HB 157: Department of Natural Resources Amendments - Utah

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's Department of Natural Resources laws to modernize record-keeping, clarify water rights enforcement, and rename 'buffalo' to 'bison'. It removes a cap on low-interest loans for water metering, adjusts the makeup of the Utah Geological Survey board, and repeals the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act. The changes aim to improve administrative efficiency, ensure fair treatment of water rights holders, and align terminology with current scientific standards.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of water rights enforcement by clarifying procedures for royalty contract terminations and instream flow applications, while removing previous financial caps on metering loans that may have limited conservation efforts.

REQUIREMENT

Records kept by the Division of Water Rights can now be maintained in either physical or electronic form, modernizing administrative processes.

The Utah Geological Survey Board composition was changed to include members with specific expertise in groundwater, civil engineering geology, and public interests.

FISCAL

The cap on low-interest loans for secondary water metering was removed, allowing for greater financial flexibility in conservation projects.

The Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act was repealed, eliminating a specific tax incentive program.

The $5,000,000 appropriation for litigation expenses was removed from the bill's funding section in this version.

ENFORCEMENT

Procedures for handling water rights after the termination or noncompliance of royalty contracts and mineral leases were clarified to ensure proper reversal of approvals.

DEFINITION

The term 'buffalo' was changed to 'bison' in several sections to align with current scientific and legal terminology.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the bill was set to May 6, 2026, ensuring provisions take effect at the start of the fiscal year.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's Department of Natural Resources laws to modernize record-keeping, update employee overtime rules, and clarify water rights enforcement. Key changes include allowing state records to be kept electronically, removing caps on low-interest loans for secondary water metering, and updating the Utah Geological Survey board composition. The bill also repeals an outdated tax credit act and changes the term 'buffalo' to 'bison' in specific park contexts.

Scope change

The bill expands flexibility for state agencies by allowing electronic records and removing financial caps on water metering loans, while narrowing the Utah Geological Survey board's composition requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Allows Division of Water Rights to keep records in either physical or electronic form.

Updates the Utah Geological Survey Board to require members with specific expertise in groundwater, civil engineering geology, and industry representation.

FISCAL

Removes the $10 million cap on low-interest loans for secondary water metering projects.

Repeals the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act.

DEFINITION

Changes the term 'buffalo' to 'bison' in sections related to state park management and revenue accounts.

TECHNICAL

Corrects various citations and formatting errors throughout the code sections.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends several Utah statutes related to the Department of Natural Resources, primarily updating definitions, correcting citations, and modifying administrative procedures. Key substantive changes include updating the terminology for bison, clarifying the makeup of the Utah Geological Survey board, and adjusting the work period definitions for state employees. The bill also repeals the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act and removes a funding cap on low-interest loans for secondary water metering, while adding a new appropriation for fiscal year 2027.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Utah Geological Survey Board by adding a new member representing public interests and modifies the qualifications for existing board members to better reflect the state's mineral and energy industries.

DEFINITION

Changed the term 'buffalo' to 'bison' in sections regarding state parks and bison management to align with modern terminology.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the composition of the Utah Geological Survey Board to include a new member representing public interests and adjusted the number of industry representatives.

Modified overtime policy definitions for state employees to clarify work periods for nonexempt and exempt employees, including specific provisions for law enforcement and hospital staff.

FISCAL

Removed the $10 million annual cap on low-interest loans for secondary water metering and added a new $5 million appropriation for FY 2027 for DNR operations.

Repealed the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, eliminating the tax credit program.

TECHNICAL

Corrected various citations to Utah Code sections and updated references to ensure consistency across statutes.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends several Utah statutes to modernize the Department of Natural Resources, primarily by transferring the Provo-Jordan River Parkway Authority to the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, updating employee overtime rules, and renaming 'buffalo' to 'bison' in legal contexts. It also clarifies how geological survey records are kept and adjusts the composition of the Utah Geological Survey board.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands by absorbing the Provo-Jordan River Parkway Authority, and it broadens the definition of 'cultural sites' to include specific archaeological and paleontological locations.

SCOPE

Transfers all property, rights, and functions of the Provo-Jordan River Parkway Authority to the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands.

DEFINITION

Changes the legal term 'buffalo' to 'bison' in sections related to state parks and wildlife management.

REQUIREMENT

Allows geological survey records to be maintained in either physical or electronic form, modernizing record-keeping requirements.

Removes specific language regarding the determination of work periods for certain Department of Natural Resources employees.

ELIGIBILITY

Updates the qualifications and term lengths for members of the Utah Geological Survey Board to ensure staggered appointments and diverse industry representation.

TECHNICAL

Corrects various citations and cross-references throughout the Utah Code to ensure consistency with recent legislative changes.

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