2026 General Legislative Session Day 28 (2/17/2026) Part 1 [Source] Translate

The meeting began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call, noting an excused absence for Representative Chu. A quorum was confirmed. The Speaker announced a Rules Committee meeting and reported several bills passed by the Senate, including Senate Bill 77, Senate Bill 112, and Senate Bill 145, which were referred to the House Rules Committee. Committee reports were presented, with the Judiciary Committee recommending House Bill 216 and House Bill 370, both of which were adopted. Similar reports from other committees, including Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment, Transportation, Government Operations, Political Subdivisions, and Revenue and Taxation, were also adopted. Representative Ward moved to authorize the Speaker to sign a citation for the 125th anniversary of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, which passed unanimously. New bills, House Bill 565 through House Bill 577, were introduced and referred to the House Rules Committee. The House Consent Calendar included First Substitute House Bill 384, which passed with 69 votes, and House Bill 486 concerning fraudulent deeds, which passed with 70 votes. Personal privileges were not allowed due to time constraints. House Bill 414, concerning Dental Hygienist Amendments, was presented by Representative Dunnigan and passed with 69 votes. HCR 11, a resolution urging healthy activities in schools by Representative Hall, also passed with 69 votes. Second substitute HB 383, a technical cleanup bill for the Department of Health and Human Services, passed with 69 votes. A conference committee report was adopted, clarifying legislative processes and adjusting deadlines for sunset bills. House Bill 308, concerning Homeless Services Amendments by Representative Okerlund, passed with 66 votes. House Bill 320, updating the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, passed with 69 votes. House Bill 329, regarding State Employee Maternity and Leave Amendments, proposed extending maternity leave from six to nine weeks. The motion to adopt a third substitute passed unanimously, but a first substitute proposed by Representative Ballard failed after discussions about its implications for local education agencies. The underlying bill passed with 53 votes in favor. Representative Thompson requested to open a bill file for a joint resolution supporting the Upward Mobility Act, which was approved. The meeting then discussed HB 204, concerning higher education student belief accommodation, which aims to protect students from compelled speech and participation in activities conflicting with their beliefs. The bill passed after addressing concerns about its impact on essential learning activities. Further discussions included HB 218, which updates digital skills education for seventh and eighth graders, passing with 73 votes. Second Substitute HB 270, eliminating non-compete clauses in healthcare worker contracts, passed with 71 votes. First Substitute HB 23, requiring public information on service animals, passed unanimously, and Second Substitute HB 102, allowing crime victims to use initials on public documents, passed with 65 votes. The meeting concluded with a report from the Rules Committee recommending several bills for assignment to various standing committees, which were adopted. Announcements regarding upcoming events and caucus meetings were made before the House recessed until 2 p.m.