Bill > HB0378

This bill creates several new mechanisms for funding the Species Protection Account, a restricted account within the General Fund, through various taxes and assessments on energy and transmission infrastructure. Specifically, the bill introduces three main funding sources: a new tax on qualifying electrical transmission lines, a tax on wind or solar electric generation facilities, and an energy project assessment for renewable energy parent entities. Owners of transmission lines with voltages of at least 340,000 volts will be required to pay $6,400 per mile of line located in a county, which will be remitted to the Species Protection Account. Starting in 2026, renewable energy project entities with wind or solar facilities of at least 20 megawatts will pay an annual tax calculated by multiplying their facility's megawatts by $1,050, with the revenue deposited into the account. Additionally, renewable energy parent entities will be subject to an annual energy project assessment ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 based on their total operational generating capacity. The bill also modifies existing laws to specify how these new revenue sources will be collected and administered, and requires the State Tax Commission and the Office of Energy Development to track and report on these new taxes. The changes are designed to provide a stable funding source for species protection measures, habitat conservation, and related environmental initiatives.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0378.html