MINUTES OF THE
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Monday, February 12, 2024 • 8:00 a.m. • 215 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton, Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. David G. Buxton
Sen. Keith Grover
Sen. Derrin R. Owens
Sen. Scott D. Sandall
Sen. Evan J. Vickers

Members Absent:
Sen. Stephanie Pitcher

Staff Present:
Charley Hart, Policy Analyst
Emma Johnsen, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Ronald Winterton called the meeting to order at 8:06 AM.
MOTION:Sen. Derrin R. Owens moved to approve the minutes of the February 8, 2024 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-5.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 5
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
1.S.B. 211 Generational Water Infrastructure Amendments (Adams, J. Stuart)
Pres. J. Stuart Adams presented the bill.
Zachary Frankel, Executive Director, Utah Rivers Council, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Trevor Nielson, General Manager, Bear River Canal Company, spoke to the bill.
Joel Ferry, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources, spoke in favor of the bill.
Craig Provost, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Steve Erickson, Board Member, Great Basin Water Network, spoke to the bill.
Kerry Gibson, citizen, spoke in favor of the bill.
Mary Beth Whittaker, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Tage Flint, citizen, spoke in favor of the bill.
Beverley Cooper, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Warren Peterson, Consultant, Utah Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kael Weston, citizen, spoke to the bill.
Chelcie Hope, citizen, spoke in favor of the bill.
Frances Benfell, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Joan Entwistle, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Chris Shapard, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Scott D. Sandall moved to pass S.B. 211 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-1-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 1Abs- 1
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. S. Pitcher
2.H.B. 52 Industrial Hemp Amendments (Dailey-Provost, J.)
Rep. Dailey-Provost presented the bill with the assistance of Dr. Brandon Forsyth, Director of Medical Cannabis and Industrial Hemp, Department of Agriculture and Food.
MOTION:Sen. Evan J. Vickers moved to pass H.B. 52 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-4.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Pitcher
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-4.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Pitcher
Chair Winterton adjourned the meeting at 9:21 AM.