MINUTES OF THE
SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • 4:00 p.m. • 220 Senate Building


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

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 04:11 PM.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to approve the minutes from February 13, 2026.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
1.1st Sub. H.B. 195 Precious Metals Amendments(Ivory, K.)
Rep. Ken Ivory presented the bill with the assistance of Marlo Oaks, Utah State Treasurer.
H.B. 195.pdf
Gayle Ruzicka, President, Utah Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Kim Coleman, Director, Strategic Relations at Goldback, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Stefan Gleason, President/CEO, Money Metals Exchange/Depositories, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Mike Carter, Co-Founder, National Security Investment Consultant Institute, spoke in favor of the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Plumb moved to pass HB0195S01 out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 3-3-1.
Yeas - 3Nays- 3Abs- 1
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. M. McKell
2.2nd Sub. H.B. 220 Public Safety Data Amendments(Wilcox, R.)
Rep. Ryan Wilcox presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0220S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
3.1st Sub. H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments(Peterson, T.)
Rep. Thomas Peterson presented the bill.
Karson Eilers, Policy Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns, spoke to the bill.
Taz Biesinger, Utah Home Builders Associations, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0215S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
4.1st Sub. H.B. 309 1st Sub. H.B. 309 Juneteenth Observance Amendments(Hollins, S.)
Rep. Sandra Hollins presented the bill.
Charles Evans, Utah Land Title Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to pass HB0309S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-0.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 0
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to place HB0309S01 on the Consent Calendar.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-0.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 0
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
MOTION:Sen. Buss moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-0.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 0
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Chair Winterton adjourned the meeting at 5:15 PM.