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That's a wrap on week one of the 2023 Legislative Session! This year's big topics include affordable housing, water conservation, education, health autonomy and more. With more than $3.3 billion in surplus budget, lawmakers have more flexibility to consider what to fund and we encourage community members and leaders to get active with proposed bills that they feel passionate about. Gov. Spencer Cox has proposed a generational investment of $1 billion in tax relief for families. A snapshot of his budget proposal includes:
> $38.3 million in policies to support families (rebates, tax cuts, optional all-day kindergarten)
> $200.7 million invested in teacher salaries with increased benefits
> $54 million in mental health resources
> $53.5 million in domestic violence prevention & victim support
> $150 million to tackle housing crisis (support for first time homebuyers)
Laws passed by the Legislature have a direct impact on your life and the lives of your communities. Review the resources below to become informed and get involved in the ways that matter most to you. You are needed. Your stories, voices, and experiences are knowledge that can help the legislative process.
During this session, the Division aims to focus on the following:
> INCREASE AWARENESS OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION
> PROMOTE EDUCATION OF LEGISLATIVE & CIVIC PROCESS
> CENTRALIZE HELPFUL RESOURCES
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The information does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement (CCE), Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs, or divisions associated with CCE. The intent of these resources are to provide information regarding the legislative session to help communities become informed.
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Rep. Karen Kwan Elected to Utah Senate Seat in Special Election
"Following a special caucus election, Karen Kwan (D-Taylorsville) has been appointed on Monday, Jan. 16, to fill the vacant Utah Senate seat left by Karen Mayne (D-West Valley City) after she resigned earlier this month due to health reasons.
Previously a House Representative for District 31, Kwan will serve as the senator for District 12, which covers parts of West Valley City, Kearns and Taylorsville." (SOURCE: ABC4 NEWS)
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Utah Gov. Cox'S 2023 State of the State address
Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox delivered his 2023 State of the State address to the people of Utah and the Utah State Legislature, directing his message to the next generation of Utahns.
The governor invited legislators, cabinet and senior staff members to bring a child, grandchild or other young family member to the event to represent the future of Utah, and dozens responded, filling the House Chamber and House Gallery. Throughout the 22-minute speech, Gov. Cox assured Utah’s young people of a promising future.
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The bills below simply capture a snapshot of key topics, but all impact multicultural communities in some way. Have ideas for bills you'd like to feature? Email us!
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HB 154 - English Language Learner Amendments (Rep. Johnson)
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This bill addresses funding for materials and support for English Language learners by putting forth funds for Local Education Agencies (LEA). Funds going towards LEA will be used to purchase/produce software, hardware, and licenses used by English Language learners and will distribute remaining funds to a statewide share of students.
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Transgender Youth Bills: SB16, SB100, and SB93
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These three bills all impact transgender youth in the state. SB16 bans gender-confirming surgeries and places a moratorium on puberty blockers for minors, SB100 prohibits school districts from changing the identity of a student’s gender without parent/guardian permission, and SB93 prohibits a name change or gender change on a minor’s birth certificate.
> VIEW BILLS: SB16, SB100, SB93
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H.B. 85 - Pregnancy Medicaid Coverage Amendments (Rep. Lesser)
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This bill intends to expand eligibility for Medicaid coverage for pregnant women with household incomes less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
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H.B. 43 - Domestic Violence Modifications (Rep. Pierucci)
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This bill aims to establish the Domestic Violence Data Task Force and requires the Department of Public Safety to deploy a form to collect data on lethality assessments used in domestic violence cases and directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to consider domestic violence training for judges, commissioners, and court staff. Training includes: recognizing symptoms of domestic violence and trauma, high-risk victim assessments, responding to concerns of violence and delivering services to victims, and understanding cultural perceptions and common myths about domestic violence.
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H.B. 135 - State Holiday Amendments (Rep. Thurston)
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This bill modifies states holidays and leave days in which the Governor determines which state offices and services will be closed/unavailable to the public. Rules establishing policies and procedures will allow each employee to substitute Columbus Day (currently a paid holiday) with another holiday of an employee’s choosing, called a personal holiday. This would allow greater inclusion and flexibilty for state employees to recieve paid time off for holidays that are culturally or religiously significant to them.
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Watch: "How to talk to the Utah State Legislature about...stuff"
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VIDEO SUMMARY: KEY TIPS FOR HOW TO REACH LAW MAKERS DURING THE SESSION
- Learn how a bill becomes a law
- Know who your elected officials are
- Sign up for your elected official's email newsletter (if applicable)
- In email or texts, mention that you are a constituent and include your home address
- Keep your message as brief as you can and make it personal
- Keep it civil, let them know that you want to find solutions
- When mentioning a bill, make sure to include the bill number, main sponsor, and a brief description
- Don't be afraid to testify at a committee hearing. You can also provide public comment virtually! Most hearings are live streamed.
- Strive to find the humanity in each other (thank your elected officials, remember that democracy is a process)
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How do I follow a bill?
> You can make a "My Legislature" account on the Utah State Legislature website to keep tabs on particular bills, but you can also follow community bill trackers that organizations put together based on policy priorities that affect their work.
FEATURED BILL TRACKERS
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I would like to share my feedback in a committee hearing. How do I testify?
> Committee meetings are open to the public and provide a space for the public to express their views about proposed legislation, budgets, and other public policy issues. Most committee meetings also have a virtual option. If you are interested in a particular bill, you may contact the chair of a specific committee to schedule your testimony.
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How can I get involved if
I don't have a lot of time?
> FIND OUT WHO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE.
Once you know who represents you, you have someone to keep accountable.
> FOLLOW THE LEGISLATURE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
Both legislative bodies post updates to various social media channels.
Follow the hashtags #utleg and #utpol on Twitter for updates from legislative bodies, legislators and journalists alike.
> GET UPDATES FROM CREDIBLE NEWS SOURCES.
Some local news organizations offer frequent legislative updates. Find a source that you like and sign up to get updates through whichever channel works best for you.
> DO SOME STUDYING.
Learn what legislative terms mean, how to read a bill, or how a bill becomes a law.
> TRACK THE STATUS OF A BILL.
If there's a current bill you're interested in, you can see where the bill is in the legislative process and see how your representatives voted on it under the "Status" tab. You can also use the Legislature's floor calendars and bill tracking service to keep tabs on bills.
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| Contact Your Representatives
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