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Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee - August 18, 2026

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Recording 1 Call to Order Chair Chew called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. Approval of Minutes: Rep. Albrecht moved to approve the June 16, 2026 minutes. Colorado River Compact Updates 3. Colorado River Authority Presentation Amy Haas, Executive Director, Colorado River Authority of Utah (CRAU), presented. Chair Chew inquired regarding Lake Powell water releases. Amy Haas responded. Sen. Hinkins asked about utilizing future Bureau of Reclamation funds for employees. Amy Haas responded. Sen. Winterton requested further information on grants from the federal government. Amy Haas responded. Logan Anderson, Finance Manager, CRAU, provided additional information. Sen. Hinkins requested information on already appropriated funds. Logan Anderson and Amy Haas responded. Rep. Albrecht inquired regarding Flaming Gorge Reservoir and power generation. Amy Haas responded. Rep. Shelley asked about credit for released and conserved water. Amy Haas responded. Sen. Musselman requested clarification on possible money to be provided to Utah from the Bureau of Reclamation. Amy Haas responded. Sen. Hinkins asked about compensating Mexico for water conservation. Amy Haas responded. Accountable Budget Process Draft Recommendations 4. Accountable Budget Process Draft Recommendations 4. Accountable Budget Process Draft Recommendations (Table Format) 4. Accountable Budget Process Presentation i. Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Lacey Moore presented. Hannah Freeze, Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner, responded. Rep. Nguyen asked about keeping the public informed. Hannah Freeze responded. ii. Utah Geological Survey Lacey Moore presented. Darlene Batatian, State Geologist and Director of the Utah Geological Survey, responded. iii. Utah Water Agent Lacey Moore presented. Jamie Barnes, incoming Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources, responded. iv. Water Resources Lacey Moore presented. Joel Williams, Director, Water Resources, responded. Tage Flint, Executive Director, Utah Water Ways, provided additional information. Joel Williams continued responding to the recommendations. Sen. Winterton asked the committee chairs about opening a bill file based on the recommendations. Chair Chew and Lacey Moore responded. Sen. Hinkins asked about funding requests for Water Resources staff. Joel Williams responded. v. Water Rights Lacey Moore presented. Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer and Director, Division of Water Rights, responded. Sen. Hinkins commented on staff living and working in rural areas. Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. Sen. Hinkins asked about water rights adjudication. Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Work Plan 5. Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Action Plan 5. Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Presentation Hannah Freeze, Great Salt Lake Commissioner, presented. Rep. Shelley requested clarification on arsenic levels near the Great Salt Lake. Hannah Freeze responded. DEQ Permitting Process Updates Tim Davis, Executive Director, Department of Environmental Quality, presented. Specialized Product Division Changes 7. Specialized Product Division Presentation Amber Brown, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), presented with Brandon Forsyth, State Chemist and Director, Division of Specialized Products, UDAF. Sen. Hinkins asked about medical cannabis card expiration. Brandon Forsyth responded. Sen. Hinkins inquired about paying for kratom regulation. Amber Brown and Brandon Forsyth responded. Rep. Nguyen commented on funding and regulating. Sen. Hinkins responded. Amber Brown presented. Sen. Hinkins asked about product registration fees. Brandon Forsyth and Amber Brown responded. Sen. Musselman asked about specialized product licensing and regulation. Brandon Forsyth and Amber Brown responded. Sen. Hinkins inquired regarding inspectors of specialized products. Brandon Forsyth responded. Wildfire Season Updates 8. FFSL Wildfire Season Presentation Jamie Barnes, State Forester and Director of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (FFSL), presented. Sen. Hinkins asked about possible debris from wildfires entering reservoirs. Jamie Barnes responded. Rep. Nguyen thanked the division and asked about the amount of water used to fight wildfires. Jamie Barnes responded. Rep. Nguyen asked about drones interfering with efforts to fight wildfires. Jamie Barnes responded. Rep. Albrecht thanked Jamie Barnes and the entire staff of FFSL. Rep. Shipp expressed appreciation to Jamie Barnes and the division and commented on the importance of forest management. Other Business There was no other business. Adjourn Sen. McCay moved to adjourn. Chair Chew adjourned the meeting at 10:58 a.m.

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes:
• Colorado River Compact Updates
• Accountable Budget Process Draft Recommendations
• Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Work Plan
• DEQ Permitting Process Updates
• Specialized Product Division Changes
• Wildfire Season Updates
• Other Business
• Adjourn

• NOTICE NOTICE
• AGENDA AGENDA
• MINUTES MINUTES
• 4. Accountable Budget Process Presentation 4. Accountable Budget Process Presentation
• 4. Accountable Budget Process Draft Recommendations (Table Format) 4. Accountable Budget Process Draft Recommendations (Table Format)
• 4. Accountable Budget Process Draft Recommendations 4. Accountable Budget Process Draft Recommendations
• 3. Colorado River Authority Presentation 3. Colorado River Authority Presentation
• 7. Specialized Product Division Presentation 7. Specialized Product Division Presentation
• 8. FFSL Wildfire Season Presentation 8. FFSL Wildfire Season Presentation
• 5. Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Action Plan 5. Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Action Plan
• 5. Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Presentation 5. Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner Presentation

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