1     
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AMENDMENTS

2     
2018 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Scott D. Sandall

5     
Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies provisions related to the Conservation Commission.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     modifies the membership and duties of the Conservation Commission;
13          ▸     modifies the procedure for making a loan or a grant from the Agriculture Resource
14     Development Fund;
15          ▸     authorizes an advisory board of the Conservation Commission to approve loans
16     from the Agriculture Resource Development Fund;
17          ▸     modifies the duties of a conservation district to include responsibility for planning
18     watershed and flood control projects;
19          ▸     clarifies that a conservation district may not exercise taxing authority; and
20          ▸     makes technical changes.
21     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
22          None
23     Other Special Clauses:
24          None
25     Utah Code Sections Affected:
26     AMENDS:
27          4-18-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 345
28          4-18-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 345
29          4-18-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapters 345 and 463
30          4-18-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 345
31          17D-3-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 360
32          17D-3-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 189
33     

34     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
35          Section 1. Section 4-18-102 is amended to read:
36          4-18-102. Purpose declaration.
37          (1) The Legislature finds and declares that:
38          (a) the soil and water resources of this state constitute one of the state's basic assets;
39     and
40          (b) the preservation of soil and water resources requires planning and programs to
41     ensure:
42          (i) the development and utilization of soil and water resources; and
43          (ii) soil and water resources' protection from the adverse effects of wind and water
44     erosion, sediment, and sediment related pollutants.
45          (2) The Legislature finds that local production of food is essential for:
46          (a) the security of the state's food supply; and
47          (b) the self-sufficiency of the state's citizens.
48          (3) The Legislature finds that sustainable agriculture is critical to:
49          (a) the success of rural communities;
50          (b) the historical culture of the state;
51          (c) maintaining healthy farmland;
52          (d) maintaining high water quality;
53          (e) maintaining abundant wildlife;
54          (f) high-quality recreation for citizens of the state; and
55          (g) helping to stabilize the state economy.
56          (4) The Legislature finds that livestock grazing on public lands is important for the
57     proper management, maintenance, and health of public lands in the state.
58          (5) The Legislature encourages each agricultural producer in the state to operate in a
59     reasonable and responsible manner to maintain the integrity of [land,] soil, water, and air.
60          (6) The department shall administer the Utah Agriculture Certificate of Environmental
61     Stewardship Program, created in Section 4-18-107, to encourage each agricultural producer in
62     this state to operate in a reasonable and responsible manner to maintain the integrity of the
63     state's resources.
64          Section 2. Section 4-18-104 is amended to read:
65          4-18-104. Conservation Commission created -- Composition -- Appointment --
66     Terms -- Compensation -- Attorney general to provide legal assistance.
67          (1) There is created within the department the Conservation Commission to perform
68     the functions specified in this chapter.
69          (2) The Conservation Commission shall be composed of [15]:
70          (a) 11 voting members, including:
71          [(a)] (i) the director of the Extension Service at Utah State University or the director's
72     designee;
73          [(b) the president of the Utah Association of Conservation Districts or the president's
74     designee;]
75          [(c) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee;]
76          [(d)] (ii) the executive director of the Department of Natural Resources or the
77     executive director's designee;
78          [(e)] (iii) the executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality or the
79     executive director's designee;
80          [(f) the chair, or the chair's designee, of the State Grazing Advisory Board, created in
81     Section 4-20-103;]
82          [(g)] (iv) the president of the County Weed Supervisors Association or the president's
83     designee; and
84          [(h)] (v) seven district supervisors who provide district representation on the
85     commission on a multicounty basis; and
86          (b) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.
87          [(i) the director of the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration or the
88     director's designee.]
89          (3) If a district supervisor is unable to attend a meeting, the district supervisor may
90     designate an alternate [may] to serve in the place of the district supervisor for that meeting.
91          (4) None of the members described in Subsection (2)(a)(v) or (3) may serve on an
92     association that represents a conservation district.
93          (5) (a) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall serve as chair of the
94     Conservation Commission.
95          (b) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee may not vote except in the event
96     of a tie, in which case the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall cast the deciding
97     vote.
98          [(4)] (6) The members of the commission specified in Subsection (2)[(h)](e) shall:
99          (a) be recommended by the commission to the governor; and
100          (b) be appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate.
101          [(5)] (7) (a) Except as required by Subsection [(5)] (7)(b), as terms of current
102     commission members expire, the governor shall appoint each new member or reappointed
103     member to a four-year term.
104          (b) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection [(5)] (7)(a), the governor shall, at
105     the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of
106     commission members are staggered so that approximately half of the commission is appointed
107     every two years.
108          (c) A commission member may not be appointed to more than two consecutive terms.
109          [(6)] (8) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement
110     shall be appointed for the unexpired term.
111          [(7) The commissioner is chair of the commission.]
112          [(8)] (9) Attendance of [a majority] six voting members of the commission [members]
113     at a meeting constitutes a quorum.
114          [(9)] (10) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's
115     service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
116          (a) Section 63A-3-106;
117          (b) Section 63A-3-107; and
118          (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and
119     63A-3-107.
120          [(10)] (11) The commission shall keep a record of the commission's actions.
121          [(11)] (12) The attorney general shall provide legal services to the commission upon
122     request.
123          Section 3. Section 4-18-105 is amended to read:
124          4-18-105. Conservation Commission -- Functions and duties.
125          (1) The commission shall:
126          (a) facilitate the development and implementation of the strategies and programs
127     necessary to:
128          (i) protect, conserve, utilize, and develop the soil, [air, and] water, and air resources of
129     the state; and
130          (ii) promote the protection, integrity, and restoration of land for agricultural and other
131     beneficial purposes;
132          (b) disseminate information regarding districts' activities and programs;
133          (c) supervise the formation, reorganization, or dissolution of districts according to the
134     requirements of Title 17D, Chapter 3, Conservation District Act;
135          (d) prescribe uniform accounting and recordkeeping procedures for districts and
136     require each district to submit annually [an audit of the district's funds to the commission] the
137     information required in Section 17D-3-103;
138          (e) approve and make loans for agricultural purposes, through the loan advisory [board]
139     subcommittee described in Section 4-18-106, from the Agriculture Resource Development
140     Fund[, for:];
141          [(i) rangeland improvement and management projects;]
142          [(ii) watershed protection and flood prevention projects;]
143          [(iii) agricultural cropland soil and water conservation projects;]
144          [(iv) programs designed to promote energy efficient farming practices; and]
145          [(v) programs or improvements for agriculture product storage or protections of a crop
146     or animal resource;]
147          (f) seek to obtain and administer federal or state funds[, including loan funds under this
148     chapter,] in accordance with applicable federal or state guidelines and make loans or grants
149     from those funds to [land occupiers] an eligible entity, as defined by the department by rule
150     made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, for[:] the
151     preservation of soil, water, and air resources;
152          [(i) conservation of soil or water resources;]
153          [(ii) maintenance of rangeland improvement projects;]
154          [(iii) development and implementation of coordinated resource management plans, as
155     defined in Section 4-18-103, with conservation districts, as defined in Section 17D-3-102; and]
156          [(iv) control or eradication of noxious weeds and invasive plant species:]
157          [(A) in cooperation and coordination with local weed boards; and]
158          [(B) in accordance with Section 4-17-114;]
159          (g) seek to coordinate soil and water protection, conservation, and development
160     activities and programs of state agencies, local governmental units, other states, special interest
161     groups, and federal agencies; and
162          [(h) plan watershed and flood control projects in cooperation with appropriate local,
163     state, and federal authorities, and coordinate flood control projects in the state;]
164          [(i) assist other state agencies with conservation standards for agriculture when
165     requested; and]
166          [(j)] (h) when assigned by the governor, when required by contract with the
167     Department of Environmental Quality, or when required by contract with the United States
168     Environmental Protection Agency:
169          (i) develop programs for the prevention, control, or abatement of new or existing
170     pollution to the soil, water, or air of the state;
171          (ii) advise, consult, and cooperate with affected parties to further the purpose of this
172     chapter;
173          (iii) conduct studies, investigations, research, and demonstrations relating to
174     agricultural pollution issues;
175          (iv) give reasonable consideration in the exercise of its powers and duties to the
176     economic impact on sustainable agriculture;
177          (v) meet the requirements of federal law related to water and air pollution in the
178     exercise of the commission's powers and duties; and
179          (vi) establish administrative penalties relating to agricultural discharges as defined in
180     Section 4-18-103 that are proportional to the seriousness of the resulting environmental harm.
181          (2) The commission may:
182          (a) employ, with the approval of the department, an administrator and necessary
183     technical experts and employees;
184          (b) execute contracts or other instruments necessary to exercise its powers;
185          (c) take necessary action to promote and enforce the purpose and findings of Section
186     4-18-102;
187          (d) sue and be sued; and
188          (e) adopt rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
189     Rulemaking Act, necessary to carry out the powers and duties described in Subsection (1) and
190     Subsections (2)(b) and (c).
191          Section 4. Section 4-18-106 is amended to read:
192          4-18-106. Agriculture Resource Development Fund -- Contents -- Use of fund
193     money -- Authority board.
194          (1) There is created a revolving loan fund known as the Agriculture Resource
195     Development Fund.
196          (2) The Agriculture Resource Development Fund shall consist of:
197          (a) money appropriated to it by the Legislature;
198          (b) sales and use tax receipts transferred to the fund in accordance with Section
199     59-12-103;
200          (c) money received for the repayment of loans made from the fund;
201          (d) money made available to the state for agriculture resource development from any
202     source; and
203          (e) interest earned on the fund.
204          (3) The commission shall make loans from the Agriculture Resource Development
205     Fund [as provided by Subsections 4-18-105(1)(e)(i) through (iv).] for a:
206          (a) rangeland improvement and management project;
207          (b) watershed protection or flood prevention project;
208          (c) soil and water conservation project;
209          (d) program designed to promote energy efficient farming practices;
210          (e) improvement program for agriculture product storage or program designed to
211     protect a crop or animal resource; or
212          (f) hydroponic or aquaponic system.
213          (4) The commission may appoint an advisory board that shall:
214          (a) oversee the award process for loans, as described in this section;
215          (b) [make recommendations to the commission regarding] approve loans; and
216          (c) recommend policies and procedures for the Agriculture Resource Development
217     Fund that are consistent with statute.
218          (5) The commission may make a grant from the Agriculture Resource Development
219     Fund to an eligible entity, as defined by the department by rule made in accordance with Title
220     63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, that has the legal right to occupy land
221     for:
222          (a) the development or implementation of a coordinated resource management plan
223     with a conservation district, as defined in Section 17D-3-102; and
224          (b) control or eradication of noxious weeds and invasive plant species in cooperation
225     and coordination with a local weed board.
226          Section 5. Section 17D-3-103 is amended to read:
227          17D-3-103. Conservation district status, authority, and duties.
228          (1) A conservation district created under this chapter:
229          (a) is a body corporate and politic;
230          (b) is a political subdivision of the state; and
231          (c) may sue and be sued.
232          (2) (a) A conservation district may:
233          (i) survey, investigate, and research soil erosion, floodwater, nonpoint source water
234     pollution, flood control, water pollution, sediment damage, and watershed development;
235          (ii) subject to Subsection (2)(b), devise and implement on state or private land a
236     measure to prevent soil erosion, floodwater or sediment damage, nonpoint source water
237     pollution, or other degradation of a watershed or of property affecting a watershed;
238          (iii) subject to Subsection (2)(b), devise and implement a measure to conserve,
239     develop, utilize, or dispose of water on state or private land;
240          (iv) construct, improve, operate, and maintain a structure that the board of supervisors
241     considers necessary or convenient for the conservation district to carry out its purposes under
242     this chapter;
243          (v) acquire property, real or personal, by purchase or otherwise, and maintain, improve,
244     and administer that property consistent with the purposes of this chapter;
245          (vi) enter into a contract in the name of the conservation district;
246          (vii) receive money from:
247          (A) a federal or state agency;
248          (B) a county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state; or
249          (C) a private source;
250          (viii) subject to Subsection (2)(c), make recommendations governing land use within
251     the conservation district, including:
252          (A) the observance of particular methods of cultivation;
253          (B) the use of specific crop programs and tillage practices;
254          (C) the avoidance of tilling and cultivating highly erosive areas where erosion may not
255     be adequately controlled if cultivated;
256          (D) the construction of terraces, terrace outlets, check dams, dikes, ponds, or other
257     structures; and
258          (E) the development or restoration, or both, of range or forest lands or other natural
259     resources, whether in private, state, or federal ownership;
260          (ix) plan watershed and flood control projects in cooperation with local, state, and
261     federal authorities, and coordinate flood control projects in the state;
262          [(ix)] (x) make recommendations for county and municipal land use authorities within
263     the conservation district to consider with respect to land use applications and other
264     development proposals;
265          [(x)] (xi) employ clerical and other staff personnel, including legal staff, subject to
266     available funds; and
267          [(xi)] (xii) perform any other act that the board of supervisors considers necessary or
268     convenient for the efficient and effective administration of the conservation district.
269          (b) A conservation district's authority under Subsections (2)(a)(ii) and (iii) is subject to
270     the consent of:
271          (i) the land occupier; and
272          (ii) in the case of school and institutional trust lands, as defined in Section 53C-1-103,
273     the director of the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, in accordance with
274     Sections 53C-1-102 and 53C-1-303.
275          (c) (i) Each recommendation under Subsection (2)(a)(viii) shall be uniform throughout
276     the conservation district or, if the board of supervisors classifies land under Subsection
277     (2)(c)(ii), throughout each land classification.
278          (ii) The board of supervisors may uniformly classify land within the conservation
279     district with respect to soil type, degree of slope, degree of threatened or existing erosion,
280     cropping and tillage practices in use, or other relevant factors.
281          (3) (a) Each conservation district shall annually submit to the commission, no later
282     than the date that the commission prescribes:
283          (i) a copy of the minutes of each conservation district meeting;
284          (ii) a copy of the conservation district's annual work plan; and
285          (iii) an accounting of the conservation district's financial affairs, as provided in
286     Subsection (3)(b).
287          (b) The accounting required under Subsection (3)(a)(iii) shall:
288          (i) be prepared by a disinterested person; and
289          (ii) show the conservation district's debits and credits, including accounts payable and
290     accounts receivable, the purpose of each debit, the source of each credit, and the actual cash
291     balance on hand.
292          Section 6. Section 17D-3-105 is amended to read:
293          17D-3-105. Conservation districts subject to other provisions.
294          (1) [A] Subject to Subsection (3), a conservation district is, to the same extent as if it
295     were a local district, subject to and governed by:
296          (a) Sections 17B-1-105, 17B-1-107, 17B-1-108, 17B-1-110, 17B-1-112, 17B-1-113,
297     17B-1-116, 17B-1-121, 17B-1-307, 17B-1-311, 17B-1-313, and 17B-1-314;
298          (b) Title 17B, Chapter 1, Part 6, Fiscal Procedures for Local Districts;
299          (c) Title 17B, Chapter 1, Part 7, Local District Budgets and Audit Reports;
300          (d) Title 17B, Chapter 1, Part 8, Local District Personnel Management; and
301          (e) Title 17B, Chapter 1, Part 9, Collection of Service Fees and Charges.
302          (2) For purposes of applying the provisions listed in Subsection (1) to a conservation
303     district, each reference in those provisions to the local district board of trustees means the
304     board of supervisors described in Section 17D-3-301.
305          (3) A conservation district may not exercise taxing authority.