| Members Present: Sen. David P. Hinkins, Senate Chair Rep. Stewart E. Barlow, House Chair Rep. Scott H. Chew, Vice Chair Sen. Nate Blouin Sen. Daniel McCay Sen. Calvin R. Musselman Sen. Ronald M. Winterton Rep. Carl R. Albrecht Rep. John Arthur Rep. Logan J. Monson Rep. Rex P. Shipp |
Members Absent: Sen. Scott D. Sandall Sen. Jerry W Stevenson Rep. Michael L. Kohler Rep. Hoang Nguyen Rep. Troy Shelley Rep. Casey Snider Staff Present: Ivan D. Djambov, Finance Manager Lacey K. Moore, Finance Officer Tisha Gibby, Committee Secretary |
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found
at www.le.utah.gov. |
| 1.Call to Order |
| Chair Hinkins called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. |
| 2.Efficiency Evaluation: UPDES Permit Process (Dept. of Environmental Quality) |
| Laurie Haupt, Operations Analyst, and Tim Bereece, Senior Operations Analyst, Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, presented. |
| 2. Efficiency Evaluation Presentation |
| 2. UPDES Permit Process Report |
| Candice Hasenyager, Director, Division of Water Quality, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), presented. |
| 3.Approval of Minutes: |
| MOTION:Rep. Barlow moved to approve the February 11, 2026 minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-7. | |||
| Yeas - 10 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 7 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. J. Arthur Rep. S. Barlow Sen. N. Blouin Rep. S. Chew Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. McCay Sen. C. Musselman Rep. R. Shipp Sen. R. Winterton |
Rep. M. Kohler Rep. L. Monson Rep. H. Nguyen Sen. S. Sandall Rep. T. Shelley Rep. C. Snider Sen. J. Stevenson |
| 2. Efficiency Evaluation: UPDES Permit Process (Dept. of Environmental Quality) |
| Leanna Littler-Woolf, Assistant Director, Division of Water Quality, DEQ, thanked the committee and fiscal analysts. Leanna Littler-Woolf provided an update on implementing recommended changes to the permitting process, and Chair Hinkins responded. |
| Laurie Haupt concluded presenting. |
| Rep. Albrecht commented on improved processes within the DEQ. |
| 4.Accountable Budget Process |
| Lacey Moore presented. |
| 4. Accountable Budget Process |
| Rep. Albrecht observed the differences between times when the state has money and water and times when the state does not. Chair Hinkins responded. |
| Lacey Moore continued presenting. |
| Chair Hinkins asked for clarification on fees, and Lacey Moore responded. |
| Lacey Moore continued presenting. |
| Chair Hinkins inquired regarding the possibility of money being awarded by Congress, and Lacey Moore responded. |
| Lacey Moore continued presenting. |
| Chair Hinkins commented on dam safety, and Lacey Moore responded. |
| 5.State Parks Capital Projects Update |
| Scott Strong, Director, and Devan Chavez, Deputy Director, Division of State Parks, presented. |
| 5. State Parks Capital Projects Presentation |
| 5a. State Park Capital Projects, Details |
| Chair Hinkins commented on improvements to funding of state parks, and Scott Strong responded. |
| Sen. Musselman requested further information on the new visitors center and theater on Antelope Island, and Scott Strong responded. |
| Chair Hinkins commended State Parks on the housing that was made available for the Utah Highway Patrol in the Utahraptor area, and Scott Strong responded. |
| Chair Hinkins emphasized the current property values of some of the state parks, and Scott Strong responded. |
| Rep. Arthur commented on the importance of the partnerships between nonprofits and the state parks. Chair Hinkins and Scott Strong responded. |
| 6.State Parks Fees |
| Scott Strong presented. |
| 6. State Parks Fees Presentation |
| 6a. State Park Fees, List of All FY 2026 Fees |
| Sen. McCay asked a clarifying question, and Scott Strong responded. |
| Sen. Musselman inquired regarding methods of payment at remote campsites, and Scott Strong and Chair Hinkins responded. |
| Devan Chavez provided additional information about payments, and Chair Hinkins responded. |
| Scott Strong continued presenting. |
| Rep. Albrecht asked about power to the Goblin Valley area for visitors and staff, and Scott Strong responded. |
| 7.Species Protection Update and Recent Funding |
| Riley Peck, Director, and Justin Shannon, Deputy Director, Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), presented. |
| 7. Species Protection Update and Recent Funding |
| Rep. Albrecht requested additional information on House Bill 378 (2025 General Session) revenue sources, and Justin Shannon and Chair Hinkins responded. |
| Rep. Albrecht inquired regarding the endangered status of pygmy rabbits and northern goshawks. Scott Gibson, Species Protection Account Coordinator, DWR, provided additional information. |
| 8.Proposed Funding Item Performance Measures |
| Lacey Moore presented. |
| 8. Proposed Funding Item Performance Measures (NRAEQ) |
| MOTION:Rep. Chew moved to approve the performance measures for funding items from the 2026 General Session and authorize staff to finalize all targets for all measures by the statutory deadline of June 30th.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-6. | |||
| Yeas - 11 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 6 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. J. Arthur Rep. S. Barlow Sen. N. Blouin Rep. S. Chew Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. McCay Rep. L. Monson Sen. C. Musselman Rep. R. Shipp Sen. R. Winterton |
Rep. M. Kohler Rep. H. Nguyen Sen. S. Sandall Rep. T. Shelley Rep. C. Snider Sen. J. Stevenson |
| 9.Other Business |
| There was no other business. |
| 10.Adjourn |
| MOTION:Sen. Winterton moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-6. | |||
| Yeas - 11 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 6 | |
| Rep. C. Albrecht Rep. J. Arthur Rep. S. Barlow Sen. N. Blouin Rep. S. Chew Sen. D. Hinkins Sen. D. McCay Rep. L. Monson Sen. C. Musselman Rep. R. Shipp Sen. R. Winterton |
Rep. M. Kohler Rep. H. Nguyen Sen. S. Sandall Rep. T. Shelley Rep. C. Snider Sen. J. Stevenson |
| Chair Hinkins adjourned the meeting at 10:20 a.m. |