General Session: Week 3 Recap
- Daniel McCay
- 36 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Friends and Neighbors,
As we close out week three of the legislative session, the pace here on the Hill is picking up. Committees are hard at work, bills are moving through the process and there’s a real buzz in the Capitol. This is a time of thoughtful conversation, collaboration and action as we focus on shaping Utah's future.
Utah continues to stand out as one of the fastest-growing states, attracting people from all walks of life because of our stunning landscapes, thriving economy, tight-knit communities and high quality of life. But with growth comes responsibility—the responsibility to protect the values and resources that make Utah unique.
My commitment is to preserve and enhance what makes Utah such a great place to live and raise a family. That means ensuring our families have access to the resources they need to succeed, keeping taxes low and ensuring our education system remains competitive.
Utah is a state that doesn’t wait for the future to happen—we create it. By working together and seizing opportunities for smart growth, we can ensure that Utah’s future remains bright.
As always, feel free to reach out to me by contacting my intern, Lou, at ldayton@le.utah.gov or 801-903-7622. Check out some key moments from week two below!
Best,
Senator Dan McCay
On The Hill
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Day on the Hill
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Day on the Hill celebrates one of Utah’s defining strengths: unparalleled access to the outdoors. The event highlighted the continued growth of Utah’s outdoor recreation economy and reaffirmed the Legislature’s commitment to supporting the businesses, organizations and public land stewards who make outdoor experiences accessible to Utahns statewide.
Outdoor recreation plays a vital role in Utah’s economy, workforce and overall quality of life. Few places in the world offer such a diverse range of outdoor opportunities so close to home. From skiing and hiking to mountain biking and boating and from exploring iconic national parks to treasured state lands, Utah truly has it all. These experiences enrich families, strengthen communities and foster a deep appreciation for the landscapes that define our state.
As Utah continues to grow, sustained investment in outdoor recreation and responsible stewardship will ensure that future generations can enjoy the same remarkable outdoor experiences that are central to life in Utah.
Legislative Highlights
Building a Strong Education Foundation for Utah Students
Reading is essential to a child’s development. It builds confidence, independence and critical and creative thinking skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Yet today in Utah, nearly half of our students are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, a critical milestone. Research shows that when children fall behind in literacy early, every subject becomes more difficult, from math and science to history. The consequences can last a lifetime.
Reading is essential to a child’s development. It builds confidence, independence and critical and creative thinking skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Currently, nearly half of Utah students are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, a critical milestone. Research shows that when children fall behind in literacy early, every subject that follows becomes more difficult, from math and science to history. The consequences can last a lifetime. We have the ability to change that trajectory.
Utah is committing to a bold goal: By 2030, 80% of students will be reading proficiently by the end of third grade.
S.B. 241 Early Literacy addresses third-grade reading proficiency by identifying challenges early and providing practical, evidence-based support for students, educators and families. Key components include:
Personalized reading plans with early identification and targeted intervention
Evidence-based literacy instruction
Trained literacy professionals
Strong collaboration and transparency with parents
If a child needs more time and support to build foundational reading skills, families and schools will work together to decide what is best for that student. In some cases, an extra year with focused reading support can help a child gain confidence and succeed in later grades and in life. This is never an automatic decision, and exemptions for students with disabilities, English learners, and children with unique needs ensure that every child receives individualized support to help them thrive.
This bill reflects years of thoughtful policy and collaboration with educators, parents and literacy experts, grounded in a shared belief that every child deserves the strongest possible start in reading, learning and lifelong success.
Helping students read is the most foundational investment we can make, not just for our schools, but for Utah’s economy and its rising generations—our future workforce, problem-solvers and communities. Investing early saves us all resources later. Targeted literacy support in early grades significantly reduces the need for potential educational and public intervention down the road.
Election Integrity
Utah has long set a high standard for secure, reliable elections. This session, we’re continuing the work to keep it that way. As our state grows, we remain committed to strengthening transparency, refining election processes and ensuring that every Utahn can have full confidence in the integrity of our voting system. This year, legislative efforts build on our state’s strong foundation by modernizing voter records, clarifying procedures and preserving the trust that defines Utah’s elections.
S.B. 194 Election Modifications builds on Utah’s strong election system by strengthening transparency, security and voter confidence. The bill requires the Lieutenant Governor to establish clear guidelines to prevent potential conflicts of interest when overseeing elections while running for office, and increases transparency by making voter registration records public while maintaining protections for individuals as needed.
It also improves election security through a two-step voter verification process, assigns every voter a unique registration number to enhance system integrity and allows election audits to occur as needed. Additional provisions reduce signature requirements for county primary candidates and ensure vacancy appointments reflect the party chosen by voters.
S.B. 153 Voter Registration Records Amendments strengthens transparency and accountability in Utah’s voter registration system while bringing state law into alignment with federal election requirements. The bill returns Utah to compliance with the National Voter Registration Act by making core voter registration records public by default and correcting inconsistencies with federal law. At the same time, the bill replaces broad privacy protections with targeted “at-risk” designations to safeguard vulnerable individuals and deter misuse of voter data by establishing criminal penalties.
Additionally, the legislation will:
Improve data accuracy by creating unique voter identification numbers for all voters
Reduce costs for accessing voter data by capping fees at $200
Increase transparency in the petition process by making petition signatures public and recognizing petition signing as a public document
S.B. 140 Election Adjustments makes adjustments on election dates and timelines to support smooth election administration and ensure candidates, voters and election officials are working from a clear schedule. The bill also ensures ballot order is randomized so no candidate gains an unintended advantage. As election officials prepare for the next election cycle, it’s vital that their timelines are clear, consistent and uniform.
State Taxes
Utah continues to rank among the strongest economies in the nation and this session, we are focused on delivering meaningful tax relief while maintaining long-term financial stability. The goal is simple: help Utahns keep more of what they earn while continuing to invest in strong schools, reliable infrastructure and public safety.
S.B. 60 Income Tax Rate Amendments
Reduces Utah’s state income tax rate from 4.50% to 4.45%.
Maintains Utah’s competitive tax climate, helping attract businesses and talent while promoting upward mobility for Utahns.
S.B. 78 Property Tax Relief Amendments
Expands who can qualify for renter and homeowner property tax relief, and increases the amount of help available to those who need it most.
Updates and modernizes tax deferral programs, giving seniors more time before facing a tax sale and lowering interest rates on overdue taxes for older Utahns.
By simplifying and updating the system, more eligible homeowners and renters will know about available help and be able to access it.
Seniors on fixed incomes are some of those most affected by rising property taxes. This bill directs property tax relief to seniors and other vulnerable groups.
Focusing relief on those who truly need it helps stabilize the overall property tax system and, in the long run, prevent unnecessary tax increases for everyone.
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
Watch my Video Update!
Until next time,
Senator Dan McCay
District 18
