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MINUTES OF THE HOUSE

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, & ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE

Room C445, State Capitol, State Capitol Complex

March 2, 2010


Members Present:    Rep. Roger E. Barrus, Chair
    Rep. John Mathis, Vice Chair
    Rep. Mel Brown    
    Rep. Jack Draxler
    Rep. Kerry Gibson
    Rep. James Gowans
    Rep. Neal Hendrickson
    Rep. Mike Noel
    Rep. Patrick Painter
    Rep. Christine Watkins     Rep. Bill Wright

Members Absent:    Rep. Brad Dee
    Rep. Phil Riesen
            Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox

Staff Present:    Brian Allred, Policy Analyst
            Dora Soto, Committee Secretary
    
Note:        List of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with committee minutes

Rep. Mathis called the meeting to order at 4:17 p.m.

MOTION:    Rep. Hendrickson moved to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2010 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Gibson, Rep. Gowans, and
        Rep. Painter absent for the vote.


S.C.R. 7    Concurrent Resolution Approving Solid Waste Facility Classification Change (Sen. W. Niederhauser) (Rep. G. Hughes)

Sen. Niederhauser explained the bill to the committee, assisted by Rob Reynolds, Community Waste Management

MOTION:     Rep. Barrus moved to pass S.C.R.7 with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Gibson, Rep. Gowans, and Rep. Painter absent for the vote.


MOTION:    Rep. Wright moved to place S.C.R.7 on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed unanimously Rep. Gibson, Rep. Gowans, and Rep. Painter absent for the vote.


1st Sub. S.B. 51    Bioprospecting (Sen. L. Hillyard) (Rep. F. Hunsaker)

Sen. Hillyard explained the bill to the committee.

MOTION:     Rep. Watkins moved to pass 1st Substitute S.B.51 with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Gibson and
        Rep. Painter absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Rep. Barrus moved to place 1st Substitute S.B.51 on the Consent Calendar.
        The motion passed unanimously with         Rep. Gibson and Rep. Painter absent for the vote.


H.B. 169    Refinery Amendments (Rep. R. Edwards)

Rep. Edwards explained the bill to the committee.

Spoke in favor of the bill: Lee Peacock, President , Utah Petroleum Association

Spoke to the bill: Kathy Van Dame, Policy Coordinator, Wasatch Clean Air Coalition

MOTION:    Rep. Barrus moved to pass the bill with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Gibson and Rep. Painter absent for the vote.


H.C.R. 17    Concurrent Resolution Opposing the Use of Presidential Power to Create New National Monuments in Utah (Rep. M. Noel)

MOTION:    Rep. Noel moved to amend H.C.R.17 as follows:


1.    Page 4, Lines 102 through 104 :    

             102      national monument] parcels of land, the limits of which in all cases shall be confined to the
             103      smallest areas compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected. .


             104      . ."
{   (italics added)   } ;


2.    Page 4, Lines 112 through 113 :    

             112      areas of the San Rafael Swell and Cedar Mesa areas, however
  the       highest and best use of vast

             113      tracts of land in those areas is continued grazing and environmentally sensitive energy and

3.    Page 5, Lines 127 through 128 :    

             127          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
{   by   }        that       the Legislature of the state of Utah, the

             128      Governor concurring therein, express their opposition to the presidential creation of any large

    The motion to amend H.C.R.17 passed unanimously with Rep, Gibson and
    Rep. Painter absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Rep. Brown moved to amend the amendment as follows:


1.    Page 6, Lines 153 through 158 :    

             153          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor express support
             154      for S 3016, introduced in the United States Senate, which would prohibit the further extension
             155      or establishment of national monuments in Utah, except by express authorization of Congress.
 

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor express strong opposition to presidential or congressional action that would unnecessarily restrict and reduce public access to federal lands.  

             156          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of
             157      the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United
             158      States House of Representatives, and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.





Rep. Noel explained the bill to the committee, assisted by James Hansen, Former Congressman

Spoke in favor of the bill: Mark Ward, Policy Analyst, Utah Assoc. Counties
             Ted Wilson, Environmentalist, Governor Office

MOTION:    Rep. Gibson moved to pass H.C.R.17 with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously.

S.B. 149    Utah Forest Practices Act Amendments (Sen. D. Hinkins) (Rep. K. Gibson)

Sen. Hinkins explained the bill to the committee.

Spoke in favor of the bill: Mike Eriksson, Stewardship Coordinator, Forestry, Fire and State
             Lands.

MOTION:    Rep. Draxler moved to pass the bill with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Gowans absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Rep. Gibson moved to place S.B.149 on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Gowans absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Rep .Gibson moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously with
        Rep. Gowans absent for the vote.

Rep. Mathis adjourned the meeting at 5:28 p.m.


    
                    _________________________
    Rep. Roger E. Barrus, Chair