After extended testimony and public comment, the House Economic Development Workforce Services Committee voted 5–4 to favorably recommend HB 420, halogen emissions amendments, which implements Division of Air Quality recommendations aimed at reducing chlorine and bromine emissions linked to winter inversion pollution.

Sponsor Representative Sandberg said a DAQ-commissioned study found halogen emissions, largely from a single source (identified in testimony as US Magnesium), could worsen wintertime inversions by up to 25 percent. The bill directs implementation of the report’s recommendations, including adding a backup/bypass scrubber and monitoring, and sets an implementation timeline consistent with prior legislative direction that a best-available-control-technology plan be completed by Dec. 31, 2026.

Why it matters: Witnesses emphasized air-quality and public-health stakes; proponents said cost-effective technologies could reduce halogen emissions by about 75 percent and that legislative direction is needed because bromine is not regulated under the federal Clean Air Act. Opponents from industry groups urged reliance on established DAQ permitting processes and warned that specifying particular control technologies in statute creates process and appeal concerns.

Public testimony: Piper Christian of Stewardship Utah described the technical fixes DAQ recommended, including connecting emissions to a backup scrubber during maintenance. Ricky Ranco Browning of the Utah Petroleum Association and Brian Summers of the Utah Mining Association asked that DAQ, as the technical regulator, retain discretion to determine the appropriate controls through permitting and standard administrative processes. Tim Jimenez, an environmental engineer with prior work at US Magnesium, urged procedural review in the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environmental Quality Committee.

Committee debate centered on process: supporters argued DAQ lacks authority absent legislative guidance because bromine is not a federally regulated pollutant; opponents argued statutory specificity and bypass of the typical permitting review could create precedent and reduce administrative safeguards.

A roll-call vote recorded five yes votes (representatives identified on the roll as Mauna, Miller, Owens, Shallenberger and Cutler) and four no votes (representatives Fia Fia, Jack, Shelley and Hawkins). The sponsor committed to working with industry and the agency to refine language before floor action.

The motion to favorably recommend HB 420 (substitute) passed 5–4 and the bill will next proceed toward the House floor with the sponsor's assurances to continue negotiations on technical and process issues.