I accomplished much during the 2021 and 2022 legislative sessions. See some of the highlights below!

Air Quality Champion Award

I was awarded the Air Quality Champion Award from O2 Utah for his work on HB 332: Clean Air for Schools Program. His relationship with O2 Utah is of great importance to me and I look forward to continuing this partnership as I continue to advance legislation protecting Utah’s air quality.

The Great Salt Lake

As the co-chair of the Great Salt Lake legislative caucus, I was active in the efforts to preserve and restore the Great Salt Lake. My own bill, HB317, protects those communities surrounding the Lake from heavy-metal particles made airborne by activity on the dry lakebed. We need to make sure that the Wasatch Front does not become a toxic dust bowl. This past session I organized Utah Guard helicopters to fly the entire Legislature from Capitol Hill to see the Lake. Governor Cox said this was more effective than anything he’d tried to get the Legislature to act for the Lake. Preserving the health of the Great Salt Lake has long term consequences for water and air quality and it will be one of my top priorities in my next term.

HCR15: Concurrent Resolution Condemning Anti-Semitism

In recent years there has been a startling increase in anti-Semitic hate and violence. As Patrice Arent, former state representative and member of our community, shared with us we are not immune to this worrying trend. This resolution was our way of making it known that we won't stand for anti-Semitism. Utah's Jewish citizens are an essential part of our community. This resolution recognized the unique contributions they have made to the state of Utah and makes it known that they are a welcome and loved part of our community.

Bears Ears Cultural Center

In last year's session I worked with Representative Phil Lyman to get $250,000 for a visitor's center for Bear's Ears Monument to be used as directed by an intertribal coalition. I have been working with members of the tribes to get work started on the visitor's center. If we can get the ball rolling on this project we can get more funding from the state, the federal government, and philanthropy to make it a boon to the tribal communities and a place for people to come and learn more about the historical and cultural significance of the tribes in the area.

Quagga Mussel Treatment Tanks

Quagga mussels are an invasive species that have found their way into Lake Powell. These mussels are a costly nightmare for any water systems they find their way into. They are impossible to get rid of once they are established in an area. It is estimated that it would cost tens of millions of dollars every year in maintenance if the Quagga mussels were to find their way into the reservoir and lake system in northern Utah. To help prevent this I obtained $5 million to create 8 new Quagga mussel treatment tanks at areas of frequent use around the state which use hot water to kill any mussels which have attached themselves to boats. This is an example of a stitch in time saving nine if there ever were one.

HB427: Wildlife Accident Protections

This piece of legislation requires UDOT to include the number of accidents involving livestock and wildlife in their yearly report they give to the legislature. These accidents cost Utahns millions of dollars a year and will become more of an issue as our homes and roads extend farther and farther into areas where livestock and wildlife travel. If we want to address this problem we need to have conversations about what we are doing and what still needs to be done. Adding these numbers to UDOT's presentation is just the first step towards finding those solutions.

To view a full list of my sponsored legislation visit: https://house.utleg.gov/rep/OWENSDO/