Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 520 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Snider, Casey

Final action

Governor Signed 3/24/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• removes certain water agencies from a definition of an independent entity;
• modifies provisions governing the water trust for the Great Salt Lake, including expanding the duties of the Great Salt Lake Trust Council;
• requires the state water agent to coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources (department);
• moves the Great Salt Lake commissioner and the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to be within the department;
• requires the review by the Great Salt Lake Trust Council of certain expenditures of the Great Salt Lake commissioner; and
• makes technical and conforming amendments.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

297
63H-9-101
65A-16-101
65A-16-202
65A-16-203
65A-16-301
65A-16-302
73-10-18
73-10g-703
73-32-101
73-32-102
73-32-201
73-32-202
73-32-302
73-32-303
79-2-201
0
Water Entity Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Casey Snider
Senate Sponsor: Brady Brammer
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses various water entities including their relationship with the Department 
of Natural Resources
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
removes certain water agencies from a definition of an independent entity;
modifies provisions governing the water trust for the Great Salt Lake, including 
expanding the duties of the Great Salt Lake Trust Council;
requires the state water agent to coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources 
(department);
moves the Great Salt Lake commissioner and the Office of the Great Salt Lake 
Commissioner to be within the department;
requires the review by the Great Salt Lake Trust Council of certain expenditures of the 
Great Salt Lake commissioner; and
makes technical and conforming amendments.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
This bill provides a special effective date.
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
63H-9-101
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 370
65A-16-101
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 205
65A-16-202
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 205
65A-16-203
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 300
65A-16-301
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 300
73-10-18
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 522
73-10g-703
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 522
73-32-101
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 205
73-32-201
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 205
73-32-202
, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 205
73-32-302
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 443
73-32-303
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 25
79-2-201
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 507
ENACTS:
65A-16-302
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
73-32-102
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
63H-9-101
 is amended to read:
63H-9-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Best practices toolbox" means the collection of resources for governmental entities 
provided on the website of the Office of the Legislative Auditor General that includes a 
best practice self-assessment and other resources, tools, surveys, and reports designed to 
help government organizations better serve the citizens of the state.
(2)
"Consensus group" means the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, the 
Office of the Legislative Auditor General, and the Office of the Legislative Fiscal 
Analyst.
(3)
(a)
"Independent entity" means an entity that:
(i)
has a public purpose relating to the state or its citizens;
(ii)
is individually created by the state;
(iii)
is separate from the judicial and legislative branches of state government; and
(iv)
is not under the direct supervisory control of the governor.
(b)
"Independent entity" does not include an entity that is:
(i)
a county;
(ii)
a municipality as defined in Section 
10-1-104
;
(iii)
an institution of higher education as defined in Section 
53B-2-102
;
(iv)
a public school as defined in Section 
53G-8-701
;
(v)
a special district as defined in Section 
17B-1-102
;
(vi)
a special service district as defined in Section 
17D-1-102
;
(vii)
created by an interlocal agreement as described in Section 
11-13-203
; or
(viii)
an elective constitutional office, including the state auditor, the state treasurer, 
and the attorney general.
(c)
Independent entities that are subject to the provisions of this chapter include the:
(i)
Career Service Review Office created in Section 
67-19a-201
;
(ii)
Capitol Preservation Board created in Section 
63C-9-201
;
(iii)
Colorado River Authority created in Section 
63M-14-201
;
(iv)
(iii)
Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority created in Section 
63H-4-102
;
(v)
(iv)
Military Installation Development Authority created in Section 
63H-1-201
;
(vi)
Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner created in Section 
73-32-301
;
(vii)
(v)
Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services created in Section 
63A-13-201
;
(viii)
(vi)
Point of the Mountain State Land Authority created in Section 
11-59-201
;
(ix)
(vii)
Public Service Commission created in Section 
54-1-1
;
(x)
(viii)
School and Institutional Trust Fund Office created in Section 
53C-1-201
;
(xi)
(ix)
School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration created in Section 
53D-1-201
;
(xii)
(x)
Utah Beef Council created in Section 
4-21-103
;
(xiii)
(xi)
Utah Capital Investment Corporation created in Section 
63N-6-301
;
(xiv)
(xii)
Utah Communications Authority created in Section 
63H-7a-201
;
(xv)
(xiii)
Utah Dairy Commission created in Section 
4-22-103
;
(xvi)
(xiv)
Utah Education and Telehealth Network created in Section 
53B-17-105
;
(xvii)
(xv)
Utah Housing Corporation created in Section 
63H-8-201
;
(xviii)
(xvi)
Utah Inland Port Authority created in Section 
11-58-201
;
(xix)
(xvii)
Utah Innovation Lab created in Section 
63N-20-201
;
(xx)
(xviii)
Utah Lake Authority created in Section 
11-65-201
;
(xxi)
(xix)
Utah Retirement Systems created in Section 
49-11-201
; and
(xxii)
(xx)
Utah State Fair Park Authority created in Section 
11-68-201
.
Section 2, Section 
65A-16-101
 is amended to read:
65A-16-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Commissioner" means the Great Salt Lake commissioner appointed under Section 
73-32-201
.
(2)
"Conservation organization" means an institution, corporation, foundation, or 
association that is:
(a)
private;
(b)
nonprofit; and
(c)
founded for the purpose of promoting conservation of natural resources.
(3)
"Council" means the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council created in Section 
73-32-302
.
(4)
"Division" means the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands.
(5)
"Eligible applicant" means two or more conservation organizations that submit a joint 
grant application to the division under Section 
65A-16-201
 and meet the criteria listed in 
Subsection 
65A-16-201(3)(a)
.
(6)
"Grant money" means money awarded to an eligible applicant pursuant to this chapter.
(7)
"Grantee" means an eligible applicant that receives a grant authorized under this chapter.
(8)
"Great Salt Lake watershed" means the area comprised of the Great Salt Lake, the Bear 
River watershed, the Jordan River watershed, the Utah Lake watershed, the Weber River 
watershed, and the West Desert watershed.
(9)
"Program" means the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program created under 
Section 
65A-16-201
.
(10)
"Trust council" means the Great Salt Lake Trust Council created in accordance with 
Section 
65A-16-301
.
Section 3, Section 
65A-16-202
 is amended to read:
65A-16-202
. Oversight.
(1)
(a)
The division shall oversee whether a grantee and the water trust that the grantee 
establishes comply with this chapter.
(b)
In overseeing a grantee under this chapter, the division shall consult with the 
commissioner.
(c)
The trust council shall oversee expenditures of grant money in accordance with 
Section 
65A-16-302
.
(2)
(a)
The division, in consultation with the council and the Division of Water Quality, 
shall establish by rule made in accordance with Section 
65A-16-102
, interventions 
for a grantee or water trust that fails to comply with this chapter.
(b)
The rules establishing interventions under Subsection 
(2)(a)
 shall include, among 
other actions, requiring the grantee or water trust to return unexpended grant money 
to the division for failure to comply with this chapter.
(3)
This section may not be construed as limiting the state auditor's enforcement authority 
under Section 
51-2a-201.5
.
Section 4, Section 
65A-16-203
 is amended to read:
65A-16-203
. Grantee requirements.
(1)
A grantee that receives grant money under this chapter shall:
(1)
(a)
comply with Section 
51-2a-201.5
, 
Title 63G, Chapter 6b, State Grants
, and other 
applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, or rules; and
(2)
(b)
use grant money to
:
(i)
carry out the objectives of Subsection 
65A-16-201
(1)
, subject to approval by the 
trust council in accordance with Section 
65A-16-302
;
 and
 to
(ii)
operate the water trust in a manner required by Section 
65A-16-301
, provided 
that this 
.
(2)
This 
chapter may not be construed as limiting the grantee's ability to obtain funding 
from other public and private sources to assist in the establishment, operation, and 
administration of the water trust.
Section 5, Section 
65A-16-301
 is amended to read:
65A-16-301
. Water trust -- Powers and duties -- Advisory councils.
(1)
The grantee under this chapter shall establish a water trust that:
(a)
is organized:
(i)
as a private nonprofit organization; or
(ii)
as an agreement between two or more conservation organizations; and
(b)
complies with this section.
(2)
A water trust created under this section shall:
(a)
use a fiduciary to hold and administer grant money appropriated under this chapter;
(b)
subject to Subsection (6):
(i)
register with the lieutenant governor as a limited purpose entity pursuant to 
Section 
51-2a-201.5
;
(ii)
file with the state auditor on or before June 30 of each year the accounting report 
that:
(A)
satisfies Subsection 
51-2a-201.5
(2);
(B)
includes an itemized accounting of the in-kind contributions and other 
monetary contributions described in Subsection (4); and
(C)
includes an itemized accounting of the costs incurred under Subsection (3)(a);
(iii)
provide a copy of the accounting report described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii) to:
(A)
the division;
(B)
the commissioner;
(C)
the Division of Water Quality;
(D)
the council; and
(E)
the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Quality Appropriations 
Subcommittee;
(iv)
file with the division on or before January 31 of each year a report that satisfies 
the requirements of Subsection 
51-2a-201.5
(4); and
(v)
provide a copy of the report described in Subsection (2)(b)(iv) to:
(A)
the Division of Water Quality;
(B)
the council; and
(C)
the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Quality Appropriations 
Subcommittee; and
(c)
comply with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, and rules.
(3)
A water trust established by a grantee under this section:
(a)
may use grant money for costs to establish, operate, or administer the water trust, 
including the hiring of staff or contractors;
(b)
shall use no less than 25% of the grant money to protect and restore wetlands and 
habitats in the Great Salt Lake's surrounding ecosystem to benefit the hydrology of 
the Great Salt Lake; and
(c)
may invest grant money the water trust receives under this chapter or any private 
money the water trust may receive, except that the water trust shall:
(i)
invest and account for grant money and private money separately; and
(ii)
use the earnings received from the investment of grant money to carry out the 
purposes described in Subsection 
65A-16-201
(1).
(4)
The water trust shall provide a significant match of in-kind contributions or other 
monetary contributions to support the water trust's operations and for the purposes 
described in Subsection 
65A-16-201
(1).
(5)
(a)
A water trust established under this section shall create and consult with one or 
more advisory councils on matters related to the mission and objectives of the water 
trust.
(b)
At least one 
One 
of the advisory councils shall
 be known as the "Great Salt Lake 
Trust Council" and
 consist of 
nine
10
 members
 with 
:
(i)
the commissioner or the commissioner's designee; and
(ii)
a representative from the following:
(i)
(A)
agriculture;
(ii)
(B)
a private land owner adjacent to the Great Salt Lake;
(iii)
(C)
a conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of migratory 
waterfowl;
(iv)
(D)
a conservation organization dedicated to the protection of non-game 
avian species;
(v)
(E)
another conservation organization working on Great Salt Lake issues;
(vi)
(F)
aquaculture;
(vii)
(G)
mineral extraction;
(viii)
(H)
a water conservancy district; and
(ix)
(I)
wastewater treatment facilities.
(6)
The duties of the water trust under Subsection (2)(b) apply to the water trust 
notwithstanding whether the holdings, revenues, or expenditures of the water trust 
include grant money or other money from the state.
Section 6, Section 
65A-16-302
 is enacted to read:
65A-16-302
. Coordination -- Great Salt Lake Trust Council powers and duties.
(1)
The commissioner shall coordinate with the water trust concerning projects designed to 
meet the objectives of Subsection 
65A-16-201(1)
 or to acquire or lease water or water 
rights for the Great Salt Lake.
(2)
The trust council shall set a threshold for expenditures above which the trust council 
shall review and may approve an expenditure by the grantee or the water trust of grant 
money if the trust council finds that the expenditure meets the purposes described in 
Subsection 
65A-16-201(1)
.
(3)
In accordance with Subsection 
73-32-202(3)
, the trust council shall review the 
expenditure of money by the commissioner for a project designed to acquire or lease 
water or water rights for the Great Salt Lake and may make recommendations regarding 
the expenditure.
(4)
By no later than July 1, 2025, the division, in cooperation with the grantee, shall modify 
the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust Grant Agreement, signed January 1, 
2023, to comply with the requirements imposed under this section and Section 
65A-16-301
.
Section 7, Section 
73-10-18
 is amended to read:
73-10-18
. Division of Water Resources -- Creation -- Power and authority.
(1)
There is created the Division of Water Resources, which shall be within the Department 
of Natural Resources under the administration and general supervision of the executive 
director of the Department of Natural Resources and under the policy direction of the 
Board of Water Resources.
(2)
Except for the waters of the Colorado River system that are governed by 
Title 63M, 
Chapter 14, Colorado River Authority of Utah Act
, or state representation under the 
Bear River Compact or Columbia Interstate Compact, the Division of Water Resources 
shall:
(a)
be the water resource authority for the state; and
(b)
assume all of the functions, powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities of the Utah 
water and power board except those which are delegated to the board by this act and 
is vested with such other functions, powers, duties, rights and responsibilities as 
provided in this act and other law.
(3)
Notwithstanding Subsection (2), the Utah water agent, appointed under Section 
73-10g-702
, has authority over out-of-state negotiations related to water importation in 
accordance with 
Chapter 10g, Part 6, Utah Water Agent
Chapter 10g, Part 7, Utah 
Water Agent
, except when limited by Section 
73-10g-703
.
Section 8, Section 
73-10g-703
 is amended to read:
73-10g-703
. Powers and duties of water agent.
(1)
(a)
Subject to Subsection (1)(b) and in consultation with the speaker of the House of 
Representatives, president of the Senate, and governor, the water agent shall explore 
and negotiate with officials of other states, tribes, and other government entities 
regarding possible water importation projects, including:
(i)
for the citizens of Utah, representing the state concerning waters of out-of-state 
rivers, lakes, and other sources of supply of waters except when representation is 
otherwise provided in statute;
(ii)
identifying potential out-of-state water resources;
(iii)
working with the council and division to match the water resources described in 
Subsection (1)(a)(ii) to needs identified by the council or division;
(iv)
establishing a strategy to designate what out-of-state water resources to pursue 
and how to execute that strategy;
(v)
negotiating directly with out-of-state partners to execute the strategy described in 
Subsection (1)(a)(iv);
(vi)
represent the state in interstate conferences between the state and one or more 
sister states held for the purpose of entering into compacts between such states for 
the division of the waters of interstate rivers, lakes, or other sources of water 
supply, and to represent the state upon commissions or other governing bodies 
provided for by any compacts that have been or may be entered into between the 
state and one or more sister states, except that a compact is not binding on the 
state until the compact is ratified and approved by the Legislature and the 
legislatures of other states that are parties to the compact;
(vii)
recommending to the Legislature and to the council actions that may assist in the 
development of, strategies for, and execution of water importation projects; and
(viii)
annually reporting findings and recommendations to:
(A)
the governor;
(B)
the president of the Senate;
(C)
the speaker of the House of Representatives;
(D)
the Legislative Water Development Commission created in Section 
73-27-102
;
(E)
the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee; and
(F)
the Board of Water Resources created in Section 
73-10-1.5
.
(b)
The water agent may not act under this section in relation to interests governed by 
interstate compacts in which Utah is a party, such as the 1922 and 1948 Colorado 
River Compacts and the 1980 Amended Bear River Compact.
(2)
The water agent shall consult and work with the council, state entities, the Colorado 
River Authority of Utah, and other bodies established by the state for interstate water 
negotiations.
(3)
Subject to Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act, 
upon request of the water agent, a state or local entity shall provide to the water agent a 
document, report, or information available within the state or local entity.
(4)
The water agent may negotiate with tribes in accordance with this section, except to the 
extent that the water at issue comes from the Colorado River.
(5)
This chapter may not be interpreted to override, substitute, or modify a water right 
within the state or the role and authority of the state engineer.
(6)
In implementing this part, the water agent shall at least monthly coordinate with and 
receive input from the relevant divisions within the Department of Natural Resources 
regarding the water agent's activities.
Section 9, Section 
73-32-101
 is amended to read:
73-32-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Account" means the Great Salt Lake Account created in Section 
73-32-304
.
(2)
"Commissioner" means the Great Salt Lake commissioner appointed under Section 
73-32-201
.
(3)
"Council" means the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council created in Section 
73-32-302
.
(4)
"Department" means the Department of Natural Resources.
(5)
"Executive director" means the executive director of the department.
(5)
(6)
"Office" means the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner created in Section 
73-32-301
.
(6)
(7)
"State agency" means a department, division, board, council, committee, institution, 
office, bureau, or other similar administrative unit of the executive branch of state 
government.
(7)
(8)
"Strategic plan" means the plan prepared by the commissioner under Sections 
73-32-202
 and 
73-32-204
.
Section 10, Section 
73-32-102
 is enacted to read:
73-32-102
. Transition to department.
(1)
The commissioner shall cooperate with the department to transition, to the extent 
consistent with this chapter, the commissioner's functions as a part of the department.
(2)
The department shall succeed to any contract in which the commissioner is a party.
Section 11, Section 
73-32-201
 is amended to read:
73-32-201
. Great Salt Lake commissioner appointment.
(1)
(a)
The governor shall appoint a Great Salt Lake commissioner with the advice and 
consent of the Senate.
 The commissioner shall serve within the department and report 
to the executive director.
(b)
Before the governor appoints the commissioner under this section, the governor shall 
consult with the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the 
Senate concerning the selection of potential candidates for the position of 
commissioner.
(2)
The commissioner shall serve a term of six years and may be appointed to more than 
one term, but shall be subject to removal at the pleasure of the governor.
(3)
The governor shall establish the commissioner's compensation within the salary range 
fixed by the Legislature in 
Title 67, Chapter 22, State Officer Compensation
.
Section 12, Section 
73-32-202
 is amended to read:
73-32-202
. Duties and authorizations of the commissioner.
(1)
The commissioner
,
under the administrative oversight of the executive director, 
shall:
(a)
subject to Section 
73-32-204
, prepare an approved strategic plan for the long-term 
health of the Great Salt Lake and update the strategic plan regularly;
(b)
oversee the execution of the strategic plan by other state agencies as provided in 
Section 
73-32-203
;
(c)
maintain information that measures Great Salt Lake levels, salinity, and overall 
health;
(d)
meet regularly with the executive director 
of the department 
and with the executive 
director of the Department of Environmental Quality;
(e)
consult with the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands regarding 
Title 65A, 
Chapter 16, Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program
;
(f)
monitor the integrated water assessment conducted under 
Chapter 10g, Part 4, Great 
Salt Lake Watershed Integrated Water Assessment
;
(g)
inform the governor, the president of the Senate, and the speaker of the House of 
Representatives, at least annually, about the status of the strategic plan and the 
progress regarding implementation of the strategic plan;
(h)
at least annually report to the Executive Appropriations Committee regarding the 
expenditure of money under this chapter;
(i)
work cooperatively with and receive input and recommendations from the Great Salt 
Lake Trust Council created under Section 
65A-16-301
 in accordance with Section 
65A-16-302
;
(i)
(j)
coordinate and work collaboratively with water conservancy districts that serve 
water users within the Great Salt Lake watershed; and
(j)
(k)
annually report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim 
Committee regarding the activities of the commissioner.
(2)
The commissioner may:
(a)
access information from other state or federal agencies related to the Great Salt Lake;
(b)
develop cooperative agreements between the state, political subdivisions, and 
agencies of the federal government for involvement in the strategic plan;
(c)
produce research, documents, maps, studies, analysis, or other information that 
supports the strategic plan for the Great Salt Lake;
(d)
facilitate and coordinate the exchange of information, comments, and 
recommendations on Great Salt Lake policies between and among:
(i)
state agencies;
(ii)
political subdivisions;
(iii)
institutions of higher education that conduct research relevant to the Great Salt 
Lake;
(iv)
nonprofit entities; and
(v)
private business;
(e)
communicate with the Great Salt Lake Watershed Council created under 
Chapter 
10g, Part 3, Watershed Councils Act
; and
(f)
perform other duties that the commissioner considers necessary or expedient to carry 
out the purposes of this chapter.
(3)
(a)
The commissioner may not expend money for the purpose of acquiring or leasing 
water or water rights without first obtaining a review and recommendations regarding 
the expenditure from the Great Salt Lake Trust Council created in accordance with 
Section 
65A-16-301
.
(b)
The Great Salt Lake Trust Council shall review an expenditure described in 
Subsection 
(3)(a)
 and may make a favorable recommendation if the Great Salt Lake 
Trust Council finds that the expenditure is consistent with:
(i)
the strategic plan; and
(ii)
activities of the water trust created in Title 65A, Chapter 16, Great Salt Lake 
Watershed Enhancement Program.
(3)
(4)
In fulfilling the duties under this chapter, the commissioner shall consult and 
coordinate, as necessary, with:
(a)
divisions within 
the department;
(b)
the Department of Agriculture and Food;
(c)
the Department of Environmental Quality;
(d)
other applicable state agencies;
(e)
political subdivisions of the state;
(f)
federal agencies;
(g)
elected officials; and
(h)
local tribal officials.
Section 13, Section 
73-32-302
 is amended to read:
73-32-302
. Advisory council created -- Staffing -- Per diem and travel expenses -- 
Annual conflict of interest disclosure statement -- Exception -- Penalties.
(1)
There is created an advisory council known as the "Great Salt Lake Advisory Council" 
consisting of 11 members listed in Subsection (2).
(2)
(a)
The governor shall appoint the following members, with the advice and consent of 
the Senate:
(i)
one representative of industry representing the extractive industry;
(ii)
one representative of industry representing aquaculture;
(iii)
one representative of conservation interests;
(iv)
one representative of a migratory bird protection area as defined in Section 
23A-13-101
;
(v)
one representative who is an elected official from municipal government, or the 
elected official's designee;
(vi)
five representatives who are elected officials from county government, or the 
elected official's designee, one each representing:
(A)
Box Elder County;
(B)
Davis County;
(C)
Salt Lake County;
(D)
Tooele County; and
(E)
Weber County; and
(vii)
one representative of a publicly owned treatment works.
(3)
(a)
Except as required by Subsection (3)(b), each member shall serve a four-year term.
(b)
Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a), at the time of appointment or reappointment, the 
governor shall adjust the length of terms of voting members to ensure that the terms 
of council members are staggered so that approximately half of the council is 
appointed every two years.
(c)
When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the governor shall appoint 
a replacement for the unexpired term with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(d)
A member shall hold office until the member's successor is appointed and qualified.
(4)
The council shall determine:
(a)
the time and place of meetings; and
(b)
any other procedural matter not specified in this chapter.
(5)
(a)
Attendance of six members at a meeting of the council constitutes a quorum.
(b)
A vote of the majority of the members present at a meeting when a quorum is present 
constitutes an action of the council.
(6)
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
.
(7)
The 
office, the 
department
,
 and the Department of Environmental Quality shall 
coordinate and provide necessary staff assistance to the council.
(8)
Except as provided in Subsection (14), a council member shall, no sooner than January 
1 and no later than January 31 of each year during which the council member holds 
office on the council:
(a)
prepare a written conflict of interest disclosure statement that contains a response to 
each item of information described in Subsection 
20A-11-1604
(6); and
(b)
submit the written disclosure statement to the administrator or clerk of the council.
(9)
(a)
No later than 10 business days after the date on which the council member 
submits the written disclosure statement described in Subsection (8) to the 
administrator or clerk of the council, the administrator or clerk shall:
(i)
post an electronic copy of the written disclosure statement on the council's 
website; and
(ii)
provide the lieutenant governor with a link to the electronic posting described in 
Subsection (9)(a)(i).
(b)
The administrator or clerk of the council shall ensure that the council member's 
written disclosure statement remains posted on the council's website until the council 
member leaves office.
(10)
The administrator or clerk of the council shall take the action described in Subsection 
(11) if:
(a)
a council member fails to timely file the written disclosure statement described in 
Subsection (8); or
(b)
a submitted written disclosure statement does not comply with the requirements of 
Subsection 
20A-11-1604
(6).
(11)
If a circumstance described in Subsection (10) occurs, the administrator or clerk of the 
council shall, within five days after the day on which the administrator or clerk 
determines that a violation occurred, notify the council member of the violation and 
direct the council member to submit an amended written disclosure statement correcting 
the problem.
(12)
(a)
It is unlawful for a council member to fail to submit or amend a written 
disclosure statement within seven days after the day on which the council member 
receives the notice described in Subsection (11).
(b)
A council member who violates Subsection (12)(a) is guilty of a class B 
misdemeanor.
(c)
The administrator or clerk of the council shall report a violation of Subsection (12)(a) 
to the attorney general.
(d)
In addition to the criminal penalty described in Subsection (12)(b), the administrator 
or clerk of the council shall impose a civil fine of $100 against a council member 
who violates Subsection (12)(a).
(13)
The administrator or clerk of the council shall deposit a fine collected under this 
section into the council's account to pay for the costs of administering this section.
(14)
For an individual appointed to the council under Subsection (2)(a)(v) or (vi):
(a)
Subsection (8) does not apply; and
(b)
the administrator or clerk of the council shall, instead:
(i)
post an electronic link on the council's website to the written disclosure statement 
the council member made in the council member's capacity as an elected officer of:
(A)
a county, under Section 
17-16a-13
; or
(B)
a municipality, under Section 
10-3-1313
; and
(ii)
provide the lieutenant governor with a link to the electronic posting described in 
Subsection (14)(b)(i).
Section 14, Section 
73-32-303
 is amended to read:
73-32-303
. Duties of the council.
(1)
(a)
The council shall advise the persons listed in Subsection (1)(b) on the sustainable 
use, protection, and development of the Great Salt Lake in terms of balancing:
(i)
sustainable use;
(ii)
environmental health; and
(iii)
reasonable access for existing and future development.
(b)
The council shall advise, as provided in Subsection (1)(a):
(i)
the governor;
(ii)
the 
Department of Natural Resources
department
;
(iii)
the Department of Environmental Quality; and
(iv)
the commissioner.
(2)
The council shall assist the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands in the Division of 
Forestry, Fire, and State Land's responsibilities for the Great Salt Lake described in 
Sections 
65A-17-201
 and 
65A-17-202
.
(3)
The council:
(a)
may recommend appointments to the Great Salt Lake technical team created by the 
Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands; and
(b)
shall receive and use technical support from the Great Salt Lake technical team.
(4)
The council shall assist the department, the Department of Environmental Quality, and 
their applicable boards in accomplishing their responsibilities for the Great Salt Lake.
(5)
The council shall report annually to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and 
Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee on the council's activities.
Section 15, Section 
79-2-201
 is amended to read:
79-2-201
. Department of Natural Resources created.
(1)
There is created the Department of Natural Resources.
(2)
The department comprises the following:
(a)
Board of Water Resources, created in Section 
73-10-1.5
;
(b)
Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining, created in Section 
40-6-4
;
(c)
Office of Energy Development, created in Section 
79-6-401
;
(d)
Wildlife Board, created in Section 
23A-2-301
;
(e)
Board of the Utah Geological Survey, created in Section 
79-3-301
;
(f)
Water Development Coordinating Council, created in Section 
73-10c-3
;
(g)
Division of Water Rights, created in Section 
73-2-1.1
;
(h)
Division of Water Resources, created in Section 
73-10-18
;
(i)
Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, created in Section 
65A-1-4
;
(j)
Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining, created in Section 
40-6-15
;
(k)
Division of State Parks, created in Section 
79-4-201
;
(l)
Division of Outdoor Recreation, created in Section 
79-7-201
;
(m)
Division of Wildlife Resources, created in Section 
23A-2-201
;
(n)
Utah Geological Survey, created in Section 
79-3-201
;
(o)
Utah Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Advisory Committee, created in Section 
79-7-206
;
(p)
(i)
an advisory council that includes in the advisory council's duties advising on 
state boating policy, authorized by Section 
73-18-3.5
; or
(ii)
an advisory council that includes in the advisory council's duties advising on 
off-highway vehicle use, authorized by Section 
41-22-10
;
(q)
Wildlife Board Nominating Committee, created in Section 
23A-2-302
;
(r)
Wildlife Regional Advisory Councils, created in Section 
23A-2-303
;
(s)
Utah Watersheds Council, created in Section 
73-10g-304
;
(t)
Utah Natural Resources Legacy Fund Board, created in Section 
23A-3-305
;
 and
(u)
Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office created in Section 
63L-11-201
.
; and
(v)
the Great Salt Lake commissioner, appointed under Section 
73-32-201
, and the 
Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner, created in Section 
73-32-301
.
(3)
The department shall provide office space, furnishings, and supplies to the Great Salt 
Lake commissioner appointed under Section 
73-32-201
, the Office of the Great Salt 
Lake Commissioner created in Section 
73-32-301
, and support staff for the Office of the 
Great Salt Lake Commissioner.
Section 16. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on 
July 1, 2025
.
3-12-25 12:08 PM