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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Republican Senate leaders on Thursday released a list of priorities for the upcoming legislative session, which include efforts to curb homelessness, expand the state's water supply and cut state taxes again.
The priority list — which identifies several broad policy areas rather than specific proposals — comes with just over a month before lawmakers meet for the annual 45-day general session.
The Republican Senate leaders announced their priorities in a news release highlighting the policies passed by previous generations of lawmakers, which they said have contributed to the state's strong economy, among other things.
"We're no stranger to success here in Utah," Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said in a statement. "We have the No. 1 economy, the best state for the middle class, the best economic outlook for 16 years running and the most charitable and happiest state in the nation."
"This success was not created overnight," he noted, adding that senators plan to "take the same foresight as those before us and continue developing sustainable policies in all areas, ensuring our state and Utahns continue to thrive."
Many of the high-level priorities reflect similar challenges as those addressed in Gov. Spencer Cox's proposed budget — including addressing homelessness, adding affordable housing options and water — though it's unclear if lawmakers will approve the nearly $200 million Cox requested to reduce homelessness.
Senate Republicans also plan to prioritize "fiscally responsible tax cuts" and other policies aimed at strengthening the state's economy. The Legislature's Executive Appropriations Committee last week set aside $160 million to cover a potential tax cut, after slashing more than $400 million during the last session.
Lawmakers have previously proposed cutting the state's sales tax on food, which is contingent on voters approving an amendment to the Utah Constitution which will be on the ballot this fall.
"We are focused on putting Utahns first and finding solutions to pressing issues facing our state," said Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City. "We are challenging ourselves to answer questions that will impact the next 50 to 100 years, not just the next year or two. We are committed to continue building on the achievements of our forefathers to ensure all Utahns, both today and tomorrow, have opportunities to succeed."
Energy independence is top of mind for senators and will likely be a key focus for newly elected House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper.
"For the first year this past year, Utah doesn't produce enough energy; we had to import it from other states," Schultz told reporters at his introductory press conference last month. "That's a place I don't think any of us want to be."
After passing a first-in-the-nation bill regulating social media companies earlier this year, protecting children from the "harms" of social media is a continued point of emphasis for senators.
Companies currently have until March 1, 2024, to enact age verification policies under the state's Social Media Regulation Act, and Cox said in October there is a good chance lawmakers tweak the specifics of that law during the session.
The 2024 general session begins Jan. 16, 2024, and runs through March 1, 2024.
