were not directly authorized by Congress. With this new legal precedent, we now have a powerful tool to challenge and dismantle these unchecked policies imposed by unelected federal bureaucrats. No other legislative branch in the nation has fought federal overreach as relentlessly as Utah. This decision marks the beginning of even greater victories in our battle for state sovereignty.

In League of Women Voters of Utah v. Utah State Legislature, The Utah Supreme Court held that the Legislature cannot amend, repeal, or replace a citizen initiative that reforms government, unless the change is technical, the change furthers or facilitates the government reform, or the Legislature can show that the change is narrowly tailored to advance a compelling government interest. The Court remanded the case back to the district court and chose not to address the issue of partisan gerrymandering, leaving that for possible future consideration, depending on what happens next in the district court. For now, the state’s Congressional map and S.B. 200 remain in effect.

The US Supreme Court addressed Public Camping Ordinances in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. This gives clearer guidance to local governments on whether they can prohibit unauthorized camps on public property. In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the enforcement of generally applicable laws prohibiting camping on public property does not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” under the Eighth Amendment. Under this ruling, local governments in Utah may enact and enforce anti-camping ordinances without violating the Eighth Amendment so long as they apply against both homeless people and non-homeless people.

Thanks to a new Supreme Court ruling, the EPA’s Ozone Transfer Rule will be halted. This decision is a big win that will help keep Utah’s energy affordable and keep the federal government out of our energy decisions. 

The future of Utah’s energy independence should be left to those who understand our needs best: Utahns. My colleagues and I remain committed to Utah’s all-of-the-above energy approach. 

From Beaver to Hurricane and everywhere in between, water levels are on the rise. Thanks to another record year of rain and snowfall, reservoirs across Utah are at their highest recorded levels in over 15 years. The Great Salt Lake, in particular, has risen 6.5 feet from its lowest recorded point in 2022. 

Even during record years, it’s still important that we conserve for our future. As a Legislature, we have continued to show our commitment to protecting Utah’s water resources. This year alone, we invested nearly $30 million towards preserving and strengthening our water supply. For tips on how you can conserve at home this summer, click here. 

Unfortunately Road Rage has become and increasing problem in Utah and across the nation.  As the sponsor of road rage legislation prevention legislation last session I joined the House Podcast with Colonel Michael Rapich of the Utah Highway Patrol to discuss how the state is combatting road rage and protecting Utah drivers with a first-of-its kind law. 
You can check out the  new House podcast website to listen to our latest podcast episodes. New episodes are released every other week.

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