MINUTES OF THE
SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 5, 2026 • 3:40 p.m. • 220 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton, Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. Emily Buss
Sen. Jen Plumb
Sen. Scott D. Sandall
Sen. Evan J. Vickers

Members Absent:
Sen. Michael K. McKell

Staff Present:
Devon Schechinger, Policy Analyst
Zoe Adams, Committee Secretary

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 03:45 PM.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to approve the minutes from January 28, 2026.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. Vickers assumed the chair.
1.S.B. 23 Airborne Chemicals Amendments(Winterton, R.)
Sen. Winterton presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Winterton moved to amend SB0023 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 3 through 10 :  Line 3 through 10
345678910

2 .        Line 16 through 22 :  Line 16 through 22
16171819202122

3 .        Line 55 through 59 :  Line 55 through 59
5556575859

Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Kristin Richey, Utah Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Winterton moved to pass SB0023 out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 2-4-1.
Yeas - 2Nays- 4Abs- 1
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. M. McKell
Chair Winterton resumed the chair.
2.1st Sub. H.B. 79 Governmental Immunity Amendments(Gwynn, M.)
Rep. Matt Gwynn presented the bill.
Clint Smith, Chief, Draper City, Utah State Fire Chiefs Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jack Tidrow, President, Professional Firefighters of Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
John Laursen, Retired, Police Officer, Commissioner, Uintah County, Utah, spoke in favor of the bill.
Keaton Larson, student, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Seth Stewart, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Jared Tingey, Legal Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kara North, Attorney, Board of Governors, Utah Association for Justice, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0079S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
3.H.B. 211 Real Property Recording Amendments(Chew, S.)
Rep. Scott Chew presented the bill with the assistance of Brenda McDonald, Uintah County Recorder.
Michelle McConkie, Director, School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0211 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to place HB0211 on the Consent Calendar.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
MOTION:Sen. Plumb moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
Chair Winterton adjourned the meeting at 4:35 PM.