Editors Note: This article was originally published in the Feb. 7, 2024 issue of the Chronicle Progress. Some information may be outdated.
Sen. Evan Vickers
Utah Legislature
We completed our third week of the legislative session.
At this point, the Senate reviews many House bills and the House reviews many Senate bills.
The legislative process ensures each proposal is vetted before becoming law, and I appreciate the public has multiple opportunities to voice their opinions on proposed laws as they move through.
Listening to public comment provides legislators valuable insight into how laws will impact a given demographic. It’s crucial for crafting meaningful and effective legislation that will stand the test of time.
I am sponsoring two bills that moved forward this week.
The first bill, SB127 Nurse Apprentice Amendments, amends the process for a nurse apprentice to become a registered nurse. A nurse apprentice has a one-year apprentice license that allows them to receive hands-on training to become a nurse.
An apprentice must take the national nurse licensing exam (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse. Under the current program, if an apprentice fails the NCLEX on their first attempt, the apprentice loses their nurse apprentice license. To capitalize on the talent cultivated through the apprenticeship program, I am sponsoring SB127, which allows the apprenticeship license to remain in effect during the NCLEX retesting period if the one-year period of state licensure is still in effect. The bill is currently in the Senate; I anticipate it going to the House next week for their approval.
The second bill I am sponsoring is SB52 Educator Salary Amendments.
Last year, the Legislature increased the salary for our outstanding, dedicated Utah educators by $6,000. This increase is a demonstration of our deep gratitude for the noble work our teachers do in building Utah’s future educating our children and grandchildren. However, the definition of “teacher” used in last year’s bill excluded a small subset of qualifying educators—many in rural communities—from receiving the pay increase.
My bill amends this oversight by including this small subset to receive the $6,000 pay increase moving forward.
In other news, we celebrated Southern Utah University (SUU) Day on the Hill this week. Legislators had the opportunity to meet with students, teachers and administrators to hear about the remarkable work they’re accomplishing at SUU. Part of SUU Day on the Hill included an historic 3-year partnership agreement where the Utah Summer Games at SUU will also host the Utah Special Olympics, starting in 2025. I’m thrilled for this important collaboration and excited for this opportunity to come to southern Utah. I am sponsoring several appropriation requests for SUU this session to encourage support for improvements to the university. Our area of the state is incredible, and I am proud to help other legislators see our contributions to the state. Go T-Birds!
Thank you, as always, for your continued support as I work to represent you at the Utah Legislature. I welcome your feedback and ideas. Please reach out anytime at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or at 435-817-5565.
