| Members Present: Sen. Keven J. Stratton, Senate Chair Rep. Thomas W. Peterson, House Chair Sen. Don L. Ipson Sen. Jen Plumb Rep. Carl R. Albrecht Rep. Bridger Bolinder Rep. Scott H. Chew Rep. Hoang Nguyen Rep. Doug Owens Rep. Casey Snider Steven Clyde Nathan Daugs Wade Garrett Jay Mark Humphrey Michael D. Larson Warren Peterson | Gene Shawcroft Members Absent: President J. Stuart Adams Sen. David P. Hinkins Sen. Michael K. McKell Rep. Michael L. Kohler Cody Allred Scott Paxman Zach Renstrom David Ure Staff Present: Charley Hart, Policy Analyst Julie Humberstone, Managing Policy Analyst Patricia Owen, Senior Associate General Counsel Ryan C. Williams, Associate General Counsel Alyssa Castor, Administrative Assistant |
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| Chair Stratton called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. |
| 1.General Session Legislation: Water Modifications |
| Rep. Bridger Bolinder and Candice Hasenyager, Director, Utah Division of Water Quality, presented H.B. 501, "Water Modifications," and answered questions from the committee. |
| MOTION:Chair Peterson moved to express support for H.B. 501.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-4. | |||
| Yeas - 10 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 4 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. B. Bolinder Rep. S. Chew Sen. D. Ipson Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Rep. C. Snider Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Sen. D. Hinkins Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell |
| 2.General Session Legislation: Statewide Water Storage |
| Rep. Walt Brooks presented H.B. 349, "Statewide Water Storage." |
| MOTION:Sen. Ipson moved to express support for H.B. 349.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5. | |||
| Yeas - 9 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 5 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Sen. D. Ipson Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Rep. C. Snider Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell |
| 3.General Session Legislation: Water Planning Amendments |
| Rep. David Shallenberger and Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer and Director, Division of Water Rights, presented H.B. 439, "Water Planning Amendments." |
| MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to express support for H.B. 439.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5. | |||
| Yeas - 9 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 5 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Sen. D. Ipson Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Rep. C. Snider Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell |
| 4.Commission Business |
| Joel Ferry, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources, provided an update from the Water Taskforce. |
| 5.General Session Legislation: Department of Natural Resources Amendments |
| Rep. Rex Shipp presented H.B. 157, "Department of Natural Resources Amendments." |
| MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to express support for H.B. 157.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6. | |||
| Yeas - 8 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 6 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Sen. D. Ipson Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| 6.General Session Legislation: Rule Against Perpetuities Amendments |
| Rep. Shelley and Teresa Wilhelmson presented H.B. 292, "Rule Against Perpetuities Amendments." |
| 7.General Session Legislation: Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments |
| Charley Hart, commission staff, and Andy Marr, Director, Division of Facilities and Construction Management, presented S.B. 252, "Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments," and answered questions from the committee. |
| 8.General Session Legislation: Great Salt Lake Amendments |
| Sen. Nate Blouin presented S.B. 250, "Great Salt Lake Amendments." |
| Public comment was heard from: |
| Alta Fairbourne, water advocate, Utah Rivers Council; |
| Joe Martindale, resident, Kearns; |
| Caroline Joyce, resident; |
| Jarom Gillins, resident, Farmington; |
| Sophia Smith, resident; |
| Maria Archibald, resident, Salt Lake City; |
| Nathan Hole, resident, Sunset; |
| Zachary Blank, landscaper; |
| Amy Kopischke, resident, South Salt Lake; and |
| Steve Erickson, board member, Great Basin Water Network. |
| MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to move to next agenda item.The motion passed with a vote of 6-1-7. | |||
| Yeas - 6 | Nays- 1 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Rep. D. Owens | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| 9.General Session Legislation: Colorado River Authority Amendments |
| Rep. Chew and Cody Stewart, Director of Strategic Engagement, Colorado River Authority of Utah, presented 1st Substitute H.B. 473, "Colorado River Authority Amendments." |
| Public comment was heard from Brian Martinez, Commissioner, Grand County, and Joel Ferry. |
| MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to express support for 1st Substitute H.B. 473.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| 10.General Session Legislation: Transfer of Water Interests |
| Rep. Owens, Teresa Wilhelmson, and Warren Peterson presented H.B. 494, "Transfer of Water Interests." |
| Public comment was heard from Trevor Nelson, manager, Bear River Canal Company. |
| MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to express support for H.B. 494.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| 11.General Session Legislation: Landscaping Water Amendments |
| 11 - H.B. 400 Handout |
| Rep. Owens presented H.B. 400, "Landscaping Water Amendments." |
| Public comment was heard from Joel Williams, Acting Director, Division of Water Resources. |
| MOTION:Rep. Nguyen moved to express support for H.B. 400.The motion passed with a vote of 5-2-7. | |||
| Yeas - 5 | Nays- 2 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Sen. J. Plumb | Rep. T. Peterson Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| 12.Other Commission Business/Adjourn |
| MOTION:Chair Peterson moved to reconsider H.B. 501, H.B. 349, H.B. 439, H.B.157.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| MOTION:Chair Peterson moved to express support for H.B. 501.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| MOTION:Chair Peterson moved to express support for H.B. 349.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| MOTION:Chair Peterson moved to express support for H.B. 439.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| MOTION:Chair Peterson moved to express support for H.B. 157.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| MOTION:Chair Peterson moved to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2026, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| MOTION:Chair Peterson moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 7 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. S. Chew Rep. H. Nguyen Rep. D. Owens Rep. T. Peterson Sen. J. Plumb Sen. K. Stratton | Sen. J. Adams Rep. B. Bolinder Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. Ipson Rep. M. Kohler Sen. M. McKell Rep. C. Snider |
| Chair Stratton adjourned the meeting at 6:42 p.m. |