MINUTES OF THE
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. • 215 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Derrin R. Owens, Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. David P. Hinkins
Sen. Scott D. Sandall
Sen. Keven J. Stratton

Members Absent:
Sen. Keith Grover
Sen. Jerry W Stevenson

Staff Present:
Julie Humberstone, Managing 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 Owens called the meeting to order at 08:04 AM.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to approve the minutes from the February 12, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
1.H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments(Nguyen, H.)
Rep. Hoang Nguyen presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Sandall moved to pass HB0296 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
2.H.B. 291 Security and Land Restriction Amendments(Pierucci, C.)
Rep. Candice Pierucci presented the bill.
HB 291 Handout
MOTION:Sen. Stratton moved to pass HB0291 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
3.S.R. 3 Senate Resolution Regarding Animal Sheltering During Disasters(Plumb, J.)
Sen. Jen Plumb presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Sandall moved to amend SR0003 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 44 through 54 :  Line 44 through 54
4445464748495051525354

Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
Ian Williams, President, Utah Animal Control Officers Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kristina Pulsipher, Executive Director, Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass SR0003 as amended out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
4.H.B. 314 Firearm Purchase Amendments(MacPherson, M.)
Rep. Matt MacPherson presented the bill.
Clark Aposhian, Chair, Utah Shooting Sports Council (USSC), spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Stratton moved to pass HB0314 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-1-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 1Abs- 3
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
5.1st Sub. H.B. 214 Firearms Liability Amendments(Teuscher, J.)
Sen. Hinkins presented the bill.
Derek Kitchen, resident, spoke in opposition to this bill.
Clark Aposhian, Chair, USSC, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Stratton moved to pass HB0214S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-1-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 1Abs- 3
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 08:46 AM.