MINUTES OF THE
SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Monday, February 23, 2026 • 8:00 a.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. Evan J. Vickers

Members Absent:
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 08:01 AM.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to approve the minutes from February 19, 2026.The motion passed with a vote of 3-0-4.
Yeas - 3Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. S. Sandall
1.1st Sub. H.B. 384 Executive Branch Agency Amendments(Thurston, N.)
Rep. Norman Thurston presented the bill with the assistance of Marvin Dodge, Executive Director, Utah Department of Government Operations.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0384S01 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
2.H.B. 320 Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy Amendments(Cutler, P.)
Rep. Paul Cutler presented the bill with the assistance of Zach Boyd, Director, Office of Artificial Intelligence, Commerce.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0320 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. S. Sandall
3.S.B. 310 Uniform Intimate Images Amendments(McKell, M.)
Sen. McKell presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to pass SB0310 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. S. Sandall
4.S.B. 299 Candidate Name Modifications(Pitcher, S.)
Sen. Stephanie Pitcher presented the bill.
Hyrum Devenport, Elections Coordinator, Lieutenant Governor office, spoke in favor of the bill.
Ricky Hatch, Weber County, Clerk Auditor, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass SB0299 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
5.H.B. 324 Utah Marriage Commission Fee Amendments(Ballard, M.G.)
Rep. Melissa Ballard presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0324 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-2-2.
Yeas - 3Nays- 2Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. E. Vickers
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. S. Sandall
6.H.B. 318 Agency Fee Amendments(Christofferson, K.)
Rep. Kay Christofferson presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to pass HB0318 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
7.1st Sub. H.B. 288 Voting Registration Amendments(Lee, T.)
MOTION:Chair Winterton moved to reconsider action.The motion failed with a vote of 2-3-2.
Yeas - 2Nays- 3Abs- 2
Sen. E. Buss
Sen. R. Winterton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. J. Plumb
Sen. E. Vickers
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 8:42 AM.
NOTE: 03rd Substitute H.B. 0241 was not discussed in the meeting.