The 2022 General Session was about setting Utah’s course for the future. Rather than focusing only on the challenges right in front of us, we took a step back and identified the big issues that will shape the lives of Utah families not just this year, but for the next 10, 20, and 30 years.

That effort became what we called the Utah Way Forward. The idea was simple, good government should not just react to problems, it should anticipate them, plan for them, and make smart, disciplined investments that strengthen our state over the long term.

We centered our work around five key priorities:

  • Protecting and preserving Utah’s water
  • Keeping life affordable for Utah families
  • Driving innovation in education
  • Promoting responsible, sustainable growth
  • Making strategic investments with generational impact

These priorities guided everything we did during the session.

We took meaningful steps to keep life affordable, including tax relief and policies aimed at easing the financial pressure families are feeling. We also worked to expand opportunity by removing barriers in areas like housing, workforce participation, and child care.

In education, we focused on innovation and outcomes, making sure teachers have the support they need while giving schools more flexibility to meet the needs of their students. Preparing the next generation is one of our most important responsibilities, and we approached it with that in mind.

We also made important progress in strengthening mental health resources, especially for first responders and others who carry a heavy burden in serving our communities.

Water was a major focus as well. We took real steps toward better conservation and long-term water planning, recognizing that Utah’s continued growth depends on how responsibly we manage this critical resource.

And throughout the session, we prioritized large-scale, strategic investments that will benefit Utah for decades to come, from infrastructure to community-focused projects that improve quality of life across the state.

This work is not finished. The biggest challenges we face cannot be solved in a single session, but I’m proud of the progress we made. We laid a strong foundation, advanced real solutions, and took meaningful steps to keep Utah on the right track.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent our community and to be part of the work of keeping Utah the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

Bills Sponsored & Passed Passed in 2022

I was proud to be the chief sponsor or House floor sponsor of the following bills that passed during the 2022 General Session:

House Bills

  • H.B. 91: Financial Disclosures Amendments: Clarifies campaign finance law by ensuring that sharing existing data with a candidate, when it was not created specifically for that candidate, is not treated as an in-kind contribution. This provides clearer rules for campaigns while maintaining transparency.
  • H.B. 111: Court-appointed Therapists Amendments: Protects court-appointed therapists from harassment and premature lawsuits by requiring parties to first go through the appointing court before filing complaints or malpractice claims. The bill helps ensure therapists are willing to serve in high-conflict family cases while preserving accountability when appropriate.
  • H.B. 139: Traffic Violation Amendments: Creates a deferred prosecution option for minor traffic violations. Drivers who have not received a citation in the prior 12 months can pay the fine and enter a deferred plea online. If they avoid another violation for one year, the charge is dismissed and not reported to insurance, helping responsible drivers avoid long-term financial consequences for a single mistake.
  • H.B. 183: In-person Learning Amendments: Suspended the “test to stay” program as COVID conditions changed and the policy became ineffective during the Omicron wave. With large numbers of students testing positive despite minimal symptoms, the bill helped restore stability in schools and ensured students could remain in the classroom with fewer disruptions.
  • H.B. 218: Ballot Measure Amendments: Modernizes Utah’s signature gathering process by allowing signatures for initiatives, referenda, and candidates to be collected electronically. While signature requirements remain unchanged, the bill reduces costs by eliminating printing, enables real-time verification so gatherers can immediately confirm eligibility, and streamlines the verification process for clerks, significantly reducing manual errors and administrative workload.
  • H.B. 318: Dental Provider Malpractice Amendments: Aligns Utah law with a prior Supreme Court ruling by removing the requirement that dental malpractice claims go through a prelitigation hearing panel. The bill eliminates an unconstitutional step in the process, streamlining cases while preserving patients’ ability to pursue legitimate claims.
  • H.B. 329: Weapon Possession Penalty Amendments: Protects Second Amendment rights by clarifying that individuals prescribed and taking medication for ADHD are not prohibited from possessing a firearm solely because of that treatment. The bill helps ensure that constitutional rights are protected and not limited based on lawful medical care.
  • H.B. 335: Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force: Positions Utah as a national leader in emerging technology by creating a task force to study blockchain and digital innovation, bringing together industry and government to drive responsible growth and innovation.
  • H.B. 456: Digital User Asset Payment Amendments: Modernizes government by providing a way for state agencies to accept digital assets as payment for taxes and other government fees. The bill embraces innovation, expands payment options, and positions Utah as a leader in digital innovation.
  • H.C.R. 5: Concurrent Resolution Condemning the Undemocratic Government of Venezuela: Stands firmly for freedom and democracy by condemning the authoritarian regime in Venezuela and expressing Utah’s support for the Venezuelan people’s pursuit of liberty and self-governance.

Senate Bills

  • S.B. 57: County Amendments: Strengthens checks and balances in county government by reinforcing the authority of the county legislative body. The bill clarifies the role of county attorneys in reviewing legal documents, gives greater autonomy to county councils, and requires county executives to rescind conflicting executive orders and ensure compliance with policies adopted by the legislative body, promoting accountability and proper separation of powers.
  • S.B. 182: Digital Asset Amendments: Establishes clear definitions for digital assets in Utah law and provides a legal framework for ownership rights. The bill protects digital assets as private property, not securities, giving individuals and businesses greater certainty while positioning Utah as a leader in digital innovation.
  • S.B. 213: Business Name Prohibitions: Protects the public from deception by prohibiting the use of “911” in a business or personal name when it is intended to mislead people into believing emergency services are being provided. The bill helps ensure clarity, prevent confusion in urgent situations, and maintain trust in real emergency response systems.