Gov. Spencer Cox vetoes 7 bills he thinks are unnecessary from recent legislative session

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday issued seven vetoes of bills passed by state lawmakers during the recent legislative session and allowed two bills to go into effect without his signature.

Cox told reporters he planned to veto "several" bills during his monthly news conference Thursday and said the Legislature has passed too many bills in recent years — after lawmakers approved a record 591 in 2024. He reiterated that in a request to legislative leaders in a veto letter he issued Thursday afternoon.

"Now, I'm not asking you to be like our dysfunctional Congress, which somehow only passed 17(!) bills last year," he wrote. "While I would love to get back into the 300s, maybe shooting for the high 400s is a more realistic goal. And while I'm not sure the best way to get there, I do have a few vetoes this year that might be instructive."

"Just like there are meetings that could be emails, sometimes there are bills that could be phone calls," he continued. "We try hard to be responsive to legislative requests and I have instructed my cabinet members to do everything they can to help with issues and ideas you might have. And while we probably could have found more bills in this category, I have selected these bills for veto."

Cox allowed two bills to go into effect without his signature — one creates a pilot program for medical psilocybin use and the other repeals the sunset date for certain film incentives. Although he expressed concern with both policies, each bill passed with strong and bipartisan support, suggesting the Legislature could in theory vote to overturn a veto on either.

Related

Cox thinks lawmakers passing too many bills, saying some 'could have been a phone call'

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Thursday lawmakers have passed too many bills this year. He has signed 503 of 591 bills passed this year, and has through today to sign or veto any legislation.

While Cox utilized his veto stamp for several low-profile bills, he declined to veto a handful of bills that some advocates and stakeholders requested, including a bill to let the state take more control over the Delta power plant operated by Intermountain Power Agency. Several cities and the agency itself asked him to veto SB161, which critics also said hurts efforts to transition to cleaner energy.

"I will be signing the bill. We will, however, be working with the Legislature on some things that we think could maybe be done better," Cox said during his monthly news conference Thursday morning. "Anytime we're looking to close down facilities, I think we should be cautious about that. If there are opportunities to keep those facilities running, we're going to want to exhaust every potential, every possibility out there. ... Nothing is set in stone, even with the bill."

The governor also signed SB273, which gives the state more oversight of the Salt Lake County district attorney, after Republican lawmakers expressed concern with Democrat Sim Gill's prosecution of criminal cases.

Cox referenced both bills in his letter to House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper and Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, saying both need "additional work over the interim. ... We signed these bills with the express understanding that we will work together to address those concerns."

The governor also praised lawmakers for their work during the 45-day general session.

"I am proud of what you have accomplished and can't wait to start working together to solve new problems (OK, that's not entirely true ... I can wait a few days)," he said. "Thank you for making Utah the best state in the nation."

Here is a list of bills vetoed by Cox, along with explanations from the governor:

• HB152 - Residential Construction Amendments: "This bill requires the Division of Professional Licensing to create a sample contract for residential construction and remodels. The division can (and will) do this without a bill directing it."
• HB239 - State Employee Cybersecurity Training Amendments: "This bill requires the Division of Technology Services to create a cybersecurity training program for executive branch employees, and requires employees to complete the training program each year. However, this training program already exists, and employees are already required to participate. If there are concerns with the existing program, (the division) stands ready to make whatever changes are needed."
• HB412 - Legislative Auditor General Amendments: "This bill seeks to add additional items for an agency to report on as part of the accountable budget process — including an agency's compliance with the Office of the Legislative Auditor General's toolkit. I am very supportive of the toolkit, and expect agencies to use the toolkit as a tool to improve organizational excellence. But we don't need a bill in order for agencies to apply the toolkit to improve operations."
• SB244 - Professional Licensing Modifications: "The Division of Professional Licensing created criminal history guidelines and placed the guidelines on its website to increase transparency and help potential licensees. (The division) did this without being directed to do so by statute. Nevertheless, this bill would put in statute-specific requirements for (the division) on what it created without a statute. We can address the sponsor's concerns without a bill, and I have directed (the division) to ensure that this happens."
• SB274 - Administrative Law Judge Amendments: "This bill started as an effort to move all (administrative law judges) in the state into the Attorney General's Office and was quickly substituted to require state agencies to report information to the Legislature regarding (administrative law judges). Our agencies can provide this information without a bill. I have tasked the Department of Government Operations with gathering the information sought."

Cox vetoed an additional two bills he says began as substantive policies but were subsequently amended or substituted "to a point that it does not effectively accomplish its goal. Sometimes, instead of trying to pass something, the best result is to regroup and consider another run at the issue down the road."

Although he didn't call him out by name, Cox appeared to be referring in part to his brother-in-law, Sen. Mike McKell. The Republican from Spanish Fork was the floor sponsor of HB144 — which Cox vetoed — and was the sponsor of a substitute version of the bill that was ultimately adopted.

It's not the first time Cox has potentially made family Thanksgiving dinners uncomfortable through use of his gubernatorial powers, as he used the first veto of his administration to block a bill passed by McKell in 2021.

"Looking for ideas at our next Sunday dinner," McKell posted at the time, with a food fight GIF. "@SpencerJCox just vetoes SB228 which I sponsored in the Senate. Even the brother-in-law isn't safe from the veto pen."

• HB144 - Vehicle Accident Liability Amendments: "This bill started as an effort to clarify liability involving left turns by vehicles in certain circumstances. In response to concerns, some of the language was removed. The language that remains has raised concerns and may not bring the clarity that the original goal intended."
• SB190 - Higher Education Development Areas Study: "While we agree with the initial policy direction of the bill, sometimes a bill changes direction in a substitute and doesn't need formal legislation to accomplish our policy objectives. We'll still work with higher education and Sen. (Chris) Wilson to explore this idea."

The governor issued line-item vetoes for sections of two major budget bills, largely because they contained funding for other bills that didn't pass.

He allowed two bills to go into effect without his signature "because of the overwhelming legislative support."

• HB78 - Motion Picture Incentives Amendments: "I have expressed my concerns in the past with the amounts of money being spent on film incentives. I believe there are better returns for taxpayer dollars."
• SB266 - Medical Amendments: "I am generally supportive of scientific efforts to discover the benefits of new substances that can relieve suffering. However, we have a task force that was set up specifically to advise the Legislature on the best ways to study psilocybin and I'm disappointed that their input was ignored."

Related topics