The 2019 State Legislative Session runs for 45 consecutive days between January 28 and March 14, 2019. During this time, state legislators will consider and vote on over 1,300 bills and balance our state’s budget. Action Utah will continually update this list of our top bills within our legislative priorities. Find out more about our State Legislature, how to find out who represents you and how our political system works in our Resources section. Download our State Legislative Session Advocacy Guide here.
2019 Bill Tracker
QUICKLINKS: Healthcare – Air Quality – Education – Suicide Prevention – Strengthening Families – Good Government – Other Bills – Also Tracking
HEALTHCARE
Legislative Goal: Expanding access and reducing costs
| Bill No. | Bill Name/Description | Bill Sponsor(s) | Lobbying Kit | AU Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 178 | Health Care Charges | Rep. Brad Daw (R-Orem) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Creates a health care price transparency tool | Sen. Allen Christensen (R-Ogden) | ||||
| HB 210 | Medicaid Expansion Program Revisions | Rep. Ray Ward (R-Bountiful) | SUPPORT | Incorporated into SB 96 | |
| Amends provisions relating to Medicaid expansion | |||||
| HB 267 | Prescription Drug Importation Program | Rep. Norm Thurston (R-Provo) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Creates a state-run program to import pharmaceuticals from Canada | Sen. Curtis Bramble (R-Provo) | ||||
| HB 274S03 | Retail Tobacco Specialty Business Amendments | Rep. Jen Dailey-Provost (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Regulates sale of flavored nicotine products to protect youth | Sen. Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) | ||||
| HB370 | Pharmacy Benefit Manager Amendments | Rep. Paul Ray (R-Clearfield) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Creates requirements for pharmacy benefit managers to increase price transparency. | Sen. Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) | ||||
| SB 11S01 | Medicaid Dental Coverage Amendments | Sen. Allen Christensen (R-Ogden) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Expands Medicaid to cover dental care for the elderly. | Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy) | ||||
| SB 96S04 | Medicaid Expansion Amendments | Sen. Allen Christensen (R-Ogden) | OPPOSE/AMEND | PASSED | |
| Limits Medicaid expansion via a waiver with caps and work reqs | Rep. James Dunnigan (R-Taylorsville) | ||||
| SB 97 | Medicaid Program Revisions | Sen. Jake Anderegg (R-Lehi) | OPPOSE | FAILED | |
| Repeals Prop 3 for Medicaid expansion altogether |
AIR QUALITY
Legislative Goal: Cleaning up Utah’s air for better health and economic outcomes
| Bill No. | Bill Name/Description | Bill Sponsor(s) | Lobbying Kit | AU Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 98 | Freight Switcher Emissions Mitigation | Rep. Steve Handy (R-Layton) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Creates a public-private partnership to retrofit highly polluting train engines | Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Woods Cross) | ||||
| HB 139S01 | Motor Vehicle Emissions Amendments | Rep. Angela Romero (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Strengthens penalties and reporting for "coal rolling" | Sen. Luz Escamilla (D-Salt Lake) | ||||
| HB 148S04 | Vehicle Idling Revisions | Rep. Patrice Arent (D-Millcreek) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Allows local highway authority to enforce restrictions on vehicle idling | Sen. Curtis Bramble (R-Provo) | ||||
| HB 295S01 | Vehicle Emissions Reduction Program | Rep. Jeff Stenquist (R-Draper) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Reduces emissions by retiring the dirtiest, failing cars on the road | Sen. Curtis Bramble (R-Provo) | ||||
| HB304 | Fossil Fuels Tax Amendments | Rep. Joel Briscoe (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | Interim study | |
| This bill creates a revenue neutral tax on carbon dioxide emissions | |||||
| HB 353 | Reduction of Single Occupancy Trips Pilot Program | Rep. Joel Briscoe (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| This bill modifies provisions related to reducing single occupancy vehicle trips. | Sen. Curtis Bramble (R-Provo) | ||||
| HCR 2S01 | Supporting Renew. and Sust. Energy Options to Promote Rural Econ. Dev. | Rep. Patrice Arent (D-Millcreek) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Encourages development of renewables to grow Utah's rural economy. | Sen. David Hinkins (R-Orangeville) | ||||
| HCR 3S01 | CR Urging the EPA to Update Switcher Locomotive Emission Standards | Rep. Steve Handy (R-Layton) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Requests greater federal regulation under the Clean Air Act | Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Woods Cross) | ||||
| HCR 5 | Concurrent Resolution Urging Policies that Reduce Damage from Wildfires | Rep. Ray Ward (R-Bountiful) | WATCH | PASSED | |
| Urges the federal government to mitigate wildfire risk and additional climate change | Sen. Ronald Winterton (R-Roosevelt) | ||||
| HCR 11 | Concurrent Resolution Encouraging the Purchase of Tier 3 Gasoline | Rep Suzanne Harrison (D-Draper) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| This concurrent resolution encourages purchase of Tier 3 compliant gasoline. | Sen. Daniel Hemmert (R-Orem) | ||||
| HCR 13 | CR Encouraging Utah Refiners to Manufacture Tier 3 Gasoline to Improve Air Quality | Rep. Patrice Arent (D-Millcreek) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Urges UT refineries to manufacture lower-sulfur Tier 3 gasoline in Utah | Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Woods Cross) | ||||
| SB 111S01 | Energy Storage Innovation, Research, and Grant Program Act | Sen. Lincoln Fillmore | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Creates the Energy Storage Innovation, Research, and Grant Program. | Rep. Mike Winder (R-West Valley City) | ||||
| SB 144 | Environmental Quality Monitoring Amendments | Sen. Luz Escamilla (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Directs the DEQ to monitor and report enviro impacts of the inland port development | Rep. Val Peterson (R-Orem) | ||||
| Approps | Air Quality Appropriations | SUPPORT | Nearly $29M FUNDED |
EDUCATION
Legislative Goal: Supporting schools and teachers to ensure a prosperous future for our state
| Bill No. | Bill Name | Bill Sponsor(s) | Lobbying Kit | AU Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 47S01 | Early Childcare Coordination Amendments | Rep. Lowry Snow (R-St. George) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Coordinates existing services for greater efficiencies, per DWS recommendations. | Sen. Ann Millner (R-Ogden) | ||||
| HB 71S01 | Health Education Amendments | Rep. Ray Ward (R-Bountiful) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Provides that health education instruction may include information about contraception | Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Woods Cross) | ||||
| HB 188S01 | T.H. Bell Program Amendments | Rep. Lowry Snow (R-St. George) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Incentivizes UT students to work in public education in UT | Sen Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) | ||||
| HB 198 | Education Accountability Amendments | Rep. Marie Poulson (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Removes the single letter grade from school evaluations in favor of a dashboard system | Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (R-S. Jordan) | ||||
| HB 260S04 | Access Utah Promise Scholarship Program | Rep. Derrin Owens (R-Fountain Green) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Creates the Access Utah Promise Scholarship Program and amends/repeals other scholarship programs. | Sen Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) | ||||
| SB149 | Teacher and Student Success Act | Sen. Ann Millner (R-Ogden) | OPPOSE | PASSED | |
| Allocates money from the Our Schools Now compromise without SCC input or raising WPU | Rep Jefferson Moss (R-Saratoga Springs) | ||||
| SB 166S02 | School Readiness Amendments | Sen. Ann Millner (R-Ogden) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Rep. Bradley Last (R-Hurricane) |
SUICIDE PREVENTION
Legislative Goal: Reducing our high suicide rate through evidence-based solutions
| Bill No. | Bill Name/Description | Bill Sponsor(s) | Lobbying Kit | AU Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 17S02 | Firearm Violence and Suicide Amendments | Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Provides cable locks with the purchase of guns and vouchers for gun safes | Sen. Curtis Bramble (R-Provo) | ||||
| HB 174 | Psychiatry Medical Residents Amendments | Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Requires the University of Utah to select additional psychiatry residents | Sen. Ralph Okerlund (R-Monroe) | ||||
| HB 209 | Extreme Risk Protective Orders | Rep. Steve Handy R-Layton) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Allows temporary removal of firearms from a person who poses a threat to self or others | |||||
| HB 373S02 | Student Support Amendments | Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Provides funding provisions for school based mental health support | Sen. Ann Millner (R-Ogden) | ||||
| HB393S04 | Suicide Prevention Amendments | Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Increases suicide prevention and mental health services and resources. | Sen. Don Ipson (R-St. George) | ||||
| HB 399S04 | Prohibition of the Practice of Conversion Therapy upon Minors | Rep. Craig Hall (R-West Valley City) | AMEND | Bad Amendment - WITHDRAWN | |
| Prohibits professionals from attempting to change a child or teen's sexual orientation or gender ID | Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton) | ||||
| SB 39 | Assisted Outpatient Treatment for Mental Illness | Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (R-S. Jordan) | WATCH | PASSED | |
| Provides govt services for mental illness at a lower standard through a court process | Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy) | ||||
| SB 106S01 | Mental Health Services in Schools | Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (R-S. Jordan) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Allows State Medicaid and private insurance to pay for mental health services in schools | Rep. Susan Puslpher (R-S. Jordan) | ||||
| Approp | Elementary School Counselor Program | Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy) | SUPPORT | ||
| Increases funding for 2018's HB 264: Elementary Schools Counselor Program |
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
Legislative Goal: Building family economic prosperity
| Bill No. | Bill Name/Description | Bill Sponsor(s) | Lobbying Kit | AU Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 102 | Campaign Funds Uses Amendments | Rep. Stephanie Pitcher (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Allows candidates to use campaign funds to cover the costs of childcare | |||||
| HB 103 | Utah Intergenerational Poverty Work and Self Sufficiency Tax Credit | Rep. Robert Spendlove (R-Sandy) | SUPPORT | HELD | |
| Provides a state EITC tax credit to 25K families in intergenerational poverty. | |||||
| HB 333 | Workforce Development Incentives Amendments | Rep. Suzanne Harrison (D-Draper) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| This bill amends provisions related to tax credit incentives for economic development | Sen. Jake Anderegg (R-Lehi) | ||||
| HB386 | Economic Development and Affordable Homes Amendments | Rep. Joel Briscoe (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| This bill modifies provisions related to housing and community development. | |||||
| HR 3 | House Resolution Supporting a Humane Response to the Refugee Crisis | Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Urges a humane response to the immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. | |||||
| SB 34S03 | Affordable Housing Modifications | Sen. Jake Anderegg (R-Lehi) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Requires cities to adopt moderate income housing plans, adds $24M to the Olene Walker Fund. | Rep. Val Potter (R-Logan) | ||||
| SB 103S04 | Victim Targeting Penalty Enhancements | Sen. Dan Thatcher (R-West Valley City) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Provides an enhanced penalty for hate crimes | Rep. Lee Perry (R-Perry) | ||||
| SB 110 | Family Medical Unpaid Leave Provisions | Sen. Daniel Hemmert (R-Orem) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Requires certain employers to provide at least 3 weeks of unpaid leave to certain employees | Rep. Mike Schultz (R-Hooper) | ||||
| Approp | Maternal Mental Health | Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | FUNDED |
GOOD GOVERNMENT
Legislative Goal: Protecting the voters voice and strengthening our democracy
| Bill No. | Bill Name/Description | Bill Sponsor(s) | Lobbying Kit | AU Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 88 | Statewide Initiative Process Amendments | Rep. Merill Nelson (R-Grantsville) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Creates a single deadline for the submission and removal of signatures on a ballot initiative. | |||||
| HB 259 | Straight Ticket Voting Prohibition Amendments | Rep. Patrice Arent (D-Millcreek) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Removes straight ticket party voting and requires voting for the candidates on a ballot individually | Sen. Curt Bramble | ||||
| HCR 16 | Concurrent Resolution Designating Utah Women's Voter Registration Day | Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Designates Feb 14th as Utah Women's Voter Registration Day. | Sen. Diedre Henderson (R-Spanish Fork) | ||||
| SB 61 | Poll Hours for Early Voting | Sen. Jani Iwamoto (D-Salt Lake) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| This bill amends poll hour provisions for early voting. | Rep. Steve Eilason (R-Sandy) | ||||
| SB 122 | Special Congressional Election Amendments | Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton) | AMEND | FAILED | |
| Election Law Changes | Sen. Curt Bramble (R-Provo) | WATCH | Never Introduced |
OTHER BILLS
Legislative Goal: Provide community members with meaningful actions and vetted information on the issues Utahns care about most
| Bill No. | Bill Name/Description | Bill Sponsor(s) | Lobbying Kit | AU Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 36 | Bureau of Criminal Identification Reporting Amendments | Rep. Ray Ward (R-Bountiful) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Requires reporting of people deemed by a court to be mentally unfit to purchase a firearm | Sen. Don Ipson (R-St. George) | ||||
| HB 143 | Water Conservation Plan Amendments | Rep. Suzanne Harrison (D-Draper) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| Requires water retailers to evaluate how to conserve and costs of not conserving | |||||
| HB 244 | Misdemeanor Sentencing Timeline Clarifications | Rep. Eric Hutchings (R-Kearns) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Reduces the max penalty for misdemeanors by one day to 364 days | Sen. Daniel Thatcher (R-West Valley) | ||||
| HB 325 | Domestic Violence Weapons Amendments | Rep. Brian King (D-Salt Lake City) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| This bill requires a law enforcement agency to report certain information relating to domestic violence. | Sen. Deidre Henderson (R-Salt Lake) | ||||
| HCR10 | CR to Address Declining Water Levels of the Great Salt Lake | Rep. Timothy Hawkes (R-Centerville) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Urges balanced solutions to address declining water levels | Sen. Scott Sandall (R-Tremonton) | ||||
| HCR 7 | CR Recognizing the Economic Importance of Recreation for Utah | Rep. Robert Spendlove (R-Sandy) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Encourages support for and growth of the economic value of Utah's natural assets | Sen. Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) | ||||
| HJR 23 | Withdrawing Approval for Class V Landfill | Rep. Casey Snider (R-Paradise) | OPPOSE/AMEND | FAILED | |
| Withdraws the provisional approval of a commercial landfill by the Great Salt Lake | Sen. Scott Sandall (R-Tremonton) | ||||
| SB 52S05 | Secondary Water Metering Amendments | Sen. Jake Anderegg (R-Lehi) | SUPPORT | PASSED | |
| Requires water suppliers to meter and report secondary water usage | Rep. Timothy Hawkes (R-Centerville) | ||||
| SB 109S01 | Asset Forfeiture Amendments | Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Woods Cross) | SUPPORT | FAILED | |
| This bill modifies provisions related to asset forfeiture | Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield) | ||||
| SB214S01 | Property Tax Relief Modifications | Sen. Lincoln Fillmore (R-S. Jordan) | NEUTRAL | PASSED | |
| This bill no longer modifies provisions relating to water conservancy district property tax levies. | |||||
| Conviction Reduction Amendments | Rep. Lowry Snow (R-St. George) | Never Introduced |
ALSO TRACKING
Action Utah takes no official stance on these bills, but we track them because members have shown a particular interest in these issues on one side or the other. This section is for your information.
| Bill No. | Bill Name/Description | Bill Sponsor(s) | Lobbying Kit | AU Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 136S01 | Abortion Amendments | Rep. Cheryl Acton (R-West Jordan) | PASSED | ||
| Prohibits abortion of a fetus at 18 weeks | Sen. Deidre Henderson (R-Salt Lake) | ||||
| HB 153 | Utah Vital Statistics Act Amendments | Rep. Merrill Nelson (R-Grantsville) | FAILED | ||
| Prohibits a change of gender on a person's birth certificate | Sen. Ralph Okerlund (R-Monroe) | ||||
| HB 166 | Down Syndrome Nondiscrimination Abortion Act | Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield) | PASSED | ||
| Prohibits abortion solely because the fetus may have Down syndrome | Sen. Curt Bramble (R-Provo) | ||||
| HB418 | Universal Background Checks for Firearm Purchasers | Rep. Brian King (D-Salt Lake) | FAILED | ||
| This bill requires a background check for all firearm sales. | |||||
| HB 441S01 | Tax Equalization and Reduction Act | Rep. Tim Quinn (R-Heber) | HELD for special session | ||
| Decreases sales and income taxses, expands sales taxes to certain services |