MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 26, 2026 • 8:30 a.m. • 110 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. Jon Hawkins, Chair
Rep. Paul A. Cutler, Vice Chair
Rep. Leah Hansen
Rep. Colin W. Jack
Rep. Verona Mauga
Rep. Grant Amjad Miller
Rep. Doug Owens
Rep. David Shallenberger
Rep. Troy Shelley

Members Absent:
Rep. Doug Fiefia

Staff Present:
Sivan Nizan, Policy Analyst
Calvin Cruz, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Cutler called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.
MOTION:Rep. Jack moved to approve the minutes from February 24, 2026.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-4.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. G. Miller
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
1.S.B. 214 S.B. 214 Home-based Childcare Solutions(Escamilla, L.)
Sen. Escamilla presented the bill with assistance from Emily Bell McCormick, Executive Director, The Policy Project, and Shannon Thoman Black, Director of Division of Licensing, Department of Health and Human Services.
1a - SB0214 Home-based Childcare Solutions Handout
Lisa Campbell, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Katie Ricord, Executive Director, Utah Association for Education of Young Children, spoke to the bill.
Te Anu Tonga, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Aimee Winder Newton, Director, Utah Office of Families, spoke to the bill.
Kristy DeGraaf, resident, spoke to the bill.
Kaelin Stanley, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, spoke in favor of the bill.
Sydney Nakken, resident, spoke to the bill.
Colette Cox, Rural Utah Chamber Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill.
Leslie Hjorth, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Dacie Derbidge, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Kory Holdaway, Utah Private Childcare Association, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to pass SB0214 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-2-1.
Yeas - 7Nays- 2Abs- 1
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. G. Miller
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. D. Fiefia
2.1st Sub. S.B. 225 Public Corporation Amendments(Stevenson, J.)
Sen. Stevenson presented the bill with assistance from Ben Hart, Executive Director, Utah Inland Port Authority.
MOTION:Rep. Hawkins moved to replace SB0225S01 with SB0225S02.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-1.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. G. Miller
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. D. Fiefia
Joan Gregory, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Monika Hilding, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Deeda Seed, resident, spoke to the bill.
Heather Dove, resident, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Hawkins moved to pass SB0225S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-1-1.
Yeas - 8Nays- 1Abs- 1
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. G. Miller
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. D. Fiefia
MOTION:Rep. Jack moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 8-1-1.
Yeas - 8Nays- 1Abs- 1
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. C. Jack
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. G. Miller
Rep. D. Fiefia
Chair Cutler adjourned the meeting at 9:52 a.m.