MINUTES OF THE
SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Friday, February 13, 2026 • 8:30 a.m. • 220 Senate Building


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

Members Absent:
Sen. Emily Buss

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 08:31 AM.
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to approve the minutes from February 11, 2026.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
1.S.J.R. 13 Joint Resolution Honoring Irish and Irish-American Contributions to the Founding of the United States(Harper, W.)
Sen. Wayne Harper presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass SJR013 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to place SJR013 on the Consent Calendar.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
2.3rd Sub. H.B. 38 County Government Amendments(Dunnigan, J.)
Rep. James Dunnigan presented the bill with the assistance of Katie Miner, Legislative Policy Analyst, Utah Association of Counties.
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to pass HB0038S03 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. E. Buss
3.1st Sub. H.B. 288 Voting Registration Amendments(Lee, T.)
Rep. Trevor Lee presented the bill.
Justin Shannon, Deputy Director and Legislative Liaison, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, spoke to the bill.
Helen Moser, Director, Voter Services, League of Women Voters of Utah, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Cambria Cantrell, Elections Coordinator, Lieutenant Governor's Office, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Ricky Hatch, County Clerk Auditor, Weber County, Utah, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Blouin moved to table HB0288S01.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. E. Buss
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. E. Buss
Chair Winterton adjourned the meeting at 9:00 AM.