2025 Utah Code
Title 73 - Water and Irrigation
Chapter 10 - Board of Water Resources - Division of Water Resources
Section 39 - Study and recommendations related to the financing of water infrastructure.

Affected by 63I-1-273 on 7/1/2027

• (1)As used in this section:
  • (a)"Division" means the Division of Water Resources.
  • (b)"Water infrastructure projects" means the same as that term is defined in Section 73-10g-102.

• (2)
  • (a)The division shall study and make recommendations, to be completed by October 31, 2024, concerning:
    • (i)which funds or accounts used to finance water infrastructure projects should be tied to the planning and prioritization process in Chapter 10g, Part 6, Planning and Prioritization;
    • (ii)whether any funds or accounts should be consolidated; and
    • (iii)whether changes to the membership of the Water Development Coordinating Council, created by Sections 79-2-201 and 73-10c-3, are needed to fulfill the purposes of Chapter 10g, Part 6, Planning and Prioritization.
  • (b)The division shall study and make recommendations, to be completed by October 31, 2025, concerning whether to impose a new fee to fund water infrastructure projects identified in the unified water infrastructure plan adopted under Section 73-10g-602 and consistent with the planning and prioritization process in Chapter 10g, Part 6, Planning and Prioritization. The study shall consider:
    • (i)who is assessed the fee;
    • (ii)how to calculate the fee amount, including any adjustments to the fee amount over time;
    • (iii)the process for collecting the fee;
    • (iv)where the money collected should be deposited;
    • (v)whether the revenue stream should be configured as a tax rather than a fee;
    • (vi)how the money collected should be spent;
    • (vii)the affordability of the fee for end users; and
    • (viii)how to assure that the revenue is distributed equitably statewide.

• (3)In conducting a study described in Subsection (2), the division shall:
  • (a)work cooperatively with the Water Development Coordinating Council; and
  • (b)consult with a wide range of stakeholders with diverse interests, including those with expertise in water development and delivery, tax policy, and water funding.

• (4)The division shall report the division's findings and recommendations to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee by no later than:
  • (a)for the study described in Subsection (2)(a), the November 2024 interim meeting of the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee; and
  • (b)for the study described in Subsection (2)(b), the November 2025 interim meeting of the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee.