Melissa Garff Ballard

Melissa Garff Ballard is a Republican politician and music educator representing House District 20 in the Utah House of Representatives, serving Davis County. She has held this position since January 1, 2019, following her election in November 2018, when she defeated Democrat Ryan L. Jones with 65% of the vote.

Ballard comes from a distinguished legislative family—she is the fifth member of her family to serve in the Utah House of Representatives since 1896. Beyond her legislative duties, she has maintained an active role in music education as a pianist and teacher, including managing a professional piano studio for 23 years and serving as adjunct faculty at the University of Utah School of Music.

Her husband is Craig B. Ballard, with whom she served as a full-time missionary with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Oregon Portland Mission from 2014 to 2017.

Education

Ballard holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Accompanying from the University of Utah, both earned in 1992 and 1994 respectively. She also earned a B.S. from the University of Utah.

Political Experience

During her tenure in the Utah House, Ballard has held several leadership positions. She has served as Chair of Higher Education Appropriations, Founding Chair of the Higher Education and Corrections Council, and Chair of the Education and Mental Health Council. She also serves as Chair of the Utah Marriage Commission and was a Founding Leader of the Republican Women Lead PAC.

Notable legislative accomplishments include sponsoring a 2019 bill to reform the Utah State Board of Education and championing HB 223 in 2021, which created new tax credits for hydrogen vehicles in Utah—legislation that passed and was signed into law.

Her committee assignments include the House Committee on Business and Labor, House Committee on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, and Vice Chair of the Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. She brings expertise across diverse policy areas including education funding transparency, government fiscal efficiency, parental leave, energy production, workforce development, and mental health services.

Nationally, she serves as President of the Women's Legislative Network for NCSL , Founding Board Member of the United States Hydrogen Alliance, and holds roles with the Green Hydrogen Coalition and other national governance organizations.