MINUTES OF THE HOUSE

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT

STANDING COMMITTEE

Room 445, State Capitol

March 7, 2016

Members Present:                Rep. Lee B. Perry, Chair

                                                Rep. Douglas V. Sagers, Vice Chair

                                                Rep. Joel K. Briscoe

                                                Rep. Melvin R. Brown

                                                Rep. Scott H. Chew

                                                Rep. Susan Duckworth

                                                Rep. Stephen G. Handy

                                                Rep. Timothy D. Hawkes

                                                Rep. Mike K. McKell

                                                Rep. Derrin Owens

                                                Rep. Kraig Powell

                                                 Rep. Scott D. Sandall

                                                Rep. Mike Schultz

Members Excused:               Rep. Michael E. Noel 

Staff Present:                        J Brian Allred, Policy Analyst

An Bradshaw, Committee Secretary

NOTE:     A list of visitors and handouts are filed with committee minutes

Chair Perry called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.

MOTION:     Rep. Handy moved to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2016 and March 4, 2016 meetings. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Powell and Rep. Schultz absent for the vote.

H.B. 413         Falconry Amendments (Rep. J. Peterson)

Rep. Peterson explained the bill to the committee with the assistance of Matthew Klar, citizen.

Spoke for the bill:                   Ben Nadolski, policy analyst, Division of Wildlife Resources

Spoke against the bill:            Jodi Hoffman, Utah League of Cities and Towns

                                                Val Shupe, Washington Terrace City Council

Rep. McKell declared a possible conflict of interest.

MOTION:     Rep. Sagers moved to return H.B. 413 to the Rules Committee. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Schultz absent for the vote.

1st Sub. S.B. 200       Compensatory Mitigation Program for Sage Grouse (Sen. K. Van Tassell)

Sen. Van Tassell explained the bill to the committee with the assistance of Alan Clark, sage grouse coordinator, Department of Natural Resources.

MOTION:     Rep. Sagers moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Handy and Rep. Schultz absent for the vote.

1st Sub. S.B. 212       Wildland Fire Suppression Fund (Sen. E. Vickers)

Sen. Vickers explained the bill to the committee with the assistance of Brian Cottam, state forester and director, Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

MOTION:     Rep. Briscoe moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Handy absent for the vote.

H.C.R. 17       Concurrent Resolution Opposing Unilateral Use of the Antiquities Act (Rep. K. Stratton)

Rep. Stratton explained the resolution to the committee.      

MOTION:     Rep. McKell moved to replace H.C.R. 17 with 1st Sub. H.C.R. 17. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION:     Rep. McKell moved to pass 1st Sub. H.C.R. 17 out favorably. The motion passed with Rep. Briscoe and Rep. Duckworth voting in opposition.

H.J.R. 13        Joint Resolution on Nonhazardous Solid Waste Fees (Rep. M. McKell)

The resolution was not heard at the request of the sponsor.

Chair Perry thanked all committee members and staff for their service and hard work during the session, followed by Vice Chair Sagers thanking Chair Perry for his outstanding leadership. Chair Perry and Vice Chair Sagers distributed letters expressing gratitude to the committee and staff.

MOTION:     Rep. Sagers moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Perry adjourned the meeting at 5:10 p.m.

Lee B. Perry, Chair