Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 129 (2020GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Watkins, C.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/2/2020

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• amends the definition of rural gas infrastructure development to include the acquisition, extension, or expansion of natural gas utility facilities to serve previously unserved rural areas of the state; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

NATURAL GAS AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Christine F. Watkins
Senate Sponsor: 
David P. Hinkins
Cosponsors:
Carl R. Albrecht
Brady Brammer
Kay J. Christofferson
Joel Ferry
Dan N. Johnson
Calvin R. Musselman
Derrin R. Owens
Val K. Potter
Douglas V. Sagers
Rex P. Shipp
V. Lowry Snow
Mike Winder
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill modifies the Energy Resource Procurement Act by amending provisions
relating to natural gas infrastructure.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ amends the definition of rural gas infrastructure development to include the
acquisition, extension, or expansion of natural gas utility facilities to serve
previously unserved rural areas of the state; and
▸ makes technical changes. 
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
54-17-401
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 449
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
54-17-401
 is amended to read:
54-17-401.
Definitions -- Rules.
(1) As used in this part:
(a) "Energy utility" means one of the following with 200,000 retail customers in the
state:
(i) an electrical corporation; or
(ii) a gas corporation.
(b) "Resource decision" means a decision, other than a decision to construct or acquire
a significant energy resource, involving:
(i) an energy utility's acquisition, management, or operation of energy production,
processing, transmission, or distribution facilities or processes including:
(A) a facility or process for the efficient, reliable, or safe provision of energy to retail
customers;
(B) an energy efficiency and conservation program; or
(C) rural gas infrastructure development; or
(ii) a decision determined by the commission to be appropriate for review under this
part.
(c) "Rural gas infrastructure development" means the 
acquisition,
 planning,
development, 
extension, expansion,
 and construction of [
an extension or expansion of
] natural
gas [
main lines
] 
utility facilities
 to serve previously unserved rural areas of the state.
(2) The commission may adopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
Administrative Rulemaking Act, to specify the nature of resource decisions subject to approval
under Section 
54-17-402
.
Section 2. 
Effective date.
If approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, this bill takes effect
upon approval by the governor, or the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah
Constitution, Article VII, Section 8, without the governor's signature, or in the case of a veto,
the date of veto override.