MINUTES OF THE
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • 4:00 p.m. • 215 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Derrin R. Owens, Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. Keith Grover
Sen. David P. Hinkins
Sen. Keven J. Stratton

Members Absent:
Sen. Scott D. Sandall
Sen. Jerry W Stevenson

Staff Present:
Julie Humberstone, Managing Policy Analyst
Cassie Sudekum, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Owens called the meeting to order at 04:07 PM.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to approve the minutes from the February 17, 2026, meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
1.1st Sub. H.B. 251 Diligence Claims Water Amendments(Chew, S.)
Rep. Scott Chew presented the bill.
Rep. Chew Image
Demonstration of Fresno Plow
Rep. Chew Video 1
Rep. Chew Video 2
Rep. Chew Video 3
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0251S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-2.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
2.H.B. 419 Environmental Legal Action Amendments(Jack, C.)
Rep. Colin Jack presented the bill with the assistance of Mick Thomas, Director, Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0419 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
3.2nd Sub. H.B. 187 Water Amendments(Jack, C.)
Rep. Jack presented the bill with the assistance of Zachary Renstrom, General Manager, Washington County Water Conservancy District.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0187S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
4.H.B. 369 Agriculture and Food Amendments(Albrecht, C.)
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht presented the bill with the assistance of Conner Peterson, Director of Legislative and Government Affairs, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Sierra Nelson, Executive Director, Utah Wool Growers Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0369 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
5.H.B. 376 Land Management Funding Amendments (Albrecht, C.)
Rep. Albrecht presented the bill.
Conner Peterson, Director of Legislative and Government Affairs, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, spoke in favor of the bill.
Tammy Pearson, Commissioner, Beaver County, spoke in favor of the bill.
Leland Pollock, Commissioner, Garfield County, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jack Stauss, Executive Director, Save Our Canyons, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jordan Nielson, State Director, Trout Unlimited, spoke in favor of the bill.
Justin Shannon, Deputy Director, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, spoke in favor of the bill.
Sierra Nelson, Executive Director, Utah Wool Growers Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Matt Anderson, Director, Utah Sportsmen's Caucus, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0376 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 05:11 PM.