2026 Legislative Session Week 4

Utah lawmakers may consider big changes to the way state government is run. Host Jason Perry leads a discussion on the policies at play and why one proposal would require voter approval. Plus, debates over housing, homelessness, and Salt Lake City's roads could have major local impact.

THE DEEPER DIVE:
• ️ Utah lawmakers are on track to file a record number of bills in 2026. But does that mean they will pass a record number of laws? Some lawmakers say legislation is moving through the legislature at a slower pace than recent years. We'll explain why politicians on both sides of the aisle believe that's a good thing.
• ️ Should the Utah Legislature modify the way it does business? A proposed constitutional amendment would break up the 45-day annual general session into three 15-day sessions. This proposal raises questions about whether Utah has grown enough to warrant a full-time legislature. Our panel discusses the pros and cons.
• This coming week lawmakers will receive updated revenue numbers as they begin finalizing budget requests from state agencies. Many expect the overall budget to be flat compared to last year. Major funding requests include more money for education and a $130 million expansion of the state prison in Salt Lake City.
• Housing and homelessness continue to be big issues on Capitol Hill. This week the House Majority Leader (Rep. Casey Snider, R-Paradise) announced legislation that would derail state plans for a new homeless campus on Salt Lake City's west side.
• Utah voters say the housing shortage is their number one concern. Our panel discusses several proposals to tackle this issue.
• ⛽️ A proposed tax on gasoline exports from Utah is sparking some conflict with neighboring states. We examine why this idea developed, and how negotiations could modify the bill.
• Should internet platforms be required to label "deep fakes"? That's the idea behind one of several bills that would regulate Artificial Intelligence. We explore how the state is looking to place guardrails around AI.
• Our panel also discusses several ther bills being considered in the legislature, including one that would expand maternity leave for state employees and several that focus on water issues in the state.

️ FEATURING:
• Rep. Ariel Defay – (R) Kaysville
• Rep. Doug Owens – (D) Millcreek, Minority Caucus Manager
• Jeff Parrott – Statewatch Editor, The Salt Lake Tribune

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