2021 Legislative Scorecard

2021

LEGISLATIVE SC O R ECARD As Utah’s business leader, we stand as the voice of business, we support our members’ success and we champion community prosperity.

Dear Business Community, This year's Utah State Legislature held the 2021 General Session during the pandemic and it was unlike any before. Masks were required in the Capitol, plexiglass dividers were installed, and the public was able to comment virtually during committee hearings. Utah as a state has led the way for years with mail in voting and showed they could lead with technology to hold a robust and productive legislative session.

The session was deliberate in heeding the call issued by the Salt Lake Chamber from the beginning to enact no new regulations as business continued to heal from the pandemic. This was achieved and legislators began to look toward the challenges Utah faces with renewed growth. A record budget was passed at $23.5 billion for funding, and 502 bills made it through committees ready for signage.

Infrastructure and education were big winners in the budget and a concerted effort was made to tackle homelessness and affordable housing. A significant win for businesses was the new regulatory sandbox bill that creates a relief valve for business with the creation of a regulatory relief office under the auspices of the repurposed Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. Also, the data security amendments bill helped establish the need for implementing best practices when dealing with personal data. These forward looking approaches helped cement the session as one committed to maintaining Utah’s enviable business climate.

Tax relief and Emergency powers enumeration rounded out the highs of the session. In conclusion, this year's session was another success for the Chamber’s legislative priorities. We are pleased with the outcomes and the legislature's willingness to look ahead and secure a prosperous future for all Utahns.

Sincerely,

Derek Miller President and CEO Salt Lake Chamber

Craig Wagstaff 2020-2021 Board Chair Salt Lake Chamber

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

BUSINESS CLIMATE, TAXES, ECONOMIC AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT CHAMPIONS: HB 80, Data Security Amendments, Representative Walt Brooks Effective and proactive tools to help combat cybersecurity threats are critical to Utah Businesses.

SB 18, Property Tax Exemption Amendments, Senator Wayne Harper Reducing the Personal Property Tax burden for small businesses is essential for economic success.

TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE CHAMPIONS: HB 433, Amendments Related to Infrastructure Funding, Representative Mike Schultz Proactive infrastructure planning to ensure responsible growth and success.

SB 217, Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Act, Senator Wayne Harper Thoughtful collaboration to increase housing development.

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE CHAMPIONS: HB 328, Adult Learners Grant Program, Representative Lowry Snow Workforce alignment programs that will meet Utah’s labor shortages are crucial to sustained economic growth.

SB 164, Utah Housing Affordability Amendments, Senator Jake Anderegg Ensuring Utah’s Workforce can attain housing near their places of work ensures the continuation of Utah’s renowned quality of life.

SALT LAKE CHAMBER

PRIORITY VOTES 767 228 13 502 71 8 BILLS NUMBERED

BILLS TRACKED

BY THE CHAMBER

PRIORITY BILLS

BILLS PASSED

SUPPORTED BILLS

OPPOSED BILLS

During the legislative session, the Salt Lake Chamber Board of Directors designates top priorities of the business community to be considered as “priority votes.”

SUCCESSFUL PRIORITY BILLS *HB 36

Telehealth Mental Health Program (Combined with SB 41, which passed)

HB 80

Data Security Amendments

HB 82

Single-family Housing Modifications

*HB 161 Military Retirement Amendments (Combined with SB 11, which passed) HB 328 Adult Learners Grant Program

SPONSORED BY Representative Ray Ward Representative Walt Brooks Representative Ray Ward Representative Candice Pierucci Representative Lowry Snow

HB 347 Homeless Services Amendments

Representative Steve Eliason

HB 433 Amendments Related to Infrastructure Funding

Representative Mike Schultz

SB 18

Property Tax Exemption Amendments

Senator Wayne Harper

SB 41

Mental Health Access Amendments

Senator Luz Escamilla

SB 164

Utah Housing Affordability Amendments

Senator Jake Anderegg

*SB 202 Grant Program Small Businesses (Was funded and implemented without needing the bill to pass) Senator Kirk Cullimore SB 214

Official Language Amendments

Senator Kirk Cullimore

SB 217

Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Act

Senator Wayne Harper

** Didn’t pass, but was included in another bill, or the purpose was accomplished through funding without the bill.

SALT LAKE CHAMBER’S OPPOSED BILLS **HB 92 Medical Practice Amendments Representative Rex Shipp **HB 235 Annexation Amendments Representative Doug Sagers **HB 284 Minimum Wage Amendments Representative Clare Collard **HB 302 Preserving Sports for Female Students Representative Keira Birkeland **SB 46 Post-employment Restrictions Amendments Senator Kirk Cullimore **SB 74 Price Control Repeals Senator Jake Andergg **SB 205 Election Process Amendments Senator Dan McCay **SB 208 Employee Medical Procedures Protection Act Senator Mike Kennedy ** Did not pass

BUSINESS CHAMPIONS

The Legislature plays a key role in preserving Utah’s pro-business climate, and every year the Salt Lake Chamber honors legislators who support a pro-economy and pro-business agenda with the title of “Business Champion.” The designation of Business Champion is directly tied to a legislator’s voting record on Salt Lake Chamber “Priority Votes.” Legislators received the award for supporting at least 80 percent of the Chamber’s priority bills.

We recognize the 2021 Business Champions representing well more than 90% of the Legislature.

House

Senate

65/75 (86.7%)

Speaker Brad Wilson Representative Cheryl Acton Representative Carl Albrecht Representative Kyle R. Andersen Representative Patrice Arent Representative Melissa Garff Ballard Representative Stewart Barlow Representative Brady Brammer Representative Joel Briscoe Representative Walt Brooks Representative Scott Chew Representative Steve Christiansen Representative Kay Christofferson Representative Jen Dailey-Provost Representative Susan Duckworth Representative James Dunnigan Representative Steve Eliason Representative Joel Ferry Representative Francis Gibson Representative Craig Hall Representative Stephen Handy Representative Suzanne Harrison Representative Timothy Hawkes Representative Jon Hawkins Representative Sandra Hollins Representative Eric Hutchings Representative Dan Johnson Representative Marsha Judkins Representative Brian King Representative Karen Kwan Representative Bradley Last Representative Karianne Lisonbee Representative Phil Lyman

29/29 (100%)

Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative Representative

Kelly Miles Carol Moss Jefferson Moss Calvin R. Musselman Merrill Nelson Derrin Owens Lee Perry Val Peterson Candice Pierucci Stephanie Pitcher Val Potter Marie Poulson Susan Pulsipher Paul Ray Angela Romero Douglas Sagers Mike Schultz Rex P. Shipp LaWanna "Lou" Shurtliff Lowry Snow Robert Spendlove Jeff Stenquist Andrew Stoddard Keven Stratton Norman Thurston Steve Waldrip Raymond Ward Christine Watkins Elizabeth Weight Mark Wheatley Logan Wilde Mike Winder

*Legislators are graded on their vote on the final passage of the bill excluding concurrence votes.

President Stuart Adams Senator Jake Anderegg Senator Curt Bramble Senator Gregg Buxton Senator Allen M. Christensen Senator Kirk A. Cullimore Jr. Senator Gene Davis Senator Luz Escamilla Senator Lincoln Fillmore Senator Keith Grover Senator Wayne A. Harper Senator Dan Hemmert Senator Deidre Henderson Senator Lyle W. Hillyard Senator David P. Hinkins Senator Don L. Ipson Senator Jani Iwamoto Senator Derek Lloyd Kitchen Senator Karen Mayne Senator Dan McCay Senator Ann Millner Senator Ralph Okerlund Senator Kathleen Riebe Senator Scott Sandall Senator Jerry Stevenson Senator Daniel Thatcher Senator Evan Vickers Senator Todd Weiler Senator Ronald Winterton

The Salt Lake Chamber is proud to present the 2021 “Legislator of the Year” award to Representative Mike Schultz.

Representative Mike Schultz has represented House District 12 since 2015. Throughout that time, Rep. Schultz has been a champion for the business community and has shared Chamber priorities. During the 2021 Legislative Session, Rep. Schultz sponsored several Chamber priority bills including, HB 433, Amendments Related to Infrastructure Funding. This critical piece of legislation sought to tackle Utah’s growth head on to accelerate the state into the future. The bill funded through appropriation and bonding authorization numerous transportation projects essential to the State’s success. In particular, the bill prioritizes and funds the double-tracking of the Frontrunner passenger train to increase frequency and to bump up ridership in an effort to move more cars off the road. The bill also invests money into state parks and trails which directly aids in the quality of life that Utahns love so much.

Rep. Schultz is a lifelong resident of Hooper, Roy and West Haven, and grew up working on his grandfather's cattle farm. At a young age, his parents promoted hard work. By following their example, he became a successful entrepreneur and business owner, obtaining his general contractor's license and building homes at age 20. He now is a real estate developer and president of Castle Creek Homes.

Rep. Schultz’s ability to think big and work collaboratively to share his vision and bring people together make him an outstanding legislator. For these and many other reasons, the Salt Lake Chamber is proud to honor Representative Mike Schultz as the 2021 Legislator of the Year.

www.slchamber.com 201 S. Main Street #2300, SLC, UT, 84111 | 801.364.3631