Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 62 First Substitute (2023GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Hinkins, 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 to establish a hydrogen advisory council within the Office of Energy Development which may advise on issues related to hydrogen.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

HYDROGEN AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: David P. Hinkins
House Sponsor: 
____________
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill enacts provisions related to hydrogen development.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ directs the Department of Natural Resources to establish a hydrogen advisory
council within the Office of Energy Development which may advise on issues
related to hydrogen.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
79-6-106
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
79-6-106
 is enacted to read:
 79-6-106.
Hydrogen advisory council.
(1) The department shall create a hydrogen advisory council within the office that
consists of seven to nine members appointed by the executive director, in consultation with the
energy advisor. The executive director shall consider appointing members with expertise in:
(a) hydrogen energy in general;
(b) hydrogen project facilities;
(c) technology suppliers;
(d) hydrogen producers or processors; and
(e) renewable and fossil based power generation industries.
(2) (a) Except as required by Subsection (2)(b), a member shall serve a four-year term.
(b) The executive director shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust
the length of terms to ensure that the terms of council members are staggered so that
approximately half of the hydrogen advisory council is appointed every two years.
(c) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be
appointed for the unexpired term.
(3) (a) A majority of the members appointed under this section constitutes a quorum of
the hydrogen advisory council.
(b) The hydrogen advisory council shall determine:
(i) the time and place of meetings; and
(ii) any other procedural matter not specified in this section.
(4) 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
.
(5) The office shall staff the hydrogen advisory council.
(6) The hydrogen advisory council may:
(a) develop hydrogen facts and figures that facilitate use of hydrogen fuel within the
state;
(b) encourage cross-state cooperation with states that have hydrogen programs;
(c) work with state agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders, such as
environmental groups, to:
(i) recommend realistic goals for hydrogen development that can be executed within
realistic time frames; and
(ii) educate, discuss, consult, and make recommendations in hydrogen related matters
that benefit the state;
(d) promote hydrogen research at state institutions of higher education, as defined in
Section 
53B-3-102
;
(e) make recommendations regarding how to qualify for federal funding of hydrogen
projects, including hydrogen related projects for:
(i) the state;
(ii) a local government;
(iii) a privately commissioned project;
(iv) an educational project;
(v) scientific development; and
(vi) engineering and novel technologies;
(f) make recommendations related to the development of multiple feedstock or energy
resources in the state such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, coal, natural gas, oil,
water, electrolysis, coal gasification, liquefaction, hydrogen storage, safety handling,
compression, and transportation;
(g) make recommendations to establish statewide safety protocols for production,
transportation, and handling of hydrogen for both residential and commercial applications;
(h) facilitate public events to raise the awareness of hydrogen and hydrogen related
fuels within the state and how hydrogen can be advantageous to all forms of transportation,
heat, and power generation;
(i) review and make recommendations regarding legislation; and
(j) make other recommendations to the energy advisor related to hydrogen
development in the state.