MINUTES OF THE
SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 19, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. • 220 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton, Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. Emily Buss
Sen. Jen Plumb
Sen. Evan J. Vickers

Members Absent:
Sen. Michael K. McKell
Sen. Scott D. Sandall

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 08:07 AM.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to approve the minutes from February 17, 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.H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments(Ballard, M.G.)
Rep. Melissa Ballard presented the bill with the assistance of Brian Higginbotham, Associate Vice President, Utah State University Extension and Bruce Hough, Chairman, Utah Marriage Commission.
HB324_Host Comments.pptx
H.B. 324.pdf
Aaron Davidson, County Clerk, Utah County Clerk, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0324 out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 2-3-2.
Yeas - 2Nays- 3Abs- 2
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
2.S.B. 264 Elected Official Publicity Amendments(Pitcher, S.)
Sen. Stephanie Pitcher presented the bill with the assistance of Thom DeSirant, Council Member, Millcreek City Council.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to replace SB0264 with SB0264S01.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
MOTION:Sen. Blouin moved to pass SB0264S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
Chair Winterton adjourned the meeting at 8:40 AM.