HB267: Ensuring Fairness and Transparency for Utah’s Public Employees
As your representative, I take my responsibility to support Utah’s public employees and manage taxpayer resources seriously. I understand that HB267 has generated strong opinions, and I want to take this opportunity to explain why I supported this bill and how it benefits our state, our public employees, and our education system.
First and foremost, HB267 does not eliminate unions or prevent public employees from joining them. Teachers and other public employees will still have the right to organize, advocate for themselves, and receive union support. What this bill does is prohibit public sector collective bargaining moving forward, creating a system where public employers engage directly with all employees—not just union representatives—when addressing workplace concerns.
This approach is already in place in several other states and is designed to promote fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in workplace negotiations. Rather than a small group negotiating behind closed doors, this ensures that all employees have the ability to voice concerns directly.
What HB267 Means for Public Employee Retirement Benefits
There has been some misinformation about how this bill affects retirement benefits, so I want to clarify the facts. HB267 does not eliminate retirement benefits for public employees. What it does is remove taxpayer-funded retirement benefits for union employees who are not official state workers. This change ensures that state resources are allocated fairly and that our retirement system remains sustainable for those who are directly employed by the government.
Public employees who are part of the state system will continue to receive the benefits they’ve earned. The bill simply removes the additional taxpayer burden of funding retirement benefits for employees who are affiliated with unions but are not state employees.
A Record of Supporting Utah’s Public Employees and Educators
While I understand concerns about HB267, I want to highlight the historic investments the Utah Legislature has made in education and public employees over the past four years. We have prioritized funding and policy initiatives that directly support teachers, students, and state employees, including:
• An additional $1.3 billion in public education funding
• A $6,000 salary increase for teachers, despite union opposition
• Increased paid parental leave for educators
• A $6,000 stipend for student teachers
• A $500 stipend for classroom supplies
• Four additional preparation days per year for teachers
• A new hotline to help educators navigate administrative hurdles
• Additional compensation for high-performing teachers
• $100 million invested in school security improvements
These investments demonstrate my commitment—and the commitment of the Utah Legislature—to ensuring that Utah’s public employees and educators receive the support they deserve.
Additional Protections for Teachers
One of the key provisions in HB267 that I believe will benefit educators directly is the introduction of optional, low-cost professional liability insurance through Risk Management. Many teachers have expressed concerns about gaps in their coverage for employment or licensure disputes. This bill ensures that teachers who want additional protection have access to it—providing peace of mind and added security in their professional roles.
Why I Voted for HB267
I know this bill represents a significant change, and I respect the strong feelings on both sides of the issue. However, my goal in supporting HB267 was to create a system that balances the needs of public employees, taxpayers, and our broader community while ensuring fairness in how our state’s resources are managed.
I firmly believe that transparency and direct engagement between employees and employers lead to better outcomes for everyone. By removing collective bargaining from the public sector, we empower all employees to have a direct voice in workplace decisions, rather than limiting negotiations to union leadership.
Additionally, HB267 ensures that taxpayer funds are used responsibly by keeping retirement benefits within the state employee system and redirecting resources to the educators and employees who serve our communities directly.
Moving Forward
I value open dialogue and welcome conversations with my constituents—even when we don’t see eye to eye. My door is always open, and I encourage feedback on how we can continue to improve our policies to support Utah’s teachers, public employees, and students.
I stand by my vote on HB267 because I believe it ensures fairness, accountability, and sustainable benefits for public employees while maintaining Utah’s strong record of supporting education and workforce development.
Thank you for your engagement in this important discussion, and I appreciate your trust in me to represent District 52.
Cory Maloy
Representative, Utah House District 52