Legislators / Mike L. Kohler
Mike L. Kohler
Republican · House District 59
Hear from them directly
Contact Rep. Mike L. Kohler
- Email: mkohler@le.utah.gov
- Phone: 801-420-6158
- Office: PO Box 467, Midway, UT, 84049
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Every committee hearing and floor session is open to the public and streamed live on le.utah.gov. Each committee's agenda has the link to watch or join online, and how to sign up for public comment.
Mike L. Kohler serves on:
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee
- House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
- House Political Subdivisions Committee
- Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee
- Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
- Legislative Water Development Commission
What they've said
72 remarks on 33 billsS.B. 251 Local Health Department and Department of Environmental Quality Coordination · House floor debate (day 45) · Mar 6, 2026
Says they were speaking on the previous bill and not on this one.
▶ Watch at 58:08Read what they said
Mr. Speaker I was on for the one previous to this. I apologize. Not for this one.
H.B. 544 County Land Use Authority Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Asks how parcels that predate county zoning, such as plots from the 1970s, would be documented as lots of record and whether the county or the owner would provide the plat.
▶ Watch at 1:14:35Read what they said
Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I think when in our county, or when I used to be running be part of this, we call 'em lots of record, but there are some things you've just discussed, uh, that would probably predate even records that the county would hold. Now, in the seventies when zoning started, there were plots that were set in, well, that weren't changed since the seventies. And if each one of those became a lot of record, which could be used, you're saying you're providing a plat map that you have that the county doesn't have, or is this something that they actually can provide a record for too as well?
H.B. 544 County Land Use Authority Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Asks a follow-up on what a property owner in the same situation would need to show the county as proof.
▶ Watch at 1:16:06Read what they said
Follow up. If I could. Go ahead. So, so just one more question then, related to that. If I had the same situation, what would I need to do to prove that to my county? Would I have to have some personal record that, or is this something they've got recorded?
H.B. 544 County Land Use Authority Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 27, 2026
Says the issue was handled differently in his county and that he is fine with the bill if it makes the process clearer.
▶ Watch at 1:17:37Read what they said
Like that. I get that lots of records are handled differently in different places. I guess in my county, that wasn't an issue. It was covered under laws, it was, and or as it is now, if this improves or makes it clear, I'm okay with that too. Thank you.
H.B. 510 Municipal Incorporation Modifications · House floor debate (day 38) · Feb 27, 2026
Speaks in support of the bill, says local government experience shows the problems it addresses, and says it moves in the right direction.
▶ Watch at 42:49Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I also rise in support of this bill. Uh, the last couple of years of these have taken shape and as they start to progress, the problems have been obvious to those of us who've been in local government before. Um, our good representative colleague from Morgan County has met with the players in this many, many times to make sure that what we do have going forward works better than the, the forms that we have now. And I think it's going the right direction. So I encourage support as well.
H.B. 494 Transfer of Water Interests · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Kohler speaks in support of the substitute and the bill, saying it restores the earlier clear distinction between water shares and water rights.
▶ Watch at 1:55:15Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I is rise in support of the substitute and the, the bill. This is a space that I deal with a lot and this language in both cases is gonna bring it back to what it used to be about 10 years ago when the difference between a water share and a water right was well established and the, and the state engineer could handle both of 'em separately without getting confusion. Thank you.
H.B. 494 Transfer of Water Interests · House floor debate (day 37) · Feb 26, 2026
Supports the substitute and the bill, saying the language would restore the clearer distinction between water shares and water rights that existed about ten years ago.
▶ Watch at 1:55:15Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I is rise in support of the substitute and the, the bill. This is a space that I deal with a lot and this language in both cases is gonna bring it back to what it used to be about 10 years ago when the difference between a water share and a water right was well established and the, and the state engineer could handle both of 'em separately without getting confusion. Thank you.
H.B. 510 Municipal Incorporation Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moved to adopt the first substitute to HB 510.
▶ Watch at 1:29:42Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like to move, uh, first substitute HB five 10. We Have to adopt, we have to adopt the sub first.
H.B. 510 Municipal Incorporation Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Restated the motion to adopt the first substitute to HB 510.
▶ Watch at 1:29:57Read what they said
I'd like to move first. Sub, uh, HB five 10. What was the number did you say? 5 5 10 first Sub five 10. Did I say it wrong?
H.B. 510 Municipal Incorporation Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moved to recommend the first substitute to HB 510 favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:30:39Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like to mo move that we move favorably. Uh, HB five ten first substitute. The motion is that we recommend favorably first substitute house Bill five 10.
H.B. 510 Municipal Incorporation Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Spoke in support of the motion, saying the sponsor has the bill in a good place and that it moves in the right direction.
▶ Watch at 1:30:51Read what they said
Just briefly. I appreciate the work that Representative Oxe has done. I think she's got this in a good place and it's moving in the right direction. I do have some experience back in the day where negotiations with developers and counties can be come a little bit problematic. It doesn't help that they can go to the state and get the rules changed, but I think this is in a place where I think we can, uh, come to an agreement that's probably better than it used to be. And I'll support the movement to the next step. But for now, I think we're ready to move.
H.B. 363 Water Easement Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Said prescriptive easements arise from use, that cities often take over old canals for storm water, and that the bill helps create a proactive process.
▶ Watch at 1:41:59Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I'm not an attorney obviously, and Representative Abbott, you're the specialist. But my experience on this is that prescriptive easements happen by use and most of the old canals are not anything else. That's what they are. Mm-hmm. But we also as an irrigation company, don't have the ability to give somebody the right to traverse it for a trail. Mm-hmm. They can create their own. And most cities have. Mm-hmm. And certainly they've created, in most cases the ability to use storm water. 'cause that was all farmland. Now it's all houses. And to have nowhere to put the storm water except there makes a problem. Mm-hmm. And, uh, most of the time the …
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asked whether he could reserve the right to make a motion.
▶ Watch at 2:11:02Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, having listened all this, and excuse me, can I reserve the right to make a motion?
S.B. 201 Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Moved to go to the next agenda item, saying shelters already follow most of the practices, that the notice requirement would add cost, and that the bill should be worked on later.
▶ Watch at 2:11:23Read what they said
We'd like to speak to it. I would, um, having listened to this and having worked with a shelter up in our area for while I was in the county, it appears to me in talking to several, that they're already operating pretty much on this form except for the notice part. The notice part, if you heard, is gonna delay activity. It'll cost more. It just adds things to 'em, and it doesn't bring in the whole padre of everybody that deals with animals. So I think the bill is probably gonna cost more. I, I also think that as been mentioned, not having a physical note is a problem. So I'm just gonna suggest we move to the …
S.B. 111 Veterinary Post-employment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 25, 2026
Asked whether non-competes also occur in human medicine.
▶ Watch at 1:02:10Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you. Uh, Senator Palmer, just questioning, you said you're in the medical field for humans. Yeah. And I know talking that's ideal deal with, and our dairy producers, uh, especially in this get inside the big cities, they almost all are corporate and they work on small animals, like has been said. Does this not happen in human medicine too? If you go work for HC or something like that? Is there non-compete clauses? If I leave there?
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Supports the bill, saying it brings regulation to the process and that increment financing has drawn property tax revenue in his county, including for a ski resort project.
▶ Watch at 1:37:59Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate this bill as well. And I support a hundred percent. I think this is gonna bring regulation into the process. There's gonna be a couple of other bills come through that as we've talked in the past, will give us an idea how much increment financing is being drawn, uh, away from property taxes. Yeah, there's, there are large projects my county has benefited from. One that's up there, a big ski resort that's taken literally millions and millions of dollars from property tax and given 'em to this project, it's obviously at some point in the future because of this increment, we'll get it back. But in the meantime, it's, it's going to …
H.B. 507 State Coordination of Regional and Local Economic Development Projects Amendments · House floor debate (day 36) · Feb 25, 2026
Says he fully supports the bill, which he believes will bring regulation to increment financing, and cites a large ski resort project in his county that has received property tax increment.
▶ Watch at 1:37:59Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate this bill as well. And I support a hundred percent. I think this is gonna bring regulation into the process. There's gonna be a couple of other bills come through that as we've talked in the past, will give us an idea how much increment financing is being drawn, uh, away from property taxes. Yeah, there's, there are large projects my county has benefited from. One that's up there, a big ski resort that's taken literally millions and millions of dollars from property tax and given 'em to this project, it's obviously at some point in the future because of this increment, we'll get it back. But in the meantime, it's, it's going to …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Notes the Lieutenant Governor is viewed as the chief election official and is responsible for contracted election tasks. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:02:48Read what they said
Okay. So whether they physically do or not, they're viewed as the chief election official and they're responsible Yes. For whatever they contract it out. Alright, thanks Representative Keller.
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Argues the proposal shifts rather than removes the conflict of interest and asks how the conflict process differs from current practice.
▶ Watch at 1:03:00Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I, I respect and appreciate the hard work that, uh, my colleague has put into this over multiple years. So as I, you, you've talked about this structural concern or conflict of interest, and it, it seems like the proposal is today the Lieutenant Governor, because they're on the same ticket as, as the governor, uh, is gonna see oversee elections. We're gonna create a new elected office that will oversee their own election. And the argument. So, so we're not, we're not removing a conflict of interest. We're just shifting it from the Lieutenant Governor and, and to a new office. That new Secretary of State will still have a conflict of interest with their …
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Asks a hypothetical about a close associate of the governor winning the Secretary of State office and whether that is structurally different.
▶ Watch at 1:05:46Read what they said
So, so hypothetically, let's say Senator Mikel runs for Secretary of State and wins. Yeah. I losing too. Yeah. I, I, I I think that's incredibly unlikely. Yeah. But SS uh, 'cause well, that's not go into why, uh, how is that, do you see that as, as structurally very different from what we have today? Would that be structurally different?
H.J.R. 25 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution - Secretary of State · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 24, 2026
Comments that the proposal adds some separation but does not fully solve the issue and raises its cost.
▶ Watch at 1:06:58Read what they said
Thank you. Um, I, I, I think it's an interesting question. Um, you know, is, is it worth another, I mean, looks, it's gonna cost us more than 1,000,001 time between the two plus an ongoing 300 something KA year to have this, to shift this. Um, and it's a interesting question. I think I, I think it does add a, a little bit of separation, which is, which is good, doesn't solve the issue, but it just, it shifts it a little bit. So thank you for your work.
H.B. 494 Transfer of Water Interests · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to favorably approve HB 494 and moves to adopt Amendment #2.
▶ Watch at 49:04Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we favorably approve, uh, HB 4 94. We got an amendment. Do you wanna, oh, excuse Me. Move amendment.
H.B. 494 Transfer of Water Interests · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Moves to favorably approve HB 494 as amended.
▶ Watch at 49:54Read what they said
Thank you. Then I'll, this time do it correctly. I'll favor. Motion is to favorably approve 4 94 as amended.
H.B. 533 Groundwater Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Presented H.B. 533 on groundwater, saying conservation and irrigation changes are reducing groundwater recharge, and proposed a system to study aquifer recharge; suggested the bill go to interim study.
▶ Watch at 52:28Read what they said
It was, um, I talked about this bill a little bit, and thanks for, for hearing it. Um, I'll make this quick. Uh, there's a couple of things on this bill. I think it's a very important bill, but I'm probably gonna suggest that it might go to interim study for a couple of reasons. But I'd like some comments from the, from the committee about it. I talked about this bill in, uh, water task, or excuse me, uh, water Development Commission, and got a little bit of input back on it. Uh, I haven't really asked anybody to help support this or talk about it. But, uh, either the state engineer or even, uh, Utah, gs, the geological …
H.B. 533 Groundwater Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 23, 2026
Answered that the Utah Geological Survey has long-term well-level records, described the Ogden Valley study, and said the bill would lay a foundation for future county and survey collaboration.
▶ Watch at 1:01:16Read what they said
I'm not sure they're tied that much. Uh, I haven't dealt with the, uh, Utah Geological Survey a lot except in my area. I know that for years they've tested well levels mm-hmm. As the groundwaters, uh, goes up and down, and they do have those records, and somebody might be here that can come and speak to that, and I invite 'em to come up if they are, the, the study they're doing in, uh, that, as I was told in the, uh, Ogden Valley will basically do what I'm talking about here. It'll test different areas through wells and other means to see how water flows, how much returns, and how it affects the groundwater through the season. …
H.B. 439 Water Planning Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asks whether a city with extra water could decline to take water from a developer's land under this approach.
▶ Watch at 59:56Read what they said
I kind of, uh, along the lines of what's been said by the chairman, I mean, some of the smaller towns aren't gonna be able to, they don't have this, they don't have the money to do it. Uh, along I know what the least cities I deal with and where I live, they do have a plan. There's no extra water. Andaction is exactly how we do it. So if I buy land and I put it in development, according to what you're saying, if the city has extra water, they can't take any of that water from the developer. Is that, am I getting that right? If the, if the amount of water they acquire is beyond what …
H.B. 439 Water Planning Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Expresses concern that developers could pressure small cities over water, and says he will vote against the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:02:54Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair have a concern about it. I, I realize there's some good things that could happen by this, but I've dealt with developers that come in when they have a, a chance to impose something on a city that would say, prove what you got. Or, I don't have to give you water. They've got more resources by many times in some of these small cities are gonna crush 'em. And this is not gonna work. That's my opinion. I'm gonna vote against it. Thank you.
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asked whether the bill would result in Midway water bills of about $235 a month.
▶ Watch at 1:16:30Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, if I got this right, that would put somebody in Midway a water bill of somewhere around $235 a month. Is that what
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said the resulting rate would be too high for Midway, which already covers costs and reserves, and called for a more reasonable approach.
▶ Watch at 1:16:57Read what they said
95,000. So that means we're all rich and we can afford it now. It doesn't, that's the problem. That is too high in my opinion. I think there's a way to get some money and maybe inspire them to do a little bit more, but not, not that much. I mean, right now they're probably paying in the vicinity of 40, be more than that, about $90 a quarter. And they're covering their costs plus reserves. I mean, they're doing what the law says now before this comes out. Yes, they've come. And, and so if the irrigation other things and sewer and others come to the Water Resource board for help, I realize this puts the gate on that. …
H.B. 501 Water Modifications · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Said many Midway residents would be hit hard, but he will support moving the bill while seeking staged fees that credit completed infrastructure work.
▶ Watch at 1:48:39Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And just a couple of comments, um, in looking at my area there, and I, I kind of think we're like a lot of others in, in Utah now, where people look at Midway, especially where I live there, Hebrew Valley generally, but Midway, everybody's up there is rich. I would say about 60% of 'em are still gonna get hammered really hard by this fee. The rest of 'em don't care. They're new or they've come into some wealth, whatever. But I don't think our town's different than others. The system that is in place now, at least the ones I participate in, has the water resource board. You can go get loans there, you …
S.B. 121 Medical Cannabis Program Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Says he will support the bill, asks the sponsor to stay for discussion, and notes that patients he has seen say the medication works well.
▶ Watch at 2:06:14Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just to comment, I'm gonna support the bill. I just wanna make sure that, uh, the good senator sticks around a while. I know that his background gives this discussion, which at least for me, I have no idea what most of this stuff's about, but I know that it's, uh, I've seen patients that use the material and it works really well. And I think with his background in pharmacology, it brings some credibility to the discussion. So I appreciate his work. Thanks.
H.B. 509 Wetlands Study Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Asks how the Geological Survey can do the study given the fiscal note and whether matching funds are involved.
▶ Watch at 2:14:34Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you. Mr. Chair. Uh, the fiscal note's pretty small. Does the geological survey work cheap, or have you got some matching funds? How's, how's this gonna work?
H.B. 332 School District Project Financing Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Said property tax, mostly for schools, is constituents' biggest complaint, noted Wasatch County used another route after a failed bond, and supported limits.
▶ Watch at 1:03:44Read what they said
You. There you go. Thank you, Mr. Chair. You know, in reference to this bill, just my experience with it, I've only been here six cycles, six years, and each time the biggest complaint I get from my constituents is property tax. And most of that's related to school. Wasatch County has 65, or excuse me, 75% goes to the schools. This is something I think would curtail a little bit. Wasatch County did what you're talking about. Uh, a bond failed, uh, on a couple of buildings. And I've been in public office enough to know that sometimes there's an emergency where you gotta do something and you can't just not do it. But when these huge projects like …
H.B. 332 School District Project Financing Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 13, 2026
Supported the motion to hold, saying lease revenue bonds have become a default because they are easier and the process should involve more public input.
▶ Watch at 1:21:31Read what they said
Thank you. And I'll support the motion since the sponsor does, it seems to me the momentum here and having worked again in local government, it used to be that the geo bond was the, the standard. If you didn't get it, you didn't do it most of the time, you got enough support that it went through. But it seems to me in the last 10, two or three years at least, that it's almost become a second na nature to use the, the, the other way because it's easier. They can just raise their taxes. You don't have, yeah, they have hearings, but they're, most of the people's perception when they go to those, they haven't listened to …
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asks whether current employees who are promoted would lose their merit protections under the bill.
▶ Watch at 1:32:13Read what they said
Um, if I'm hired by your department or anywhere in the state, I have expectations that I'm hired. We, we Do have openings. Thank you. My age might get me there. That said, I think they have expectations when they're hired and whatever that current currently was at the time, this would make a change on some people, probably against their will speak to that.
H.B. 335 County Employment Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Says that if he is promoted he would lose the option.
▶ Watch at 1:32:53Read what they said
I got that part. But if I'm, if I'm promoted, then I lose that option.
H.B. 445 County Government Land Purchasing · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Raised the land use question as being as important as taxes.
▶ Watch at 1:54:09Read what they said
Yeah. Thank you. The question came up on land use, I think that's gotta be solved in there somewhere, right? Because that's important as is important as taxes.
H.B. 445 County Government Land Purchasing · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Asked whether she said counties would or would not be subject to the law. · speaker not certain
▶ Watch at 1:55:10Read what they said
Did you say would or would not be subject Wouldn't, did you say, would not be subject to it or would be subject to it? They
H.B. 445 County Government Land Purchasing · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 12, 2026
Said from county experience the bill addresses land use shopping and acquisition threats, supported it, and attempted a motion to pass it favorably.
▶ Watch at 2:10:31Read what they said
Thank you Madam Chair. I'd Like to reserve rights for make a motion. Um, having been in county government a long time, I appreciate what's going on here. If there is agreement, this isn't gonna be an issue we had in Wasatch County and with Summit County, Manti Park City a uh, situation where we did do it in agreement and it worked out right. I think the loft pushes that. I have a little issue with not having schools and, uh, special districts in it, although their uses and and reasons for acquisition would be somewhat different. Um, one thing we had when I was there, quite a bit of, in fact 'cause we had Wasatch County is, uh, …
H.B. 179 Milk Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Opposes the bill, saying a separate milk bill is pending and that this bill treats raw milk production differently from regulated dairy production; asks to wait for his bill to be compared.
▶ Watch at 12:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. High rise in, uh, in opposition to this and a couple of things. We have been, I have another milk bill. It is a cleanup bill, kind of with the Department of Ag and the Department of Health who have been working on similar things. And to my colleague's credit, we've spent probably three or four days working on comparisons and competitive language to try and work out a deal. And, uh, we didn't get there. Let me tell you a little, and I've been around a lot of it probably as much as most of you put together. But that said, this bill that is being proposed right now separates two things that it, that …
H.B. 179 Milk Amendments · House floor debate (day 24) · Feb 12, 2026
Speaks in opposition, saying he has a separate milk cleanup bill with differing production standards and asking the body to wait for it.
▶ Watch at 12:24Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. High rise in, uh, in opposition to this and a couple of things. We have been, I have another milk bill. It is a cleanup bill, kind of with the Department of Ag and the Department of Health who have been working on similar things. And to my colleague's credit, we've spent probably three or four days working on comparisons and competitive language to try and work out a deal. And, uh, we didn't get there. Let me tell you a little, and I've been around a lot of it probably as much as most of you put together. But that said, this bill that is being proposed right now separates two things that it, that …
H.B. 469 Cannabinoid Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Asks for more detail on how the waste disposal process works.
▶ Watch at 57:06Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Chair. Elaborate a little more on the waste part. I get the battery, but what do you, I mean, to separate, I'm obviously not in this, but when you get, it seems like those be two different processes and how complicated and how does it work?
H.B. 490 Water Optimization Reporting Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 11, 2026
Said he had no questions.
▶ Watch at 1:13:11Read what they said
Oh, I bumped it or you didn't turn it on? I'm sorry. I don't have anything.
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Questions whether the notice requirements and listed concerns would cause the hearings to become a focus, and asks how the claimed effects occur.
▶ Watch at 1:05:36Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, question you mentioned, well, first of all, just, uh, when you enumerate a bunch of reasons on here, distances and all this stuff, it seems to me you're just adding a lot of, uh, mindful thought to the public that they're gonna beat this and somehow, and they're gonna get out and push it, uh, a little bit more than if they want. And I think in most cases like this, I've been around quite a few of them, and I understand the smell that's there for a while. You mentioned, oh, lawn and garden affecting by being affected. Um, I'd love to know more about that, but I, I have a hard time putting …
H.B. 347 Artificial Turf Placement Modifications · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Asks where the witness thinks the turf could be placed without causing the problems described.
▶ Watch at 1:13:44Read what they said
Yeah, thank you. Follow up on the question you just got, um, you, the hearing that we're talking about here happens, you're up there talking. What would you suggest they do? Is there something, I mean, I haven't seen the the part, but what, is there somewhere where they could actually install this that would not offend
H.B. 306 Reinvestment Fee Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 6, 2026
Moved to favorably recommend the first substitute and said HOA fee changes help clarify how fees are used and distributed; said he supports the bill.
▶ Watch at 2:30:03Read what they said
Um, yeah. I'd like to favorably recommend 3 0 6. First sub Motion is to favorably recommend first substitute house bill 3 0 6. Would you like to speak to your motion Just briefly? I've been involved in some HOAs that, uh, in fact most of the HOAs I've even had association with have been on the verge of collapse or very conflicted, uh, participation in the best. I hope this helps and it certainly clears up at least the use of their fees and how they'll be distributed. So I support the bill.
H.B. 168 Hunting and Fishing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Asked what problem the spotter provisions are meant to solve, citing complaints about guiding in traditional hunting areas.
▶ Watch at 56:16Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I haven't got it up here though, looking at the fiscal note, but tell me the problem we're trying to solve with the spotters Had a lot of people, not a lot, several people I know have complained about certain aspects of, uh, guiding or being, having other people's, uh, guided, being guided in areas where they hunt traditionally and et cetera. And spotters seem to come up. Tell me what the problem is and what you're solving.
H.B. 168 Hunting and Fishing Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Moved that H.B. 168 be passed out favorably as amended.
▶ Watch at 1:00:41Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like to, uh, move that we move favorably. HB 1 68 as amended
H.B. 154 Water Loss Study Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Said small water systems may be the ones most affected and that the review could be seen as interference, and said he will support advancing the bill from committee but is not sure about the floor.
▶ Watch at 1:11:34Read what they said
Discussion. Yeah. Thank you Mr. Chair. Just to comment, um, related to this, uh, I know the big systems have it, the systems set up, they have the technology, they have the people, and they're doing this already. In most cases, the ones that are gonna hit this are the little ones that don't know and don't have time to worry about it. And it'll cost them a lot just to, I mean, I realize you're saying that you can evaluate this from a distance. I think that's gonna be seen as in a little bit of an interference anyway, but I'm gonna support it to get outta the committee, but I'm not sure I will on the floor. I …
S.B. 15 County Forms of Government Amendments · House floor debate (day 17) · Feb 5, 2026
Explains that the bill makes two changes for counties over 225,000 in population: it allows county commission and expanded county commission forms, and lets such counties switch between full-time and part-time county executive by a vote of the legislative body without a county vote.
▶ Watch at 19:15Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I apologize. I was looking on something else. This bill has two simple changes. Um, it came through the political subdivision interim committee and relates to counties that are larger than 225,000 in population. Specifically, it removes the prohibition that a county of that size cannot use the a, either a county commission or a, um, expanded county commission form. With the language that's in there, those, uh, types of government were prohibited. Now they are allowed. The second change is another removal, which also allows without a county vote as prescribed earlier, uh, allows those counties of the same size to change from a full-time county executive to a part-time or vice versa, uh, basically …
H.B. 167 Signature Collection Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Presents HB 167, which would post signers' names on the Lieutenant Governor's website for 90 days after certification, set a process for removing names, and refer fraudulent use to a county attorney.
▶ Watch at 40:12Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair and thank you committee for hearing this. This bill came from, uh, the last cycle that we went through as an, with the election. There was a lot of news and hype about the, uh, signature process used in the governor's race, whether they got enough, whether they didn't, being able to check it or not. And, uh, put this through last year. And we made it all the way through almost to through the process, but not quite. So I brought it back this year as an effort to, to do it 'cause I still think it's good policy. What this bill does is pretty three simple things. It, if, if you are a signator …
H.B. 167 Signature Collection Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Explains the first substitute, which corrects references and adds a coordinating clause tied to a related bill on electronic signatures.
▶ Watch at 41:55Read what they said
Sure. Uh, I apologize for not doing that. Yeah. First sub is some clarification errors based on some, uh, references that were not picked up in the first shot. So, uh, it'll correct though. It also puts a clarification on the end, uh, uh, to, uh, if, if the bill at, uh, it's a coordinating clause at the end that if, uh, representative Tuscher's bill passes, his bill puts this in in 2030 to an all electronic process versus a hand signature. And it would, uh, coordinate that if that's happens. So that's the difference between the first and second.
H.B. 167 Signature Collection Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Says a signer could check their own signature and identify one that was not made by them, and that the bill lets people check personally.
▶ Watch at 42:50Read what they said
Yes, I would expect that based on having signed some of these, I would know if I looked on it and found it to be so wrong, if I didn't make my signature, do it myself. It's fraudulent. If not, uh, if I put it on, I know, but that's the, the point of this is you'll be able to check personally.
H.B. 167 Signature Collection Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Says his bill publishes only the signer's name and date, and that another bill covers other information.
▶ Watch at 44:34Read what they said
Uh, the, the purpose of my bill was name and the date that you're there. Uh, it's interesting. I better go back and read 'cause I didn't read it since last year in completeness, but I think there's another bill that puts all of that information you're talking about. Mine does not. It's simply the date and your name. Thank
H.B. 167 Signature Collection Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Says the bill does not change existing privacy protections, which would remain in place.
▶ Watch at 45:30Read what they said
It does not. So say I'm gathering signatures for my legislative race, someone signs that they're a victim of domestic violence. Their address is private for security reasons. If someone were checking an abuser, they would be able to see that that person lived inside my district. Correct. The understanding that I have is that that has not addressed here. Your name is simply used there, but if it is private, my understanding is that it remains that. Okay.
H.B. 167 Signature Collection Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Says the intent is that existing protections would still apply under the bill.
▶ Watch at 52:49Read what they said
Understanding is that, and, and I didn't, when I addressed this, I didn't, nec didn't address that specifically. So if you're protected now, you should be then too. Uh, that's how I understood it was written. That's the intent of it.
H.B. 167 Signature Collection Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Says the bill does not change how signatures are collected, but once submitted, names would be public for all petition types.
▶ Watch at 53:36Read what they said
I don't think this changes mechanically how they're collected and what the process is. But once the names are collected and turned into the lieutenant governor or the clerk, whoever is in the county that's taking care of it, then this would apply to all of them. The same meaning they'll go public.
H.B. 167 Signature Collection Modifications · House Government Operations Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Opposes the motion to hold, saying the bill is simple, keeps the process transparent, and aims to avoid problems from the last election.
▶ Watch at 55:25Read what they said
Um, I would, uh, obviously oppose the motion and hopefully it would move on. I think this is a simple effort based on, and, and it's interesting what a year makes after the last election cycle. There was a lot of support for such as this and went through, especially on the house side, pretty easy last time. But I get that there's, uh, some concerns about it. It's an effort, I think, to be very simple. It doesn't get too complicated in the process either getting on or getting out, but it does put your name there. It also has, um, it makes a good effort to, to be clear, to clarify the process and then be very transparent. …
S.B. 130 River Restoration Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Asked whether the commission would become the lead agency or whether all three groups would continue working together.
▶ Watch at 1:55:12Read what they said
Thank you. Uh, question on, you got all three groups there and you're kind of focused. I didn't see it where it was in the bill, but is the commission gonna take the lead on all of these now? I mean, is it kind of, is that what you expect this is gonna be? So from security to, uh, even doing the, managing the bank and all, are they gonna be the lead agency or are they still gonna have all three groups working there?
S.B. 130 River Restoration Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Feb 3, 2026
Said many groups, including law enforcement, are involved and hoped they can get it done.
▶ Watch at 1:55:52Read what they said
Yeah. I mean, law enforcement, there's all different groups, so, yep. A lot of people, I hope they can get it done. Yeah.
H.B. 187 Water Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Feb 2, 2026
Asks how state law would interact with lower-basin litigation and negotiations if no agreement is reached.
▶ Watch at 1:37:40Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Chair question. We, there's a lot of news about, uh, litigation and action by Washington. If we don't get something done on the lower basin, how does a state law interact with that?
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Asked whether the situation actually occurs and said he has been told some city and county ordinances prevent clearing beyond a 10-foot area when building a home.
▶ Watch at 1:20:03Read what they said
Thank you. Mr. Chair, does this actually happen? What's that? Where Does this happen? I mean, I've had some experience up there where it was a fight with the neighbors, but not necessarily government. So, Um, so I've been told that there are city ordinances and county ordinances that, uh, do not let you affect the area outside of a 10 foot space from where you're, when you're constructing a home.
S.B. 15 County Forms of Government Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 29, 2026
Moved to recommend Senate Bill 15 favorably.
▶ Watch at 1:29:50Read what they said
Thank you Mr. Chair. I move, uh, we pass favorably. SB 15. The motion is that we recommend favorably Senate Bill 15.
H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Kohler asked whether Salt Lake City plans to use its reserve water supplies in this way.
▶ Watch at 1:00:51Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And this to the representative from Salt Lake. I know you guys, uh, guys the city mm-hmm. Holds, uh, lots of reserve water for the future, which you lease out to various entities throughout the drainage area. Uh, is that what you plan? I mean, are you planning to use some of those resources in this way, or can you elaborate on the use of those as it relates to this bill?
H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Kohler asked whether Salt Lake City holds many water rights in the canyons and whether the city is growing.
▶ Watch at 1:02:35Read what they said
Can you clarify, I've got a question. Um, I know Salt Lake City holds lots of water rights up to canyons. Is that correct? That's correct. Is Salt Lake City growing or not?
H.B. 296 Water Commitment Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Kohler asked whether unused water filings for future growth could supplement Great Salt Lake.
▶ Watch at 1:02:55Read what they said
Um, I know you have a tremendous amount of water filings for future growth, I would suspect. Can some of those water filings above what your growth estimates are, be implemented and used to supplement the great Holy?
S.B. 26 Pest Control Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Kohler asks how the required training for pesticide salespeople differs from full applicator licensing.
▶ Watch at 1:24:48Read what they said
Sir? Um, yes. Bill kind of talks about the salesperson and the amount of training they need versus becoming a completely licensed applicator. Right. Talk about that a little bit because I think it's important 'cause they're answering questions that they may not have had those come around. They may not know what they're talking about.
S.B. 26 Pest Control Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Kohler asks whether any training beyond the video is required.
▶ Watch at 1:25:48Read what they said
So other than the video, is there any other training that video kind of, I guess must explain? I didn't read the whole, I'm getting into details.
S.B. 26 Pest Control Amendments · House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee · Jan 28, 2026
Kohler asks that the department's report back on rulemaking by November be tracked to protect the public.
▶ Watch at 1:25:59Read what they said
Got it. And then that's part of, um, part of what we'll come back and report on with the rule, rule making and those kind of things that the requirement we have to report back by November, that's important for protecting the public. Thank You. Yes. We wanna make sure that's happening.
H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Asked whether a homeowners association could block compliance despite city ordinances.
▶ Watch at 10:09Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And this might be Representative Walters bailiwick anyway, question is, I get it with the city, but what about an HOA, can they stop it in spite of the city's ordinances or otherwise?
H.B. 85 State Sovereignty Amendments · House Political Subdivisions Committee · Jan 21, 2026
Kohler said the bill's value may be limited but the sponsor worked hard on it and a delay would not change it much, so the committee should decide.
▶ Watch at 56:37Read what they said
Sure. Just briefly. I mean, we've had a good discussion about it. I don't disagree with some of the comments that the value of it may be limited, but sponsors put a lot of work into this. I don't think a couple of more days is gonna change it substantially. So I'd like to put it to the committee for a decision.
H.B. 11 Dyed Diesel Fuel Search Amendments · House floor debate (day 1) · Jan 20, 2026
Asks the sponsor to define the word backwards and jokes about its meaning.
▶ Watch at 1:22:22Read what they said
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I couldn't resist, but will you define backwards, please? Off the Wasatch front. That's better than I expected. Thank you.
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