Meet Speaker Mike Schultz
Mike Schultz was born and raised in Weber County, and doesn’t want to live anywhere else. In 2015, he was elected to the Legislature to represent Utah’s 12th House District that includes Hooper, Roy, and West Haven. He has been Speaker of the House since November 2023.
Schultz learned the value of hard work at a young age by working on his grandfather’s cattle farm, selling worms to fishermen, milking cows at a neighbor’s dairy farm, hauling hay, and roofing homes. As a general contractor, Schultz owned and operated several small businesses, including his home building company, which he stepped away from in 2023. Schultz currently owns and operates a family ranch in Croydon, Utah.
Speaker Schultz has a passion for public service and has championed policies like increasing funding for Utah students, conserving Utah’s water supply, and investing in transportation infrastructure all while balancing the budget and cutting taxes. He’s known for building partnerships, creating wins through smart compromise, and he believes common sense and straight talk should guide the way.
Mike and his wife, Melissa, are the proud parents of six children and three grandchildren. When not busy with work, he can be found in the great outdoors hunting, fishing, snowmobiling or fixing something on the ranch.
Speaker Updates
For the sixth year in a row, taxes were cut, bringing the total income tax reduction to 11%. That’s a sustained commitment to helping Utahns keep more of what they earn. We also expanded the Child Tax Credit and made childcare more affordable and accessible, providing real support for working families.
Starting July 1, 2026, a 15% gas tax cut will deliver immediate savings every time Utahns fill up their tanks.
But this session wasn’t just about lowering costs. It was also about strengthening families for the long term. Investments in youth mental health, early intervention, and education will help ensure children have the support they need to succeed. We also prioritized early literacy, public education, and career and technical training — recognizing that opportunity starts both in the classroom and through hands-on learning.
This session we lowered costs, strengthened families, and protected our kids to secure a brighter future for Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 23, 2026) – Today, state leaders and industry partners announced strategic agreements to enhance fuel supply, support refining capacity, secure water resources, and reduce the state gas tax to provide direct relief and make life more affordable for Utah families.
H.B. 575, sponsored by Rep. Cal Roberts, streamlines permitting and reduces regulatory barriers for pipelines entering the state to increase fuel supply. While structural improvements take time, Utah drivers will see immediate relief. Beginning July 1, Utah’s gas tax will be reduced by 15%, providing direct savings to families every time they fill up at the pump. Additionally, the state and industry will look to expand pipelines and storage opportunities, allowing refineries to increase seasonal supply and support elevated demand. The agreement will strengthen Utah’s position as a reliable energy-producing and refining state while supporting economic growth and consumer affordability.
Utah state leaders have also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Idaho to address constraints and explore opportunities to provide long-term, sustainable water supply on the Bear River system. By working across state lines, we’re strengthening regional cooperation and securing vital water resources for Utah.
“Utah is choosing an abundance mindset,” said Governor Spencer Cox. “That means we don’t wait for problems to hit families at the pump or communities in a dry year. We build the partnerships and the infrastructure that keep life affordable and our state resilient. We owe our kids a future that is reliable, affordable, and firmly in our hands.”
“We are cutting taxes for families for the sixth year in a row while strengthening the foundation of our strong economy,” said President J. Stuart Adams. “Through collaboration, we are expanding fuel supply, securing long-term water security and a reliable energy future, and stabilizing the essentials Utahns rely on. When there is reliability, businesses invest and families can plan their future with confidence today and for generations to come.”
“Utah families are feeling the impact of high gas prices, and they deserve real solutions,” said Speaker Mike Schultz. “If you want lower prices, you have to increase supply. It’s that simple. This agreement will bring in nearly 800,000 additional gallons of fuel into the market every single day, boosting competition and putting real downward pressure on prices at the pump. This win-win solution will boost supply, lower prices, and provide much-needed relief right away to Utah families.”
“We are committed to our employees, our communities, our neighbors and the State of Utah,” said Rikki Hrenko-Browning, President of Utah Petroleum Association. “We look forward to a productive working relationship with the State of Utah to continue to grow refined product output and to further solidify Salt Lake City as a leading fuels hub and energy provider for Utah and the Intermountain West.”
“Whether it’s flowing water down the Bear River or the flow of fuel through our refineries, Utah is committed to leading out with our partners,” said Executive Director Joel Ferry of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. “By creating bold and innovative solutions with the petroleum industry and our neighbors in Idaho, we are ensuring Utah remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
For Utahns, election security comes down to one thing: trust. Trust that every vote counts and every election is fair. That confidence is essential to a healthy democracy. Voting is one of our most important rights. Taking reasonable steps to protect it only strengthens public confidence.