Happy Spring! 🌿

May has brought longer days, warmer weather, and the end of another school year. I’m proud of our kids for finishing the year strong, and grateful to our teachers for creating a safe and encouraging environment for our students to learn and thrive.

This month has also been a busy one on Capitol Hill. Between interim meetings, confirmation committees, and the opening of new bill files, we’ve been hard at work developing policy and preparing for the 2027 legislative session. I continue to fight against the proposed Box Elder data center as it lacks proper accountability and oversight, and has been blind to environmental considerations.

Read on for the latest on my policy work, interim committee meetings, community events, and the ongoing fight to protect our land and water.

What Is Legislative Interim?

Even though the general session ended in March, the Utah legislature works throughout the year. Both the House and Senate convene for Interim committee meetings held monthly from May to November (excluding July). These meetings provide a chance to evaluate and discuss policy proposals, hear from experts and community members, open committee bill files, and prepare budget requests for the 2027 general session. You can view the Interim committee meeting schedule here, and explore the list of approved 2026 interim study items here.

May Interim Updates

May marks the first month of 2026 Interim meetings. I sit on the Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Interim Committee and the Business & Labor Interim Committee. In my committees, we received presentations on recent staff reports and addressed some of the 2026 interim study items as well as issues brought to the committee at the request of legislators.

In the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee, we discussed court backlogs and speedy trial issues, model school resource officer agreements, and early childhood resources in correctional facilities. The committee heard a presentation from the Utah Department of Corrections regarding medical cannabis use by individuals while on probation. I support correctional supervision programs that allow for medical cannabis use while on probation as medical cannabis has proven to be an effective tool for pain management, managing neurological disorders, and mental health support. I believe its appropriate use can help an individual in their recovery and rehabilitation.

In the Business and Labor Interim Committee, we received a report from the Office of Professional Licensure Review regarding preliminary findings from the offices’ annual review on healthcare licenses and their planned work on minor surgical procedures, med spas, and wellness clinics. We also heard a presentation from staff regarding the U.S. Mint’s suspended production of new pennies and how the decreased circulation of pennies has created shortages at banks and retail centers. Stakeholders testified about how the availability of pennies has impacted local businesses and state entities. Our committee is considering whether legislative changes are necessary to address ongoing issues.

You can see a full overview of May Interim highlights here.

Following interim committee meetings, the Senate convened for Advice & Consent — a responsibility unique to the Senate wherein the Senate reviews and votes on appointments made by the governor.

Among the appointees, the Senate voted to confirm Jack Burns and Bryan Pattison to serve as judges for the Fifth District Court, and Todd Olsen and Patricia Kuending to serve as judges in the Third District. These new judges have shown exceptional legal ability and are committed to making a positive impact in their community. I look forward to seeing their contributions to and service on the bench.

June Interim meetings will be held June 16th and 17th. Committee meetings are open to the public and you can also participate online. Future agendas can be found here. I hope you’ll follow along and get involved with the committees or issues most important to you.

‘Most Effective Democratic Senator’

Earlier this month, the Center for Effective Lawmaking released a report with its State Legislative Effectiveness Scores. I was honored to be named the most effective Democratic Senator and one of the most effective freshmen Senators. The Center recognized the 18 bills I passed over the past two years on substantive policy issues. You can explore the full report and all scores here.

I’m proud my work was recognized and proud of the policy wins we’ve achieved together. I am committed to showing up every day, listening, and pursuing good legislation that reflects the values of our community. This is my continued commitment to you.

The Latest on the Box Elder County Data Center

Since plans for a hyperscale data center in Box Elder County were announced, I have had significant concerns with this project. The proposal has lacked a transparent, public process, and to date there have been no environmental impact studies that examine the impact this proposed project would have on our land, air, and water.

Energy experts estimate that as designed, the data complex would raise the state’s emissions by 64 percent. And water used to flush the center’s cooling system would be discharged into the environment, which will eventually reach the Great Salt Lake. This will require a process to regulate water quality.

Developers behind the Stratos data center have filed, and subsequently withdrawn, two water rights change applications after thousands of Utahns lodged protests with the Utah Division of Water Rights. The first application was withdrawn in early May. The second application was withdrawn on May 27.

Over the past couple weeks, some Box Elder County residents have filed three land use referendum applications, challenging the county commission’s consent for the project and also challenging the interlocal agreement between the county and MIDA, the state board that originally approved the project. On Thursday, the Box Elder County Attorney rejected the applications, stating that citizen-led referenda “applies only to County Commission actions which create new laws,” and that the action taken by the county commission was administrative in nature. Citizens behind the referenda effort have said they will appeal the county attorney’s opinion in state court.

What can we do now?

As we await the appellate process, here are other actions you can take:

• Stay vigilant for future water rights applications from Stratos developers. If/when another application is filed, you can once again file a public protest with the Utah Division of Utah Division of Water Rights. It costs $15 to file and step-by-step instructions can be found here
• Attend future Utah Department of Environmental Quality public meetings regarding the project’s potential environmental impacts (none announced yet, but they are forthcoming)
• Continue to put pressure on decision-makers who have allowed this data center to advance without a fair public process or accountability
• Vote out those who put profit over the best interests of Utahns (primary election day is June 23!)

The Utah Supreme Court

Earlier this year, the majority legislature passed a bill that adds two new justices to the Utah Supreme Court. That selection process is now underway, and the twelve (all male) finalists have been interviewing with the governor this week. I expect Governor Cox will announce his two appointees early next week.

Additionally, over the past couple weeks, two justices have announced their retirement from the Supreme Court, leaving another two seats for Governor Cox to appoint. These new appointees, if confirmed, will have a generational impact, deciding constitutional questions on big issues that affect our freedom, our democracy, and our future.

The Supreme Court should not be political, but in recent years the majority legislature has politicized the nomination process. I am fighting to return that process to the way it should be: free from political bias and partisan litmus tests. If you know a competent attorney who demonstrates independence, integrity, and judicial temperament, encourage them to apply. The deadline for the first open position is June 12. A second position will be posted soon.

Groundbreaking at Highland High

Recently, I was honored to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony at Highland High School. The new school will be built on the north side of campus, allowing students to continue learning in the current building while the new school is under construction. Construction is expected to take 46-48 months, with an estimated completion of early 2030. It was great to celebrate this season of change at Highland High while we look ahead to a new building and a continued legacy of academic achievement, service, and grit.

Ballots Drop Next Week!

Primary Election Day is June 23, and primary ballots will drop on June 2! I am running for re-election to continue representing our community in the Utah State Senate, and I would be honored to earn your support. If you’re a registered Democrat, my race will be on your primary ballot. If you are not a registered Democrat, you can still vote in my race, but you will need to request a Democratic ballot. The deadline to do so is June 16. You can request a Democratic ballot here.

Walk with Us in the Pride Parade

Pride Month is around the corner, and I’m already excited ✨🌈 As part of Pride celebrations, I’ll be walking in the Utah Pride Parade on Sunday, June 7. The Pride parade is a vibrant, visible expression of LGBTQ+ unity, empowerment, and community, and there’s no better way to spend a Sunday. I’d love for you to march with us! Join us in showing support for and solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community. RSVP here.

Let’s Connect

Serving in the state legislature is an incredible responsibility, and I have been proud to take our community values to the Utah senate. Although we’re not currently in session, my work representing you continues year-round. Please reach out with your thoughts on the issues that matter to you and what policies you think our state legislature should be focusing on moving forward.

Thank you for staying engaged and for your advocacy on the issues you care about.

Talk soon,

Stephanie

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