Welcome to the 23rd day on the Hill.
There’s only 22 days left! We’re over halfway through!
Observations from the Hill
LABOR REFORM: SB 249 Public Employee Negotiation Amendments, sponsored by Sen. David Hinkins, failed 1–3 in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee this afternoon.
The bill would have created a state Labor Relations Board, with employer and employee representatives appointed by the governor. It laid out a full framework for public-sector collective bargaining, including:
- Protecting public employees’ right to self-organize
- Establishing representation elections
- Defining unfair labor practices
- Creating mediation, fact-finding, and arbitration processes
- Requiring unions to meet governance and fiduciary standards
In short, it would have professionalized and formalized public employee bargaining in Utah instead of leaving disputes to play out politically at the Legislature, as we’ve seen over the past few years.
Even with labor and some public employees speaking in favor, the bill stalled. For a state that often touts its motto of “Industry,” today’s vote suggests formal labor protections remain a bridge too far.
AGRICULTURAL WATER: HB 490 Water Optimization Reporting Amendments, sponsored by Rep. Doug Owens, would have required the Division of Water Resources, in coordination with the Division of Water Rights, to study statewide water diversions classified as “agricultural” and determine:
- The number, type, and volume of diversions currently classified as agricultural
- The volume of water diverted under that classification for non-agricultural uses
It would also require a report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee by November 30, 2026.
At its core, this is a transparency bill. In a state where “agricultural use” classifications carry real water allocation consequences, understanding how much water is truly used for farming versus other purposes is critical. The fact that it was held 9–0 today by the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee means that conversation is not settled.
AMICUS BRIEF: This afternoon, legislative leaders that make up the Legislative Management Committee considered filing an amicus brief in the congressional district litigation that was recently filed before the U.S. District Court. The vote was tied, and leadership broke the tie in favor of proceeding with an amicus brief in the district court, as well as appellate courts, if needed, all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Given the high-stakes redistricting fight this year and the court’s ruling on the congressional map, this is not minor process. Although it’s filed on behalf of the entire Legislature, the Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz will control what’s said in the brief. It’s another signal that structural power and map control remain front and center for the supermajority.
