Friends and Neighbors,
Utah’s future is bright, but keeping the lights on and ensuring our state remains a leader in innovation and economic growth requires bold action. By 2050, we must at least triple our current energy production to meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing and other essential sectors.
Energy isn’t just about keeping the grid running; it powers every aspect of our lives. It charges our phones, fuels our transportation and keeps our homes comfortable year-round. It impacts everything from food prices to electricity costs, shaping our daily experiences in ways we often take for granted.
Fortunately, Utah is well-positioned to lead. With abundant geothermal, coal and natural gas resources and emerging technologies like next-generation small modular nuclear, our diverse energy portfolio is not only securing Utah’s future but strengthening America’s energy independence and national security.
This week, we’re highlighting the critical steps we’re taking to secure reliable, affordable energy for generations to come. Stay tuned as we explore how Utah is rising to the challenge, along with other legislative updates.
Priority Spotlight: Advancing Utah’s Energy Future with Small Modular Nuclear
A critical step in positioning Utah as a leader in energy innovation is embracing the transformative potential of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Unlike traditional nuclear plants, these advanced reactors are designed to be safer, more flexible and capable of providing reliable, around-the-clock power with a reduced environmental impact.
H.B. 249 Nuclear Power Amendments is a forward-thinking bill that positions Utah at the forefront of energy advancement. The bill’s three main components—the Utah Energy Council, Energy Development Zones and the Nuclear Energy Consortium—are designed to work in tandem to ensure Utah leads in energy innovation and development. They will facilitate project financing, develop policy recommendations, foster nuclear energy partnerships, support workforce development programs and create necessary regulatory frameworks.
Through their efforts, we can ensure our state remains at the cutting edge of energy development, ready to seize new opportunities and maintain a reliable power supply for generations to come.
Investing in Teachers Who Shape Utah’s Future
Utah’s teachers are at the heart of student success, equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. This session, we are once again showing our appreciation for their dedication and hard work by providing a direct salary increase for teachers of $1,446 and a $1,000 bonus for education support staff, in addition to a 4% funding increase for school districts to provide another boost for all employees.
Additionally, we are adding:
$50 million – $1,446 salary increase for teachers
$1,000 direct salary increase, $446 for the educator salary adjustment included in the base budget
$50 million – $1,000 bonus for educator support staff
$178 million – 4% funding increase to raise salaries for all school district employees
$77.7 million – Educator professional time
$65 million – Career and Technical Education Catalyst grant program
$14.3 million – Teachers' supplies and materials
$12.4 million – Stipends for Future Educators grants for student teachers
$7.3 million – Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Grant Program
$795,700 – Support for professional liability insurance premiums for Utah educators
Investments have propelled Utah to the No. 2 spot in education and among the highest starting salaries for teachers in the West–—rising from approximately $44,000 to $60,000 between 2020 and 2024. This year's salary increase will raise it even higher.
This effort is a testament to our dedication to valuing and supporting teachers, ensuring they have the resources and recognition they deserve to provide the best education for our students. These investments and rankings are more than numbers—they highlight the meaningful impact of supporting Utah’s teachers, who are shaping the next generation of leaders.
Read more here.
On the Hill
Honoring Utah’s Fallen First Responders
No words can express the respect and gratitude we hold for Utah’s fallen first responders. We had the solemn privilege of welcoming their families to the Senate floor this week to honor their loved ones.
Every day, we benefit from the dedication of our police officers, firefighters, search and rescue teams, EMS personnel and countless others who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. We recognize that the security we enjoy comes at a profound cost and that behind every badge, every uniform and every act of heroism stands a family that has endured an unimaginable loss. We honor their sacrifice and stand with them—today and always.
Recognizing a Commitment to Excellence: Utah’s National Board-Certified Teachers
Teaching is not only a job—it is a calling. In school districts across Utah, over 250 educators have answered that call at the highest level, earning National Board Certification. Achieving this is no small feat—it represents the highest credential in the teaching profession and recognizes educators who demonstrate advanced teaching practices aligned with rigorous national standards.
This elite credential is earned through years of hard work, mastery and a multi-step certification process that tests an educator’s expertise, innovation and impact in the classroom. It’s a challenge, but one that leads to stronger schools, better learning experiences and students who thrive. This week on the Senate floor, we celebrated the hard work and dedication of the educators who have achieved this milestone, and we commend their unwavering commitment to advancing education in Utah. Congratulations to our honored teachers!
Legislation Highlights
S.B. 227 Electricity Supply Amendments
What it does
Modernizes Utah’s energy framework by allowing smaller energy providers to supply power to large energy consumers—those needing 50+ megawatts within five years, such as data centers.
Why it matters
To power advancements in artificial intelligence and maintain our state’s competitive edge, we must significantly expand our energy production—at least triple it.
Enabling more providers to contribute to the grid will support the demand to meet Utah’s future energy needs, facilitate growth in emerging technologies like AI and continue diversifying our energy portfolio for a more resilient future.
This bill fosters a more competitive, flexible energy market while maintaining reliability, regulatory oversight and fair treatment for all.
S.B 274 - Health Insurance Preauthorization Revisions
What it does
Makes the health insurance approval process more transparent in how insurers decide whether to approve or deny medical services and equipment before treatment.
Requires health insurance companies to publicly report key data on how they handle pre-authorization requests, including:
The percentage of requests approved, denied and approved following an appeal
The average time it takes to reach a final decision
A clear explanation for denials and step-by-step appeal instructions
Why it matters:
S.B. 274 was inspired by a Utah family struggling to secure a medically necessary wheelchair for their quadriplegic son.
Despite the medical need, their insurance company repeatedly denied the request, citing it as “not medically necessary.”
Navigating health insurance approvals shouldn’t be a guessing game. By increasing transparency, this bill holds insurance providers accountable, ensuring families receive fair and timely decisions on essential healthcare services.
S.B. 297 Congregate Care Amendments
What it does:
Strengthens regulations, enhances accountability and provides necessary oversight of congregate care facilities to better protect individuals receiving treatment.
The goal is to prevent neglect and abuse while fostering a safer, more supportive environment.
Establishes clear operational guidelines, ensuring both staff and safety measures meet the highest standards.
Why it matters:
Families can have greater peace of mind knowing that facilities caring for their loved ones are being held accountable.
This is a critical step forward to ensure that effective treatment options will help vulnerable youth get the protections they deserve and the support they need to succeed.
S.B. 202 - Property Tax Revisions
What it does
Updates truth in taxation laws by requiring taxing entities proposing a tax rate increase to publish a notice both online and as a Class A Notice, ensuring broader public awareness.
Updates publishing requirements for certain property tax increases to be published electronically instead of in the newspaper or in general circulation.
Requires taxation hearings to allow both in-person or virtual attendance, increasing transparency and accessibility for taxpayers.
Directs the Multi-county Appraisal Trust to create and maintain a statewide web portal where taxpayers can find property valuation information and submit valuation appeals, making the process more readily available and streamlined.
Eliminates the requirement to reserve a portion of revenue from the statewide multi-county assessing and collecting levy for county distributions through the Property Tax Valuation Fund.
Why it matters
The Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee reviewed a performance audit of Utah’s property tax system, outlining 21 recommendations for improvement.
Ten of the recommendations contain improvements at the State Tax Commission, while nine address counties, local taxing entities and the Truth in Taxation process.
The audit found that the State Tax Commission’s Property Tax Division has taken a passive role in enforcing compliance with statutes and rules.
In an effort to improve accountability, the report recommended that the Legislature consider new enforcement mechanisms and training programs to ensure uniformity across the state.
The audit also identified inconsistencies in property tax information provided to owners, including property characteristics, valuation methods and appeal procedures. It raised concerns about how taxing entities communicate property tax changes.
These reforms aim to improve transparency, efficiency and accessibility within Utah’s property tax system, benefiting both taxpayers and county officials.
S.B. 255 Line-of-Duty Death Benefit Amendments
What it does
Ensures the families of public safety and fire service employees who die in the line of duty maintain access to critical healthcare benefits.
Requires employers to cover 100% of health, dental and vision insurance premiums for the first 12 months following a line-of-duty death.
After that period, continued coverage can be provided through a cost-sharing agreement with the Local Public Safety and Firefighter Surviving Spouse Trust Fund.
Spouses will remain eligible for benefits until they qualify for Medicare, and children will be covered until age 26.
Why it matters
When a public safety or fire service employee makes the ultimate sacrifice, their family faces not only emotional loss but also financial uncertainty.
S.B. 255 provides long-term stability by ensuring that surviving spouses and children continue to receive essential healthcare benefits.
This bill honors the service and sacrifice of first responders by giving their families the security and support they deserve.
Getting involved
Public participation is vital to developing better policies for all Utahns, and we want to make it easier for you to follow the issues that matter most to you.
Our new webpage includes helpful video tutorials to guide you through navigating the legislative website (le.utah.gov) and making the most of its resources. Check it out here: senate.utah.gov/getting-involved
As always, feel free to reach out to me by contacting my intern, Meredith, at 385-441-0602 or at mmurdock@le.utah.gov.
Best,
Senator Ron Winterton
Comments