MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND ENERGY STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • 3:40 p.m. • 110 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. Colin W. Jack, Chair
Rep. Thomas W. Peterson, Vice Chair
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht
Rep. Scott H. Chew
Rep. Rosalba Dominguez
Rep. Carol S. Moss
Rep. Nicholeen P. Peck
Rep. Christine F. Watkins

Members Absent:
Rep. Walt Brooks
Rep. Troy Shelley
Rep. Rex P. Shipp
Rep. Casey Snider

Staff Present:
Samantha Merrell, Policy Analyst
Jennifer Kunzler, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Peterson called the meeting to order at 3:45 PM.
MOTION:Rep. Jack moved to approve the minutes from the January 29, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-6.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
1.H.B. 378 Fugitive Dust Mitigation Amendments(Gricius, S.)
Rep. Stephanie Gricius and Tim Davis, Executive Director, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), presented the bill.
Dave Kallus, Critical Infrastructure Material Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill.
Terry Camp, Vice President of Public Policy, Utah Farm Bureau Federation, spoke in favor of the bill.
Conner Peterson, Director of Legislative Affairs, Utah Department Of Agriculture (UDAF), spoke in favor of the bill.
Nate McDonald, Clyde Companies, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ricki Hrenko Browning, President, Utah Petroleum Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Bryce Bird, Director, Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ), spoke in favor of the bill.
Chris Riley, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to replace HB0378 with HB0378S02.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-4.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
MOTION:Rep. Jack moved to pass HB0378S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-1-4.
Yeas - 7Nays- 1Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
2.H.B. 401 Geothermal Study Amendments(Watkins, C.)
Rep. Watkins presented the bill.
Jake Garfield, Deputy Director, Utah Office of Energy Development, spoke in favor of the bill.
Joan Entwistle, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Peck moved to pass HB0401 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-4.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-4.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Chair Peterson adjourned the meeting at 4:26 PM.