MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. • 30 House Building


Members Present:
Rep. Jefferson S. Burton, Chair
Rep. Michael J. Petersen, Vice Chair
Rep. Paul A. Cutler
Rep. Sahara Hayes
Rep. Anthony E. Loubet
Rep. Matt MacPherson
Rep. A. Cory Maloy
Rep. Andrew Stoddard
Rep. Doug Welton

Members Absent:
Rep. Doug Fiefia
Rep. Candice B. Pierucci
Rep. Angela Romero

Staff Present:
Kirsi Jarvis, Policy Analyst
Karen C. Allred, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
Chair Burton called the meeting to order at 8:11 AM.
MOTION:Rep. Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-5.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. J. Burton
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. A. Maloy
Rep. M. Petersen
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. A. Romero
Rep. D. Welton
1.H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State(Shepherd, L.)
Rep. Lisa Shepherd presented the bill.
HJR025 Establishing the Utah Secretary of State
Marilyn Momeny, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Dalane England, United Women's Forum, and Vice President, Utah Eagle Forum, spoke in favor of the bill.
Aaron Davidson, Utah County Clerk, spoke to the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
Bob McEntee, Chair, Utah Republican Veterans Caucus, representing self, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Maloy moved to pass HJR025 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-1-3.
Yeas - 8Nays- 1Abs- 3
Rep. J. Burton
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. A. Maloy
Rep. M. Petersen
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. A. Romero
2.H.B. 529 Secretary of State Amendments(Shepherd, L.)
Rep. Lisa Shepherd presented the bill.
HJR025 Establishing the Utah Secretary of State
Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
Seth Stewart, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to amend HB0529 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-4.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 2614 through 2620 :  Line 2614 through 2620
2614261526162617261826192620
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. J. Burton
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. A. Maloy
Rep. M. Petersen
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. A. Romero
MOTION:Rep. MacPherson moved to pass HB0529 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-1-4.
Yeas - 7Nays- 1Abs- 4
Rep. J. Burton
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. A. Maloy
Rep. M. Petersen
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. A. Romero
MOTION:Rep. Stoddard moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-4.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. J. Burton
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. A. Loubet
Rep. M. MacPherson
Rep. A. Maloy
Rep. M. Petersen
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. D. Welton
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. A. Romero
Chair Burton adjourned the meeting at 09:17 AM.