Legislation

HB294 will change current law regarding which private employers are required to use the E-Verify system to check the immigration status of its employees. Current law requires all private employers who employ over 150 people to do so, but HB294 will lower that number to 50 employees. The bill also cites criminal penalties for the use of fraudulent identification to obtain employment.

This bill creates new, standalone offenses criminalizing performances in the presence of minors that are vaguely and broadly defined as "pornographic" or "harmful to minors." This is Rep. Jack's third attempt to run a bill like this with the goal of criminalizing drag performances.

HB174 builds on SB16, the bill passed during the 2023 legislative session that largely banned gender affirming care for minors. HB174 would eliminate exceptions created in SB16 allowing individuals to continue care they were already receiving, and instead forces them to end their ongoing care y January 28, 2027. The bill also removes the requirement set forth in SB16 that the state must continue to review medical evidence regarding gender affirming care, essentially closing the door on the topic.

This bill would further erode the Judiciary's power, undermining the essential checks and balances in our government. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow the governor to nominate judges whether or not they were recommended by the judicial nominating committee. It also removes deadlines for appointments and the ability of the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court to fill vacancies that the governor does not fill in a timely manner. If the bill is passed, the proposed amendment will be on the ballot in 2026.

HB197 expands on the prior sensitive materials law passed in 2024, Rep. Ivory's HB29. This bill would require schools to use automated filters in screening database and other online content and to immediately ban access to materials upon a "plausible" complaint. Like HB29, the bill would require the material to be pulled statewide once enough districts flag the same material, undermining local control over our schools. Additionally, under this bill, parents could sue schools and educational vendors, exposing local education agencies to legal liability that will in turn be covered by taxpayer dollars.

This bill would eliminate the driving privilege card program, a program that allows Utah residents who are not eligible for a REAL ID document or are unable to establish lawful presence to acquire the lawful ability to drive. This program helps everyone as it allows all drivers to be screened for driving ability and to obtain auto insurance, protecting everyone on Utah roads. The bill would also require local law enforcement to notify ICE when a car accident takes place involving a driver who does not have lawful immigration status, further intertwining local law enforcement duties with federal immigration enforcement.

This bill would increase the number of justices on the Utah Supreme Court from five to seven and the number of judges on the Court of Appeals from seven to nine. While a seemingly neutral change, the context and timing of it raises concerns that the catalyst for changing the make up of the Court is political, instead of purely administrative, given the Court's recent rulings against the Legislature in hot-topic cases regarding redistricting and gerrymandering, abortion, and public unions.

HB262 is another proposed bill to weaken the Judicial branch, this time by raising the threshold in judicial retention elections from a simple majority to 67%.

HB256 would make elections for school boards into partisan elections. Currently, candidates for local school boards run asd nonpartisan, however this bill would require them to run with a party affiliation, undergo primary elections, and tie midterm vacandies to party affiliation and selection. This bill needlessly politicizes Utah's school boards.