Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 39 (2020GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Snider, C.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/24/2020

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• expands the membership of the task force;
• clarifies quorum requirements;
• addresses the task force recommending legislation as part of its annual report; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

AGRICULTURAL WATER OPTIMIZATION TASK FORCE
AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Casey Snider
Senate Sponsor: 
David P. Hinkins
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the Agricultural Water Optimization Task Force.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ expands the membership of the task force;
▸ clarifies quorum requirements;
▸ addresses the task force recommending legislation as part of its annual report; and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
73-10g-202
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 143
73-10g-203
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 143
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
73-10g-202
 is amended to read:
73-10g-202.
Agricultural Water Optimization Task Force.
(1) There is created the Agricultural Water Optimization Task Force, consisting of:
(a) the following voting members:
(i) one [
person
] 
individual
 representing the Department of Agriculture and Food;
(ii) one [
person
] 
individual
 representing the board or division;
(iii) one [
person
] 
individual
 representing the Division of Water Rights;
(iv) one [
person
] 
individual
 representing the Division of Water Quality;
(v) one [
person
] 
individual
 representing the interests of the agriculture industry;
(vi) one [
person
] 
individual
 representing environmental interests; [
and
]
(vii) one [
person
] 
individual
 representing water conservancy districts; [
and
]
(viii) three individuals whose primary source of income comes from the production of
agricultural commodities; and
(b) one nonvoting member from the higher education community with a background in
research.
(2) (a) The commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Food shall appoint the
members described in Subsections (1)(a)(i), (v), [
and
] (vii)
, and (viii)
.
(b) The executive director of the Department of Natural Resources shall appoint the
members described in Subsections (1)(a)(ii), (iii), and (vi).
(c) The governor shall appoint the members described in Subsections (1)(a)(iv) and
(1)(b).
(3) The division shall provide administrative support to the task force.
(4) The task force shall select a chair from among its membership.
(5) Six voting members present constitutes a quorum of the task force. Action by a
majority of voting members when a quorum is present is an action of the task force.
[
(5)
] 
(6)
 Service on the task force is voluntary and [
members may not be compensated
for their service on the task force but may receive per diem and travel expenses as allowed in
Sections 
63A-3-106
 and 
63A-3-107
, and relevant Division of Finance rules.
] 
a member may
not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and
travel expenses in accordance with:
(a) Section 
63A-3-106
;
(b) Section 
63A-3-107
; and
(c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 
63A-3-106
 and
63A-3-107
.
Section 2. Section 
73-10g-203
 is amended to read:
73-10g-203.
Duties of the task force.
(1) The task force created in Section 
73-10g-202
 shall:
(a) identify critical issues facing the state's long-term water supply, particularly in
regard to how the state should optimize agricultural water supply and use in light of future
population growth, and the future water needs of Utah agriculture;
(b) identify current obstacles to, and constraints upon, quantification of agricultural
water use, and recommend means, methods, technologies, or other opportunities to improve the
quantification of agricultural water use on a basin level; and
(c) identify means, methods, systems, or technologies with the potential to maintain or
increase agricultural production while reducing the agriculture industry's water diversion and
consumption.
(2) The task force shall issue requests for proposals and award grants to study the
issues identified in Subsection (1), prioritizing proposals and grants as necessary.
(3) In identifying critical issues as described in Subsection (1), and prioritizing requests
for proposals and grants as described in Subsection (2), the task force shall:
(a) identify, develop, and apply sound science and relevant research on optimizing
agricultural water use;
(b) measure gains at the basin level;
(c) take into account the variety of agricultural products, opportunities to improve
water use practices, and local needs;
(d) address and account for farm economics at the enterprise and community level;
(e) work within existing agricultural markets or encourage market behavior that
financially rewards improved practices;
(f) recognize established water rights;
(g) create meaningful benefits for farmers to optimize water use and protect water
quality;
(h) monitor funded research projects and evaluate the efficacy of completed research;
and
(i) disseminate research findings.
(4) The task force shall report on [
its
] 
the task force's
 progress under this section by
November 30, of each year, to:
(a) the Legislative Water Development Commission;
(b) the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee; and
(c) the [
Executive
] 
Utah
 Water Task Force 
within the Department of Natural
Resources
.
(5) As part of the report required by Subsection (4), and based on the information
acquired under Subsections (1) through (3), the task force shall recommend legislation, if any,
that addresses the issues listed in Subsection (3).