MINUTES OF THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • 8:30 a.m. • 120 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Ann Millner, Chair
Rep. Jon Hawkins, Chair
Sen. Karen Kwan
Sen. Michael K. McKell
Sen. Jerry W Stevenson
Sen. Evan J. Vickers
Rep. Paul A. Cutler
Rep. James A. Dunnigan
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. Jordan D. Teuscher

Members Absent:
Rep. Troy Shelley

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 Millner called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.
1.Governor's Office of Economic Development
2 - Utah Elevated Presentation (Governor's Office of Economic Development)
2 - Utah Elevated Booklet (GOED)
Jefferson Moss, Commissioner, Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) gave an update on what GOED is trying to accomplish, and answered committee questions and introduced Natalie Randall, Deputy Commissioner of Tourism and Film, Governor's Office of Economic Development.
Natalie Randall presented on elevated economies in Utah and the priorities GOED have for tourism, outdoor recreation, culture, community, and engagement which is all part of GOED's strategic plan for economic development and answered committee questions.
2.Committee Business
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to approve the minutes from the May 20, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-4.
Yeas - 14 Nays- 0 Abs- 4
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. J. Larson
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. C. Moss
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. J. Teuscher
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. T. Shelley
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. E. Vickers
3.Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
3 - TANF (Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel)
3 - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Review (Department of Workforce Services)
Sivan Nizan presented an overview of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, including its purpose, eligibility requirements, funding structure, and the services and benefits provided to eligible families.
Greg Paras, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Workforce Services gave an overview of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the contracts that TANF has now, and introduced Liz Carver, Division Director, Workforce Development, Department of Workforce Services.
Liz Carver presented on TANF contract overview and answered committee questions.
4.Workforce Needs
4 - Talent Ready Utah PowerPoint (Utah System of Higher Education)
Vic Hockett, Associate Commissioner, Talent Ready Utah, presented on Talent Ready Utah processes, systems and methodologies and answered committee questions and introduced Jimmy McDonough, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Higher Education Workforce Programs.
Jimmy McDonough spoke on the issues Talent Ready Utah is addressing in the Utah workforce and answered committee questions.
5.Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Policy
5 - Data Center (OLRGC)
Sivan Nizan presented a brief introduction of the adopted study item on Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Policy and answered committee questions.
MOTION:Rep. Teuscher moved to open a committee bill file around large data centers.The motion passed with a vote of 14-0-4.
Yeas - 14 Nays- 0 Abs- 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
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. C. Moss
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
6.Other Items/Adjourn
MOTION:Rep. Hayes moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-5.
Yeas - 13 Nays- 0 Abs- 5
Rep. P. Cutler
Rep. L. Hansen
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. S. Hayes
Rep. C. Jack
Sen. K. Kwan
Rep. J. Larson
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. C. Moss
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. J. Teuscher
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Rep. D. Fiefia
Rep. J. Fitisemanu
Rep. D. Shallenberger
Rep. T. Shelley
Chair Millner adjourned the meeting at 10:33 a.m.