Bill > SB0250

This bill amends existing law to clarify and expand the uses of the Great Salt Lake Account, which is a restricted fund within the state's General Fund. The bill defines "mineral" to include chemical compounds and "mining" as the process of extracting minerals. It specifies that revenues from certain mineral mining on sovereign lands of the Great Salt Lake, if not previously generating royalties, will be deposited into this account. Crucially, the bill allows money from this account, upon legislative appropriation, to be used not only for managing the lake's water levels but also for making payments to acquire or lease water or water rights for the Great Salt Lake. Furthermore, it restricts funds transferred from the General Fund or the Water Infrastructure Restricted Account to only be used for acquiring or leasing water or water rights. The bill also includes specific appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, allocating $1,500,000 from the General Fund to the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner and transferring $198,500,000 into the Great Salt Lake Account, with a significant portion of this coming from the Water Infrastructure Restricted Account, explicitly for the purpose of acquiring or leasing water rights. This bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0250.html