Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 34 First Substitute (2023GS)

Sponsor

Sen. McCay, D.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/14/2023

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• directs the Department of Natural Resources (department) to:
• study the use of property tax revenue to fund water infrastructure, treatment, and delivery; and
• make recommendations for future funding; and
• requires the department to submit a written report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee and the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING STUDY
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Daniel McCay
House Sponsor: 
Walt Brooks
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the use of property tax revenue for water.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ directs the Department of Natural Resources (department) to:
• study the use of property tax revenue to fund water infrastructure, treatment, and
delivery; and
• make recommendations for future funding; and
▸ requires the department to submit a written report to the Natural Resources,
Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee and the Revenue and Taxation
Interim Committee.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
63I-2-279
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 68
ENACTS:
79-2-407
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
63I-2-279
 is amended to read:
63I-2-279.
Repeal dates: Title 79.
(1) Section 
79-2-206
, Transition, is repealed July 1, 2024.
(2) Section 
79-2-407
, which directs the Department of Natural Resources to study
funding for water infrastructure costs, is repealed July 1, 2025.
[
(2) Title 79, Chapter 6, Part 8, Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program
Act, is repealed January 1, 2022.
]
Section 2. Section 
79-2-407
 is enacted to read:
 79-2-407.
Study of funding for water infrastructure costs.
(1) The department shall:
(a) study the use of property tax revenue for payment of costs related to supplying
drinking and irrigation water, including infrastructure, treatment, and delivery; and
(b) make recommendations for funding of the costs described in Subsection (1)(a).
(2) As part of the study and to prepare the recommendations described in Subsection
(1), the department shall:
(a) analyze the use of tax revenue for water infrastructure in other states with similar
climate and water supply challenges as the state of Utah;
(b) review the use of property tax revenue for construction, operation, maintenance,
repair, and replacement of water facilities, including facilities related to:
(i) diversion, treatment, and storage of drinking and irrigation water; and
(ii) the delivery of drinking and irrigation water to end users;
(c) investigate policies that would ensure all users contribute to the cost of water
infrastructure;
(d) identify methods of developing tiered water rate structures that promote water
conservation and ensure reasonable revenue stability;
(e) analyze the effect of eliminating or reducing property tax revenue as a funding
source for costs related to water infrastructure, treatment, or delivery, including:
(i) the effect on retail water rates and retail customer water use and demand;
(ii) wholesale water suppliers' ability to prepare for anticipated local and regional water
demand; and
(iii) water development costs associated with new growth; and
(f) identify and study any water conservancy district or special service district that
levies a property tax for a purpose described in Subsection (1)(a) but does not provide water
service.
(3) The department shall convene a working group consisting of a wide range of
stakeholders with diverse interests, including those with expertise in water development and
delivery, tax policy, and water funding, to help the department conduct the study and develop
the recommendations described in this section.
(4) On or before October 30, 2024, the department shall provide a written report of the
department's findings, including any recommended legislative action, to the Natural Resources,
Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee and the Revenue and Taxation Interim
Committee.