MINUTES OF THE
SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
Friday, February 13, 2026 • 8:00 a.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
Cassie Sudekum, 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 08:05 AM.
MOTION:Sen. Kwan moved to approve the minutes from the February 5, 2026 Meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. D. Owens
1.S.B. 248 Child Care Expansion Act(Escamilla, L.)
Sen. Luz Escamilla presented the bill with the assistance of Andy Marr, Division Director, Division of Facilities and Construction Management (DFCM).
MOTION:Sen. Kwan moved to amend SB0248 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-3.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 189 through 196 :  Line 189 through 196
189190191192193194195196

Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. D. Owens
MOTION:Sen. Kwan moved to pass SB0248 as amended out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-1-1.
Yeas - 4Nays- 1Abs- 1
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. K. Kwan
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. D. Owens
2.S.B. 277 Utah Homes Investment Program Amendments(Stratton, K.)
Sen. Keven Stratton presented the bill with the assistance of Steve Waldrip, Governor's Senior Advisor, Housing Strategy and Innovation.
Cameron Diehl, Executive Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT), spoke in favor of the bill.
Chris Gamvroulas, President, Ivory Development, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Stevenson moved to pass SB0277 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. J. Stevenson
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. D. Owens
3.S.B. 278 Point of the Mountain State Land Authority Modifications(Stevenson, J.)
Sen. Stevenson presented the bill with the assistance of Michael Ambre, Executive Director, Point of the Mountain State Land Authority (POMSLA).
Jeff Hartley, Lobbyist, Draper City, spoke in favor of the bill.
Soren Simonsen, Executive Director, Jordan River Commission, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Kwan moved to pass SB0278 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
4.1st Sub. H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Utah Housing Strategic Plan(Whyte, S.)
Waldrip Handout
Rep. Stephen Whyte presented the bill with the assistance of Steve Waldrip, Governor's Senior Advisor, Housing Strategy and Innovation.
Kate Bradshaw, Mayor, Bountiful City, spoke in favor of the bill.
David Damschen, President, Utah Housing Corporation, spoke in favor of the bill.
Miranda Jones Cox, Government Affairs Manager, Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), spoke in favor of the bill.
Soren Simonsen, Executive Director, Jordan River Commission, spoke in favor of the bill.
Chris Kyler, Chief Executive Officer, Utah Association of Realtors, spoke in favor of the bill.
Chris Gamvroulas, Property Rights Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Owens moved to pass HCR006S01 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
MOTION:Sen. Kwan moved to place HCR006S01 on the Consent Calendar.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
Sen. Owens assumed the chair.
5.S.B. 276 Veteran Organization Amendments(Millner, A.)
Sen. Millner presented the bill with the assistance of Terry Schow, American Legion Department of Utah, National Executive Committee.
MOTION:Sen. Stevenson moved to pass SB0276 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
MOTION:Sen. Millner moved to adjourn.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
Acting Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 09:23 AM.