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MINUTES OF THE SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT STANDING COMMITTEE
415 State Capitol, Utah State Capitol Complex
FEBRUARY 29, 2012

Members Present:        Sen, Ralph Okerlund, Chair
                Sen. Casey Anderson
                Sen. Allen M. Christensen
                Sen. Gene Davis
                Sen. Margaret Dayton
                Sen. David Hinkins

Staff Present:            Mr. J Brian Allred, Policy Analyst        
                Ms. Lorna Wells, Secretary

A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes.

Chair Okerlund relinquished the chair to Sen. Dayton.

Acting Chair Dayton called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

MOTION:    Sen. Christensen moved to approve the minutes of February 28, 2012. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Anderson absent for the vote.

S.B. 187 Change Application Procedure (R. Okerlund)

Sen. Okerlund presented and explained this bill.

Spoke for the bill:    Mr. Mike Styler, Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources
                Mr. Warren Peterson, Executive, Water Task Force

Sen. Okerlund requested that this bill be considered in Interim Study.

S.B. 246 Share Certificates in Land Companies (R. Okerlund)

Sen. Okerlund presented and explained this bill.

Spoke for the bill:    Mr. Fred Finlinson, Chairman, State Water Coalition

MOTION:    Sen. Christensen moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed, with Sen. Anderson absent for the vote.



S.B. 245 Mule Deer Protection Act (R. Okerlund)


Sen. Okerlund presented and explained this bill.

MOTION:    Sen. Okerlund moved to replace S.B. 245 with 1st Sub. S.B. 245. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Anderson absent for the vote.

Spoke to the bill:    Mr. Jim Karpowitz, Director, Utah Wildlife Resources
                Mr. Kyle Stephens, Deputy Commissioner, Utah Department of
                Agriculture and Food

Spoke for the bill:    Mr. Eric Tucksen, Utah Mule Deer Foundation
                Mr. Byron Bateman, President, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
                Mr. Don Peay, Founder, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
                Mr. Sterling Brown, Utah Farm Bureau
                Mr. Ryan Benson, Big Game Forever

Spoke against the bill:    Mr. Kirk Robinson, Western Wildlife Conservancy, Project Coyote

MOTION:    Sen. Christensen moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Okerlund resumed the chair.

H.B. 343 Underground Storage Tank Amendments (K. McIff)

Rep. McIff presented and explained this bill.

Spoke for the bill:    Mr. Brent Everett, Director, Division of Environmental Response and Remediation

MOTION:    Sen. Davis moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed, with Sen. Christensen and Sen. Hinkins absent for the vote.

H.B. 153 Diversion of Water (J. Briscoe)

Rep. Briscoe presented and explained this bill.


Spoke for the bill:    Mr. Kent Jones, State Engineer
                Mr. Mike Styler, Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources
                Mr. Fred Finlinson, Chairman, State Water Coalition

MOTION:    Sen. Christensen moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed, with Sen. Dayton and Sen. Hinkins absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Sen. Davis moved to place the bill on the consent calendar. The motion passed, with Sen. Dayton and Sen. Hinkins absent for the vote.

MOTION:    Sen. Davis moved to adjourn. The motion passed. Chair Okerlund adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.

Minutes were reported by Lorna Wells, Secretary




______________________________
Sen. Ralph Okerlund, Committee Chair