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Rep. Trevor Lee says HB88 will bar taxpayer-funded benefits for noncitizens, vows Senate changes to ease passage
Summary
State Rep. Trevor Lee (R‑HD16) told a Davis County Conservatives interview that HB88 would stop taxpayer-funded benefit payments to noncitizens, that he expects it to pass the House, and that he plans to narrow penalties and remove aspects such as a private right of action to improve its prospects in the Senate.
State Representative Trevor Lee, R‑House District 16, told members of the Davis County Conservatives that he sponsored HB88 to prevent taxpayer-funded benefits from going to noncitizens and to "put Utahns first." He said the bill passed committee in the House and that he expects House passage but faces "a lot of hurdles" in the Senate.
Lee described HB88 as targeting eligibility for benefit programs on the "benefit side," saying the intent is to stop funds going to people who are not citizens. He told the interviewers that opponents have framed the bill as lacking compassion; he disputed that characterization and said he believes prioritizing citizens is compatible with compassion.
To improve the bill's prospects in the Senate, Lee said he will remove or narrow provisions that he believes create unnecessary exposure, including reducing penalties for employees accused of aiding ineligibility and changing a private right of action he originally included. "If that's what's going to hold it off, then I'll lower and lessen the penalties," he said.
Lee acknowledged political obstacles beyond text changes, noting that a Senate president, interest groups and public messaging can shift votes. He called for constituents to contact senators in favor of the policy and said he is prepared to pursue messaging "to tell them to put Utahns first and to stop the bleeding." He predicted the House will pass HB88 but said the Senate outcome remains uncertain.
The sponsor did not provide the bill's final text in the interview, nor did he cite fiscal estimates or an enacted effective date. He described amendment priorities (penalty reductions and removing the private right of action) but did not specify statutory language or an implementation timeline.
Next steps: Lee said he expects continued amendment work before any Senate floor consideration and encouraged constituents to contact their senators; he did not give a target date for final action.
