MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • 2:00 p.m. • 120 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. James A. Dunnigan, Chair
Rep. Tracy J. Miller, Vice Chair
Rep. John Arthur
Rep. Jake Fitisemanu
Rep. Leah Hansen
Rep. Michael L. Kohler
Rep. Trevor Lee
Rep. Karen M. Peterson
Rep. Jordan D. Teuscher
Rep. R. Neil Walter
Rep. Raymond P. Ward

Members Absent:
Rep. Matthew H. Gwynn

Staff Present:
Nathan W. Brady, Policy Analyst
Lorna Wells, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
Chair Dunnigan called the meeting to order at 02:05 PM.
MOTION:Rep. Karen Peterson moved to approve the minutes of March 3, 2025.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. J. Teuscher
1.HB0215 - Political Subdivision Landscaping Authority
Rep. Thomas Peterson presented the bill.
Taz Biesinger, Utah Home Builders, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jared Tingey, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to go to the next item on the agenda.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-3.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. J. Teuscher
2.H.B. 17 Public Infrastructure District Meeting Amendments(Welton, D.)
Rep. Doug Welton presented the bill.
Spencer Tuft, Saratoga Springs resident, spoke to the bill.
Te Anu Tonga, resident, spoke to the bill.
Jen Brown, President, Utah Citizens for the Constitution, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Karen Peterson moved to amend HB0017 with Amendment #2.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-1.
Amendment 2

1 .        Line 37 through 45 :  Line 37 through 45
373839404142434445
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Gwynn
MOTION:Rep. Ward moved to amend HB0017 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-1.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 3 through 9 :  Line 3 through 9
3456789

2 .        Line 37 through 44 :  Line 37 through 44
37383940 41424344
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Gwynn
MOTION:Rep. Karen Peterson moved to pass HB0017 as amended out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-1.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Gwynn
3.H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments(Shepherd, L.)
Rep. Lisa Shepherd presented the bill.
HB 85 State Sovereignty Amendments handout
Spencer Tuft spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Fitisemanu moved to table HB0085.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Kohler moved to pass HB0085 out favorably.The substitute motion passed with a vote of 6-4-2.
Yeas - 6Nays- 4Abs- 2
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Peterson
MOTION:Rep. Lee moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Peterson
Chair Dunnigan adjourned the meeting at 03:03 PM.