MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Thursday, February 26, 2026 • 4:00 p.m. • 120 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht, Chair
Rep. Rex P. Shipp, Vice Chair
Rep. John Arthur
Rep. Bridger Bolinder
Rep. Walt Brooks
Rep. Scott H. Chew
Rep. Jill Koford
Rep. Michael L. Kohler
Rep. Logan J. Monson
Rep. Doug Owens
Rep. David Shallenberger
Rep. Christine F. Watkins

Members Absent:
Speaker Mike Schultz
Rep. Casey Snider

Staff Present:
Charley Hart, 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 Shipp called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m.
MOTION:Rep. Monson moved to approve the minutes from February 25, 2026.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-8.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 8
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. C. Watkins
1.H.C.R. 9 H.C.R. 9 Concurrent Resolution Addressing the National Debt(Elison, J.)
Rep. Elison presented the bill.
Jeff Salt, Secretary, Utah Anglers Coalition, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Bolinder moved to replace HCR009 with HCR009S01.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. C. Snider
MOTION:Rep. Bolinder moved to pass HCR009S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-5.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. C. Snider
2.3rd Sub. S.B. 209 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study(Owens, D.R.)
Sen. Owens presented the bill with assistance from Blake Bingham, Deputy Director, Division of Water Rights, Scott Strong, Director, Utah State Parks, and Brian Andrew, Hansen Allen and Luce.
2a - SB0209S03 Gooseberry Narrows State Park Study Presentation
Willis LeFeure, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jeff Salt, spoke in opposition to the bill.
2b - Public Handout
Herbert Ley, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
2d - Public Handout
2e - Public Handout
Michael Larson, President, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, spoke in favor of the bill.
John Cox, resident, spoke to the bill.
Jeff Richens, District Manager, Price River Water Improvement District, spoke to the bill.
Rep. Bolinder raised a point of order.
Craig Smith, Attorney, Price Water Improvement District, spoke to the bill.
2c - Public Handout
MOTION:Rep. Watkins moved to amend SB0209S03 with Amendment #1.The motion failed with a vote of 2-7-5.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 24 through 39 :  Line 24 through 39
24252627282930 313233343536373839

Yeas - 2Nays- 7Abs- 5
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. C. Snider
MOTION:Rep. Albrecht moved to pass SB0209S03 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 9-1-4.
Yeas - 9Nays- 1Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. C. Snider
MOTION:Rep. Arthur moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-6.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 6
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Arthur
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. W. Brooks
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. C. Watkins
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. J. Koford
Rep. L. Monson
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. C. Snider
Chair Shipp adjourned the meeting at 5:26 p.m.