MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 1, 2024 • 3:40 p.m. • 120 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. Walt Brooks, Chair
Rep. Rex P. Shipp, Vice Chair
Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion
Rep. Scott H. Chew
Rep. Tim Jimenez
Rep. Michael L. Kohler
Rep. Steven J. Lund
Rep. Doug Owens
Rep. Thomas W. Peterson
Rep. Casey Snider
Rep. Keven J. Stratton
Rep. Christine F. Watkins

Members Absent:
Rep. Bridger Bolinder
Speaker Mike Schultz

Staff Present:
Charley Hart, Policy Analyst
Tisha Gibby, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
Chair Shipp called the meeting to order at 3:42 p.m.
Rep. Brooks assumed the chair.
MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to approve the January 29, 2024 minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
1.H.B. 291 Department of Agriculture and Food Amendments (Shipp, R.P.)
Rep. Shipp presented the bill with the assistance of Amber Brown, Director, Legislative and Government Affairs, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Terry Camp, Vice President of Public Policy, Utah Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Shipp moved to amend H.B. 291 with Amendment #2.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Amendment 2
H.B. 291
1 .        Page 13, Lines 369 through 381 :  Page 13, Lines 369 through 381
369                 4-31-102. Dead domestic animals -- Duty of owner to bury or otherwise dispose of
370         them -- Liability for costs.
371                 (1) An owner or other person responsible for a domestic animal that dies shall { [ } bury or { ] }
372         dispose of the animal { , in accordance with state and local law, } within a reasonable period of
373         time after the owner or other person responsible for the animal becomes aware that the animal
374         is dead.
375                 { [ } (2) The owner of a dead bovine, horse, mule, goat, sheep, bird, or swine may bury the
376         dead animal on the owner's property. { ] }
377                 { [ } (3) { ] } {   (2) } If the owner or other person responsible for the dead animal cannot be found,
378         the county, city, or town within which the dead animal is found, shall, at the political
379         subdivision's expense, { [ } bury { ] } { dispose of } the dead animal.
380                 { [ } (4) { ] } { (3) } A county, city, or town that incurs expense under this section is entitled to
381         reimbursement from the owner of the dead animal.

2 .        Page 13, Line 394 through Page 14, Line 408 :  Page 13, Line 394 through Page 14, Line 408
394                 4-31-107. Value determination before destruction.
395                 (1) Before any livestock or property that is not otherwise indemnified is destroyed
396         under Section 4-31-106, [an appraisal of the fair market value of the livestock or other property
397         shall be forwarded to the commissioner by a panel of three qualified appraisers appointed as
398         follows:] the commissioner shall determine the value of the livestock or other property in consultation with the state veterinarian.
399                 [(a) one by the commissioner;]
400                 [(b) one by the owner of the livestock or other property subject to condemnation; and]
401                 [(c) one by the appraisers specified in Subsections (1)(a) and (b).]
402                 (2) The commissioner shall make the value determination described in Subsection (1)
403         based on available data from the United States Department of Agriculture or other reliable
404         government sources.
405                 [(2)] (3) After review, the commissioner shall forward the [appraisal] determined value
406         and an appraisal described in Subsection (4), if any, to the board of examiners described in Subsection 63G-9-201(2) together with the
407         commissioner's recommendation concerning the amount, if any, that should be { allowed } reimbursed .
408                 [(3) Any costs incurred in the appraisal shall be paid by the state.] (4) An owner of livestock or other property subject to destruction may pay for an independent appraisal of the value of the livestock or other property, which appraisal the board of examiners shall consider in the board of examiner's recommendation described in Subsection (3).

Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
MOTION:Rep. Shipp moved to amend H.B. 291 with Amendment #3.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Amendment 3
H.B. 291
1 .        Page 15, Line 458 through Page 16, Line 465 :  Page 15, Line 458 through Page 16, Line 465
458                 (1) The department shall deny, suspend, or revoke a license to operate a domestic elk
459         facility if the licensee or applicant:
460                 (a) fails, for two consecutive years, to:
461                 (i) meet inventory requirements as required by the department;
462                 (ii) submit chronic wasting disease test samples for at least 90% of mortalities over 12
463         months old; { and } or
464                 (iii) notify the department that there are wild cervids inside a domestic elk farm or elk
465         ranch;

Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
MOTION:Rep. Shipp moved to pass H.B. 291 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
2.H.B. 297 Utah Bee Inspection Act Amendments (Shipp, R.P.)
Rep. Shipp presented the bill.
Terry Camp, Utah Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the bill.
Karson Eilers, Policy Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke to the bill.
Blaine Nay, citizen and beekeeper, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Stratton moved to pass H.B. 297 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Watkins
3.H.B. 222 Wildlife Hunting Amendments (Gricius, S.)
Rep. Stephanie Gricius presented the bill with the assistance of Justin (J) Shirley, Wildlife Director, Utah Division of Natural Resources.
Rep. Shipp resumed the chair.
Dave Davis, in behalf of a consortium of wild-game meat processors and dog food producers, spoke in favor of the bill.
Rep. Lund assumed the chair.
MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to replace H.B. 222 with 2nd Substitute H.B. 222.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 222 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
4.H.B. 375 Domesticated Elk Amendments (Stratton, K.)
Rep. Stratton presented the bill with Daniel Christensen, State Veterinarian.
Steve Styler, in behalf of the Utah Elk Breeders Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to amend H.B. 375 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7.
Amendment 1
H.B. 375
1 .        Page 2, Line 51 through Page 3, Line 63 :  Page 2, Line 51 through Page 3, Line 63
51                 (3) [No domesticated elk will be allowed into the state that originates east of the 100
52         degree meridian, to prevent introduction of the meningeal worm.] In addition to the
53         requirements described in Subsections (1) and (2), a person importing a domesticated elk from
54         east of the 100 degree meridian shall:
55                 (a) deworm the elk { no sooner than 60 days and no later than 30 days } within 60 days before arrival in
56         the state;
57                 (b) deworm or harvest the elk no later than 150 days after arrival in the state;
58                 (c) for a bull sent to an elk ranch:
59                 (i) hold the bull for harvest until the bull has completed a slaughter withdrawal period;
60         or
61                 (ii) be able to demonstrate that the elk is free from dewormer residue; and
62                 (d) make the elk available to the department for monitoring and inspection upon
63         request by the department.

Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
MOTION:Rep. Kohler moved to pass H.B. 375 out favorably as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
5.H.C.R. 8 Concurrent Resolution Creating the Butch Cassidy State Monument (Albrecht, C.)
Rep. Carl Albrecht presented the resolution with the assistance of Darin Bushman, former Piute County Commissioner.
Rep. Shipp resumed the chair.
Jerry Taylor, Commissioner, Garfield County, spoke in favor of the resolution.
Sam Steed, Commissioner, Piute County, spoke in favor of the resolution.
Redge Johnson, citizen, spoke in favor of the resolution.
Kael Weston, citizen, spoke in favor of the resolution.
Scott Strong, Interim Director, Utah State Parks, spoke in favor of the resolution.
MOTION:Rep. Watkins moved to pass H.C.R. 8 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Schultz
MOTION:Rep. Chew moved to place H.C.R. 8 on the Consent Calendar.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Schultz
6.S.B. 39 Water Shareholder Amendments (Sandall, S.)
Rep. Snider presented the bill in behalf of Sen. Scott Sandall.
Wade Garrett, Utah Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the bill.
Hillary Jessup, citizen, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Brooks moved to pass S.B. 39 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-2.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Schultz
7.S.B. 77 Water Rights Restricted Account Amendments (Sandall, S.)
Rep. Snider presented the bill in behalf of Sen. Sandall.
Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer, further explained the bill.
Wade Garrett, Utah Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the bill.
Teena Horlacher, Davis County Conservatives, spoke to the bill.
Chelcie Hope, citizen, spoke to the bill.
Jennifer Garner, citizen, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Peterson moved to pass S.B. 77 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-2.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Schultz
MOTION:Rep. Peterson moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-2.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. G. Bennion
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Schultz
Chair Shipp adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.