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Information provided by the University of Utah’s Wallace Stegner Center. For more details, click here.
H.B. 453: Great Salt Lake Revisions (Sponsored by Rep. Casey Snider and Sen. Scott D. Sandall): We believe that this bill is the most impactful bill related to Great Salt Lake considered by the Legislature this session. This bill creates a comprehensive regulatory scheme for mining companies that mine using evaporation ponds near Great Salt Lake. Estimates vary, but these companies seem to utilize between 5-10% of the water taken out of Great Salt Lake’s watershed. This bill would constrain mining companies reliant on Great Salt Lake water similar to the way that all other water users are treated in Great Salt Lake’s water basin. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: Having already passed the House, this bill received a positive recommendation from the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee and now sits on the Senate’s reading calendar.
H.B. 401: Water Usage Amendments (sponsored by Rep. Doug Owens): This bill would narrow the municipal irrigation season from May 1 to Sept. 30, restricting municipal irrigation of lawn and turf for the rest of the year to save water. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: This bill has been stalled in the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee since the middle of February. It would still need to pass through the Senate if it passes through the House.
S.B. 118: Water Efficiency Amendments (sponsored by Sen. Michael K. McKell and Rep. Calvin R. Musselman): This bill attempts to incentivize water-wise landscaping for new residential construction by reimbursing property owners for the difference in price compared to traditional sod. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: After clearing the Senate, this bill received a favorable recommendation by the House by the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee.
H.B. 535: Water Conservation Modifications (Rep. Michael L. Kohler): This bill requires the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to conduct a study on conservation strategies to increase municipal water flowing to Great Salt Lake and determine how conserved municipal water can be quantified. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: This bill received a favorable recommendation by the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee. It still needs to pass both the House and Senate.
S.B. 196: Great Salt Lake Amendments (Sponsored by Sen. Nate Blouin): This bill directs the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to create a plan and pilot program to maximize the amount of water getting to the lake in wet water years like the 2022-2023 winter. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: This bill was scheduled for its third reading in the Senate with minor amendments but was circled on February 20th, meaning the Senate postponed action on it. It has not been considered by the House.
H.B. 448: State Water Program Reporting Requirements (Sponsored by Rep. Raymond Ward): This bill requires the Division of Water Resources to collaborate with state agencies to quantify and monitor state legislative water optimization efforts including water banking, and annually report their findings. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: This bill has passed through the House. It still needs to be considered by the Senate.
H.J.R. 27: Joint Resolution Encouraging Water-efficient Landscaping Ordinances for New Construction (Sponsored by Rep. Doug Owens and Sen. Michael K. McKell): While not a bill, this non-binding expression of the Legislature calls on municipalities and counties to include “substantive and actionable water use and preservation element” in their general plans as soon as possible and will urge 77 local governments in the Great Salt Lake basin to expeditiously address gaps in encouraging water-efficient landscaping. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: This joint resolution has passed the House and received a favorable recommendation from the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee.
H.B. 243: Riparian Amendments (sponsored by Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion): This bill would require municipalities to identify riparian areas and create zoning laws to protect them. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: This bill has still received a floor vote in the House. It still needs to be considered by the Senate.
H.B. 520: Fallow Land Amendments (Sponsored by Rep. Jason Kyle): This bill could make land fallowing–meaning letting agricultural lands go unirrigated and unfarmed for a season or longer–more appealing to farmers. Fallowing land can reduce agricultural water use (the largest water use in the state and in the Great Salt Lake basin). This bill clarifies that fallowed land qualifies for favorable tax treatment under Utah’s greenbelt assessment that taxes land based on its productive capacity instead of its market value. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: This bill has passed the House and just had its first reading in the Senate. It is now with the Senate Business and Labor Committee.
H.B. 472: Water Revisions (Sponsored by Rep. Brian King): This bill directs the Division of Water Resources and Water Rights to study the creation of a collaborative, centralized water database and center for all Utah water data. To read more about this bill, see our previous legislative update found HERE.
Update: This bill has passed the House and has been sent to the Senate for consideration and is waiting review from the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee.