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- Sen. John Curtis ends his House tenure with several bills signed into law.
- Key bills address Colorado River salinity, Great Salt Lake conservation, and public lands access.
- Curtis ranked ninth most effective Republican, focusing on Utah's pressing issues.
WASHINGTON — Sen. John Curtis is taking his legacy of being a highly productive member of the House of Representatives to the Senate. In the final days before giving up his seat representing Utah's 3rd District, Curtis saw several bills signed into law by President Joe Biden.
In a recent press release, he reflected on his time in the House, where he helped pass 27 bills into law. The bills dealt with issues like public lands, human trafficking and the regulation of small businesses.
"When I began my service in Congress, I could never have imagined how much we would accomplish," Curtis said. "Many come to Washington for the spotlight or to make noise, but my goal has always been to earn the trust of Utahns, address their most pressing issues, and deliver meaningful solutions."
Curtis' congressional office has won awards for its accessibility, and he ranked as the ninth most effective Republican by the Center for Effective Lawmaking.
Here's a glimpse at several bills, just signed into law, that were introduced by Curtis.
Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act
Salinity in the Colorado River is a huge problem and threatens to impact seven states in the West. The river is a major water source for 40 million people. Congress' Colorado River Salinity Control Program, established in 1974, improves water quality by reducing salinity in the river system. Curtis' bill aims to address the excessive salinity in the Colorado River by enhancing the existing program.
"Ancient seas that once covered much of the Intermountain West left significant saline rock formations. When water contacts these formations, it dissolves, and salt discharges into the Colorado River and its tributaries, thereby elevating the river's salinity," Curtis said at a congressional hearing in May 2024. "This causes environmental damage and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses each year for water users."
Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act
This bill, supported by Utah's entire delegation, will tap unused money already set aside for the state. It will broaden its reach to support the efforts of the state of Utah, local communities, and water districts north of Salt Lake County in conserving water use and replenishing the lake.
"Utahns have worked tirelessly to protect the Great Salt Lake, but persistent drought conditions now threaten its long-term viability. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act would expand the Colorado River water conservation program to include the lake," Curtis said when the bill passed in the House in 2024. "Over time, this flexibility will help safeguard its ecological and economic significance, protecting Utah and the West from the economic and public health risks of an ecological disaster."
Outdoor recreation legislation
This legislation included several provisions related to outdoor recreation, including the Protecting America's Rock Climbing, or PARC, Act, responsible for ensuring access to rock climbing in designated wilderness, an activity dating back to its creation in the Wilderness Act of 1964. This bill aimed to improve and expand access to public lands and waterways.
As Climbing Magazine reported, "The primary function of the PARC Act is to ensure that no federal agency will again try to classify fixed anchors or other climbing gear — from bolts and pitons to tree slings — as illegal 'installations' in the wilderness."
The EXPLORE bill also includes the Connect Our Parks Act, which will direct each national park to assess where broadband service is needed and develop a plan to increase access to internet and cellular service.
The Biking On Long-Distance Trails Act, another provision in the EXPLORE Act, will identify areas and existing bike trails that can be developed and improved. And the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act will make outdoor recreation more accessible by streamlining the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups.
