Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 7 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Peterson, Val L.

Final action

Governor Signed 2/14/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• provides appropriations for the use and support of certain state agencies;
• provides appropriations for other purposes as described;
• provides intent language.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

7
1
National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and Legislature Base Budget
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Val L. Peterson
Senate Sponsor: Jerry W Stevenson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and 
operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 
2025 and appropriates funds for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal 
year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
provides appropriations for the use and support of certain state agencies;
provides appropriations for other purposes as described;
provides intent language.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill appropriates 
$4,411,900
 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2025, 
including:
$2,150,000
 from General Fund; and
$2,261,900
 from various sources as detailed in this bill.
This bill appropriates 
($31,766,400)
 in expendable funds and accounts for fiscal year 2025, all 
of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill.
This bill appropriates 
$142,524,500
 in operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2026, 
including:
$72,780,200
 from General Fund; and
$1,850,300
 from Income Tax Fund; and
$67,894,000
 from various sources as detailed in this bill.
This bill appropriates 
$48,552,600
 in expendable funds and accounts for fiscal year 2026, all 
of which is from the various sources as detailed in this bill.
This bill appropriates 
$5,000,000
 in restricted fund and account transfers for fiscal year 2026, 
including:
$5,009,500
 from General Fund; and
($9,500)
 from various sources as detailed in this bill.
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Section 1 of this bill takes effect immediately. Section 2 and Section 3 of this bill take effect 
on July 1, 2025.
Uncodified Material Affected:
ENACTS UNCODIFIED MATERIAL
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. 
FY 2025 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 
2024, and ending June 30, 2025. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for 
fiscal year 2025. 
Subsection 1(a).
Operating and Capital Budgets
Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the 
Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for 
the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS
CAPITOL PRESERVATION BOARD
ITEM 1
Capitol Preservation Board - Operations
From Expendable Receipts, One-time
(300)
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
1,082,700
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(1,464,100)
Capitol Preservation Board
(381,700)
LEGISLATURE
ITEM 2
Legislature - Senate
From General Fund, One-time
(250,000)
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
(64,100)
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
1,214,100
Administration
900,000
ITEM 3
Legislature - House of Representatives
From General Fund, One-time
(250,000)
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
352,900
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(102,900)
ITEM 4
Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel
From General Fund, One-time
(133,000)
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
4,477,700
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(4,344,600)
Administration
100
ITEM 5
Legislature - Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst
From General Fund, One-time
(133,000)
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
213,300
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(80,300)
ITEM 6
Legislature - Office of the Legislative Auditor General
From General Fund, One-time
(133,000)
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
466,000
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(333,000)
ITEM 7
Legislature - Office of Legislative Services
From General Fund, One-time
1,056,500
From Revenue Transfers, One-time
(490,000)
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
501,600
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
109,100
Administration
259,700
Pass Through
595,000
Legislative Interns
157,500
Information Technology
165,000
UTAH NATIONAL GUARD
ITEM 8
Utah National Guard - Utah National Guard Operations
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
3,283,100
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(2,729,500)
Tuition Assistance
1,786,600
West Traverse Sentinel Landscape
(1,233,000)
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
ITEM 9
Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Veterans and Military Affairs
From General Fund, One-time
1,992,500
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
897,600
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(727,400)
Administration
(96,500)
Cemetery
(142,100)
State Approving Agency
15,300
Outreach Services
42,500
Military Affairs
2,343,500
Under terms of Section 63J-1-603 Utah Code 
Annotated, the Legislature intends that appropriations 
provided for the Department of Veterans and Military 
Affairs - Veterans and Military Affairs in this item and 
Item 21, Chapter 7, Laws of Utah 2024 and Item 210, 
Chapter 487, Laws of Utah 2024 not lapse at the close of 
fiscal year 2025. Use of any nonlapsing funds is limited 
to: up to $1,992,500 for Military Installation Sentinel 
Landscape; One-time Cemetery Acquisition Costs; and 
One-time Operations Costs.
Subsection 1(b).
Expendable Funds and Accounts
The Legislature has reviewed the following expendable funds. The Legislature 
authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer amounts between funds and accounts as 
indicated. Outlays and expenditures from the funds or accounts to which the money is 
transferred may be made without further legislative action, in accordance with statutory 
provisions relating to the funds or accounts.
EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS
UTAH NATIONAL GUARD
ITEM 10
Utah National Guard - National Guard MWR Fund
From Dedicated Credits Revenue, One-time
900,000
From Beginning Fund Balance
338,300
From Closing Fund Balance
(338,400)
National Guard MWR Fund
899,900
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
ITEM 11
Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Utah Veterans Nursing Home 
Fund
From Federal Funds, One-time
(32,666,200)
From Beginning Fund Balance
1,260,600
From Closing Fund Balance
(1,260,700)
Veterans Nursing Home Fund
(32,666,300)
Subsection 1(c).
Restricted Fund and Account Transfers
The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer the following 
amounts between the following funds or accounts as indicated. Expenditures and outlays from 
the funds to which the money is transferred must be authorized by an appropriation.
EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS
ITEM 12
General Fund Restricted - National Guard Death Benefits Account
From Beginning Fund Balance
15,700
From Closing Fund Balance
(15,700)
Section 2. 
FY 2026 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 
2025, and ending June 30, 2026. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for 
fiscal year 2026. 
Subsection 2(a).
Operating and Capital Budgets
Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the 
Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for 
the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS
CAPITOL PRESERVATION BOARD
ITEM 13
Capitol Preservation Board - Operations
From General Fund
6,008,000
From Expendable Receipts
10,000
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
537,300
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
2,902,300
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(2,738,700)
Capitol Preservation Board
6,718,900
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Capitol Preservation Board 
report on the following Operations line item performance 
measures for FY 2026: 1. Events on Capitol Hill (Target 
= 4,000); 2. Exhibit and Curatorial Services (Target = 
9,000); 3. Public Engagement - Students Served (Target 
= 50,000); 4. Public Engagement - Visitors Served 
(Target = 200,000); and 5. Stewardship Plan - Number 
of Major Projects (Target = 25).
LEGISLATURE
ITEM 14
Legislature - Office of Legislative Services
From General Fund
9,302,300
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
42,000
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
3,679,700
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(3,554,100)
Administration
2,189,200
Pass Through
667,700
Legislative Interns
578,400
Information Technology
6,034,600
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Legislature report on the 
following Office of Legislative Services line item 
performance measures for FY 2026: 1. Employee 
onboarding completed within three business days (Target 
= 100%); 2. File Server Up-time (Target = 95%); 3. 
Legislative committee rooms opened, tested, and ready 
for meetings no later than one hour before any scheduled 
meetings (Target = 100%); and 4. Vendor Invoices Paid 
Within Four Business Days After Approval to Pay 
Received (Target = 95%).
UTAH NATIONAL GUARD
ITEM 15
Utah National Guard - Utah National Guard Operations
From General Fund
9,613,900
From Income Tax Fund
1,650,300
From Federal Funds
62,840,200
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
48,700
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
2,992,900
Administration
1,829,400
Operations and Maintenance
70,074,900
Tuition Assistance
3,024,900
West Traverse Sentinel Landscape
2,216,800
The Legislature intends that the Utah National 
Guard be allowed to increase its vehicle fleet by up to 
three vehicles with funding from existing appropriations.
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Utah National Guard report 
on the following Utah National Guard Operations line 
item performance measures for FY 2026: 1. Facility 
Maintenance Cost per Square Foot (Target = $3); 2. 
Facility project federal share (Target = 75%); 3. 
Individual Training Completion (Target = 90%); 4. 
Installation Readiness (Target = 2); 5. National Guard 
Mission Fulfillment (Target = 100%); 6. Percent of acres 
preserved under the West Traverse Sentinel Landscape 
Program (Target = 55%); 7. Percentage of tuition 
assistance applications fulfilled (Target = 75%); 8. 
Personnel Readiness (Target = 100%); 9. Tuition 
Assistance Applications Fulfilled (Target = 700); and 
10. Utility Cost per Square Foot (Target = $2).
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
ITEM 16
Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Veterans and Military Affairs
From General Fund
3,864,000
From Federal Funds
769,200
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
364,500
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
727,400
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(727,400)
Administration
855,800
Cemetery
958,000
State Approving Agency
289,700
Outreach Services
2,371,300
Military Affairs
522,900
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Department of Veterans and 
Military Affairs report on the following Veterans and 
Military Affairs line item performance measures for FY 
2026: 1. Annual growth in compensation, pension, and 
educational benefits assistance to veterans (Target = 5%); 
2. Annual Increase in the Number of Current Conflict 
Veterans Who Are Connected to Appropriate Services 
(Target = 10%); 3. Veterans benefits received (in $ 
millions) (Target = $600); and 4. Veterans 
unemployment rate equal to or lower than the statewide 
unemployment rate (Target = 2.5%).
ITEM 17
Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - DVMA Pass Through
From General Fund
2,197,500
From Income Tax Fund
200,000
DVMA Pass Through
2,397,500
Subsection 2(b).
Expendable Funds and Accounts
The Legislature has reviewed the following expendable funds. The Legislature 
authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer amounts between funds and accounts as 
indicated. Outlays and expenditures from the funds or accounts to which the money is 
transferred may be made without further legislative action, in accordance with statutory 
provisions relating to the funds or accounts.
EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS
UTAH NATIONAL GUARD
ITEM 18
Utah National Guard - National Guard MWR Fund
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
3,759,800
From Beginning Fund Balance
354,500
From Closing Fund Balance
(354,500)
National Guard MWR Fund
3,759,800
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Utah National Guard report 
on the following National Guard MWR Fund line item 
performance measures for FY 2026: 1. Enhanced Morale 
(percent Positive Feedback) (Target = 70%) and 2. 
Financial sustainability (ratio of income to expenses) 
(Target = 100%).
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
ITEM 19
Department of Veterans and Military Affairs - Utah Veterans Nursing Home 
Fund
From Federal Funds
44,560,200
From Dedicated Credits Revenue
232,600
From Beginning Fund Balance
17,242,100
From Closing Fund Balance
(17,242,100)
Veterans Nursing Home Fund
44,792,800
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Department of Veterans and 
Military Affairs report on the following Utah Veterans 
Nursing Home Fund line item performance measures for 
FY 2026: 1. Number of Homes in Top 30% of All 
Veteran Homes Nationally (Target = 3); 2. Nursing 
Home Occupancy Rate (Target = 95%); 3. Veterans 
Home Performance Ratings (Target = 4.75); and 4. 
Veterans Homes Customer Satisfaction (Target = 4.5).
Subsection 2(c).
Restricted Fund and Account Transfers
The Legislature authorizes the State Division of Finance to transfer the following 
amounts between the following funds or accounts as indicated. Expenditures and outlays from 
the funds to which the money is transferred must be authorized by an appropriation.
EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS
ITEM 20
General Fund Restricted - National Guard Death Benefits Account
From General Fund
9,500
From Beginning Fund Balance
401,200
From Closing Fund Balance
(410,700)
ITEM 21
Firefighters Retirement Trust 
 Agency Fund
From General Fund
5,000,000
Firefighters Retirement Trust 
 Agency Fund
5,000,000
Section 3. 
FY 2026 Appropriations.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 
2025, and ending June 30, 2026. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for 
fiscal year 2026. 
Subsection 3(a).
Operating and Capital Budgets
Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the 
Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for 
the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
EXECUTIVE APPROPRIATIONS
LEGISLATURE
ITEM 22
Legislature - Senate
From General Fund
4,796,100
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
1,147,900
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(1,147,900)
Administration
4,796,100
ITEM 23
Legislature - House of Representatives
From General Fund
7,600,800
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
4,563,000
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(4,563,000)
Administration
7,600,800
ITEM 24
Legislature - Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel
From General Fund
15,469,200
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
11,159,400
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(11,159,400)
Administration
15,469,200
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Legislature report on the 
following Office of Legislative Research and General 
Counsel line item performance measures for FY 2026: 1. 
Assign subjects codes to bills and substitutes within three 
business days after bills and substitutes are made public 
(Target = 80%); 2. Bills numbered before the annual 
general session convenes (Target = 300); 3. During the 
annual general session, bills numbered within two 
business days after receiving approval from the sponsor 
(Target = 95%); 4. Live priority bills completed or 
abandoned by the 4th Friday of the annual general 
session (Target = 90%); 5. Provide relevant policy briefs 
to the Legislature (Target = 6); and 6. Timely 
distribution of "Interim Highlights" to the Legislature 
(within four business days after interim) (Target = 4).
ITEM 25
Legislature - Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst
From General Fund
5,670,300
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
1,837,000
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(1,837,000)
Administration and Research
5,670,300
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Legislature report on the 
following Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst line 
item performance measures for FY 2026: 1. Correct 
Appropriations Bills (Target = 99%); 2. On-target 
revenue estimates (18 months out) (Target = 92%); 3. 
On-target revenue estimates (4 months out) (Target = 
98%); 4. Timely fiscal notes (Target = 95%); and 5. 
Unrevised fiscal notes (Target = 99.5%).
ITEM 26
Legislature - Office of the Legislative Auditor General
From General Fund
8,258,100
From Beginning Nonlapsing Balances
2,123,000
From Closing Nonlapsing Balances
(2,123,000)
Administration
8,258,100
In accordance with UCA 63J-1-903, the 
Legislature intends that the Legislature report on the 
following Office of the Legislative Auditor General line 
item performance measures for FY 2026: 1. Number of 
Agency Recommendations and Implementation Status 
(implemented, in Process, Partial Implementation, or Not 
Implemented) (Percent Implemented or in Process) 
(Target = 95%); 2. Number of Legislative 
Recommendations and Implementation Status 
(implemented, in Process, Partial Implementation, or Not 
Implemented) (Percent Implemented or in Process) 
(Target = 95%); and 3. Total Audits Completed Each 
Year (Target = 20).
Section 4. 
Effective Date.
(1)
Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
(2)
The actions affecting Section 1 (Effective upon governor's approval) take effect:
(a)
except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), May 7, 2025; or
(b)
if approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house:
(i)
upon approval by the governor;
(ii)
without the governor's signature, the day following the constitutional time limit of 
Utah Constitution, Article VII, Section 8; or
(iii)
in the case of a veto, the date of veto override.
1-14-25 4:12 PM