Resolution in Support of the Upward Mobility Act

2
0
Resolution in Support of the Upward Mobility Act
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Jason E. Thompson
Senate Sponsor:
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This resolution proclaims that the Legislature of the state of Utah supports the enactment of
the Upward Mobility Act by the United States Congress.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
highlights Utah's achievements as the state with the most upward mobility;
urges the passage and implementation of the Upward Mobility Act (Act) by the United
States Congress; and
volunteers Utah to participate in the pilot program created by the Act.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, according to the Archbridge Institute, Utah is ranked number one in the nation
for upward mobility;
WHEREAS, upward mobility allows an individual to escape poverty and achieve financial
independence;
WHEREAS, programs intending to reduce poverty, such as the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Section
8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, are primarily administered by the federal government of
the United States of America;
WHEREAS, these programs are meant to assist low income individuals and families to
raise them from poverty through food, housing, and economic assistance;
WHEREAS, inflexible income requirements for assistance create perceived or real
"benefits cliffs" where an increase in income can create a significant loss in assistance;
WHEREAS, benefits cliffs can harm individuals receiving benefits and prevent the
reduction of poverty;
WHEREAS, Representative Blake Moore of Utah introduced the Upward Mobility Act of
2026 (Act) to the 119th Congress of the United States;
WHEREAS, the Act is a bipartisan initiative aimed at reforming federal anti-poverty
programs and eliminating benefits cliffs;
WHEREAS, the Act, if passed, will create a five-year pilot program for up to five states to
receive an "Upward Mobility Grant" to administer the pilot program;
WHEREAS, Upward Mobility Grants combine funding from 10 anti-poverty programs into
a single block grant;
WHEREAS. states participating in the pilot program can request waivers from the federal
government to design programs that promote self-sufficiency;
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Administration
for Children and Families will oversee the pilot program and select state proposals that
demonstrate potential in removing benefits cliffs to aid individuals in achieving financial
independence; and
WHEREAS, participating in the pilot program includes rigorous independent evaluations to
measure the impact on employment, earnings, and poverty reduction:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah supports
the passage and implementation of Representative Blake Moore's Upward Mobility Act of
2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes that the state's success in
enhancing upward mobility makes Utah an obvious choice to participate in the pilot program
created by the Upward Mobility Act.
2-19-26 6:34 PM