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MINUTES OF THE
NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Tuesday,
June 13, 2023
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8:30 a.m.
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210 Senate Building
Members Present:
Sen. Scott D. Sandall, Chair
Rep. Stewart E. Barlow, House Chair
Rep. Scott H. Chew, Vice Chair
Sen. Nate Blouin
Sen. Ronald M. Winterton
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht
Rep. Tim Jimenez
Rep. Brian S. King
Rep. Steven J. Lund
Rep. Phil Lyman
Rep. Casey Snider
| Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox
Members Absent:
Sen. David G. Buxton
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore
Sen. Daniel McCay
Rep. Michael L. Kohler
Rep. Doug Owens
Staff Present:
Lacey K. Moore, Financial Analyst
Karen C. Allred, Committee Secretary
Ivan D. Djambov, Finance Manager
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| Chair Sandall called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. |
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| 2.Geologic Hazard Mapping/Landslides in Residential Areas (Utah Geological Survey) |
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| Bill Keach, State Geologist/Division Director, Utah Geological Survey (UGS), introduced Dr. Steve Bowman, Geologic Hazards Program Manager, UGS, and presented updates on landslide events and other geologic hazards, and UGS' funding needs. |
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| 9) Geologic Hazard Mapping/Landslides Presentation |
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| Chair Sandall asked about the dilemma of private property rights and if the data and mapping is making a difference in where people build. Bill Keach and Dr. Bowman responded. |
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| Rep. Albrecht asked how many homes or cabins were lost due to the wettest winter on record. Bill Keach responded. |
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| Rep. Lund emphasized that the UGS has been very diligent in making data available for decades, Bill Keach responded. Rep. Lund asked if other involved parties are contributing to the data, Dr. Bowman responded. |
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| Rep. Jimenez commented on availability of geologic hazard information. |
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| Rep. Lyman asked if data would prevent property owners from being able to sell in certain situations. Bill Keach responded. |
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| 3.Follow Up from 2022 Accountable Budget Review (Department of Agriculture and Food) |
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| Rep. Chew assumed the chair. |
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| Melanie Henderson, Finance Director, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) presented a follow-up on the 2022 accountable budget review. |
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| 3) UDAF - Status of Motions from 2022 Accountable Budget Review |
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| Sen. Sandall resumed the chair. |
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| Rep. Chew asked about the interest rate changes on the Agriculture Resource Development Loan Fund (ARDL). Melanie Henderson responded. |
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| Chair Sandall commented about fund balance, with a response from Melanie Henderson. Chair Sandall also asked about the medical cannabis fee revenues with a response from Melanie Henderson. |
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| 4.Approval of Minutes from February 6th, 2023 and February 8th, 2023 |
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| MOTION:Rep. Chew moved to approve the minutes of the February 6, and February 8, 2023 meetings.The motion
passed
with a vote of
11-0-6.
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| Yeas -
11 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
6 | |
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Barlow
Sen. N. Blouin
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. B. King
Rep. S. Lund
Rep. P. Lyman
Sen. S. Sandall
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. R. Winterton
| | Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. L. Fillmore
Rep. M. Kohler
Sen. D. McCay
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. R. Wilcox
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| 5.2023 Accountable Budget Review (Office of Energy Development, Division of Water Rights, Division of Water Resources Funding Programs, Division of Wildlife Resources) |
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| Lacy Moore, Finance Officer, Legislative Fiscal Analyst (LFA), explained the Accountable Budget Process, including new requirements, and the next steps. |
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| 4) LFA Presentation - Accountable Budget Review |
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| Chair Sandall commented that Utah is unique in having legislators sit on appropriation committees, and he expressed appreciation to staff. |
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| Rep. Lyman asked if there are industry standards for performance measures so that Utah can be measured against other states. Chair Sandall and Lacey Moore responded. |
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| 6.Energy Related Tax Incentives (Office of Energy Development) |
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| Greg Todd, Director, Office of Energy Development (OED) and Chris Reisinger, Incentives Manager, OED presented on energy related tax incentives. |
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| 5) Energy Related Tax Incentives Presentation |
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| Chair Sandall asked about the approved applications for energy credits for home and business owners, Chris Reisinger responded. Chair Sandall asked about program costs and employees, Chris Reisinger and Greg Todd responded. |
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| Rep. Lund asked about the approved credits amount, Greg Todd responded. |
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| Rep. Albrecht commented that utilities should be involved in decisions about these tax credits. |
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| Greg Todd and Chris Reisinger continued the presentation and explained the Production Tax Credit and the High-Cost Infrastructure Tax Credit. |
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| Chair Sandall asked about the time frame for taking tax credits. Chris Reisinger responded and continued the presentation. |
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| Rep. Chew asked about alternative energy with hydropower and incentives for small companies, with a response from Greg Todd and Chris Reisinger. Greg Todd continued the presentation. |
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| Sen. Winterton asked about the inactive credits and other incentives, with a response from Chris Reisinger, Chair Sandall, and Greg Todd. |
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| Greg Todd continued the presentation and discussed the Well Workover and Recompletion Severance Credit (WWR). |
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| 7.Adjudication Program (Division of Water Rights) |
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| Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer/Division Director, Division of Water Rights (DWRi), and Mike Drake, Assistant State Engineer, DWRi, gave an overview of the Adjudication program, active adjudication areas, and program goals. |
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| Rep. Chew asked about the distribution process, Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. |
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| Sen. Winterton asked about funding, Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. |
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| Rep. Albrecht asked if a second special master is needed, and Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. |
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| 8.Dam Safety Program (Division of Water Resources, Division of Water Rights) |
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| Chair Sandall commented on the importance of dam safety. |
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| Teresa Wilhelmsen presented on the history and the authority of the State Engineer in dam safety. |
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| 7) Dam Safety Program - Water Rights |
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| Chair Sandall and Rep. Chew asked about the high hazard dams, Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. |
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| Candice Hasenyager, Division Director, Division of Water Resources (DWRe) presented on funding the Dam Safety Program. |
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| 7) Dam Safety Program - Water Resources |
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| Rep. Owens asked about the seismic risk, Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. |
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| Rep. Chew asked about abandoned dams and Thistle Dam, Teresa Wilhelmsen responded. |
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| 9.Aquatic Invasive Species Program (Division of Wildlife Resources) |
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| Justin Shannon, Deputy Director, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and Wyatt Bubak, Law Enforcement Chief, DWR, presented on the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program. |
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| 8) Aquatic Invasive Species Program Presentation |
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| Chair Sandall asked why there are fewer employees, Wyatt Bubak responded. |
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| Rep. Albrecht asked about the quagga mussels and public relations/social media concerns, Wyatt Bubak responded. |
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| Rep. Chew assumed the chair. |
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| MOTION:Sen. Winterton moved to adjourn.The motion
passed
with a vote of
7-0-10.
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| Yeas -
7 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
10 | |
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. S. Chew
Rep. T. Jimenez
Rep. P. Lyman
Rep. R. Wilcox
Sen. R. Winterton
| | Sen. N. Blouin
Sen. D. Buxton
Sen. L. Fillmore
Rep. B. King
Rep. M. Kohler
Rep. S. Lund
Sen. D. McCay
Rep. D. Owens
Sen. S. Sandall
Rep. C. Snider
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| Chair Chew adjourned the meeting at 11:12 a.m. |
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