January 22, 2024
Dear Team Commerce,
Happy January! As we embark on a new year and enter the busy 2024 legislative session, I want to express my appreciation for your hard work and dedication to our department. Your contributions are invaluable in helping us achieve our goals, and I am proud to be part of such a talented team as we work together to serve the people of Utah.
We are following the progress of several bills introduced this legislative session that are expected to impact our divisions, including:
- amendments to The Utah Social Media Regulation Act, A bill that would create some consumer protections with regards to generative AI, but also create an AI policy lab
- changes to behavioral health licensing provisions based on OPLR’s recommendations,
- a bill that broadens foreign credentialing to allow endorsements of applicants,
- and a bill that would streamline how charities register,
We are actively advocating for our positions on these crucial issues and others not mentioned above. Additionally, this year’s budget request includes funding for additional staff and attorneys for upcoming legal actions. We hope this will help with workload strain across the department if approved.
I want to thank everyone participating in this quarter’s new roundtable discussion group. This group of division representatives provided some valuable and candid feedback. These roundtables helped us improve several technology updates already in the works, which will lessen the burden on those responding to customer questions regarding applications and renewals.
We have an amazing wealth of knowledge within the department. Recently, Jason Gill provided time management training, and Su Chon and Amy Gowan led an investigator training. We will continue to tap into this knowledge in the coming months, and I encourage you to take advantage of our professional development training opportunities. Remember that most Commerce employees must complete two training sessions, and investigators must complete three in a fiscal year.
Finally, I want to remind everyone that your performance pay increases are coming in February. These increases are based on your combined performance during the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2024. Those who have received a rating of “Successful” or “Exceeds Expectations” will receive a pay increase. Performance pay is divided by division, so the ratings given in one division will not affect another division’s pay. As long as funding is approved, we anticipate a second increase in July, and after that, annual performance increases.
Thank you again for your hard work and dedication. I look forward to working with you all in the exciting year ahead.
Best regards,
Margaret