Bill > HB0352

This bill amends Utah's laws regarding geologic carbon storage by clarifying the board's authority and establishing new penalties for violations. The bill expands the board's jurisdiction over Class VI injection wells, which are specialized wells used for underground carbon storage, giving the board exclusive jurisdiction on nonfederal lands and cooperative jurisdiction on federal lands. It introduces a new section defining criminal and civil violations, making it a class B misdemeanor for individuals or entities to knowingly or willfully make false statements, omit required information, destroy records, or violate geologic carbon storage regulations. Violations can result in daily fines of $5,000, and the board or division can impose administrative penalties or issue civil actions within two years of discovering a violation. The bill also allows the board to issue written notices to violators, requiring corrective action within 45 days, and grants the director the power to issue emergency orders if a violation poses an immediate threat to public health or welfare. The new provisions aim to strengthen oversight and enforcement of geologic carbon storage practices, with the bill set to take effect on May 7, 2025.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0352.html