Senator David P. Hinkins proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
HYDROGEN AMENDMENTS

2     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: David P. Hinkins

5     
House Sponsor: Steven J. Lund

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill enacts provisions related to hydrogen development.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     directs the Department of Natural Resources to establish a hydrogen advisory
13     council within the Office of Energy Development which may advise on issues
14     related to hydrogen.
15     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
16          None
17     Other Special Clauses:
18          None
19     Utah Code Sections Affected:
20     ENACTS:
21          79-6-106, Utah Code Annotated 1953
22     

23     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24          Section 1. Section 79-6-106 is enacted to read:
25          79-6-106. Hydrogen advisory council.

26          (1) The department shall create a hydrogen advisory council within the office that
27     consists of seven to nine members appointed by the executive director, in consultation with the
28     energy advisor. The executive director shall appoint members with expertise in:
29          (a) hydrogen energy in general;
30          (b) hydrogen project facilities;
31          (c) technology suppliers;
32          (d) hydrogen producers or processors;
33          (e) renewable and fossil based power generation industries; and
34          (f) fossil fuel based hydrogen feedstock providers.
35          (2) (a) Except as required by Subsection (2)(b), a member shall serve a four-year term.
36          (b) The executive director shall, at the time of appointment or reappointment, adjust
37     the length of terms to ensure that the terms of council members are staggered so that
38     approximately half of the hydrogen advisory council is appointed every two years.
39          (c) When a vacancy occurs in the membership for any reason, the replacement shall be
40     appointed for the unexpired term.
41          (3) (a) A majority of the members appointed under this section constitutes a quorum of
42     the hydrogen advisory council.
43          (b) The hydrogen advisory council shall determine:
44          (i) the time and place of meetings; and
45          (ii) any other procedural matter not specified in this section.
46          (4) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but
47     may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:
48          (a) Section 63A-3-106;
49          (b) Section 63A-3-107; and
50          (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and
51     63A-3-107.
52          (5) The office shall staff the hydrogen advisory council.
53          (6) The hydrogen advisory council may:
54          (a) develop hydrogen facts and figures that facilitate use of hydrogen fuel within the
55     state;
56          (b) encourage cross-state cooperation with states that have hydrogen programs;

57          (c) work with state agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders, such as
58     environmental groups, to:
59          (i) recommend realistic goals for hydrogen development that can be executed within
60     realistic time frames; and
61          (ii) educate, discuss, consult, and make recommendations in hydrogen related matters
62     that benefit the state;
63          (d) promote hydrogen research at state institutions of higher education, as defined in
64     Section 53B-3-102;
65          (e) make recommendations regarding how to qualify for federal funding of hydrogen
66     projects, including hydrogen related projects for:
67          (i) the state;
68          (ii) a local government;
69          (iii) a privately commissioned project;
70          (iv) an educational project;
71          (v) scientific development; and
72          (vi) engineering and novel technologies;
73          (f) make recommendations related to the development of multiple feedstock or energy
74     resources in the state such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, coal, natural gas, oil,
75     water, electrolysis, coal gasification, liquefaction, hydrogen storage, safety handling,
76     compression, and transportation;
77          (g) make recommendations to establish statewide safety protocols for production,
78     transportation, and handling of hydrogen for both residential and commercial applications;
79          (h) facilitate public events to raise the awareness of hydrogen and hydrogen related
80     fuels within the state and how hydrogen can be advantageous to all forms of transportation,
81     heat, and power generation;
82          (i) review and make recommendations regarding legislation; and
83          (j) make other recommendations to the energy advisor related to hydrogen
84     development in the state.