Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 41 (2020GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Stratton, K.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/28/2020

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• outlines the water policies of the state;
• encourages state agencies to follow the state policy;
• addresses suits referencing the state policy; and
• requires an annual review of the policy.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

STATE WATER POLICY AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Keven J. Stratton
Senate Sponsor: 
David P. Hinkins
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses water policies.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ outlines the water policies of the state;
▸ encourages state agencies to follow the state policy;
▸ addresses suits referencing the state policy; and
▸ requires an annual review of the policy.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
73-1-21
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
73-1-21
 is enacted to read:
 73-1-21.
State Water Policy.
(1) It is the policy of the state that:
(a) Utah shall pursue adequate, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and clean water
resources, recognizing that Utah is one of the most arid states in the nation and as such, there
is, and will continue to be, a need to ensure Utah's finite water resources are used beneficially;
(b) Utah will promote:
(i) water conservation, efficiency, and the optimal use of water resources, while
identifying intended and unintended consequences to ensure appropriate choice and
implementation of particular strategies;
(ii) water resource development and the creation of new water infrastructure necessary
to meet the state's growing demand and promote economic development;
(iii) compliance with state statutes regarding Lake Powell pipeline development and
Bear River development;
(iv) the timely replacement of aging or inefficient water resource, drinking water,
wastewater, and storm water infrastructure;
(v) the optimal use of agricultural water to sustain and improve food production and
the productive capacity of agricultural lands;
(vi) water quality in rivers and lakes that:
(A) complies with state clean water and safe drinking water statutes; and
(B) protects public health;
(vii) water pricing and funding mechanisms that:
(A) provide revenue stability while encouraging conservation, efficiency, and
optimization efforts;
(B) adequately cover infrastructure needs; and
(C) balance social, economic, public interest, and environmental values;
(viii) respect for water rights;
(ix) standards for accurate water use measurement, tracking, enforcement, and
reporting;
(x) efforts to educate and engage the public in:
(A) individual actions that protect water quality, including preventing and mitigating
water pollution; and
(B) conservation practices and the efficient and optimal use of water resources;
(xi) the implementation of cyber security and physical security measures for water
infrastructure;
(xii) the study and consideration of mechanisms for increased flexibility in water use
such as water banking and split season uses;
(xiii) continued improvements in the management of water resources through
protection, restoration, and science-based evaluation of Utah watersheds, and increased
reservoir capacity and aquifer storage and recovery;
(xiv) the development and beneficial use of Utah's allocated share of interstate rivers,
including Utah's allocations under the 1922 and 1948 Colorado River Compacts and the 1980
Amended Bear River Compact;
(xv) the study and development of strategies and practices necessary to address
declining water levels and protect the water quality and quantity of the Great Salt Lake, Utah
Lake, and Bear Lake, taking into consideration natural climate change, natural weather systems
and patterns, and normal cyclic water level change over time, while balancing economic,
social, and environmental needs;
(xvi) regulations and practices, including voluntary practices, that maintain sufficient
stream flows and lake levels to provide reasonable access to recreational activities and protect
and restore water quality, quantity, and healthy ecosystems, including protecting groundwater
and surface water sources from pollution;
(xvii) equitable access to safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water to protect public
health;
(xviii) regulations and practices that encourage effective treatment of wastewater to
maximize its availability for beneficial use and minimize depletion and the further degradation
of other waters;
(xix) the control of invasive species that threaten or degrade waters of the state;
(xx) coordination among the state, water providers, water users, local governments,
government agencies, and researchers in the study of ways weather and climate will impact
future water supplies, demand, and quality;
(xxi) water laws, rules, and enforcement that are consistent with this Subsection (1)
and encourage transparency, order, and certainty in the use of public water;
(xxii) the support and funding of research, science, and technology necessary to
achieve the provisions of this Subsection (1); and
(xxiii) the collaboration, cooperation, and engagement of stakeholders in the
identification and advancement of actions that support the provisions of this Subsection (1);
and
(c) Utah supports the timely and appropriate negotiated settlement of federally reserved
water right claims for both Native American trust lands and other existing federal reservations,
and opposes any future designation of public lands that does not quantify any associated
federally reserved water rights.
(2) State agencies are encouraged to conduct agency activities consistent with
Subsection (1) and implement policies established by the Legislature that promote the near-
and long-term stewardship of water quality and water resources.
(3) This section does not create a cause of action against the state's or a state agency's
action that is inconsistent with Subsection (1) and does not waive governmental immunity
under Title 63G, Chapter 7, Governmental Immunity Act of Utah.
(4) The Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee shall
review the state water policy annually and recommend priority balancing and any other changes
to the Legislature.