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2026 General Session with Rep. Thompson
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Hello District 3,
We are now in the home stretch of Utah’s 2026 legislative session. Because our session is one of the shortest in the country, the pace is fast and the work is focused. While that brings its challenges, it also means we are able to spend more time back home in our districts, listening to neighbors and staying closely connected to the communities we serve. That balance matters.
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Supporting Student Housing Across Utah
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This week, I had a few new bills numbered. The first of these is HB520, Higher Education Student Housing Study. This bill will establish a study to assess the housing needs of university students across the state. Over the past several decades, the growing population of students has forced more students into single family homes, more families out, and led to an astonishing low owner-occupancy rate of just 37%.
This bill will be a key first step toward addressing the needs of both students and families in the area by collecting data, and conducting a study on the impacts of student populations on the communities surrounding our colleges and universities.
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Utah Retirement Plan Exchange
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Another bill that received attention this week is HB250, Utah Retirement Plan Exchange, which makes it easier for small and mid-sized businesses to offer retirement benefits to their employees. This bill brings the private sector to create a central platform to provide options for retirement savings if they are notcurrently offered by an employer. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill with Rep. Joseph Elison. We have worked throughout the interim with the treasurers office to address the nearly 900,000 full-time employees in Utah who currently have no access to employer-provided, tax-preferred retirement savings. This bill has passed the House and Senate and is now on the Governor's desk to be signed into law.
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Representative Blake Moore's Upward Mobility Act
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This week, I also introduced a new resolution in support of the Upward Mobility Act, introduced in the United States Congress by Rep. Blake Moore. This federal legislation would "provide states with the flexibility to innovate new ways to end benefits cliffs for [our] populations," thereby allowing us to incentivize career growth and financial independence. Unfortunately, too many things are being done at the federal level that were never constitutionally delegated for them to do.
Utah is currently ranked number one in the nation for upward mobility, and this bill would allow our state to continue helping families transition from assistance to self-reliance, without being penalized for earning more.
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Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
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This week, we paused on the House floor to honor the lives of our fallen first responders. I’m grateful to Rep. Ryan Wilcox for reading the citation, and to Rep. Thomas Peterson for joining me in welcoming Lanette Sorensen and Brittney Estrada, wives of fallen Tremonton/Garland Police Department Officers, Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada. It was a solemn and meaningful moment as we recognized the service and sacrifice of these brave men. I continue to be deeply moved by the grace and strength shown by Lanette and Brittney, their families, and the Tremonton/Garland Police Department. We owe an enduring debt of gratitude to these officers and first responders who put on the uniform each day to keep our communities safe.
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USU Stephen R. Covey Center for Leadership
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On Friday I was fortunate to be joined by students from the Stephen R. Covey Center for Leadership at USU. We missed director of the center, Bret Crane who serves on my foundation board, Legacy Forward. He is an exemplary example of a fantastic leader. These are incredible students who are focused on finding success through building others. We discussed principles of leadership and how those principles can better all aspects of our lives. I am impressed with their desire to become leaders and prioritize speaking that language.
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Make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates during the week.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me through my legislative page with any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have. I want to hear from you!
Thank you,
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Jason Thompson
Representative, House District 3
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Update on Pending Legislation
HB 190 Child Care Business Tax Credit - Passed the House, assigned to Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
HB 265 Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments - Passed unanimously in the House; introduced in the Senate
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Mandates registration for non-nicotine inhalation products and cannabinoid electronic cigarettes.
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Creates civil penalties for selling products that are not registered.
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Defines illegal distribution of these products as a criminal offense.
HB 520 Higher Education Student Housing Study - Passed the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee, now on the House 3rd Reading Calendar
- Requires the governor's office, in consultation with the commissioner of higher education, to complete a feasibility study regarding the impact of higher education student housing on surrounding communities.
HB 553 - Dog Attack Amendments - Received favorable recommendation from the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee
SB 58 Public School Attendance Amendments - Passed the House Education Committee, received a substitution
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Establishes stronger attendance tracking, accountability, and reporting requirements for schools.
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Requires school districts to implement attendance interventions and measure their effectiveness.
- Expands allowable use of School LAND Trust funds to include chronic absenteeism efforts.
HJR 29 Resolution in Support of the Upward Mobility Act - Received fiscal note
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My Legislative Page
During the 2025 General Legislative Session, I successfully sponsored and passed numerous bills that have benefitted our Cache Valley community.
To view my legislative page and information about my role in the Utah State House of Representatives, click here.
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