MINUTES OF THE
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 • 8:00 a.m. • 215 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton, Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. Derrin R. Owens
Sen. Stephanie Pitcher
Sen. Scott D. Sandall
Sen. Evan J. Vickers

Members Absent:
Sen. David G. Buxton
Sen. Keith Grover

Staff Present:
Julie Humberstone, Policy Analyst
Makelle Wininger, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Winterton called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to approve the minutes of the February 24, 2023, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-4.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Pitcher
1.2nd Sub. H.B. 217 School Energy and Water Reductions (Bennion, G.)
Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion presented the bill with the assistance of Sam Urie, School Finance Director, Utah State Board of Education. They responded to questions from the committee.
Heather Anderson, Government Affairs Director, Utah Association of Special Districts, spoke in favor of the bill.
David Peterson, Rural Water Technology Alliance, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ava Curtis, Volunteer, Sierra Club Utah Chapter, spoke in favor of the bill.
Soren Simonsen, Executive Director, Jordan River Commission, spoke in favor of the bill.
Michael Larson, President, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ren Griffeth, private citizen, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 217 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-2.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
2.2nd Sub. H.B. 219 Firearms Regulations (Lisonbee, K.)
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee presented the bill and responded to questions from the committee.
Edward Rutan, Member, Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah (GVPC), spoke against the bill.
Randall Boyle, Director, Utah Shooting Sports Council, spoke in favor of the bill.
Bill Pederson, Director, Utah Shooting Sports Council, spoke in favor of the bill.
Mike Smith, Sheriff, Utah County, and President, Utah Sheriffs Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Skylar Burnside, private citizen, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kael Weston, private citizen, spoke against the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 219 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-2-2.
Yeas - 4Nays- 2Abs- 2
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
3.3rd Sub. H.B. 384 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Amendments (Stenquist, J.)
Rep. Jeffrey Stenquist presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to pass 3rd Substitute H.B. 384 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-3.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. E. Vickers
4.2nd Sub. H.B. 461 Airport Firearm Possession Amendments (Gricius, S.)
Rep. Stephanie Gricius presented the bill and responded to questions from the committee.
Whit Cook, Utah Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Will Carlson, Salt Lake County District Attorney Office, commented on the bill.
Edward Rutan spoke against the bill.
Jeff Hartley, private citizen, spoke in favor of the bill.
Bryant Garrett, Regional Airport Manager, Ogden City, spoke against the bill.
Leah Hansen, private citizen, spoke in favor of the bill.
Casey Hill, Lobbyist, Salt Lake City International Airport, commented on the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Sandall moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 461 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-2-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 2Abs- 3
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. E. Vickers
5.1st Sub. H.B. 491 Amendments Related to the Great Salt Lake (Schultz, M.)
Rep. Mike Schultz presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Sandall moved to replace 1st Substitute H.B. 491 with 2nd Substitute H.B. 491.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-3.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. Schultz continued the presentation of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.
Jack Ray, President, Utah Waterfowl Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kael Weston commented on the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 491 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-3.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. E. Vickers
MOTION:Sen. Pitcher moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-3.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. E. Vickers
Chair Winterton adjourned the meeting at 9:25 a.m.