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First Substitute H.B. 162

Representative Ben C. Ferry proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
USE OF BEAR RIVER BIRD REFUGE

             2     
SETTLEMENT MONIES

             3     
2002 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Ben C. Ferry

             6      This act modifies State Affairs in General. The act creates two restricted accounts: the
             7      Wetlands Protection Restricted Account and the Recreational Trails and Streams
             8      Enhancement and Protection Restricted Account which are to be funded by payments
             9      resulting from a 2002 Settlement Agreement between the United States Department of
             10      Interior through the Fish and Wildlife Service and the state through the Department of
             11      Natural Resources. The act provides for use of these monies. The act provides a contingent
             12      effective date.
             13      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             14      AMENDS:
             15          63-34-5, as last amended by Chapter 66, Laws of Utah 1993
             16      ENACTS:
             17          63-34-3.2, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             18          63-34-3.3, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             19      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             20          Section 1. Section 63-34-3.2 is enacted to read:
             21          63-34-3.2. Wetlands Protection Account.
             22          (1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the Wetlands
             23      Protection Account.
             24          (2) The account shall be funded by a $10,000,000 payment resulting from a 2002
             25      Settlement Agreement between the United States Department of Interior through the Fish and


             26      Wildlife Service and the state through the Department of Natural Resources and interest earned
             27      on the account.
             28          (3) Funds in the Wetlands Protection Account may be used in accordance with the public
             29      trust doctrine.
             30          Section 2. Section 63-34-3.3 is enacted to read:
             31          63-34-3.3. Recreational Trails and Streams Enhancement and Protection Account.
             32          (1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the
             33      Recreational Trails and Streams Enhancement and Protection Account.
             34          (2) The account shall be funded by a $5,000,000 payment resulting from a 2002 Settlement
             35      Agreement dated between the United States Department of Interior through the Fish and Wildlife
             36      Service and the state through the Department of Natural Resources and interest earned on the
             37      account.
             38          (3) Funds in the Recreational Trails and Streams Enhancement and Protection Account
             39      may be used for the:
             40          (a) development, improvement, and expansion of motorized and nonmotorized recreational
             41      trails on public and private lands in the state; and
             42          (b) preservation, reclamation, or conservation of streams in the state.
             43          Section 3. Section 63-34-5 is amended to read:
             44           63-34-5. Executive director of Department Natural Resources -- Appointment --
             45      Removal -- Compensation -- Responsibilities -- Department fee schedule.
             46          (1) (a) The chief administrative officer of the Department of Natural Resources shall be
             47      an executive director appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
             48          (b) The executive director may be removed at the will of the governor.
             49          (c) The executive director shall receive a salary established by the governor within the
             50      salary range fixed by the Legislature in Title 67, Chapter 22, State Officer Compensation.
             51          (2) The executive director shall:
             52          (a) administer and supervise the Department of Natural Resources and provide for
             53      coordination and cooperation among the boards and divisions of the department;
             54          (b) approve the budget of each board and division;
             55          (c) (i) coordinate state governmental functions regarding energy development;
             56          (ii) facilitate the development and implementation of policies and programs relating to


             57      energy production, processing, utilization, and technology in the state;
             58          (iii) coordinate and consolidate energy resource data collection throughout state
             59      government;
             60          (iv) perform forecasts of state-level energy production, consumption, and prices;
             61          (v) monitor federal laws and regulations relating to energy development, processing, or
             62      use, and recommend policy positions for the state;
             63          (vi) participate in regulatory proceedings as appropriate to the functions and duties of the
             64      department;
             65          (vii) represent the state on regional and national energy matters on his own initiative or
             66      as requested by the governor; and
             67          (viii) provide the Legislature and the governor with:
             68          (A) a biennial report addressing the current status of energy markets in the state; and
             69          (B) an independent assessment of energy issues[.];
             70          (d) ensure that funds appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources from the
             71      Wetlands Protection Account created by Section 63-34-3.2 are expended in accordance with
             72      Subsection 63-34-3.2 (3);
             73          (e) ensure that funds appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources from the
             74      Recreational Trails and Streams Enhancement and Protection Account created by Section
             75      63-34-3.3 are expended in accordance with Subsection 63-34-3.3 (3);
             76          [(d)] (f) report at the end of each fiscal year to the governor on department activities, and
             77      activities of the boards and divisions; and
             78          [(e)] (g) perform other duties as provided by the Legislature by statute.
             79          (3) Unless otherwise provided by statute, the department may adopt a schedule of fees
             80      assessed for services provided by the department. The fee shall be reasonable and fair and shall
             81      reflect the cost of services provided. Each fee established in this manner shall be submitted to and
             82      approved by the Legislature as part of the department's annual appropriations request. The
             83      department may not charge or collect any fee proposed in this manner without approval of the
             84      Legislature.
             85          Section 4. Contingent effective date.
             86          The amendments and enactments in this act take effect upon execution and funding of the
             87      2002 Settlement Agreement between the United States Department of Interior through the Fish and


             88      Wildlife Service and the state through the Department of Natural Resources.


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