MINUTES OF THE
INFRASTRUCTURE AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Thursday, January 26, 2023 • 8:00 a.m. • 210 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Chris H. Wilson, Senate Chair
Rep. Keven J. Stratton, House Chair
Rep. Paul Cutler, House Vice Chair
Sen. Wayne A. Harper
Sen. Karen Kwan
Sen. Jen Plumb
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton
Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion
Rep. Brady Brammer
Rep. Kay J. Christofferson
Rep. Joseph Elison
Rep. Colin W. Jack
Rep. A. Cory Maloy
Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist
Rep. Andrew Stoddard

Members Absent:
Sen. David G. Buxton
Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore
Sen. Daniel McCay

Staff Present:
Ivan D. Djambov, Finance Manager
Amanda Kilian, Financial Analyst
Karen C. Allred, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
1.Call to Order
Chair Wilson called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
2.RFA: Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation Facilities Updating (Rep. Hawkins)
Rep. Jon Hawkins introduced Colin Hilton, President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation and Eric Hutchings, Board Member, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation.
Winter Sports Capital
Colin Hilton explained the request for appropriation for the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation facilities for 12 projects, which are a combination of venue locations, and 4 local government locations across several counties to renovate or enhance very well-used Olympic venues.
Eric Hutchings further explained the Olympic venue needs. The impact of the Olympics has been huge to the community and Utah. Utah has a world-class reputation because of the Olympics.
Rep. Hawkins gave closing remarks that the venues are well-loved by community members, they are used and loved by the public.
Rep. Christofferson asked about the revenue from the Olympics being reimbursed. Colin Hilton responded.
Rep. Elison asked about the financials concerning the venues, with a response from Colin Hilton and Eric Hutchings.
Sen. Kwan commented about the Kearns Olympic Skating venue, and that the request is for all of the venues, and asked about the return on investment to local communities from the last Olympics, with a response from Colin Hilton.
Rep. Stratton asked several questions about the Legacy fund, with responses from Colin Hilton and Rep. Hawkins. Rep. Stratton expressed concern about asking before the Olympics are awarded.
Rep. Hawkins gave a final comment about the Olympic request, and Colin Hilton gave an update that the International Olympic Committee has decided to put a pause on the decision for where to hold the Olympics to look for "climate reliable" places until July 2024 at the latest.
Eric Hutchings concluded by complimenting Sen. Harper's hard work on this request.
3.Approval of Minutes
MOTION:Rep. Cutler moved to approve the minutes of January 20, 2022 (the year on the minutes was corrected late in the meeting).The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-6.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. K. Christofferson
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Elison
Sen. W. Harper
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. A. Maloy
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. K. Stratton
Sen. C. Wilson
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. D. McCay
Rep. A. Stoddard
Sen. R. Winterton
4.Debt Service Overview
Amanda Kilian gave a follow-up report on a question from the last meeting on interest paid, and then gave a presentation on debt levels, debt limits, and staff recommendations.
4a - Debt Service Overview Presentation
4b - Debt Service Overview Issue Brief
Rep. Stratton asked several questions about debt payments, with a response from Amanda Kilian.
Rep. Stenquist asked for clarification on bond authority, with a response from Amanda Kilian.
Sen. Kwan asked about the bonds for the Utah Department Of Transportation (UDOT), with a response from Amanda Kilian and Chair Wilson.
Sen. Harper commented on the bonds.
5.Southern Utah University - Business Building West Addition
Chair Wilson congratulated Mindy Benson on the anniversary of SUU.
Mindy Benson, President, Southern Utah University (SUU) gave a presentation on a request for a Business Building West Addition. This building is one of the most heavily scheduled buildings on campus and there is a near-by building that will be torn down to accommodate space for the new addition.
5 - SUU Presentation
Rep. Elison gave support for this request and commented that SUU was one of two universities in the state that exceeded the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) recommendations for space utilization.
Rep. Maloy congratulated their success on growth, and asked if utilization is being projected for future growth. Pres. Benson responded.
Sen. Harper commented about future requests, with a response from Pres. Benson.
Chair Wilson clarified the request and use of funds.
6.Department of Transportation - Ogden Maintenance Signals & Materials Lab
Nathan Lee, Director of Technology and Innovation, UDOT, explained the one-time request of Ogden Maintenance Signals and Materials Lab Replacement, the structure's history, challenges of the current facility, and the need for this request.
6 - UDOT Presentation
7.Utah Lake Commission - Utah Lake Research Center
Eric Ellis, Executive Director, Utah Lake Commission, introduced a one-time request for a Research and Nature Center on Utah Lake.
7 - Utah Lake Commission
Rep. Cutler asked for clarification on the ownership of the marina and how it would be managed between agencies, with a response from Eric Ellis.
Rep. Brammer made comments about the the Lake Commission, which will be folded into the Utah Lake Authority and asked where they currently meet, Eric Ellis responded.
Rep. Christofferson asked about the site location and costs, with a response from Eric Ellis.
Chair Wilson asked about where this is located on the lake. Eric Ellis showed the arial view slide and responded.
Rep. Maloy asked about the Hutchings Institute, with a response from Eric Ellis.
8.Department of Public Safety - Evidence Warehouse
Jimmy Higgs, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Safety, gave a presentation on a one-time request for a DPS Evidence Warehouse, which would house evidence for the Department of Public Safety.
Rep. Christofferson asked for clarification on the square footage, with a response from Jimmy Higgs.
Rep. Cutler asked about current operation and maintenance costs compared to projected costs with the building, with a response from Jimmy Higgs.
9.Department of Health and Human Services - Unified State Laboratory 2 Renovation
Tracy Gruber, Executive Director, Department of Health and Human Services, introduced the Office of the Medical Examiner facility renovation, and explained the job of the Medical Examiner.
9a - DHHS Presentation
9b - DHHS Handout
Dr. Erik Christensen, Chief Medical Examiner, explained the need for the request for the renovation for the Medical Examiner laboratory renovation in two phases.
Rep. Jack asked about the increase in death trends compared with population growth, with response from Dr. Christensen.
Rep. Stratton assumed the chair.
10.RFA: Bus Storage and Maintenance Facility (Sen. Wilson)
Sen. Wilson introduced Todd Beutler, General Manager/CEO, Cache Valley Transit and Patrick Jenkins, Board Chair, Cache Valley Transit.
10a - Cache Valley Transit District Presentation
10b - Cache Valley Transit District Handout
Patrick Jenkins introduced Kent Anderson, Davis County Commission Development Director, and Shule Bishop, Director, Government Relations, Utah Transit Authority (UTA), and explained the details of the project for a bus storage and maintenance facility.
Kent Anderson, also the Chair of the Transportation Committee, Northern Utah Chamber Coalition, explained the Chamber Coalition's support.
Shule Bishop expressed support for the Cache Valley District request, and mentioned that with population growth there is a chance in the future that the two agencies will connect.
Patrick Jenkins explained the need for this facility to fill a gap and emphasized the funding shortfall and that a federal fund grant is about to expire.
Rep. Cutler asked about micro transit, with a response from Todd Beutler.
Sen. Wilson resumed the chair.
11.Department of Natural Resources - Camp Floyd Museum
Jeff Rasmussen, Director, Division of State Parks, Department of Natural Resources, introduced Brad Guerney, Mayor of Fairfield City, and Sen. Jake Anderegg. Jeff Rassmusen explained the Camp Floyd State Park Museum, and the need for a new facility.
11 - Department of Natural Resources Presentation
Mayor Guerney, who wore period costume, told some history of himself and the city of Fairfield, explained partnerships.
12.RFA: Bicycling Safety Education and Infrastructure Planning (Rep. Stenquist)
Rep. Stenquist introduced the request for apporpriation and stated it is restoring a previous program put on hold during the pandemic.
Jenn Oxborrow, Executive Director, Bike Utah, explained the history of Bike Utah, and the request for ongoing funding for Bicycling Safety Education and Infrastructure Planning, to keep the program moving forward.
Rep. Stenquist emphasized the focus on safety.
12a - Bike Utah Presentation
12b - Bike Utah Handout
13.The Children's Center Utah
Rep. Raymond Ward explained the what the Children's Center represents and introduced the request.
Rebecca Dutson, President and CEO, The Children's Center Utah, explained the services of the Children's Center Utah, expressed the need for this one-time request.
13 - The Children's Center Utah
The Children's Center Utah (b)
Stephen Hunter, Hunter and Company, a lobbyist for the Children's Center, gave some personal remarks about his support for this request to expand in to other counties.
John Lee, CFO, Universal Synaptics Corporation and Vice Chair of the Board of The Children's Center Utah, spoke of support and need for this request.
Rebecca Dutson spoke of what this funding would accomplish.
Rep. Stratton asked if there are resources for the transgender sphere and what those services would be, with a response from Rebecca Dutson.
Rep. Cutler asked about how operating costs are covered, and why this is a one-time request, with a response from Rebecca Dutson.
Sen. Plumb commented that the services of the Children's Center.
Chair Wilson asked what was requested last year, and which subcommittee this request will come from, with a response from Rep. Ward.
14.Wasatch Canyons Behavioral Campus
This agenda item will not be heard today.
15.Convergence Hall at the Point
Rep. Jefferson Moss, Innovation District Project Director, The Point, introduced the request for a Convergence Hall at the Point, and gave an overview of the purpose of this request.
Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education, expressed support for this request.
Tami Goetz, Director, Utah Stem Action Center, explained that they are part of the programming power, to track the impact of this type of center.
15a - Convergence Hall Presentation
15b - Convergence Hall Handout
Kelvyn Cullimore, CEO BioUtah, the trade association for life science companies that do pharmaceuticals, devices, diagnostics, etc, expressed support for this innovation center at the point of the mountain.
Janette Bennet, Chief Visionary Officer, Thanksgiving Point, expressed support for this Convergence Hall in technology and science with hand-on exhibits.
Rep. Moss summarized the presentation for this request.
16.State Airplane (Sen. Harper)
Sen. Harper explained the request for appropriation for a state airplane, the purpose of a state airplane, and why it's needed.
16 - State Airplane Photos
Leif Elder, UDOT, provided information and spoke about maintenance costs on the old planes and the reason for a new plane.
Sen. Harper stated that this request will save money.
Chair Wilson commented about this project.
17.Other Business
MOTION:Rep. Stratton moved to go on record as a committee to support a bill that would repeal bonding authorization in Utah Code 63B-31-101(4)(a) and (4)(b). The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-6.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Elison
Sen. W. Harper
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. A. Maloy
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. K. Stratton
Sen. C. Wilson
Sen. R. Winterton
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. D. Buxton
Rep. K. Christofferson
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. D. McCay
Rep. J. Stenquist
Sen. Kwan and Rep. Cutler spoke in support of the motion.
Chair Wilson clarified that the minutes were announced as January 20, 2022, but are really January 20, 2023 minutes.
18.Adjourn
MOTION:Rep. Jack moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-7.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Elison
Sen. W. Harper
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. A. Maloy
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. K. Stratton
Sen. C. Wilson
Sen. R. Winterton
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. D. Buxton
Rep. K. Christofferson
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. D. McCay
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. A. Stoddard
Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting at