1     
OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION ACCOUNT AMENDMENTS

2     
2015 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Kevin T. Van Tassell

5     
House Sponsor: Stephen G. Handy

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies the Oil and Gas Conservation Account balance limit.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     modifies the Oil and Gas Conservation Account balance limit.
13     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
14          None
15     Other Special Clauses:
16          None
17     Utah Code Sections Affected:
18     AMENDS:
19          40-6-14.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapters 149 and 342
20     

21     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
22          Section 1. Section 40-6-14.5 is amended to read:
23          40-6-14.5. Oil and Gas Conservation Account created -- Contents -- Use of
24     account money.
25          (1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the Oil and
26     Gas Conservation Account.
27          (2) The contents of the account shall consist of:

28          (a) revenues from the fee levied under Section 40-6-14, including any penalties or
29     interest charged for delinquent payments; and
30          (b) interest and earnings on account money.
31          (3) Account money shall be used to pay for:
32          (a) the administration of this chapter;
33          (b) the plugging and reclamation of abandoned oil or gas wells or bore, core, or
34     exploratory holes for which:
35          (i) there is no reclamation surety; or
36          (ii) the forfeited surety is insufficient for plugging and reclamation; and
37          (c) public educational programs designed to increase knowledge of mineral and
38     petroleum resources and industries.
39          (4) Priority in the use of the money shall be given to paying for the administration of
40     this chapter.
41          (5) Appropriations made in accordance with Subsections (3)(b) and (c) are nonlapsing.
42          (6) (a) The balance of the Oil and Gas Conservation Account at the end of a fiscal year
43     may not exceed [$750,000] 50% of the fiscal year appropriation for Subsection (3)(a).
44          (b) Any excess money at the end of the fiscal year above [$750,000] the balance limit
45     established in Subsection (6)(a) shall be transferred to the General Fund.






Legislative Review Note
     as of 2-10-15 9:43 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel