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. As always, feel free to reach out to me by contacting my intern, Spencer, at 801-903-7622 or at scragun@le.utah.gov.
Best,
Dan McCay
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.
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!
Legislative Highlights
S.B. 203 Judicial Standing Amendments
What it does
As Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Durrant noted during the State of Judiciary, “Since our state’s founding, we have required that plaintiffs show … a personal stake in the outcome of [each] legal dispute.”
S.B. 203 establishes requirements for organizations to file lawsuits on behalf of their members generally. To proceed with a lawsuit, the organization must demonstrate that:
Its members have, in fact, been injured.
It has a substantial relationship with its members.
There is no way the organization could prove they have standing (been injured) independent of its members.
The members’ constitutional rights would be weakened without the organization filing the suit.
If the organization files a lawsuit on behalf of specific members of the organization, it must establish that:
The individual member has been harmed.
The individual member consents.
The individual’s involvement is not necessary to resolve the case.
Preserves the “traditional standing requirement” mandating that in order for a plaintiff to file a civil action lawsuit, they must prove that the plaintiff has been directly harmed, the harm was caused by the defendant and the court can provide a solution.
Ultimately, this bill helps ensure that only those who have actually been harmed—or are legitimate representatives of those who have been harmed—can bring a lawsuit. It strengthens the standard for filing a claim, requiring associations to prove that someone within their organization has been harmed.
Why it matters
S.B. 203 reinforces a fundamental legal principle: to file a lawsuit, a plaintiff must demonstrate that they've been directly harmed, that the harm was caused by the defendant and that the court can offer a solution. This provision ensures that courts focus on resolving legitimate disputes where real harm has occurred.
This bill helps to protect courts from misuse by third-party, out-of-state interests that don’t have legitimate claims while ensuring that those who have truly been harmed can still seek justice.
This bill would not prevent third parties from filing a lawsuit on an individual’s behalf.
By requiring clearly identifiable harm, this bill ensures claims are based on real, identifiable grievances, protecting Utahns’ legal rights and preventing unnecessary or frivolous litigation.
S.B. 204 Right to Appeal Amendments
What it does
Establishes a direct right to appeal, allowing injunction appeals on state laws to go straight to the Utah Supreme Court, which was designed to handle constitutional questions.
Ensures injunctions are resolved quickly so one party’s rights are not unduly and unendingly infringed at the expense of protecting another’s during litigation.
Specifically applies in circumstances in which a state law’s constitutionality is called into question.
Helps to protect courts from misuse by third-party, out-of-state interests that don’t have legitimate claims while ensuring that those who have truly been harmed can still seek justice.
It does not stop injunctions or take away anyone’s right to challenge a law.
Why it matters
It has long been the policy of this state and the courts that laws are presumed to be constitutional, with doubts resolved in favor of constitutionality. This is a critical principle in maintaining the integrity of the legislative process and upholding the rule of law.
When there are concerns about the constitutionality of a law, courts can issue an injunction that temporarily blocks it from taking effect. This is an important safeguard that protects constitutional rights.
However, not every challenge is unconstitutional, and lengthy legal battles can delay critical policies for years.
S.B. 204 streamlines the legal process for constitutional challenges, ensuring that state laws receive swift and definitive rulings from Utah’s highest court.
By reducing this prolonged waiting period, this bill preserves the ability of the Legislature to act on behalf of Utahns without undue delay.
S.B. 296 Judicial Amendments
What it does
When a vacancy arises for the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, the President is responsible for nominating a replacement, which then undergoes the Senate’s confirmation process.
S.B. 296 seeks to align Utah’s Chief Justice selection process with the federal model. Under this bill, the Governor would appoint the Chief Justice, subject to confirmation by the Senate through its advice and consent process—similar to the federal process.
Why it matters
The advice and consent process is a critical component of our constitution’s framework and is essential to maintaining the balance of power between the three branches of government.
Utah already follows a comparable process for judicial appointments, with the Governor appointing judges and the Senate confirming or rejecting those appointments. S.B. 296 would extend this framework to the selection of the Chief Justice.
Most importantly, this approach provides Utahns the opportunity to participate in public confirmation hearings, where they can voice their opinions and ask questions about the nominee’s record.
By aligning Utah’s Chief Justice appointment process with the federal model, it preserves checks and balances, enhances public accountability and fosters public trust in the judicial system.
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
Watch my Video Update!
Until next time,
Senator Dan McCay
District 18
In a news briefing this week, Pres Trump said we should get rid of computers in our election process . A lot of Utah voters would like to follow that lead. It is past time for Utah to get back to the old precinct voting with paper ballots hand counted in the precinct. The legislature keeps trying to patch a system that will never be secure. Lets change voting laws and junk the current system. I have a background to help explain why this is necessary and would like to help
Please stop wasting time and resources banning Pride flags in our schools. There are real problems facing the state you should be concerned about, and flags in classrooms is not one them.