MINUTES OF THE
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT CONFIRMATION COMMITTEE
Monday, June 5, 2023 • 9:00 a.m. • 110 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Scott D. Sandall, Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. Derrin R. Owens
Sen. Jen Plumb
Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton

Members Absent:
Sen. Keith Grover

Staff Present:
Charley Hart, Policy Analyst
Julie Humberstone, Policy Analyst
Finn Andrew Rose, Administrative Assistant

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

Chair Sandall called the meeting to order.
1.Committee Business
MOTION:Sen. Stevenson moved to approve April 4, 2023, minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
2.Brian Steed, Great Salt Lake Commissioner
Brian Steed spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
The committee asked questions of Brian Steed.
Chair Sandall opened the meeting to public comment.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Brian Steed as the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
3.Jeff Silvestrini, Air Quality Board
Jeff Silvestrini spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
The committee asked questions of Jeff Silvestrini.
Chair Sandall opened the meeting to public comment.
Andrew Gruber, Executive Director, Wasatch Front Regional Council, spoke in favor of the appointment of Jeff Silvestrini.
MOTION:Sen. Blouin moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Jeff Silvestrini as a member of the Air Quality Board to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
4.Jill Jones, Water Quality Board
Jill Jones spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
Chair Sandall opened the meeting to public comment.
MOTION:Sen. Winterton moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Jill Jones as a member of the Water Quality Board to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
5.Michelle Kaufusi, Water Quality Board
Michelle Kaufusi spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
The committee asked questions of Michelle Kaufusi.
Chair Sandall opened the meeting to public comment.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Michelle Kaufusi as a member of the Water Quality Board to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
6.Robert Fehr, Water Quality Board
Robert Fehr spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
The committee asked questions of Robert Fehr.
Chair Sandall opened the meeting to public comment.
MOTION:Sen. Stevenson moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Robert Fehr as a member of the Water Quality Board to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
7.Kent Johnson, Wildlife Board
Kent Johnson spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
The committee asked questions of Kent Johnson.
Chair Sandall opened the meeting to public comment.
MOTION:Sen. Stevenson moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Kent Johnson as a member of the Wildlife Board to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
8.Paula Richmond, Wildlife Board
Paula Richmond spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
The committee asked questions of Paula Richmond.
Chair Sandall opened the meeting to public comment.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Paula Richmond as a member of the Wildlife Board to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
9.Falyn Owens, Utah State Parks
Falyn Owens spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
Chair Sandall spoke to the importance of the Utah State Parks.
Chair Sandall opened the meeting to public comment.
MOTION:Sen. Stevenson moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Falyn Owens as a member of the Utah State Parks Board to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
10.Jack Draxler, Utah State Parks
Jack Draxler spoke to their background, experience, and qualifications.
The committee asked questions of Jack Draxler.
MOTION:Sen. Stevenson moved to favorably recommend the appointment of Jack Draxler as a member of the Utah State Parks Board to the full Senate for further consideration.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
11.Other Items/Adjourn
MOTION:Sen. Blouin moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. K. Grover
Chair Sandall adjourned the meeting.