Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 307 Third Substitute (2023GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Musselman, C.R.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/14/2023

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• directs oversight of the creation of a partnership and the state's role in that partnership;
• outlines powers and duties of the partnership;
• addresses the selection of an executive director and board of directors;
• requires reporting; and
• addresses role of water supply entities.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

UTAH WATER WAYS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Calvin R. Musselman
Senate Sponsor: 
Scott D. Sandall
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill provides for the creation of a new nonprofit, statewide partnership addressing
water.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ defines terms;
▸ directs oversight of the creation of a partnership and the state's role in that
partnership;
▸ outlines powers and duties of the partnership;
▸ addresses the selection of an executive director and board of directors;
▸ requires reporting; and
▸ addresses role of water supply entities.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2024:
▸ to the Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources, as a one-time
appropriation:
• from the General Fund, One-time, $2,000,000; and
▸ to the Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources, as an ongoing
appropriation:
• from the General Fund, $1,000,000.
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
79-2-407
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
79-2-407
 is enacted to read:
 79-2-407.
Utah Water Ways.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Partnership" means the nonprofit, statewide partnership described in Subsections
(2) and (3).
(b) "Water supply entity" means an entity supplying either culinary or irrigation water
to a water user.
(2) The department shall oversee:
(a) the creation of a nonprofit, statewide partnership in accordance with this section;
and
(b) the state's participation in the partnership.
(3) The partnership shall:
(a) be known as "Utah Water Ways";
(b) have as core purposes to:
(i) facilitate coordination of efforts to optimize the use of water by:
(A) sponsoring policy discussions about the state's water supply;
(B) engaging the private sector to help support efforts to optimize the use of water and
related activities;
(C) coordinating with the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of
Environmental Quality on water related issues;
(D) maintaining communication among partners in the partnership;
(E) providing a line of communication from partners to state leaders; and
(F) promoting coordination of grants, rebate programs, or sponsorships that support the
optimal use of water; and
(ii) encourage residents of the state to make changes to optimize the use of water and
care for the state's water supply by:
(A) providing public education and public awareness campaigns and helping
consolidate campaigns about the state's water supply, water quality, and water use; and
(B) providing residents of the state with tools to understand what can be done to
optimize the use of water; and
(c) seek grants, gifts, donations, devises, and bequests.
(4) The board of directors for the partnership shall:
(a) consist of 13 individuals as follows:
(i) the executive director of the department, or the executive director's designee;
(ii) the director of the Division of Water Resources, or the director's designee;
(iii) the executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality, or the
executive director's designee;
(iv) the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Food, or the
commissioner's designee;
(v) a representative of rural Utah selected jointly by the governor, the speaker of the
House of Representatives, and the president of the Senate;
(vi) the general managers for four water conservancy districts selected jointly by the
governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the president of the Senate; and
(vii) four members of the business community selected jointly by the governor, the
speaker of the House of Representatives, and the president of the Senate;
(b) hire an executive director by August 1, 2023, who shall serve for an initial term of
four years; and
(c) adopt policies concerning the board of directors' internal organization and
procedures.
(5) The partnership may, consistent with this section, receive a grant, gift, donation,
devise, or bequest.
(6) The partnership shall annually report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and
Environment Interim Committee.
(7) Notwithstanding the creation of the partnership, a water supply entity may maintain
an important role with water supply users to encourage the optimized use of water such as
through localized messaging, rebate programs, or other activities.
Section 2. 
Appropriation.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
2023, and ending June 30, 2024. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
fiscal year 2024. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures
Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts
indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
ITEM 1
To Department of Natural Resources -- Water Resources
From General Fund
1,000,000
From General Fund, One-time
2,000,000
Schedule of Programs:
Planning 3,000,000
Section 3. 
Effective date.
This bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.