Week 4 Legislative Update: Education, Homelessness & Town Hall Meetings

Dear Constituents,

We’re more than halfway through our 45-day Legislative session! Week 4 has been productive, fast-paced, and meaningful for Utah. This week we wrapped up our budgeting process, and submitted our final appropriations recommendations to the Executive Appropriations Committee. To review budget priorities, you can read the reports here.

This week I was able to pass HB 173 out of committee, and will be presenting HB 430 in committee tomorrow in the Transportation Committee. You can watch this short video for an update on these bills:

Education

This week in our House Education Committee, I voted to support two major education bills that will increase teacher retention and recruitment in our state. 

HB 221: Stipends for Future Educators

Our teachers are vital to our education system, and we want to make sure they’re being set up for success from the start of their careers, which is why I voted for HB 221 Stipends for Future Educators. This bill creates a grant program for student teachers, many of whom are not currently paid for their work. This will allow them to focus on becoming the best educator they can be by easing their financial burdens. You can learn more here. 

HB 208: Teacher Licensure Amendments

This bill focuses on competency in training and licensing programs for teachers, and gives individuals the opportunity to choose teaching as a career, without having to go back and pay for additional degrees. Right now, there are conflicting licensing and training program requirements for different school districts, which leads to to challenges if and when a teacher decides to switch districts. If a teacher can demonstrate competency  in their teaching skills in one school district, they shouldn’t have additional barriers in place to teach in other districts and educational setting.

Helping Utahns & Reducing Our Homelessness Rates

As a Legislature, we’re taking steps to prevent and reduce homelessness for Utah. This week, I voted for H.B. 298 Homeless Services Amendments. This bill will help in the collection of effective data to track both trends and solutions surrounding homelessness. It also requires the state strategic plan on homelessness to be frequently updated to reflect proven strategies to reduce homelessness. This will have real, meaningful impacts on the lives of Utahns and our communities. Learn more about the bill here.

Mark Your Calendars

Be sure to join me in-person or on Facebook Live this week for my mid-session town halls:  

• Tuesday, February 13th at 7:00pm at Riverton City Hall 

• Saturday, February 17th at 11:00am at Herriman City Hall 

As a reminder, if you would like to follow along as we discuss important issues or give public comment at a committee hearing, please visit le.utah.gov to join online or view committee schedules. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our district. Please feel free to email me with any concerns or questions you have at cpierucci@le.utah.gov. Be sure to include your home address so I know you live in my district!



Sincerely,



Candice B. Pierucci

State Representative for House District 49

Bills Passed by the House this Week:

• H.B. 346 Talent Ready Utah Program Amendments

• H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Celebrating Utah's History of Welcoming Refugees

• S.B. 36 Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority Sunset Amendments

• S.B. 40 State Rehabilitation Advisory Council Amendments

• H.B. 339 School Community Council Amendments

• H.B. 200 Order for Life Sustaining Treatment Amendments

• H.B. 387 Physician Workforce Amendments

• H.J.R. 7 Joint Resolution Condemning Abusive Coaching Practices

• H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution Creating the Butch Cassidy State Monument

• H.J.R. 19 Joint Resolution Encouraging Support for the Houses Act

• H.B. 384 Utah Geological Survey Data Submission Amendments

• H.B. 383 Vehicle Registration Modifications

• H.B. 86 Public Safety Data Amendments

• H.B. 140 Amendments to Custody and Parent-time

• H.B. 147 Threat of Violence Amendments

• H.B. 157 Child Custody Factor Amendments

• H.B. 158 Criminal Defamation Amendments

• H.B. 268 Punitive Damages Amendments

• H.B. 271 Law Enforcement Employee Overtime Amendments

• H.B. 228 Public Employee Leave Amendments

• H.B. 270 Multicounty Appraisal Trust Modifications

• H.B. 40 Division of Consumer Protection Amendments

• H.B. 145 Veterinary Amendments

• H.B. 118 Prohibition of Production of Private Keys

• H.B. 170 Unemployment Insurance Amendments

• H.B. 221 Stipends for Future Educators

• H.B. 13 Infrastructure Financing Districts

• H.B. 36 Open and Public Meetings Act Amendments

• H.B. 52 Industrial Hemp Amendments

• H.B. 298 Homelessness Services Amendments

• S.J.R. 11 Joint Resolution Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the National Conference of State Legislatures

• H.B. 286 State Aid for Scholarships

• H.B. 296 Reading Disability Amendments

• H.B. 198 Child Welfare Placement Review Amendments

• H.B. 110 Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry Amendments

• H.B. 177 Forcible Entry Warrant Amendments

• H.B. 248 Inmate Amendments

• H.B. 259 Juvenile Interrogation Modifications

• H.B. 328 Victims of Sexual Offenses Amendments

• H.B. 360 Outdoor Recreation Amendments

• H.B. 90 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Amendments

• H.B. 322 Sexual Assault Investigation Amendments

• H.B. 363 Livestock Grazing Amendments

• H.B. 48 Utah Energy Act Amendments

• H.B. 191 Electrical Energy Amendments

• H.B. 125 Procurement Code Amendments

• S.B. 82 Public Accommodation Amendments

• S.B. 51 Road Construction Bid Limit Amendments

• S.B. 39 Water Shareholder Amendments

• S.B. 77 Water Rights Restricted Account Amendments

• S.B. 122 Youth Apprenticeship Governance Structure Amendments

• S.B. 35 Infertility Treatment Coverage Amendments

• S.B. 46 Health and Human Services Amendments

• H.J.R. 18 Joint Resolution for Education That Encourages Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

• H.B. 403 Body Art Facility Amendments

• S.B. 72 Bureau of Emergency Medical Services Amendments

• H.B. 374 State Energy Policy Amendment

• H.C.R. 3 Concurrent Resolution Regarding Child Sexual Abuse Material

• H.B. 204 Towing Requirements

• H.B. 293 Accessible Parking Amendments

• H.B. 311 Lane Filtering Amendments

• H.B. 313 Motor Carrier Amendments

• H.B. 245 Utah National Guard Amendments

• H.B. 284 Initiative Amendments

• H.J.R. 14 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Statewide Initiatives

• H.B. 218 Restitution Revisions

• H.B. 289 Property Rights Ombudsman Amendments

• H.B. 300 Court Amendments

• H.B. 316 Inmate Assignment Amendments

• H.B. 350 Criminal Intent Amendments

• H.B. 69 DUI Testing Amendments

• S.B. 47 Local Government Business License Amendments

• S.J.R. 12 Joint Resolution Supporting a National Hockey League Franchise in Utah

• S.B. 24 Physician Assistant Practice Amendments