Happy September! This past week has been marked by shock and tragedy over the horrific shooting at Utah Valley University. Political violence has no place in Utah. During a time where partisan polarization is high, I’m grateful for the many good community leaders, teachers, and advocates who are working to turn down the temperature, celebrate our differences, and find unity and common ground.
Earlier this week on Capitol Hill, the legislature met for September interim committee meetings. The Senate also convened for Advice & Consent — a duty unique to the Senate where senators review and approve the governor’s nominations for vacant public positions such as judges, board members, and commissioners. It was a busy but productive day, and we are already gearing up for the 2026 legislative session.
Here’s an update on September Interim, my committee work, and the latest in the fight for fair political boundaries.
What Is Legislative Interim?
When the legislature is not in session, both the House and the Senate meet for monthly Interim committee meetings. Interim meetings are an opportunity to vet and discuss policy proposals, hear from experts and community members, open committee bill files, and prepare budget requests ahead of next year’s general legislative session. You can view the schedule for Interim committee meetings here, and explore the list of approved 2025 interim study items here.
September Interim Updates
September Interim was a productive week of meetings, conversations on policy proposals, and updates from state agencies and partner organizations. In my committees, we discussed the following:
Business & Labor Interim Committee
In the Business & Labor Interim Committee, we received an update from the Office of Regulatory Relief on the regulatory sandbox program. The “sandbox” allows businesses to experiment with products, production methods, or services by temporarily waiving state law and allowing entrepreneurs to determine if customers value products that don’t fit within the state’s current regulatory framework. The committee considered potential statutory changes that would improve the success of the program.
We also heard a presentation from the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy regarding the artificial intelligence learning lab. We discussed current and emerging issues in AI and state regulation. I support a smart, thoughtful approach to AI that strikes the right balance between ensuring data privacy protections and fostering innovation and solving complex problems in education, the workforce, and across critical industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Interim Committee
In the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee, we received a presentation from the Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL) on digital evidence processing, caseloads, and funding. We also considered a metrics report from the Board of Pardons and Parole, and reviewed recent data on crimes committed by juveniles, referrals to juvenile courts, and high-frequency areas where juvenile crimes are committed. Good data informs good policy. I will continue to push for sound data to inform our policymaking as we move toward the 2026 legislative session.
This Week – Another Redistricting Win!
On Monday, the Utah Supreme Court denied the legislature’s petition to keep its gerrymandered congressional map in place for next year’s midterm elections. The ruling upholds last month’s decision from Judge Gibson, which found that the legislature bypassed the voter-approved independent redistricting commission and drew maps that unlawfully favored Republicans. The ruling means new congressional maps must be drawn ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
What are the requirements of the new map?
The Utah legislature must draw a new map that adheres to the following redistricting standards:
- Ensures equal population among districts using the most recent national census;
- Minimizes the division of cities and counties across multiple districts;
- Creates districts that are geographically compact and contiguous;
- Preserves traditional neighborhoods and communities of interests;
- Follows geographic features and natural barriers;
- Does not draw districts that unduly favor or disfavor any incumbent, candidate, or political party. Partisan political data, such as partisan election results, voting records, party affiliation information, and home addresses of incumbents or candidates may not be considered.
What’s next?
The legislature has until September 25 to redraw districting lines so they align with Proposition 4, the ballot initiative Utah voters passed in 2018. The plaintiffs and third parties will also have the opportunity to submit maps, which could be used if the legislature’s maps do not meet the requirements.
Upcoming deadlines
The Legislature will adhere to the following timeline in order to comply with the schedule set by Judge Gibson:
- Sept. 22: Redistricting Committee public meeting – review proposed maps
- Sept. 24: Redistricting Committee public meeting – vote to approve map
- Sept. 25: Legislature to publish proposed map
- Sept. 26–Oct. 5: Public comment period (10 days) – the public may submit comments online at redistricting.utah.gov
- Oct. 6 (9:00 a.m.): Special Session – final vote on map
- Legislature’s final vote and submission of approved map to the Court
- Plaintiffs’ deadline to submit proposed map to the Court
- Oct. 17: Parties file briefs, expert reports and related materials (if necessary)
- Oct. 23–24: Evidentiary hearing (if necessary)
- Oct. 28: Parties file proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law (if necessary)
Senate District 14 overwhelmingly voted in favor of Prop 4. We stand for the principles of fair political boundaries and a representative government. I am committed to upholding the principles of Prop 4 and will only support a proposed map that keeps communities together, is geographically logical, is uninfluenced by partisan data.
Celebrating 60 Years of Churchill
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of joining the students and faculty at Churchill Junior High for Churchill’s 60-Year celebration. Over the past 60 years, Churchill has had a rich legacy of excellence in education, community building, and shaping compassionate, capable leaders who continue to make meaningful contributions to the world around them. I’m looking forward to seeing the ways in which Churchill students make their mark this year and carry the Churchill legacy forward.
Let’s Connect
Thank you for taking time to read this month’s newsletter. Your engagement and feedback make all the difference, and I hope these updates inspire you to stay involved and connected. 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 this coming session. You can contact me anytime:
Cell: (385) 272-8032
Email: stephanie@electstephanie.com
You can also follow my campaign on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.