1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) "Exempt application" means an application for federal funding that meets the criteria established under Subsection (3)(g).
   2. (b) "Federal funding" means a grant, contract, or other funding from the federal government that could provide funds for a local health department to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the local health department.
   3. (c) "Governance committee" means the committee created in Subsection (2).

2. (2) The department shall establish a committee that consists of:

   1. (a) the executive director or the executive director's designee;
   2. (b) two representatives of the department appointed by the executive director; and
   3. (c) three representatives of local health departments appointed by a group representing all the local health departments in the state.

3. (3) The governance committee shall:

   1. (a) review all state and federal funding to the department to identify funding that the department may use to support:

      1. (i) the requirements of Subsection 26A-1-106(3); and
      2. (ii) the minimum performance standards created by the department under Subsection 26A-1-106(4);

   2. (b) review the allocation of environmental quality resources between the department and the local health departments, including whether funds allocated by contract or cooperative agreement were:

      1. (i) allocated in accordance with the formula described in Section 26A-1-116; and
      2. (ii) subject to requirements satisfying or exceeding the minimum performance standards created by the department under Section 26A-1-106;
   3. (c) evaluate rules and department policies that affect a local health department in accordance with Subsection (4);
   4. (d) consider policy changes proposed by the department or by a local health department;
   5. (e) coordinate the implementation of environmental quality programs to maximize environmental quality resources;
   6. (f) except as provided by Subsection (3)(g), review each department application for any federal funding that affects a local health department before the department submits the application; and
   7. (g) establish a process by which the committee may exempt an application for federal funding from the review required under Subsection (3)(f).

4. (4) When evaluating a policy or rule that affects a local health department, the governance committee shall:

   1. (a) compute an estimate of the cost a local health department will bear to comply with the policy or rule;
   2. (b) specify whether there is any funding provided to a local health department to implement the policy or rule; and
   3. (c) advise whether the policy or rule is needed.
5. (5) The governance committee shall create bylaws to govern the committee's operations.

Amended by Chapter 434, 2026 General Session