The 2026 session is moving quickly as we wrap up our third week. We’re focused on crafting a balanced budget, debating policy, and passing bills that will keep Utah the best state in the nation. I remain committed to the common sense principles that matter most: keeping costs low for families, holding government accountable to the people, and ensuring our community remains the best place to call home. 

As this 45-day legislative session continues, I invite you to stay connected to the process by following the daily calendars, committee meetings, and live-streamed debates at le.utah.gov.

Presented two bills focused on delivering water to Great Salt Lake, HB348 Dedicated Water Leasing Amendments and HB410 Water Leasing Amendments, to the Utah Water Task Force, where they received unanimous support. On February 5th, both bills were presented to the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Standing Committee. Each of them also received unanimous support, a favorable recommendation, and were passed for a third reading in the House of Representatives. The innovative approaches in the bills to streamlining a new dedicated water applications and the agriculture leasing program, which is market driven, voluntary and temporary received broad based bi-partisan support. 

Just like Utah families balance their household budgets, the state does the same. Utah is unique – the only state in the nation where every legislator serves on an appropriations committee, meaning every corner of the state has a voice in the budget. Appropriations committees determine where state funding should be directed, and closely review spending to make sure tax dollars are going to programs that actually work. The Legislature will always fund essential services. However, there is always room to eliminate waste, reduce duplication, and focus resources where they deliver real value. 

Next week is the final week of appropriations committees, where we will provide our recommendations to the Executive Appropriations Committee. We remain committed to keeping government lean, accountable, and focused on putting Utah families first.

Utahns benefit from some of the most robust transparency tools in the nation, with real-time access to legislation, committee hearings, floor debates, voting records, and public comment through the legislative website that allows anyone to follow the process from start to finish. Financial transparency is equally critical. Every taxpayer dollar can be tracked, audited, and reviewed by the public, with appropriations meetings and audit reports fully open and accessible. Combined with strong ethics rules, disclosure requirements, and penalties for violations of public trust, these efforts reflect mine and my colleagues' commitment to honest government that answers to the people it serves.

Utah is taking meaningful, concrete steps to preserve the Great Salt Lake. This month, the state moved to acquire the US Magnesium plant and its associated water rights. This move will secure over 100,000 acre-feet of water annually for the lake. It’s a significant, long-term step to strengthen the lake’s health, protect its economic and recreational value, and preserve this vital natural resource for future generations.

Here’s some good news worth sharing: Utah’s air is getting cleaner, even as our state continues to grow. Over the past two decades, fine particulate pollution in the Salt Lake Valley has been cut by more than half, all while our population increased by about 50%. That tells me something important—when we’re thoughtful and intentional, we can protect our quality of life and still grow strong communities. This progress shows that Utah can be a place where families, jobs, and clean air all thrive together.

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