MINUTES OF THE
LEGISLATIVE WATER DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 • 4:00 p.m. • 110 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. David P. Hinkins, Chair
Rep. Casey Snider, Chair
Sen. Don L. Ipson
Sen. Michael K. McKell
Sen. Jen Plumb
Rep. Carl R. Albrecht
Rep. Bridger Bolinder
Rep. Joel K. Briscoe
Rep. Scott H. Chew
Rep. Phil Lyman
Rep. Doug Owens
Rep. Keven J. Stratton
Cody Allred
Steven Clyde
Nathan Daugs
Wade Garrett
Jay Mark Humphrey
Michael D. Larson
Scott Paxman
Warren Peterson
Zach Renstrom
Gene Shawcroft

Members Absent:
President J. Stuart Adams
David Ure

Staff Present:
Charley Hart, Policy Analyst
Julie Humberstone, Managing Policy Analyst
Patricia Owen, Senior Associate General Counsel
Ryan C. Williams, Associate General Counsel
Shay Berger, Administrative Assistant

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Snider called the meeting to order.
1.Commission Business
MOTION:Rep. Briscoe moved to approve the minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-5.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Briscoe
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. D. Owens
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. K. Stratton
2.The Great Salt Lake
2 - Legislative Suggestions (Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner)
2 - Great Salt Lake Contributions (Great Salt Lake Commissioner's Office)
Tim Davis, Great Salt Lake Deputy Commissioner, and Brian Steed, Great Salt Lake Commissioner, presented on water committed to the Great Salt Lake.
Commission members asked clarifying questions.
3.Integration of Existing Water Funds
3 - Integration of Existing Funds Study (Division of Water Resources)
Candice Hasenyager, Director, Division of Water Resources, presented on the integration of existing water funds.
Chair Snider commented on the presentation.
4.Water Infrastructure Funding
4 - Water Infrastructure Senate Bill 34 Study (Division of Water Resources)
Candice Hasenyager, Director, Division of Water Resources, and David Roberston, CBRE Public Finance Advisors, presented on the use of property tax to fund water infrastructure.
Commission members asked clarifying questions.
5.Green Space Analysis
5 - Greenspace Analysis (Division of Water Resources)
Candice Hasenyager, Director, and Jack Hinzmon, Division of Water Resources, presented on potential water savings achieved by following water recommendations in certain green spaces.
Commission members asked clarifying questions.
6.Draft Legislation: Water Rights Application s Amendments
6 - Draft Legislation "Water Rights Applications Amendments" (HV004)
Patricia Owen, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, provided an overview of the draft legislation: "Water Rights Applications Amendments."
Rep. Lyman asked a clarifying question.
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to favorably recommend the draft legislation "Water Rights Applications Amendments." The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-4.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. K. Stratton
7.Draft Legislation: Water Rights Recording Amendments
7 - Draft Legislation "Water Rights Recording Amendments" (HV002)
Patricia Owen, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, provided an overview of the draft legislation: "Water Rights Recording Amendments."
MOTION:Sen. Ipson moved to adopt the draft legislation as a committee bill.The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-4.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. K. Stratton
8.Draft Legislation: Public Lands Watering Rights Amendments
8 - Amended Draft Legislation "Public Lands Watering Rights" (HV010)
Patricia Owen, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, provided an overview of the draft legislation: "Public Lands Watering Rights Amendments."
Rep. Lyman asked a clarifying question.
Teresa Wilhelmsen, State Engineer, responded to a question.
Commission members continued to ask clarifying questions and make comments.
Redge Johnson, Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office, spoke in favor of the draft legislation.
Craig Buttars, Commissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, spoke in favor of the draft legislation.
Tammy Pearson, Beaver County Board of Commissioners, spoke in favor of the draft legislation.
Leland Pollock, Livestock Rancher, spoke in favor of the draft legislation.
Patrica Owen provided an overview of a technical change needed to the legislation.
MOTION:Rep. Chew moved to make the technical change. The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-4.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Rep. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. B. Bolinder
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. K. Stratton
MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to favorably recommend, as amended, "Public Lands Watering Rights Amendments."The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-4.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Rep. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. B. Bolinder
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. K. Stratton
9.Draft Legislation: Water Quality Board Amendments
9 - Draft Legislation "Water Quality Board Amendments" (HV004)
Sen. Todd Weiler, Ashley Peck, Holland & Hart, and Matt Myers, South Davis Sewer District, presented the draft legislation: "Water Quality Board Amendments."
Chair Hinkins assumed the chair.
John Mackey, Director, Division of Water Quality, spoke in favor of the legislation.
MOTION:Rep. Briscoe moved to favorably recommend the draft legislation: "Water Quality Board Amendments." The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-4.
Yeas - 9Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Rep. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. B. Bolinder
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. K. Stratton
Chair Snider assumed the chair.
10.Draft Legislation: Water Usage Amendments
10 - Draft Legislation "Water Usage Amendments" (HV004)
Rep. Owens presented the draft legislation: "Water Usage Amendments."
Joel Williams, Deputy Director, Division of Water Resources, spoke in favor of the draft legislation.
Commission members asked clarifying questions and commented on the legislation.
MOTION:Rep. Briscoe moved to favorably recommend the draft legislation: "Water Usage Amendments."
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Owens moved to express support for the draft legislation: "Water Usage Amendments." The substitute motion passed with a vote of 8-0-5.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Rep. D. Owens
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. B. Bolinder
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. K. Stratton
11.Construction Site Storm Water Runoff
Rep. Calvin Musselman presented an update on efforts implemented by 2024 General Session HB 507.
John Mackey, Director, Division of Water Quality, spoke in favor of the draft legislation.
12.Utah Water Ways
Tage Flint, Executive Director, Utah Water Ways, provided an update on Utah Water Ways' activities over the past year.
13.Irrigation Amendments
13 - Draft Legislation "Irrigation Amendments" (HV002)
Rep. Rex Shipp presented the draft legislation: "Irrigation Amendments."
Commission members asked clarifying questions.
MOTION:Rep. Lyman moved to favorably recommend the draft legislation: "Irrigation Amendments."The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-5.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. B. Bolinder
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. D. Owens
MOTION:Rep. Chew moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-5.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. J. Briscoe
Rep. S. Chew
Sen. D. Hinkins
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. P. Lyman
Sen. J. Plumb
Rep. C. Snider
Rep. K. Stratton
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. C. Albrecht
Rep. B. Bolinder
Sen. M. McKell
Rep. D. Owens