Legislative Successes
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past six years. See some of the highlights below!
Fighting for The Great Salt Lake
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. I’ve worked to advance water conservation and hold polluters accountable while pushing for long-term solutions to preserve the lake. The Great Salt Lake is critical to Utah’s economy, public health, wildlife, and quality of life, and I will continue working to ensure future generations can enjoy and benefit from this unique natural resource.
GSL Hats and Buckles
To raise awareness about the future of the Great Salt Lake, I distributed “Make the Great Salt Lake Great Again” hats and custom “Great Salt Lake Forever” belt buckles to legislators as a way to spark discussion and keep attention on one of Utah’s most urgent environmental challenges. The campaign even reached the national stage when several hats were sent to President Donald Trump.
Child Influencer Protections
I sponsored and passed the Utah Child Influencer Protections bill to help ensure children featured in monetized online content are protected and compensated fairly for their work. The law requires parents or guardians who profit from content featuring their children to set aside a portion of earnings for the child and gives young creators the ability to request removal of content once they become adults.
Protecting Parley’s Canyon
I have successfully defeated several bills that would have prohibited local governments from restricting mining operations and allowed a massive expansion of the quarry in Parley’s Canyon. I have worked hard to organize Utah's business leaders and environmental advocates against proposals that would do irreversible damage to our outdoor spaces.
Dinosaur Visitors Center
I secured $250,000 in state funding to begin developing opportunities around Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, helping local communities better benefit from one of Utah’s most iconic public lands. The funding supports efforts to strengthen outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic development in rural Utah while protecting the landscape that makes the monument unique. Doug has worked to ensure local communities have a seat at the table and can share in the economic opportunities created by Utah’s outdoor economy.
To view a full list of my sponsored legislation visit: https://house.utleg.gov/rep/OWENSDO/