2026
FEDERAL PRIORITIES
Dear Business Community, The Utah Chamber is committed to advocating for policies that strengthen Utah’s economy and promote prosperity for our businesses and communities. Utah companies, large and small, deserve an environment that enables them to thrive, supported by the tools and resources they need. To that end, we work closely with policymakers to advance solutions that strengthen our workforce, modern infrastructure and bolster competitiveness. Throughout the year, we connect with Utah’s Federal Delegation to identify the priorities most critical to sustaining our economic momentum and advancing Utah Rising, our business-led initiative for a successful future. Because Utah’s success is intertwined with federal policy and the strength of the national economy, our advocacy ensures that businesses and communities continue to prosper. This year’s priorities reflect the opportunities that will most shape Utah’s economic future. We are advancing an all-of-the-above energy strategy that expands generation and modernizes the grid to meet the rising demand of Utah’s growth industries, all while keeping power affordable and reliable. We are strengthening Utah’s vital role in America’s national security and resource independence, building domestic supply chains while supporting thousands of high-quality jobs. We are championing responsible stewardship of our water, forests and public lands, and calling for regulation and permitting that are predictable, efficient and grounded in sound science. And we are focused on what keeps Utah competitive for the long haul, from open and reliable trade to modern infrastructure and a skilled, growing workforce. Together, these priorities keep Utah’s economy strong and our communities thriving. We extend our gratitude to Utah’s Federal Delegation for their service and leadership. We also urge all Chamber members to stay informed and actively participate in these advocacy efforts to advance Utah Rising and build the state we want to become. By working together, we can ensure that Utah remains a place of opportunity, innovation and resilience – setting a standard for the nation and supporting a future of lasting prosperity.
Sincerely,
Derek Miller President and CEO Utah Chamber
Matt Lyon Board Chair Utah Chamber
Table of Contents Utah Chamber Overview.................................................................. 1 Utah’s Federal Delegation................................................................ 2 Priorities................................................................................................ 4 Energy............................................................................................. 4 National Security & Critical Minerals.......................................... 5 Natural Resources......................................................................... 6 Regulation & Permitting............................................................... 7 Trade & Supply Chain................................................................... 8 Transportation & Infrastructure.................................................... 8 Workforce....................................................................................... 9
About the Utah Chamber The Utah Chamber is a statewide chamber of commerce, representing the diverse voices of the state’s 80,000-plus employers and their employees. The Chamber unites the voices of Utah businesses, local chambers and industry associations to build a stronger business environment, increase healthy job creation and support prosperous communities across the state.
Public Policy Team Mary Catherine Perry Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs mcperry@utchamber.com
Ashlin Holbrook Public Policy Coordinator aholbrook@utchamber.com
Federal Delegation Senate Sen. Mike Lee
Congressional Committee Assignments:
• Chair of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Energy Subcommittee · National Parks Subcommittee · Public Lands, Forests and Mining Subcommittee · Water and Power Subcommittee • Senate Foreign Relations Committee · East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy Subcommittee · Chairman of Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions and International Economic, Energy and Environmental Policy Subcommittee · Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism Subcommittee • Senate Judiciary Committee · Chairman on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Subcommittee · Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action and Federal Rights Subcommittee · Intellectual Property Subcommittee · Constitution Subcommittee • Senate Budget Committee
Sen. John Curtis
Congressional Committee Assignments:
• Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee · Coast Guard, Maritime and Fisheries Subcommittee · Consumer Protection, Technology and Data Privacy Subcommittee · Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee • Senate Environment and Public Works Committee · Chairman of Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice and Regulatory Oversight Subcommittee · Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Innovation and Safety Subcommittee · Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee • Senate Foreign Relations Committee · East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy Subcommittee · Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee · Chairman of Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women’s Issues • Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
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House Rep. Blake Moore (UT-1)
Congressional Committee Assignments: • House Ways and Means Committee · Health Subcommittee · Social Security Subcommittee · Trade Subcommittee • House Budget Committee
Rep. Celeste Maloy (UT-2)
Congressional Committee Assignments:
• House Appropriations Committee · Vice Chair on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee · Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee · Legislative Branch Subcommittee • House Natural Resources Committee · Federal Lands Subcommittee · Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee
Rep. Mike Kennedy (UT-3)
Congressional Committee Assignments:
• House Natural Resources Committee · Federal Lands Subcommittee · Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee • House Science, Space and Technology Committee · Research and Technology Subcommittee · Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee • House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee · Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee · Highways and Transit Subcommittee · Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee
Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-4)
Congressional Committee Assignments:
• House Education and Workforce Committee · Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee · Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee · Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee • House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee · Aviation Subcommittee · Highways and Transit Subcommittee · Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee
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Federal Priorities
Energy Robust energy affordability, reliability and sustainability are fundamental to Utah’s continued economic growth and competitiveness. Rapid expansion of advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, artificial intelligence and data infrastructure is increasing electricity demand across Utah and the West. A comprehensive energy strategy that expands generation, modernizes the electric grid and removes unnecessary barriers to deployment is essential to meeting future demand while maintaining affordability and reliability.
We Urge Congress to: • Promote an all-of-the-above energy strategy, including federal investments that accelerate the commercialization of innovative energy technologies, reduce early-stage development risk and encourage private-sector energy investment.
• Accelerate the modernization of the nation’s electric transmission system by
streamlining permitting, encouraging deployment of advanced transmission technologies and improving the efficiency and capacity of existing infrastructure.
• Streamline geothermal permitting and leasing, improve coordination among federal land management agencies, modernize policies that accelerate the transition of innovative geothermal technologies and encourage investment in geothermal exploration and development.
• Modernize the regulatory framework for advanced nuclear energy, streamline licensing and permitting, remove barriers to the deployment of advanced reactor technologies and support advanced nuclear manufacturing and fuel cycle capabilities. These actions will help ensure Utah is well positioned to compete for future federal nuclear research, demonstration and deployment opportunities.
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National Security & Critical Minerals Utah plays a vital role in America’s national security through its military installations, defense industry, advanced manufacturing sector and growing critical minerals resources. As the United States works to reduce its dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals, Utah is uniquely positioned to strengthen domestic supply chains and advance American resource independence. Continued federal investment in these assets strengthens national defense while supporting thousands of high-quality jobs throughout the state.
We Urge Congress to: • Provide sustained investment in military installations, strategic deterrence capabilities, defense
research and advanced manufacturing to strengthen America’s national security and reinforce Utah’s role as a leader in aerospace and defense innovation.
• Modernize the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit by aligning it with the
current U.S. Geological Survey critical minerals list and recognizing extraction as a qualifying activity. These updates will strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign adversaries for minerals essential to national security and advanced manufacturing.
• Authorize and fund the Minerals for Industrial, National and Economic Security (MINES) Center,
consistent with Utah’s S.C.R. 9, Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding, to advance research, technology commercialization and workforce development while strengthening America’s critical minerals supply chain.
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Natural Resources Utah’s long-term prosperity is closely tied to the responsible management of its water resources, forests and public lands. Strong federal-state partnerships are essential to ensuring these natural resources remain healthy, resilient and capable of supporting the state’s economy, communities and future growth.
We Urge Congress to: • Fully fund forest treatment and wildfire management to
reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, protect Utah’s watersheds and safeguard communities, infrastructure, recreation and tourism.
• Strengthen wildfire recovery by increasing investment in
emergency response capacity and providing timely, flexible funding for post-wildfire impacts including flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage and drinking water contamination.
• Require federal agencies to coordinate directly with the
Colorado River Basin States before adopting new operational frameworks and prioritize a durable, consensus-based interstate agreement that encourages good-faith participation in basin negotiations.
• Support the administration’s $1 billion budget request for the
Great Salt Lake to accelerate state-led efforts to stabilize the lake, strengthen regional water security, protect public health, sustain key industries, such as mineral extraction, agriculture and recreation, and preserve critical wetlands and wildlife habitat.
• Increase federal investment in water infrastructure, including
storage, conveyance, treatment, reuse and modernization of aging water systems, to help Utah meet future water needs and improve the efficiency and reliability of existing water supplies.
• Increase funding for water optimization programs through the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help Utah’s agricultural producers improve water efficiency, strengthen long-term water security and support the economic vitality of rural communities.
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Regulation & Permitting A predictable, efficient and science-based regulatory environment is essential to economic growth, investment and innovation. Federal regulatory and permitting policies that reflect congressional intent, rely on sound science, provide regulatory certainty and support timely decision-making are critical to protecting public health and the environment, while maintaining a competitive economy.
We Urge Congress to: • Advance bipartisan permitting reform by building on the
House-passed Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act to establish clear environmental review timelines, reduce duplicative requirements, improve interagency coordination and provide greater certainty for infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, mining and other economically significant projects.
• Encourage federal regulatory innovation by establishing
pathways for pilot projects and regulatory sandboxes that allow emerging technologies, including AI, and business models to be tested under appropriate oversight while maintaining protections for public health and safety.
• Ensure federal agencies implement laws consistent with
congressional intent by grounding regulatory decisions in science, site-specific data and measurable environmental and public health outcomes. Expand the use of permit-by-rule and other streamlined permitting approaches for projects that meet clearly established statutory and environmental standards.
• Preserve state and local authority over data center siting, water management, land use and related environmental review processes.
• Improve the speed and rigor of federal permitting processes,
including those under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), by supporting the Council on Environmental Quality’s Permitting Innovators program.
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Trade & Supply Chain Utah businesses rely on international markets and integrated North American supply chains to remain competitive. Federal trade policy should provide certainty, strengthen supply chain resilience, modernize trade infrastructure, expand market opportunities and ensure the efficient movement of goods.
We Urge Congress to: • Modernize federal Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) policies to preserve their competitiveness and provide greater flexibility in tariff treatment and reduce unintended tariff burdens that discourage investments, manufacturing and supply chain development.
• Increase investment in U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and infrastructure to
support Utah’s growing international trade and FTZ network. Expand customs staffing and inspection capacity to facilitate trade, strengthen supply chains and improve the efficient movement of goods.
• Improve access to federal trade assistance programs, including those offered through the
Export-Import Bank (EXIM) and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), by simplifying program requirements, increasing outreach and expanding technical assistance to help Utah businesses compete in global markets and grow exports. EXIM’s reauthorization should be adjusted to better meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Modernize Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to strengthen congressional oversight of U.S. trade
policy while providing businesses with greater certainty through clear statutory parameters for trade agreements and significant tariff actions.
Transportation & Infrastructure Modern infrastructure is essential to Utah’s continued economic success. As one of the nation’s fastest-growing states, Utah benefits from federal policies that provide flexibility, streamline project delivery and empower states to deliver transportation and other critical infrastructure projects efficiently.
We Urge Congress to: • Advance the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, including
the Building United States Infrastructure for Lasting Development (BUILD) America 250 Act. Reauthorization should prioritize federal investment in nationally significant transportation projects, including the FrontRunner commuter rail expansion. Timely completion of these planned investments is critical to strengthening regional mobility, accommodating rapid population growth and ensuring transportation infrastructure is in place for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
• Ensure federal agencies implement congressionally authorized
transportation programs as intended, providing states and local communities with timely decisions and predictable access to appropriated funding for critical infrastructure projects.
• Modernize federal transit funding criteria to recognize projected
population growth, future ridership and long-range regional planning when evaluating major transit investments, ensuring rapidly growing communities can compete fairly for federal funding.
• Provide states with greater flexibility in administering federal infrastructure programs by reducing unnecessary administrative requirements and improving the efficiency of project delivery while maintaining accountability for federal investments.
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Workforce A strong workforce remains one of Utah’s greatest competitive advantages. Expanding talent pipelines, strengthening workforce education and training and increasing labor force participation are essential to helping employers meet the demands of a growing economy.
We Urge Congress to: • Build on the federal Workforce Pell program by expanding eligibility for high-quality,
industry-recognized short-term credential programs and better aligning federal financial aid with employer workforce needs.
• Expand federal support for employer-led workforce partnerships that develop the engineers, technicians and skilled trades professionals needed to support America’s defense industrial base and advanced manufacturing sector.
• Increase federal support for Graduate Medical Education (GME) to expand physician residency positions through academic medical centers, strengthening the health care workforce, improving access to care and addressing physician shortages across Utah. In addition, federal student loan eligibility for graduate health professions programs should be restored and modernized to strengthen Utah’s pipeline of high-demand health care professionals.
• Expand federal workforce development funding eligibility to qualified technical colleges, increasing opportunities to prepare students for careers in skilled trades, health care, advanced manufacturing, technology and other in-demand industries.
• Support immigration reform that allows states to address demonstrated workforce shortages
through federally approved visa programs aligned with regional labor market and industry needs, while maintaining strong federal standards for vetting, security and program oversight.
• Strengthen federal investment in competitive research at institutions of higher education to develop the nation’s STEM talent pipeline, accelerate innovation and technology commercialization and reinforce U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.
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