With the legislative session now in full swing, week two brought time spent refining policies to benefit our state. We welcomed Aerospace and Defense Day on the Hill, highlighting Utah’s ever-growing role in national security, advanced manufacturing and aerospace innovation. As Utah continues to grow, we’re continually focused on investing in education, protecting our constitutional rights, improving public safety and ensuring that our state remains a place where families and businesses can thrive. Utah has always been built by people willing to dream big and work hard. That same spirit is on display this session as we continue moving our state forward.
Your voice helps shape the future of our state. As your senator, I welcome your input on the policies you support and those you oppose.
I’m fortunate to have an intern assisting me with the busyness of the session. If you would like to meet with me, please contact my intern Kathrine Crouch at kcrouch@le.utah.gov or (801) 946-5752.
I look forward to working with my colleagues this session as we develop policies that strengthen Utah’s future.
Legislative Priority Highlight
S.B. 134 Court Amendments
Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. While that growth brings many benefits, it also places added demands on essential public services, including our courts. Over the years, Utah has added district court judges to respond to population growth. However, our appellate courts and Supreme Court have remained unchanged for decades:
The Utah Supreme Court has remained unchanged since 1917.
The Utah Court of Appeals has remained unchanged since 1987.
As Utah’s population has grown and legal issues have become more complex, these courts are now managing significantly heavier caseloads. This has led to delays, backlogs and longer wait times for decisions that directly affect Utah families and businesses. Click here for a video summary of what S.B. 134 aims to do.
What It Does
S.B. 134 takes a system-wide approach to addressing these challenges by increasing capacity:
Supreme Court: Adds two justices (from 5 to 7)
Court of Appeals: Adds two judges (from 7 to 9)
District Courts: Adds three judges each in Districts 3, 4 and 5.
Judicial Support: Provides additional law clerks, judicial assistants and support staff to support the work of the judiciary.
Why It Matters
Supreme Court: 34 states have seven or nine justices on their state supreme courts. States similar in size to Utah all have seven to nine justices, except Utah.
Court of Appeals: Utah currently has more than 488,000 residents per Court of Appeals judge, well above the regional norm of 300,000 to 350,000.
District Courts: Adding judges in high-need districts will help reduce wait times for case processing and ensure timely access to justice across the state.
Statewide System Resources: S.B. 134 addresses these challenges by adding judges, clerks and staff to expand overall capacity. This will reduce case backlogs and speed up case resolution, helping ensure Utah’s courts continue to serve the public effectively.
On the Hill
Capitol Visitors
I always appreciate the opportunity to connect with members of our community. It was a pleasure to visit with some 4H student leaders following their recognition on the Senate floor this week.
Phones in classrooms are more than distractions; they’re hurting learning and mental health. Students without phones learn 62% more and score over a letter grade higher. Technology has its place, but not at the expense of student focus and mental health.
What It Does
This bill protects the classroom as a sanctuary of learning from the first bell of the day to the last. The classroom should be a phone-free zone in order to create a focused, intentional and productive learning environment.
Reasonable exceptions remain in place for emergencies and medical needs, and local school districts retain the flexibility to make adjustments that best serve their communities.
Restores balance in the classroom, supports teachers, strengthens student engagement and gives kids their focus and their childhood back, while giving parents confidence that learning comes first.
Why It Matters
Phones are increasingly disrupting classrooms, affecting student focus and negatively impacting mental health.
Some schools in Utah have already implemented a bell-to-bell policy and the early results show the positive impact it has had. At Granger High School, physical altercations were nearly cut in half, students recorded 62% more information in class and test scores increased by a full letter grade and a half.
The goal is to empower school districts, teachers, students and parents to create a more focused and productive learning environment.
Establishes a process for the State Board of Education to collect and share information about credible student threats between local education agencies when a student transfers schools.
Allows schools to flag serious safety concerns so the School Safety Center is aware of potential risks.
Creates a structured threat assessment process to evaluate and document threats that may pose a risk to students, staff or school property.
Protects student privacy by limiting access to authorized school staff and, if needed, law enforcement.
Provides immunity for good-faith reporting to encourage accurate and timely communication.
Why It Matters
Helps schools have the information they need about students’ safety concerns when transferring, improving protection for everyone.
Improves communication between schools to prevent dangerous situations from falling through the cracks.
Helps schools respond to credible threats more effectively while protecting student privacy and due process.
Supports broader school safety efforts and complements recent legislation focused on collaboration and student reintegration.
Strengthens Utah’s commitment to keeping students, educators and school communities safe.
Twenty-five years ago, our country woke up to a morning that changed everything. On September 11, 2,977 innocent lives were taken, and families across America were forever altered. Behind every number is a name, a story and loved ones who still carry that loss today.
In the midst of unimaginable tragedy, we also witnessed the very best of our nation. First responders, emergency personnel and ordinary citizens showed extraordinary courage, compassion, and sacrifice, reminding us what it means to serve something greater than ourselves.
To ensure this moment in history is never forgotten, the Senate passed S.C.R. 2, encouraging communities across Utah to mark September 11, 2026 with ceremonies, moments of silence and gatherings that bring people together. The resolution also urges schools to teach this history in meaningful ways so the next generation understands not just what happened, but why it still matters.
We remember 9/11 not only to honor those we lost, but to recommit ourselves to unity, resilience and freedom, the values that carried us through that dark day and continue to define who we are as Americans.
Utah is growing fast, and that means we need more reliable, affordable power to support our families, businesses and communities. Fortunately, the West Coast has high geothermal potential. Geothermal is a clean, always-on energy source that delivers electricity around the clock, regardless of time of day or weather, helping keep energy costs stable as demand increases.
What It Does
S.B. 21 ensures Utah’s laws keep pace by updating state code, protecting water and property rights, and strengthening oversight so geothermal development happens responsibly in a way that safeguards Utah’s land, resources and communities.
Why It Matters
New geothermal projects in Utah are putting our state on the map as a leader in next-generation energy production.
We are expanding homegrown power, reducing reliance on out-of-state energy and creating high-paying jobs here at home. These are issues Utahns consistently rank as a top priority: lower energy costs, energy independence and strong local job opportunities.
Recognizes nuclear fuel recycling as a potential clean energy opportunity.
Authorizes the Office of Energy Development (OED) to coordinate with public, private and federal partners on the possible development of a nuclear fuel recycling facility in Utah.
Instructs the Utah Energy Council to provide guidance and conduct preliminary assessments on nuclear fuel recycling.
Allows the OED to serve as a liaison between private entities and local communities where a facility might be considered.
Why It Matters
Utah is one of only two states with salt cavern geology capable of safely storing nuclear waste, creating a unique opportunity to lead in advanced nuclear energy production and cutting-edge nuclear waste reprocessing.
Much of today’s spent nuclear fuel can be recycled and reused for clean, reliable energy production, helping to eliminate the need to store harmful nuclear waste.
Positions Utah to strengthen energy reliability, expand workforce opportunities and support economic growth.
Improves election data integrity by assigning unique voter ID numbers and enhancing procedures for removing deceased voters.
Makes core voter registration records public by default, aligning with federal election law.
Establishes a clear "at-risk” designation for individuals with documented threats, such as domestic violence victims, law enforcement and military members, which will keep their records private.
Currently, accessing voter data can cost more than $1,000. This bill would cap the fee at $200, ensuring fair and transparent access.
Prevents misuse by giving clear warnings to anyone requesting the data, and imposing criminal and civil penalties for violations.
Why It Matters
Locked doors don’t create confidence; open doors do. In Utah, we are committed to open, trustworthy elections so it is easy to vote and hard to cheat.
Previous rules limited public verification and created a larger financial barrier to voter files.
Allows citizens, watchdogs, journalists and campaigns to more easily verify information. This will build trust, transparency and accountability in our election process.
Sets a clear deadline and timeline for the election office to produce the statewide randomized master ballot order, so candidate names are listed fairly and consistently across all ballots.
Establishes a consistent signature submission deadline for candidates seeking election to the U.S. House in 2026, providing greater clarity in the election process.
Supports S.B. 2001 Election Amendments, which adjusted congressional filing deadlines to provide candidates clarity and election officials time to prepare.
Why It Matters
By clarifying how and when ballots are set and how candidates qualify, S.B. 140 helps make sure no candidate gets an accidental advantage simply from name placement.
Predictable dates and deadlines mean that candidates and voters all have the same expectations, reducing confusion and improving election confidence.
Your Guide to Getting Involved in the Legislative Process
Public participation plays an important role in shaping strong policies for all Utahns. That’s why we’ve created a webpage designed to help you easily follow the issues that matter most to you and take part in the legislative process. These video tutorials will walk you through how to navigate the legislative website, le.utah.gov, and make the most of its many resources. Learn more about how you can stay connected, view committee agendas and bills, participate and more at: senate.utah.gov/getting-involved.
Until Next Time
I'll continue to update you on my work on Capitol Hill. Likewise, please keep in touch – I’d love to hear your insights and opinions. I can be reached by email at ssandall@le.utah.gov. My mobile phone number is (435) 279-7551.
I’m truly grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me to serve such wonderful people. Thank you for all you do to make Utah the best state in the nation – and thanks for paying attention.
