MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 • 4:00 p.m. • 30 House Building


Members Present:
Rep. Bridger Bolinder, Chair
Rep. Katy Hall, Vice Chair
Rep. Nelson T. Abbott
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Stewart E. Barlow
Rep. Kristen Chevrier
Rep. Tyler Clancy
Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Rep. Steve Eliason
Rep. Jake Fitisemanu
Rep. Stephanie Gricius
Rep. Sandra Hollins
Rep. Logan J. Monson
Rep. Raymond P. Ward

Staff Present:
Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst
Karen C. Allred, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Bolinder called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
MOTION:Rep. Monson moved to approve the minutes for the February 19, 2025 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. K. Hall
1.1st Sub. H.B. 493 Medical Examiner Amendments (Ward, R.)
Rep. Raymond Ward presented the bill.
Maryann Martindale, Chief Executive Officer, Utah Academy of Family Physicians, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Hollins moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 493 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. K. Hall
2.H.B. 482 Health and Human Services Reporting Requirements (Monson, L.)
Rep. Logan Monson presented the bill with the assistance of Paul Ray, Director, Legislative Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services.
MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to replace H.B. 482 with 1st Substitute H.B. 482.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. K. Hall
MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 482 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. K. Hall
MOTION:Rep. Dailey-Provost moved to place 1st Substitute H.B. 482 on the Consent Calendar.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. K. Hall
3.H.B. 519 Health Care Access Amendments (Eliason, S.)
Rep. Steve Eliason presented the bill.
Taylor Randall, President, University of Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
Dave Gessell, Executive Vice President, Utah Hospital Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Rachel Craig, Government Affairs Manager, Association for Utah Community Health, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kyle Piccola, Director of State Policy, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufactures of America, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Carrie Dunford, Chief Pharmacy Officer and Vice President of Clinical Services, Intermountain Health, spoke in favor of the bill.
Karina Brown, member, Logan Regional Hospital Board, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to pass H.B. 519 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-2.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. K. Hall
4.H.B. 509 Kratom Amendments (Dailey-Provost, J.)
Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost presented the bill with the assistance of Dr. Brandon Forsyth, Director, Utah Department of Agriculture and Foods.
Mac Hadow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy, American Kratom Association, spoke to the bill.
Maryann Martindale, Chief Executive Officer, Utah Academy of Family Physicians, spoke in favor of the bill.
Dr. Robert Verkerk, Alliance for National Health in the United States of America, based in Virginia, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Robert Marriot, Director of Regulator Affairs for the American Herbal Products Assciation (AHPA), in Maryland, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Matthew Lowe, Global Kratom Coalition, resident of South Africa, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Andrew Kulpa, representing an Industry Trade Organization, Botanicals for Better Health and Wellness, a resident of Michigan, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Dr. Nicole Beurkens, Head of Scientific Affairs, at MIT 45, based in Draper Utah, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to replace H.B. 509 with 1st Substitute H.B. 509.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-2.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. L. Monson
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to amend 1st Substitute H.B. 509 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-2.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 86 through 91 :  Line 86 through 91
868788899091

Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. L. Monson
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to pass 1st Substitute H.B. 509 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-1.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. Hall assumed the chair.
5.H.B. 409 Medicaid Pharmacy Amendments (Bolinder, B.)
Rep. Bridger Bolinder presented the bill and had a handout distributed.
HB 409 Medicaid Pharmacy Amendments
Kevin Marchant, Pharmacy Owner, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kevin DeMass, Pharmacist, spoke in favor of the bill.
Adam Jones, Executive Director, Utah Pharmacy Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Michael Hales, Senior Director, Government Healthcare Programs at University of Utah Health, spoke in favor of the bill.
Russ Elbel, Director, Select Health, spoke to the bill.
Sheldon Birch, Pharmacy Owner, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Dailey-Provost moved to amend H.B. 409 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-0.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 129 through 131 :  Line 129 through 131
129130131

Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 0
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
MOTION:Rep. Dailey-Provost moved to pass H.B. 409 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-0.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 0
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. Bolinder resumed the chair.
6.1st Sub. S.B. 78 Homeless Individuals Protection Amendments (Plumb, J.)
Sen. Jen Plumb presented the bill with the assistance of Wayne Niederhauser, State Homelessness Coordinator.
Kristina Pulsipher, Co-Executive Director, Ruff Haven, spoke in favor of the bill.
Elizabeth Hutchings, Communications Director, Alliance for a Better Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Eliason moved to pass 1st Substitute S.B. 78 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
7.H.B. 527 Federal Requirements Reporting (Abbott, N.)
Rep. Nelson Abbott presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Clancy moved to pass H.B. 527 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. R. Ward
8.H.B. 505 Homeless Services Revisions (Eliason, S.)
Rep. Steve Eliason presented the bill with the assistance of Wayne Niederhauser, State Homelessness Coordinator.
Elizabeth Hutchings, Communications Director, Alliance for a Better Utah, spoke to the bill.
Molly Wheeler, Deputy Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to replace H.B. 505 with 2nd Substitute H.B. 505.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. R. Ward
MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 505 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. R. Ward
MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to place 2nd Substitute H.B. 505 on the Consent Calendar.
Rep. Grecius withdrew the motion.
MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-3.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. R. Ward
Chair Bolinder adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.