MINUTES OF THE
SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 • 4:00 p.m. • 215 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Ann Millner, Chair
Sen. John D. Johnson
Sen. Karen Kwan
Sen. Derrin R. Owens
Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson

Members Absent:
President J. Stuart Adams

Staff Present:
Sivan Nizan, Policy Analyst
Calvin Cruz, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Millner called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.
MOTION:Sen. Johnson moved to approve the minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Stevenson
1.S.B. 181 Housing Affordability Amendments (Fillmore, L.)
Sen. Fillmore presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Kwan moved to replace S.B. 181 with 1st Substitute S.B. 181.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Stevenson
Cameron Diehl, Executive Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke in favor of the bill.
Chris Gamvroulas, President, Ivory Development, spoke in favor of the bill.
Mike Ostermiller, Utah Association of Realtors, spoke in favor of the bill.
Steve Waldrip, Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation, Governor's Office, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Kwan moved to pass 1st Substitute S.B. 181 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-1.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. J. Adams
2.S.B. 262 Housing Affordability Modifications (Fillmore, L.)
Sen. Fillmore presented the bill with the assistance of Jim Sorenson, Founder, Sorenson Impact Institute.
Cameron Diehl, Executive Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Dave Damschen, President and CEO, Utah Housing Corporation, spoke to the bill.
Johnathan Hanks, COO, Utah Housing Corporation, spoke to the bill.
Steve Waldrip, Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation, Governor's Office, spoke in favor of the bill.
Chris Gamvroulas, Property Rights Coalition, spoke to the bill.
Taz Biesinger, Utah Homebuilders Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Johnson moved to pass S.B. 262 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-1-2.
Yeas - 3Nays- 1Abs- 2
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
3.S.B. 280 Retail Facility Amendments (Vickers, E.)
Sen. Vickers presented the bill.
Summary of Legislation S.B. 280
Cameron Diehl, Executive Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke in favor of the bill.
Dave Davis, President, Utah Retail Merchants Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to pass S.B. 280 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-2.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Sen. Johnson moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. J. Stevenson
Chair Millner adjourned the meeting at 5:33 p.m.