Jason Thompson

This legislative session I had the opportunity to work on several bills focused on supporting Utah families and preparing our communities for the future. We expanded the employer child care tax credit to help more businesses support working parents, strengthened oversight of non-nicotine inhalation products to ensure clearer regulation, and launched a study to better understand how student housing impacts surrounding communities. Good policy starts with listening, hearing from parents, educators, businesses, and local leaders across Utah. I’m grateful for the chance to represent our district and continue working on solutions that strengthen our state!

Last week, the Utah Legislature wrapped up the 2026 session. Even though it’s one of the shortest sessions in the country, the days are long and full of meetings, committees, and floor votes. My mornings usually start out at the farm before heading to the Capitol, and from there the day moves quickly. For anyone who hasn’t been able to make it to the Capitol, the video below gives a behind-the-scenes look at what a typical day during session is like. It’s busy, but I’m so grateful for the chance to do this work. Thank you to everyone who visited the Capitol over the past seven weeks or participated online. Your voice matters, and I’m honored to represent our community and work on the issues that are most important to Utah families.

Strong families build a stronger Utah. H.B. 329 expands paid maternity leave for state employees, including clearer adoption and foster leave policies for parents.

More families should be able to keep more of what they earn. H.B. 290 updates income limits so more Utah parents can benefit from the state’s $1,000 Child Tax Credit for children under seven.

H.B. 190 boosts tax incentives for employers who provide child care, simplifies rules, and offers resources through a dedicated state webpage, allowing greater options for more working families.

KSL: "Lawmakers have had their eye on affordability during this year's legislative session, and Rep. Jason Thompson said HB190 would help reduce child care costs for families with young children." Read more: ksl.com/article/514503… #utpol

Utah House OKs bill expanding tax credit for businesses that provide child care #utpol ksl.com/article/514503…

Strong families are the backbone of our state. That's why, over the past 45 days, we focused on lowering costs, strengthening families, and protecting our kids. I'm proud of the work we did this session to build an even stronger future for Utah. 💪🏼

These are a few of the very important projects we focused on this Legislative Session. Read more here: deseret.com/utah/2026/03/0…

Yesterday was research day on the hill. We had tremendous representation of students from USU here to present their findings. I’m proud of their hard work and desire to change the world for the better.

I’m very excited about this bill. HB250 is about making it easier for small businesses to offer retirement benefits. This bill creates a simple, state-supported exchange where employers can compare options like IRAs and 401(k), which helps more Utah workers save for the future. Stay tuned for updates!

Friday, I introduced HB 520 in the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee to address the growing housing pressures in the communities that host our colleges and universities. The bill directs a housing expert within the Governor’s Office, in coordination with higher education leadership, to conduct a statewide feasibility study examining the measurable impact of student populations on local housing markets and to explore practical mitigation strategies. In cities like Logan, Cedar City, and Ephraim, student enrollment has significantly outpaced purpose-built student housing, leaving thousands of students competing with local residents for limited housing inventory and driving down homeownership rates. HB 520 does not mandate construction or appropriate funding; it simply brings data, coordination, and collaboration to the table so we can responsibly plan for student, faculty, and workforce housing while supporting first-time homeownership and strengthening our university communities. HB 520 was favorably recommended by the committee to the full House floor for consideration. Stay tuned for updates!

We love being a college town, but we also have to look out for everyone else who calls Cache Valley home. This will guide us towards some great solutions! Week 5 of session is down, two more to go! #Utahlegislature #cachevalleyutah #loganutah

Trump says he wants to make the Great Salt Lake 'great again' Excited to share great news. The Governor committed. We are committed. The President is now committed. deseret.com/politics/2026/…

Yesterday we honored the lives of our fallen first responders on the floor. Thank you to Rep. Ryan Wilcox for reading the citation. Rep. Thomas Petersen and myself were privileged to welcome Lanette Sorensen, wife of fallen Tremonton/Garland Police Department Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Brittney Estrada, wife of fallen Officer, Eric Estrada. It was a somber but special moment as we honored the life and service of the fallen officers. I am amazed by the grace and strength of both Lanette and Brittney. Words cannot express how thankful we are for the lives, service, and sacrifices made to keep us safe.

AI can’t do it all. It can’t teach our children empathy, or how to be a good neighbor. These skills are much needed for our youth. Last week I asked for state funding to support the Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center, so we can grow leadership training opportunities across Utah and strengthen the personal skills that keep our communities strong in a changing world. Investing in leadership skills for our youth is what will make our communities stronger and more resilient.

Closed out last week with some great wins. Now we’re halfway into Week 5! #Utahlegislation #CacheValley #UtahPolitics

I believe that hardworking Utahns deserve a simple way to plan for the future, and small businesses deserve practical tools to support their teams. This new option gives employers and employees a flexible way to save for retirement, helping families feel more secure and communities grow stronger. When more people have the chance to plan ahead, everyone benefits. Read more here: deseret.com/utah/2026/02/1… #Utahfamilies #Supportsmallbusinesses #Utahsmallbusiness