MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Friday, February 13, 2026 • 2:00 p.m. • 220 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. James A. Dunnigan, Chair
Rep. Tracy J. Miller, Vice Chair
Rep. John Arthur
Rep. Jake Fitisemanu
Rep. Matthew H. Gwynn
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

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 02:10 PM.
MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-4.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Ward
1.H.B. 420 Municipal Office Vacancy Modifications(Stoddard, A.)
Rep. Anthony Stoddard presented the bill.
Justin Lee, Deputy Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Karen Peterson moved to replace HB0420 with HB0420S01.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. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. T. Lee
MOTION:Rep. Karen Peterson moved to pass HB0420S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. J. Teuscher
2.H.B. 332 Local Building Authority Amendments(Auxier, T.)
Rep. Tiara Auxier presented the bill.
John Larsen, Business Administrator, Jordan School District, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Ben Horsley, Superintendent, Granite School District, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Lexi Cunningham, Executive Director, Utah School Superintendents Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Teuscher moved to replace HB0332 with HB0332S02.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-0.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 0
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
MOTION:Rep. Teuscher moved to hold HB0332S02.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-0.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 0
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. K. Peterson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
3.1st Sub. H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments(Christofferson, K.)
Rep. Kay Christofferson presented the bill with the assistance of Ryan Arbon, Weber County Sheriff.
Kory Holdaway, Utah Public Employees Association lobbyist, spoke in opposition to the bill.
J C Jensen, attorney, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Ed Meono, President, Salt Lake Valley Law Enforcement Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to replace HB0335S01 with HB0335S02.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. K. Peterson
MOTION:Rep. Walter moved to pass HB0335S02 out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 4-6-2.
Yeas - 4Nays- 6Abs- 2
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. K. Peterson
MOTION:Rep. Ward 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. M. Gwynn
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. T. Miller
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. R. Walter
Rep. R. Ward
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. K. Peterson
Chair Dunnigan adjourned the meeting at 03:24 PM.