MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND ENERGY STANDING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. • 110 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. Colin W. Jack, Chair
Rep. Thomas W. Peterson, Vice Chair
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht
Rep. Scott H. Chew
Rep. Rosalba Dominguez
Rep. Carol S. Moss
Rep. Nicholeen P. Peck
Rep. Troy Shelley
Rep. Rex P. Shipp
Rep. Casey Snider
Rep. Christine F. Watkins

Members Absent:
Rep. Walt Brooks

Staff Present:
Samantha Merrell, Policy Analyst
Jennifer Kunzler, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Jack called the meeting to order at 8:05 AM.
MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to approve the minutes from the February 12, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-5.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. C. Snider
1.H.B. 489 H.B. 489 Water Infrastructure Amendments(Peterson, T.)
Rep. Peterson presented the bill.
Soren Simonsen, Executive Director, Jordan River Commission, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Justin Lee, Deputy Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT), spoke in opposition to the bill.
Taz Biesinger, Utah Home Builders Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Watkins moved to pass HB0489 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-2.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. T. Shelley
2.H.B. 534 Firearm Immunity Amendments(Ivory, K.)
HB 534 Firearm Immunity Amendments Handout
Rep. Ken Ivory with assistance from Curtis Oda, former state representative, presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Peck moved to pass HB0534 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-1.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
MOTION:Rep. Shelley moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-1.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. R. Dominguez
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. N. Peck
Rep. T. Peterson
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Chair Jack adjourned the meeting at 8:40 AM.
NOTE: H.C.R. 012 was not discussed in the meeting.