[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6364215,"mediaKeyId","2165122-359c95e6e3b3cb8574890457b0e5f560","parentId",2165122,"title","Committee advances a package of natural-resources bills; HB89, HB115, SB30, HB94 and HB138 move out with favorable recommendations","audioSeconds",6880,"startMs",22000,"endMs",6902000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165122-359c95e6e3b3cb8574890457b0e5f560&start=22&end=6902","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165122-359c95e6e3b3cb8574890457b0e5f560/thumbnail_22000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364215/Utah/Committee-advances-a-package-of-natural-resources-bills-HB89-HB115-SB30-HB94-and-HB138-move-out-with-favorable-recommendations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364215-eb46e10cd6961525efa6f07f7359f1c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149570&Signature=dPg05d-FmA0~r-5uFls4Ic9lwDOGrmS1JQPetLm0jnYCRhuz8KnhRypziy2VlHuxONikHssIsDTsQtkg139EuiUSKtzK315pTI-eS~jRwFDTYe~PH1ELscouNmB-hP0CVSBqKAn6ZciAzELqN7W6egkQN2KBZBGnRVcHHxUo7I08wxNqCzkc3SJRRi6xl~fKxAo8RccvCGU3xg4lpGlO0mnwZHxyq0VQuU-EuoXosGDc46Rkx0hO-~JyndvHwQ13sA1nUxg7uDIdGo0dk22j8s0X0KtyHamjRcWc8nQkEU2Q1MQs~cmIAbHIwlzqqCfOdgNkZMECJRoDpIlYw6pvLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Natural Resources and Environment Committee considered several short-form items and votes during the hearing and moved a bundle of bills to the House floor with favorable recommendations.

Water shares and probate (HB89): Representative Bennion presented HB89, which would remove mutual-irrigation \"water shares\" from the states small-estate affidavit transfer process and require probate for transfers where title is in dispute. Emily Lewis, an attorney with Clyde, Snow and Sessions, told the committee the change protects small canal-company volunteer boards from liability and fraudulent transfers because market valuations for water shares are difficult to obtain. The Utah Farm Bureaus Terry Camp testified in support. Representative Bolander moved a first substitute and then moved that the committee pass HB89, first substitute, with a favorable recommendation; the motions passed by voice vote and the transcript records the measure as advancing out of committee.

State park funding amendments (HB115): Representative Brooks and Utah State Parks Director Scott Strong described HB115, which phases in reallocation of interest from a restricted account to State Parks operating funds. Brooks said the proposal spreads a roughly $600,000 correction over several years to limit impacts on the general budget; the first-year effect was discussed as roughly $150,000. Representative Doug Owen moved the motion to pass HB115 with a favorable recommendation and the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Great Plains interstate fire compact (SB30): Senator Owens explained SB30, which authorizes the governor to join the Great Plains Interstate Fire Compact to facilitate interstate mutual aid for wildland-fire response. Jamie Barnes, director of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, described participating states. Representative Albrecht moved the committee recommendation; the motion passed unanimously.

Custom slaughter / dangerous-weapons exemption (HB94): Representative Roberts introduced a bill to exempt licensed mobile custom-harvest operators from local dangerous-weapons restrictions when they discharge a firearm while working on private property at the request of the landowner. Leanne Hunting of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food supported the measure as a protection for licensees who provide mobile harvest services. The committee adopted the motion to pass HB94 with a favorable recommendation unanimously.

Food-labeling amendments (HB138): Representative Walter presented HB138, a labeling clarifying bill that would require cultivated or non-livestock-derived proteins to be labeled so consumers know whether meat products are from conventionally raised livestock or are cultivated/plant/insect-based alternatives. The sponsor offered a brief cleanup amendment to exclude wild game and to narrow the bill to domesticated livestock. The committee adopted the amendment and unanimously passed the bill out with a favorable recommendation.

Votes at a glance (committee action summary):
- HB89 (Water transfer amendments, first substitute): motion to adopt first sub and pass out with favorable recommendation — approved by committee voice votes (unanimous in transcript record).
- HB115 (State Park Funding Amendments): motion to pass with favorable recommendation — approved by voice vote (unanimous in transcript record).
- SB30 (Forest fire resources compact amendments): motion to pass with favorable recommendation — approved unanimously by voice vote.
- HB94 (Exemption for custom slaughter dangerous-weapon provisions): motion to pass with favorable recommendation — approved unanimously by voice vote.
- HB138 (Food labeling amendments; as amended): amendment adopted; motion to pass as amended with favorable recommendation — approved unanimously by voice vote.

Ending: Sponsors said most items clarify technical policy or reduce administrative risk. The committee moved the package on to the next stage of the House process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee - January 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members advanced a series of technical and policy bills addressing water-share transfers, state-park funding, interstate firefighting compacts, custom slaughter rules and food-labeling clarifications.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364224,"Utah committee adopts second-sub HB203 to expand oversight, add ombudsman and limited new pharmacy licenses",4191,1213000,5404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165122-359c95e6e3b3cb8574890457b0e5f560&start=1213&end=5404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165122-359c95e6e3b3cb8574890457b0e5f560/thumbnail_1213000.jpg","/articles/6364224/Utah/Utah-committee-adopts-second-sub-HB203-to-expand-oversight-add-ombudsman-and-limited-new-pharmacy-licenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364224-05b90557f09565e91e9d9436e1e10d87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149570&Signature=Lzt3xgHgQCQ9EIXalN2dbcXvHT1bcMNaHWm7LpuNn7xAV-yUfq1-3FR0kROonTirEB8rIFw-5NadtxZnEk2ysZYO~SkeuiF6cJXuDkvF43LnNWzeSQWAC7skwS8g17YOC~crZrx0GzJSyLfNesppH4okskAqbGeVYIWl4lsv6faO29QyqKHDko0bfi4yQVGYxtAtbcbP-7vEJsvh7wRjk0aYyQfXHOws~FsyT8yP0BaqJayaOQpyiTSWVtIpNQiRtxHHKzh-zcah518jh7dh~sN4L9eukF-JU81bLTPSQFzAFo9yRGs5HD9n6zEdZiSH8sersBLStyFqGf58Ghc-LA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Veil Provost, sponsor of HB203, told the Natural Resources and Environment Committee that the bill is aimed at strengthening Utahs medical cannabis program, not creating a recreational market. \"This bill does not create a cannabis program. It doesn't eliminate a cannabis program and it doesn't actually expandexcuse me, expand or change the fact that we have medical cannabis pharmacies in the state of Utah,\" she said as she opened the presentation.

The bill, discussed at length on multiple committee panels and in public comment, would create a medical cannabis ombudsman within the Department of Health and Human Services, clarify rulemaking and enforcement roles between DHHS and the Department of Agriculture and Food, and raise the statutory cap on pharmacy licenses from 15 to 20. The measure also creates a phased plan that would make two new pharmacy licenses available in the next two years but limits those early licenses to applicants who do not already own other cannabis license types; the change is intended to encourage independent pharmacies and improve access in underserved rural counties.

Why it matters: Sponsors argued the changes respond to patient access challenges, high costs and limited geographic coverage because the existing capped-license, vertically integrated market leaves some Utah communities with no nearby medical cannabis pharmacy. Provost told the committee that patients leaving the regulated medical program often obtain products out of state or from unregulated sources. \"We're trying to incentivize patients coming into and staying in the medical program under the care of their providers,\" she said.

Regulatory oversight and transparency were central to the debate. The substitute creates an ombudsman office to provide an independent avenue for licensees to raise concerns about agency enforcement and rulemaking and to participate in certain licensing recommendations. Several committee members and public commenters criticized the proposed ombudsman as too powerful or insufficiently limited; opposing commenters warned the office could delay rulemaking or tilt regulatory authority away from existing boards. Danny Bordeaux of Preservation of Family Values said the ombudsman \"is given way too much power\" and flagged a list of procedural authorities he said were unconstrained by the bill.

Supporters, including patient-advocacy and industry representatives, said the ombudsman would add transparency rather than take power away from agencies. Desiree Hennessy of the Utah Patients Coalition called the addition \"another layer of oversight and accountability\" that patients and licensees can use. Nareth, representing Dragonfly Wellness, cited an internal analysis showing reduced opioid use among medical cannabis patients in rural Price after local pharmacy access improved, and urged the committee to approve the bill.

Several health-care providers and community members warned that cannabis products can pose risks to adolescents and should not be treated like recreational products. Opponents also raised concerns about advertising and the potential for the program to resemble recreational markets in neighboring states. Sponsor Provost repeatedly emphasized statutory limits on potency remain unchanged and said the bill keeps the regulated medical program distinct from recreational systems.

Votes and next steps: The committee adopted the second substitute on a voice vote, then voted 85 to advance the second sub with a favorable recommendation to the full House. Representative Chiu moved adoption of the second substitute; Representative Watkins moved passage of the second substitute with the favorable recommendation. The roll call for the final committee vote was recorded in the transcript and showed eight members in favor and five opposed. With the committee recommendation, the bill moves to the House floor for additional consideration.

Context: The committee heard more than a dozen public speakers during a split public-comment period; speakers included industry operators, patients, physicians and advocacy groups on both sides of the proposal. Sponsors and regulators said they will continue stakeholder work in interim and that aspects of the program (including advertising rules and working groups) will be subject to further refinement.

Ending: Proponents said the measure is an incremental, stakeholder-driven effort to increase access in underserved areas and add accountability to enforcement; opponents said it expands market activity and raises public-safety and youth-exposure concerns. The bill now goes to the House floor with a favorable committee recommendation and the adopted second substitute.","Representative Veil Provost told the committee HB203 is intended to shore up Utahs medical cannabis program by improving transparency and access, not to legalize recreational marijuana.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364220,"Committee advances HB81 to end mandatory water fluoridation and authorize pharmacy prescriptions; public testimony sharply divided",3841,6858000,10699000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165122-359c95e6e3b3cb8574890457b0e5f560&start=6858&end=10699","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165122-359c95e6e3b3cb8574890457b0e5f560/thumbnail_6858000.jpg","/articles/6364220/Utah/Committee-advances-HB81-to-end-mandatory-water-fluoridation-and-authorize-pharmacy-prescriptions-public-testimony-sharply-divided","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364220-178fe90fc715d7159803e8a71c1ab236/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149570&Signature=CknZRIWT2yYv2AqXjfqeTRPyr7ff6sR6YiXU5BxG1~0nyJckvD1Nz6BMLtU5O9Vva0bua-Fy5aPzj-ujMArHQU71Z0aVvTYOmL7-UZgOyIaptrFAH8SoRKPqsZHKVyYbS4B96bozhVVXubrCkwYgrLyr8tJ1IHDN4K3H2gcfMLB4FXyUyfP3NoEF6vF99~MqQz4gzLuUULiSkvPKazs1YPPoZ1Yaa6tr4aeou-nqRVI6eXGs-8nqUEmJp~dv7fQ3fc1fLyO3xbn1oVIV~HOrHFjHF8Xbo8J7-ZzUT01S4WmteOpMiWi1sX9~ezzHwVyw31UqrmDIcA3bNE3MPTEeNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Gratius, sponsor of HB81, told the committee the bill would prohibit adding fluoride to public drinking-water systems and \"allow pharmacists to prescribe\" fluoride supplements so individuals who want fluoride can still obtain it. \"So anyone who wants it can still get it,\" she said during her opening presentation.

The bill drew the largest public turnout of the hearing: Salt Lake and Davis County officials, municipal leaders, dentists, physicians, water-district managers, industry groups and dozens of citizens gave testimony for and against the measure. Supporters argued the act restores medical choice and reduces occupational and public-safety risks tied to handling fluoridation chemical compounds; many speakers called fluoride a medication that should not be mass-administered via drinking water.

Mayor DJ Bata of Brigham City said the city spent about $100,000 a year to fluoridate and that most water entering households never is consumed. \"Out of 100% of the water that comes into your home, perhaps 5% of that has the opportunity to be consumed by a human,\" Bata said, arguing for individually controlled access to fluoride rather than a universal addition to public water.

Opponents included the Utah Dental Association and the Utah Medical Association, which warned the water additive at the standard 0.7 milligrams per liter reduces dental decay and protects low-income patients who lack regular dental care. Dr. James Becker of the University of Utah School of Dentistry told the committee that fluoride has been an effective, equitable public-health intervention and said the bill would overturn local votes where communities previously approved fluoridation.

Agency officials and water managers described operational and safety concerns. Weber Basin and Jordan Valley water officials told the committee they must comply with health-department regulations; some said recent court rulings about federal guidance have created new uncertainty. A South Davis Water District board member and several municipal water directors said the current statutory process (public votes) can leave water districts legally exposed and that HB81 would relieve districts of certain liability and operational risk.

Committee action: Representatives adopted the sponsors substitute and then voted to pass the substituted bill with a favorable recommendation to the full House by a recorded vote of 103. The transcript shows Representatives Watkins, Owens and Bennion among the recorded no votes. Representative Colford moved adoption of the substitute and later moved the committee recommendation to pass out the bill.

Why it matters: The proposal would change the default for fluoride in municipal water and shift distribution toward individual medical access via prescriptions or pharmacy-supplied supplements. Backers frame the change as a liberty and informed-consent issue; dental and pediatric organizations argue the change would increase cavities and transfer costs to families and the health-care system.

Ending: The bill now goes to the full House for consideration. Sponsors said the substitute aims to reconcile legal uncertainty produced by recent federal court rulings while preserving patient access for those who want fluoride; public-health groups urged the legislature to maintain community fluoridation because of its demonstrated preventive effect on dental disease.","The committee approved a substitute to HB81 and then advanced the bill 103. The legislation would prohibit the addition of fluoride to public water systems and allow pharmacists to authorize fluoride supplements; testimony produced dozens of public speakers and conflicting statements from health-professional groups.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances a package of natural-resources bills; HB89, HB115, SB30, HB94 and HB138 move out with favorable recommendations

Utah committee adopts second-sub HB203 to expand oversight, add ombudsman and limited new pharmacy licenses

Committee advances HB81 to end mandatory water fluoridation and authorize pharmacy prescriptions; public testimony sharply divided