MINUTES OF THE
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 24, 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. Scott D. Sandall
Sen. Keven J. Stratton

Members Absent:
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 04:12 PM.
1.2nd Sub. H.B. 473 Colorado River Authority Amendments(Chew, S.)
Rep. Scott Chew presented the bill with the assistance of Cody Stewart, Director of Strategic Engagement, Colorado River Authority of Utah.
Cecily Ross, resident, Salt Lake City, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Joel Ferry, Executive Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0473S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-1-1.
Yeas - 5Nays- 1Abs- 1
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. J. Stevenson
2.3rd Sub. H.B. 157 Department of Natural Resources Amendments(Shipp, R.P.)
Rep. Rex Shipp presented the bill with the assistance of Nathan Schwebach, Deputy Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0157S03 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Stevenson
3.1st Sub. H.B. 348 Dedicated Water Amendments(Koford, J.)
Rep. Jill Koford presented the bill with the assistance of Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer and Director, Utah Division of Water Rights.
Tim Davis, Executive Director, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, spoke in favor of the bill.
Conner Peterson, Director of Legislative and Government Affairs, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, spoke in favor of the bill.
Hannah Freeze, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner, spoke in favor of the bill.
Alyssa May, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, spoke in favor of the bill.
Warren Peterson, Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0348S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
4.1st Sub. H.B. 410 Water Leasing Amendments(Koford, J.)
Rep. Jill Koford presented the bill with the assistance of Hannah Freeze, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner.
Kelly Pearson, Commissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, spoke in favor of the bill.
Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer and Director, Utah Division of Water Rights, spoke in favor of the bill.
Adri Boun, resident, Wasatch Front, spoke in favor of the bill.
Matt Anderson, Utah Coordinator, Property Environment Research Center, spoke in favor of the bill.
Sierra Nelson, Executive Director, Utah Wool Growers Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Warren Peterson, Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0410S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to approve the minutes from the February 18, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
5.S.B. 252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments(Pitcher, S.)
Sen. Stephanie Pitcher presented the bill with the assistance of Chris Cox, Building Performance Program Manager, Department of Facility and Construction Management.
MOTION:Sen. Sandall moved to replace SB0252 with SB0252S01.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
MOTION:Sen. Sandall moved to pass SB0252S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 3-1-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 1Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Grover
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. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 05:13 PM.
NOTE: 02nd Substitute H.B. 0247 was not discussed in the meeting.