MINUTES OF THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 • 8:30 a.m. • 220 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton, Chair
Rep. Jeffrey D. Stenquist, Chair
Sen. Ann Millner
Sen. Jen Plumb
Rep. Joel K. Briscoe
Rep. Paul A. Cutler
Rep. Ariel Defay
Rep. Colin W. Jack
Rep. Carol S. Moss
Rep. Jefferson Moss
Rep. Mark A. Strong
Rep. Jordan D. Teuscher
Rep. R. Neil Walter

Members Absent:
Sen. Michael K. McKell
Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson
Rep. James A. Dunnigan
Rep. Sahara Hayes

Staff Present:
Sivan Nizan, Policy Analyst
Rhonda Bailey, Associate General Counsel
Samantha Merrell, Administrative Assistant

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
Chair Winterton called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m.
1.Housing: Homeless Services
2 - Homeless Services Updates (Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel)
Sivan Nizan, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (OLRGC), gave an update on recent legislation passed in the 2024 General Session that affects homeless services in the state of Utah.
Rhonda Bailey, Associate General Counsel, OLRGC, gave an update on the recent Supreme Court decision, Grants Pass v. Johnson.
MOTION:Rep. Stenquist moved to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2024, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-9.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 9
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. J. Moss
Rep. J. Stenquist
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. R. Walter
Sen. R. Winterton
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. A. Defay
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. S. Hayes
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. C. Moss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. J. Teuscher
2 - Presentation (Office of Homeless Services)
Wayne Niederhauser, State Homeless Coordinator, reported on the Office of Homeless Services' (office) metrics, efforts, and goals and answered committee questions throughout.
Tricia Davis, Director, Office of Homeless Services, reported on how the office works with U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Continuum of Care (CoC), and service providers.
Katherine Fife, Associate Deputy Mayor, Salt Lake County and Collaborative Applicant for the Salt Lake County Continuum of Care, presented on CoC structure and their coordination with the office.
Shawn McMillen, Executive Director, First Step House, spoke on First Step House programs andprovider alignment with the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness Strategic Plan.
Wayne Niederhauser spoke briefly on his role as State Homeless Coordinator and collaborative efforts to address homelessness issues, the Know-By-Name Pilot program, and the funding formula established by H.B. 394, Homeless Services Funding Amendments (2024 General Session).
Wayne Niederhauser answered a question from the committee regarding justice and court systems regarding homelessness efforts.
Rep. Briscoe offered comment on justice efforts and housing issues related to homelessness.
2.Housing: Accessory Dwelling Units
3 - ADU's As a Policy Tool for Homeownership (Farmington City)
Dave Petersen, Community Development Director, Farmington City, presented on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) ordinance changes to support housing affordability efforts in Farmington.
Dave Petersen answered questions from the committee.
3 - Accessory Dwelling Units in Millcreek (Millcreek)
Jeff Silvestrini, Mayor, Millcreek, and Francis Lilly, Assistant City Manager, Millcreek, presented on ADU availability, development and regulations in Millcreek.
Mayor Silvestrini answered a question from the committee.
3 - ADUs (St. George)
Shawn Guzman, Government Affairs Director, St. George, presented on ADUs in St. George, including where ADUs are allowed, the amount of ADU applications received, and efforts to address the cost of living in Washington County.
3.Economic Development: Utah Inland Port Authority
4 - State of the Port (Utah Inland Port Authority)
Ben Hart, Executive Director, Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), described the four key objectives of UIPA and outlined its current project areas.
Scott Wolford, Vice President, Project Area Development, UIPA, presented on the establishment and growth of project areas, their demand, and UIPA's role in attracting and expanding businesses in Utah through project area partnerships.
Benn Buys, Deputy Director, UIPA, provided an overview of using tax differential when creating project areas.
Ben Hart answered a question from the committee.
Benn Buys continued presenting on the public financing tools of UIPA.
Ben Hart spoke briefly to infrastructure development being a priority for UIPA.
Amy Brown Coffin, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, UIPA, highlighted project area accomplishments and environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts of UIPA. She also addressed changes UIPA has implemented in response to the 2022 Utah Inland Port Authority Legislative Audit.
Ben Hart made closing comments and acknowledged how the legislative audit has made UIPA a better organization.
Ben Hart responded to comments from the committee.
MOTION:Rep. Briscoe moved to adjourn.
Sen. Winterton adjourned the meeting at 11:12 p.m.