MINUTES OF THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • 8:30 a.m. • 120 Senate Building


Members Present:
Rep. Jon Hawkins, Chair
Sen. Karen Kwan
Sen. Jerry W Stevenson
Sen. Evan J. Vickers
Rep. Paul A. Cutler
Rep. Doug Fiefia
Rep. Jake Fitisemanu
Rep. Leah Hansen
Rep. Sahara Hayes
Rep. Colin W. Jack
Rep. Jackie Larson
Rep. Carol S. Moss
Rep. David Shallenberger
Rep. Troy Shelley
Rep. Jordan D. Teuscher

Members Absent:
Sen. Ann Millner, Chair
Sen. Michael K. McKell
Rep. James A. Dunnigan

Staff Present:
Sivan Nizan, Policy Analyst
Rhonda Bailey, Associate General Counsel
Zoe Adams, Administrative Assistant

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

Chair Hawkins called the meeting to order at 8:38 a.m.
1.Committee Business
MOTION:Rep. Jack moved to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2025 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-5.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. J. Larson
Rep. C. Moss
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
1 - 2026 Open and Public Meetings Act Handout (Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel)
Sivan Nizan gave a brief training on the Open and Public Meetings Act.
1 - EDWS Overview booklet (OLRGC)
Sivan Nizan provided an overview of committee membership, outcomes of 2025 interim recommended bill files, and code responsibilities.
2.2026 Interim Study Items
2 - Approved Study Items (OLRGC)
Sivan Nizan presented the proposed 2026 interim study items from the Legislative Management Committee and discussed the sunset reviews.
Committee asked clarifying questions about the sunset reviews.
MOTION:Rep. Cutler moved to adopt the study items listed with the amendment to the quantum computing definition to include data center policy.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Teuscher moved to add a 7th study item that is specific to Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Policy, a study of existing policies around emerging technology and opportunities to address concerns. Emerging technology includes artificial intelligence data centers.The substitute motion passed with a vote of 14-0-4.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. J. Larson
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. J. Teuscher
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Rep. Teuscher moved to add 8th study item Economic Development Authorities, this will review economic development authorities such as Military Installation Development Authority, Utah Inland Port Authority, Point of the Mountain, and other similar authorities. The reviews will examine their statutory purposes and if/how they are meeting their purpose.The motion passed with a vote of 15-0-3.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. J. Larson
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
MOTION:Rep. Cutler moved to approve the list of study items as amended.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-4.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. J. Larson
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. J. Teuscher
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Rep. Jack moved that the committee authorize the chairs to open committee bill files related to the adopted study item list.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Sen. Vickers moved to give the committee chairs authority to open pressing committee bill files before the next committee meeting related to the approved study items.The substitute motion passed with a vote of 12-1-5.
Yeas - 12Nays- 1Abs- 5
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. J. Larson
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Rep. J. Teuscher
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. D. Fiefia
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. J. Stevenson
3.Sunset Review: Overview
3 - Sunset Review 2026 (OLRGC)
Sivan Nizan gave an overview of the purpose of sunset reviews, which is to review the statutes before their repeal dates to see if a program does or does not serve a purpose, a sunset review is to consider the extent in which the agency has operated in the public interest and in any areas in which the statute needs to improve.
4.Sunset Review: National Register Review Committee
4 - Sunset Review: Department of Cultural and Community Engagement Sunset Review (Department of Cultural and Community Engagement)
Kat Potter, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, provided a brief introduction to all three of the DCCE items presented and answered questions from the committee.
4 - National Register Review Committee (DCCE)
Chris Merritt, Director, Utah State Historic Preservation Office, within the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, presented information on the National Register Review Committee and answered questions from the committee.
5.Sunset Review: Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism Act
5 - Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism Act (DCCE)
Kat Potter introduced Loggins Merrill.
Loggins Merrill, Division Director, UServe Utah, Utah Commission on Service and Volunteerism, presented information on the UServe commission and the main programs they use and answered questions from the committee.
6.Sunset Review: One Utah Service Fellowship Program
6 - One Utah Service Fellowship Program (DCCE)
Loggins Merrill presented information on the fellowship program and answered questions from the committee.
7.Sunset Review: Strategic Innovation Grant Pilot Program
7 - GOED - Strategic Innovation Grant Pilot Program Presentation (Governor's Office of Economic Development)
Kamron Dalton, Managing Director of Operations, Governor's Office Economic Development, presented information on the purpose of the Governor's Office of Economic Development and answered questions from the committee.
8.Sunset Review: Rural Opportunity Advisory Committee
8 - GOED - Rural Opportunity Advisory Committee Presentation (GOED)
Kamron Dalton presented information on the Rural Opportunity Advisory Committee and answered questions from the committee.
9.Other Items/Adjourn
MOTION:Rep. Jack moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-4.
Yeas - 14Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. J. Larson
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. D. Fiefia
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
Chair Hawkins adjourned the meeting at 10:55 a.m.