MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • 4:00 p.m. • 120 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht, Chair
Rep. Rex P. Shipp, Vice Chair
Rep. John Arthur
Rep. Bridger Bolinder
Rep. Jill Koford
Rep. Michael L. Kohler
Rep. Logan J. Monson
Rep. Doug Owens
Speaker Mike Schultz
Rep. David Shallenberger
Rep. Casey Snider
Rep. Christine F. Watkins

Members Absent:
Rep. Walt Brooks
Rep. Scott H. Chew

Staff Present:
Charley Hart, Policy Analyst
Calvin Cruz, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Shipp called the meeting to order at 4:19 p.m.
MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to approve the minutes from February 13, 2026.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-8.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 8
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. C. Watkins
1.H.B. 439 H.B. 439 Water Planning Amendments(Shallenberger, D.)
Rep. Shallenberger presented the bill with assistance from Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer, Director, Division of Water Rights.
MOTION:Rep. Arthur moved to replace HB0439 with HB0439S02.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-7.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. C. Watkins
MOTION:Rep. Arthur moved to pass HB0439S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-4-5.
Yeas - 5Nays- 4Abs- 5
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
2.1st Sub. H.B. 501 Water Modifications(Bolinder, B.)
Rep. Bolinder presented the bill with assistance from Candice Hasenyager, Director, Division of Water Resources.
Derek Kitchen, resident, spoke to the bill.
Jerram Gilans, resident, spoke to the bill.
Leland Myers, Executive Director, Wasatch Front Water Quality Council, spoke to the bill.
Steve Erikson, Great Basin Water Network, spoke to the bill.
Cecily Ross, The Sierra Club, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Spencer Gibbins, CEO, Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the bill.
Cort Ashton, Utah Land Title Association, spoke to the bill.
Macy Tilk, resident, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Justin Lee, Deputy Director, League of Cities and Towns, spoke to the bill.
Zachery Frankle, Executive Director, Utah Rivers Council, spoke in opposition of the bill.
Micky Wright, Major, Town of Torrey, spoke to the bill.
Kerry Doane, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Dakota Wurth, City Council Member, Clearfield City, spoke in opposition of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Snider moved to pass HB0501S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 10-2-2.
Yeas - 10Nays- 2Abs- 2
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
3.1st Sub. S.B. 121 1st Sub. S.B. 121 Medical Cannabis Program Amendments(Vickers, E.)
Sen. Vickers presented the bill.
4a - SB0121S01 Medical Cannabis Program Amendments Handout
Brandon Forsyth, Director, Cannabis and Hemp Division, Department of Agriculture and Food, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Shallenberger moved to pass SB0121S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
4.H.B. 509 H.B. 509 Wetlands Protection Modifications(Owens, D.)
Rep. Owens presented the bill.
Matt Anderson, Director, Utah Sportsman Caucus, spoke in favor of the bill.
Nathan Schwebach, Deputy Director, Department of Natural Resources, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jack Ray, Utah Waterfowl Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Arthur moved to replace HB0509 with HB0509S02.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
MOTION:Rep. Arthur moved to pass HB0509S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
MOTION:Rep. Arthur moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. C. Snider
Chair Shipp adjourned the meeting at 5:47 p.m.