HJR 29

 02-19 18:34  1st Sub. (Buff) H.J.R. 29
                          Jason E. Thompson proposes the following substitute bill:
1Resolution in Support of the Upward Mobility Act
                                        2026 GENERAL SESSION
                                             STATE OF UTAH
                                   Chief Sponsor: Jason E. Thompson
                                               Senate Sponsor:
2
3   LONG TITLE
4   General Description:
5This resolution proclaims that the Legislature of the state of Utah supports the enactment of
6   the Upward Mobility Act by the United States Congress.
7   Highlighted Provisions:
8This resolution:
9▸ highlights Utah's achievements as the state with the most upward mobility;
10▸ urges the passage and implementation of the Upward Mobility Act (Act) by the United
11   States Congress; and
12▸ volunteers Utah to participate in the pilot program created by the Act.
13   Money Appropriated in this Bill:
14None
15   Other Special Clauses:
16None
17
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18   Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
19WHEREAS, according to the Archbridge Institute, Utah is ranked number one in the nation
20   for upward mobility;
21WHEREAS, upward mobility allows an individual to escape poverty and achieve financial
22   independence;
23WHEREAS, programs intending to reduce poverty, such as the Supplemental Nutrition
24   Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Section
25   8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, are primarily administered by the federal government of
26   the United States of America;
27WHEREAS, these programs are meant to assist low income individuals and families to
28   raise them from poverty through food, housing, and economic assistance;
29WHEREAS, inflexible income requirements for assistance create perceived or real
 1st Sub. (Buff) H.J.R. 29  02-19 18:34
30   "benefits cliffs" where an increase in income can create a significant loss in assistance;
31WHEREAS, benefits cliffs can harm individuals receiving benefits and prevent the
32   reduction of poverty;
33WHEREAS, Representative Blake Moore of Utah introduced the Upward Mobility Act of
34   2026 (Act) to the 119th Congress of the United States;
35WHEREAS, the Act is a bipartisan initiative aimed at reforming federal anti-poverty
36   programs and eliminating benefits cliffs;
37WHEREAS, the Act, if passed, will create a five-year pilot program for up to five states to
38   receive an "Upward Mobility Grant" to administer the pilot program;
39WHEREAS, Upward Mobility Grants combine funding from 10 anti-poverty programs into
40   a single block grant;
41WHEREAS. states participating in the pilot program can request waivers from the federal
42   government to design programs that promote self-sufficiency;
43WHEREAS, the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Administration
44   for Children and Families will oversee the pilot program and select state proposals that
45   demonstrate potential in removing benefits cliffs to aid individuals in achieving financial
46   independence; and
47WHEREAS, participating in the pilot program includes rigorous independent evaluations to
48   measure the impact on employment, earnings, and poverty reduction:
49NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah supports
50   the passage and implementation of Representative Blake Moore's Upward Mobility Act of
51   2026.
52BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes that the state's success in
53   enhancing upward mobility makes Utah an obvious choice to participate in the pilot program
54   created by the Upward Mobility Act.
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