MINUTES OF THE
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 • 2:00 p.m. • 215 Senate Building


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

Members Absent:
Sen. Keith Grover
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 02:08 PM.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to approve the minutes from the February 27, 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. 349 Statewide Water Storage(Brooks, W.)
Rep. Walt Brooks presented the bill.
Peter Gessel, Attorney, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0349S01 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. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
2.1st Sub. H.B. 76 Data Center Water Transparency Amendments(Koford, J.)
Rep. Jill Koford presented the bill with the assistance of Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer and Director, Utah Division of Water Rights.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to replace HB0076S01 with HB0076S03.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Leslie Zabriskie, Mormon Women for Ethical government, spoke in favor of the bill.
Chris Shapard, resident, Salt Lake City, spoke in favor of the bill.
Scott Paxman, General Manager, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, spoke in favor of the bill.
Amy Wicks, Utah Rivers Council, spoke to the bill.
Michael Larson, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Stratton moved to pass HB0076S03 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. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
3.H.B. 125 Aquatic Invasive Species Amendments(Shipp, R.P.)
Rep. Rex Shipp presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to replace HB0125 with HB0125S01.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Wyatt Bubak, Deputy Chief, Division of Law Enforcement, Utah Department of Natural Resources, spoke in favor of the bill.
Sierra Nelson, Vice Chair, Utah Sportsmen's Caucus, spoke in favor of the bill.
Michael Larson, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Hinkins moved to pass HB0125S01 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. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
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. K. Stratton
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. S. Sandall
Sen. J. Stevenson
Chair Owens adjourned the meeting at 02:46 PM.