Gov. Cox delivers State of the State address

Two days into the legislative session, Gov. Spencer J. Cox gave his 2024 State of the State speech at the Capitol to Utahns, the Legislature, the Supreme Court and constitutional officers. Cox focused on the reason Utah is the top ranked state in the nation and what needs to be done to stay there. 

The Governor shared his policy priorities and goals for the future, including:

• Housing – Cox proposed the Utah First Homes program in December with a goal of building 35,000 starter homes in the next five years. “The American dream is alive in Utah, but it will be dead soon if we don’t get this right,” Cox said. “Utah must lead the nation with bold and innovative solutions.”

• Homelessness – in December, Cox proposed a comprehensive statewide plan to address homelessness. “There is nothing compassionate about allowing people to suffer and die on our streets and there is nothing compassionate about allowing laws to be flagrantly ignored and broken,” said Cox. “We can provide help and demand accountability.”

• Service – Cox has proposed a pilot program encouraging service hours for high school students, a year-long service fellowship allowing young adults to serve in qualifying nonprofits, community institutions and agencies with a living stipend and tuition benefits and bonuses for those choosing to serve in the Utah National Guard.

• State of the State – “My friends, the State of the State is as strong as it’s ever been,” he said. “And I’m convinced with every passing day that the source of our state’s strength is what for the longest time people told us was our weakness. We’re different. We’re weird. The good kind of weird. The kind of weird the rest of the nation is desperate for right now. And I’m praying we can keep it that way.”

View the full speech on the governor’s website, governor.utah.gov/state-of-the-state-address/

Children’s Device Protection Act 

Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross introduced SB104 that would require tablets or smartphones to automatically enable a filter blocking obscene content when used by a minor. The filter can be disabled with a password by a parent or adult user. 

This follows a Utah law that requires pornography websites to verify that users are adults not children. SB104 was currently in committee as of press time.

Faith leaders request legislators support to reduce homelessness

Leaders from different faith communities came together last week at the Capitol to show support for proposed legislation to reduce homelessness. Their faith inspires them to give help where needed, they said. Several leaders shared their experiences with homelessness and called on legislators to support the effort to address it.

Diversity, equity and inclusion bill 

HB261 Equal Opportunity Initiatives, passed out of the House and now moves to the Senate as of press time. The bill is meant to outlaw DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) requirements and programs at public universities, schools “or any other institution of the state” that takes part in what the legislation says “prohibited discriminatory practices.”

Gender-specific bathroom bill sparks debate

A bill that would prevent individuals from using a gender-specific bathroom that is different from their biological sex unless their sex has been legally changed on a birth certificate or they have had gender-related surgery, has caused controversy in the legislature and among groups who believe HB257 is discriminatory. 

HB257, sponsored by Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan said her goal is to provide privacy in schools and other buildings to protect those who may be subject to bullying and others who may be questioning their identity. The bill requires those buildings to provide more single-stall or unisex restrooms and locker rooms. HB257 passed in the House but underwent changes on Wednesday. The revised bill does not stop transgender individuals from using a public gender specific bathroom. It know focuses on “the actions of those who commit lewd and offensive behavior in a privacy space, no matter the gender,” and “strengthens criminal charges for those who commit offensive behavior in a bathroom.” The bill does require individuals use changing rooms and locker rooms that correspond to their sex.