Sustainable Future
Better Utah Position Key Support = 
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H.B. 107 - Recycling Facility Transparency Amendments Requires political subdivisions to publish in a newsletter or on its website information from recycling facilities and haulers about the amount of recyclable material that was sent to recycling facilities or landfills. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 11 - Water Efficient Landscaping Requirements Prohibits local government entities, school districts, and highway authorities within the Great Salt Lake basin from using overhead spray irrigation, except for in “active recreation areas,” such as sports fields, parks, amphitheaters, or other social gathering areas. Passed in House and Senate Signed by Governor Cox on 3/12/24
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H.B. 430 - Local Government Transportation Services Amendments Seeking to improve public transit services in underserved high-growth areas, requires the Department of Transportation and Transportation Commission to use a certain amount of public transit funds to award “public transit innovation grants” to pilot bus routes, services, shuttle connections, and other pilot programs to demonstrate need for public transit services; also requires Utah Transit Authority to provide a report every two years to each city and town with an accounting of how transit revenues are raised and utilized to provide service to residents of their city. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 448 - State Water Program Reporting Requirements Requires the Division of Water Resources to collaborate with state agencies to quantify and monitor state legislative water optimization efforts including water banking, and annually report its findings, including recommendations for changes to state legislative water-optimization efforts that did not lead to intended water conservation. Passed in House; Not considered in Senate Committee
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H.B. 453 - Great Salt Lake Revisions Imposes a fluctuating severance tax on companies that operate mineral extraction industries from brines in the Great Salt Lake, and requires the State Engineer to impose a “distribution management plan” that provides for the apportionment and distribution of Great Salt Lake water rights while also considering the strategic plan adopted by the Great Salt Lake Commissioner. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 471 - Public Lands Possession Amendments Asserts ownership and exclusive jurisdiction to Utah for any Class B (typically graded dirt roads) or Class D (trails used by ATVs and UTVs) included on a county travel plan, including roads on federal public lands; considers these public roads open for public use unless the road has been closed through adjudication and due process by the appropriate state or federal government agency; allows state to disregard road closure if simply done through mandates in agency travel management plans with public input process. Passed in House and Senate
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Directs the Divisions of Water Resources and Water Rights to study the creation of a centralized database and center for all Utah water data, specifying collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Food, Department of Environmental Quality, and the Division of Technological Services in completing the study, the creation of which would help monitor water use and availability across the state. Passed in House; Not considered in Senate Committee
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H.J.R. 26 - Joint Resolution Rejecting Exchange of School and Institutional Trust Lands Rejects the proposed exchange of state school and institutional trust lands and mineral interests in and around the Bears Ears National Monument for federal lands located elsewhere in the state because “the federal government has signaled that it will adopt an exceptionally restrictive and unreasonable land management plan that would negatively impact the communities surrounding the Monument”. Passed in House and Senate Joint Resolutions do not require the signature of the governor
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S.B. 161 - Energy Security Amendments Provides the State of Utah a two-year option to purchase for fair market value the coal-fired Intermountain Power Project near Delta, Utah once it is decommissioned and creates the Decommissioned Asset Disposition Authority within the Office of Energy Development to provide recommendations to the Governor and Legislature regarding such a purchase, govern the power plant, if purchased, submit a new air quality permit for the continued operation of the power plant, and eventually resell the decommissioned asset to a new operator. Passed in Senate and House
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S.B. 196 - Great Salt Lake Amendments Directs the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to develop a plan for “wet water years” to provide guidance for a coordinated effort to optimize the amount of water that makes it into the Great Salt Lake during or following a wet water year. Failed to pass in Senate
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S.B. 224 - Energy Independence Amendments In addition to establishing a “Utah Fire Fund” to allow utilities to recover costs associated with wildfires, allows electrical utilities such as Rocky Mountain Power to petition the Public Service Commission to recover costs for existing coal-fired power plants in order to keep those facilities running when neighboring states stop paying for their ongoing operation and maintenance; additionally, changes the factors considered by the Public Service Commission when making decisions on connecting or closing energy resources, including the presumption that the costs of “proven dispatchable generation resources” are reasonable. Passed in Senate and House
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S.B. 242 - Utah Lake Modifications Repeals the Utah Lake Restoration Act, the law that was deemed unconstitutional because it allowed the state to give away parts of Utah Lake for private development, like the project that would have dredged Utah Lake and used that dredged material to create islands for public and private development. Passed in Senate and House
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S.B. 270 - Utah Lake and Great Salt Lake Study Funds a $1.5 million study to the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to conduct a study looking into water quality, conserving water resources, removing invasive species, restoring native plants, restoring and conserving fish and bird species, and restoring recreation and community use of Utah Lake, including delivery of water from Utah Lake to Great Salt Lake. Passed in Senate and House
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H.B. 188 - Golf Related Water Modifications Requires golf courses and driving ranges to report water use, information that will be posted online, and requires a study of water use by golf courses and driving ranges. Failed in House Committee
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H.B. 217 - School Energy and Water Reductions Uses federal funds to issue grants to schools to reduce energy and water usage. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 220 - Emissions Reduction Amendments Requires the Division of Air Quality to study and create an emissions reduction plan for halogen emissions after the recent study looking at emissions from U.S. Magnesium. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 272 - Water Efficient Landscaping Amendments Restricts local government entities on the amount of turf or lawns they can use at government buildings. Passed in House; Failed in Senate
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Creates a new statewide nonprofit to “facilitate coordination to optimize the use of water” among the public, business, government, and agriculture. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 425 - Energy Security Amendments Requires power plants to give 180 notice before closing coal-powered electrical generation facilities; requires the Office of Energy Development to study and evaluate the takeover and continuation of Rocky Mountain Power’s coal power plant after it is scheduled to close; places additional restrictions in the state energy plan on renewable energy; and authorizes the Attorney General to take action to defend the state’s interests with respect to electricity generation by a qualified utility facing a proposed federal regulation that would result in the early retirement of an electrical generation facility. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 449 - Business Services Amendments Prohibits companies from coordinating with other companies to “intentionally destroy” companies that don’t adhere to ESG factors by eliminating the viable options for the companies to obtain products or services. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 450 - Landscaping Requirements Prohibits home owners associations from requiring property owners to have more than 50% vegetative coverage that is not water wise landscaping on their property. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 491 - Amendments Related to the Great Salt Lake Appoints a commissioner to oversee and coordinate efforts related to the Great Salt Lake, including creating a strategic plan for the long-term health of the Great Salt Lake. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 513 - Great Salt Lake Amendments Requires mineral extraction companies who use the lake to pay royalties and a severance tax to a fund for the lake; forces those companies to minimize evaporation or water use and provide water back into the Great Salt Lake; and authorizes state agencies to take measures when the lake hits certain ecological thresholds. Passed in House and Senate
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H.B. 538 - Water Usage Amendments Bans outdoor watering of lawns from October 1 through April 25 and requires the Division of Water Resources to calculate how much water was saved. Passed in House; Failed in Senate
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H.J.R. 25 - Joint Resolution Highlighting the Hazards of Net-Zero Energy Highlights the perceived negatives of focusing on a net-zero energy policy and emphasizes the perceived positives that have been created by the use of traditional forms of energy. Passed in House; Failed in Senate sine die
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S.B. 118 - Water Efficient Landscaping Incentives Provides $3,000,000 in grants to water conservancy districts for incentives to homeowners to remove lawn or truf in a landscaping conversion incentive program. Passed in Senate and House
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S.B. 231 - Government Records Access and Management Act Amendments Authorizes government entities to establish processes for obtaining relief against “vexatious requesters,” or people who overly abuse the GRAMA process without legitimate purposes, along with a process for judicial review and relief. Passed in Senate and House
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S.B. 260 - Transportation Funding Requirements Modifies the .20% local option transportation sales tax, also known as the “5th 5th”, which currently is exclusively eligible to be used for transit capital and service; would eliminate the June 30, 2023 imposition deadline, and allow counties to impose the .20% and divide the funds between transit, cities, and counties. Passed in Senate and House
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S.B. 34 - Water Infrastructure Funding Study Directs the Department of Natural Resources to study the use of property tax revenue to fund water infrastructure, treatment, and delivery, and make recommendations for future funding. Passed in Senate and House
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S.B. 92 - Special License Plate Designation Creates a “Great Salt Lake Preservation” special license plate with revenues generated from the plates depsited into an account to enhance preservation of the Great Salt Lake watershed and ecosystem. Passed in Senate and House
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S.B. 97 - Public Contract Requirements Prohibits public entities from entering into contracts with companies that are engaged in “economic boycotts” of companies engaged in fossil-fuel based energy, timber, mining, or agriculture; companies engaged in firearm manufacturing or sales; companies that do not meet or commit to meet certain environmental standards; or companies that do not facilitate or commit to facilitate access to abortion or transgender treatments. Passed in Senate and House
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S.C.R 9 - Concurrent Resolution Opposing Efforts to Weaken the Economy or Restrict Energy Supply Supports the State Treasurer and government entitites in opposing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. Passed in Senate and House
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S.C.R. 2 - Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Environmental Impact of Vehicle Idling Encourages Utahns, businesses, and other entities to take steps to reduce vehicle idling. Passed in Senate and House; Signed by Governor 2/27
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S.C.R. 6 - Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Great Salt Lake Elevation Targets Recommends the adoption of a target elevation goal for the Great Salt Lake to devise and implement policies, incentives, and funding resources to return the Great Salt Lake to optimal levels. Failed in Senate Committee
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H.B. 115 - Water Distribution Efficiency Requires water providers and water conservancy districts to establish standards of acceptable levels of water loss and deal with excessive levels of water loss.
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H.B. 121 - Water Conservation Modifications Requires existing state buildings to reduce outdoor water use and prohibits new state buildings from having more than 20% of landscaping be lawn or turf.
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H.B. 157 - Sovereign Lands Revenue Amendments Requires that money derived from uses on sovereign lands be used for the direct benefit of those sovereign lands, including the Great Salt Lake.
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H.B. 240 - Utah Lake Amendments Regarding the transferring of title of Utah Lake lands after a environmental restoration project, changes final approval from an administrative division to the Legislature, requiring a vote by lawmakers before approved, and allows for considering additional benefits not originally listed in law.
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H.B. 242 - Secondary Water Metering Amendments Requires the installation and use of meters on all secondary water connections by January 1, 2030, except for existing connections within smaller counties, and provides penalties for noncompliance, including holding back funding for water projects. Also creates a grant program using ARPA funding to help install secondary water meters.
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H.B. 394 - Recycling Transparency Amendments Requires recyclable material haulers and municipalities to report and publish data regarding the disposal of recyclable materials in either landfills or recycling facilities.
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H.B. 404 - Large Public Transit District Amendments Requires large public transit districts to compare costs of different types of available zero emissions propulsion systems for transit projects.
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H.B. 410 - Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Appropriates $40,000,000 to preserve and enhance the Great Salt Lake watershed by granting money to organizations and individuals that will enance water flows, improve water quality, conserve upstream habitats, and restore wetlands and habitats, among other objectives.
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H.B. 429 - Great Salt Lake Amendments Appropriates $5,000,000 to develop the Great Salt Lake Watershed Integrated Water Assessment looking at the current state of water resources in the Great Salt Lake Watershed and long-term trends of water supply, demands, and other factors impacting those water resources.
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H.B. 432 - State Vehicle Use and Purchasing Amendments When prudent, requires the Division of Fleet Operations to prioritize and replace state vehicles with low or zero emissions vehicles.
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S.B. 110 - Water as Part of General Plan Requires municipal and county general plans to have water use and preservation elements.
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S.B. 136 - Air Quality Policy Amendments Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to study and make recommendations for a plan to reduce diesel emissions in and around the Utah Inland Port.
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S.B. 188 - Energy Efficiency Amendments Expands the Clean Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program to also cover housing and building emissions and expands low-income assistance programs for electricity and gas customers.
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S.B. 73 - Flow Rates or Quantity for Plumbing Fixtures Modifies the residential and plumbing code to address maximum flow rates or quantity for certain plumbing fixtures or fixture fittings.
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H.B. 17 - Utility Permitting Amendments Preemptively prevents cities and counties from limiting utility services based on energy type.
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H.B. 209 - Vehicle Registration Fee Revisions Increases annual and six-month vehicle registration fees on electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and other alternative fuel vehicles.
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H.B. 257 - Utah State Park Amendments Creates the Utahraptor State Park and Lost Creek State Park.
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H.B. 297 - Colorado River Amendments Enacts the Colorado River Authority of Utah Act, establishing an authority to “protect” Utah’s right to its share of the CO river.
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H.B. 304 - Digital Opportunity Access Amendments Implements measures to increase broadband infrastructure, digital access, and digital equity.
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H.B. 341 - Bears Ears Visitor Center Advisory Committee Creates an advisory committee to study a Bears Ears visitor center.
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H.B. 82 - Single-Family Housing Modifications Prevents municipalities or HOAs from blocking accessory dwelling units.
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H.B. 91 - Tax Credit for Alternative Fuel Heavy Duty Vehicles Reenacts a tax credit related to certain alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles.
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S.B. 144 - Billboard Restrictions Amendments Prohibits a municipality or county from taking certain actions to prevent a person from building or maintaining a billboard.
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S.B. 146 - Emissions Testing Amendments Makes the Pilot Emissions Inspection Program permanent, which requires counties to have an emissions inspections for certain diesel-powered vehicles.
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S.B. 15 - Workforce Solutions for Air Quality Amendments Requires Dept. of HR Management to provide and measure teleworking options for state employees during bad air quality days and write annual report.
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S.B. 164 - Utah Housing Affordability Amendments Allows cities and counties to require at least 20% of all units on certain properties be “affordable housing units.”
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S.B. 176 - Mineral Lease Funds Amendments Expands the use of mineral lease funds to include any public service, rather than solely for mitigation of mineral extraction impacts.
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S.B. 217 - Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Act Allows cities to develop reinvestment zones around commuter rail stations, composed of at least 10% affordable housing units and 50 multi-family homes per acre.
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S.B. 61 - Outdoor Advertising Amendments Preemptively blocks a city or county from enacting ordinances to restrict or modify billboards.
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Allows EnergySolutions to open a new landfill for decommissioned reactor wastes.
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H.B. 235 - Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program Creates a Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program to educate homeowners and sellers on home energy use
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H.B. 259 - Electric Vehicle Charging Network Directs the Dept. of Transportation to create a statewide electric vehicle charging network plan
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H.B. 317 - Nonroad Engine Study Directs the Division of Air Quality to study the number and type of nonroad engines in nonattainment areas of Utah
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H.B. 322 - Utahraptor State Park Authorizes the Division of State Parks to create the Utahraptor State Park in Grand County.
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H.B. 328 - Division of Water Resources Study Update Requires the Division of Water Resources to update a study on diverting the Green River to bring more water to the Wasatch Front.
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H.B. 59 - Tax Credit for Alternative Fuel Heavy Duty Vehicles Extends an income tax credit for certain alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles to 2029.
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S.B. 112 - Inland Port Amendments Authorizes the Utah Inland Port Authority to establish a community enhancement program to address the impacts of development and inland port uses on adjacent communities.
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Changes the definition of a small mining operation by doubling the size of a mine that qualifies as a small mining operation.
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S.B. 150 - Transportation Governance and Funding Amendments Expands the Utah Transit Authority’s ability to enter into joint ventures with communities to develop around existing transit hubs.
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S.B. 239 - Refinery Sales Tax Exemption Extends a tax break for refineries that haven’t begun producing Tier 3 fuel.
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S.B. 77 - Electric Energy Storage Tax Credit Creates income tax incentives for utility and residential energy storage technologies.
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S.B. 78 - Energy Storage Innovation, Research, and Grant Program Act Provides funding for a grant program for related to energy storage.
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S.B. 92 - Statewide Comprehensive Rail Plan Directs the Dept of Transportation to develop a statewide comprehensive rail plan.
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H.B. 139 - Motor Vehicle Emissions Amendments Increases fines for “coal rolling” and requires law enforcement to refer repeat offenders to the Motor Vehicle Division.
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H.B. 148 - Vehicle Idling Revisions Reduces the “warnings” police must give before issuing a ticket for vehicle idling from three to one
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H.B. 220 - Radioactive Waste Amendments Allows the director of the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control to authorize alternate requirements for waste classification, opening the door for Utah to store class B and C radioactive waste.
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H.B. 263 - Emissions Testing Revisions Requires a visual inspection of emissions on diesel engines 1998 and newer.
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H.B. 288 - Critical Infrastructure Materials Creates protection zones for existing gravel, sand, or rock aggregate mining operations.
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H.B. 353 - Reduction of Single Occupanc Vehicle Trips Pilot Programs Appropriates funds to reduce air pollution on select bad air days by subsidizing public transit and encouraging carpooling and telework.
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H.B. 357 - Voluntary Wood Burning Conversion Program Adjusts Utah’s wood burning conversion program to prioritize individuals within 250% of the federal poverty level who live in an area with heavy air pollution.
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H.B. 433 - Inland Port Amendments Authorizes the Inland Port Authority to own and operate a trade hub and create project areas outside its jurisdictional land. Expands the Authority’s power to capture property taxes from 25 to 40 years. Increases the property tax differential revenue that the Authority can use for operating expenses, and authorizes the Authority to be paid sales and use tax revenue.
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H.B. 78 - Federal Designations Requires a government entity advocating for a federal designation of state land to first present to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Interim Committee for its review.
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Recognizes the diversified nature of Utah’s energy production and the importance of rural counties in developing energy, and supports the development of wind, solar, hydrogen, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy, and exporting energy to other states.
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H.C.R. 3 - CR Urging the EPA to Update Switcher Locomotive Emission Standards Urges the EPA to update emissions standards for switcher locomotives to Tier 4, which would result in an 89% reduction in nitrogen-oxide emissions and an 88.5% reduction in direct particulate matter emissions.
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H.J.R. 17 - JR on Formation of Public Land Management Plans Authorizes the state Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands to start forming public land management plans for federal lands.
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S.B. 144 - Environmental Quality Monitoring Amendments Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to monitor environmental impacts from the Inland Port development including air and water quality and increases in noise and light pollution.
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S.B. 24 - State Energy Policy Amendments Commits Utah to promoting molten salt reactors, greater access to domestic and international markets for Utah’s natural resources, energy storage, and increased refinery capacity. Recommends including energy education programs in grades K-12.
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S.B. 52 - Secondary Water Requirements Requires new secondary connections to be metered beginning in 2020 and that secondary water suppliers submit a plan for how they will implement metering in the future.
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