Utah Senate advances long‑term water planning bill, approves university development districts and grid/energy measures
February 13, 2024 | 2024 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah
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The Utah State Senate on the floor moved a slate of policy bills Wednesday that senators said aim to address long‑term water planning, give universities new revenue tools and encourage smarter use of energy transmission.
Senate President Adams presented Senate Bill 211 as a vehicle to create an advisory council and an agent to study and coordinate multi‑decade water strategy. Adams said the proposal is intended to give the state a “50 to 100 year vision” for water and to allow careful, confidential negotiation with other states and agencies when needed. The sponsor and floor supporters repeatedly emphasized the council is advisory and will not appropriate funds or set policy without returning to the Legislature.
"The agent has specific responsibility to work with other states," President Adams said during floor remarks, describing the bill's role in interstate coordination.
Senator Escamilla offered and the Senate adopted a floor amendment clarifying the council's advisory status, that it will not establish policy or control money, and that any accounts or recommendations remain subject to appropriations and legislative oversight.
Supporters framed SB211 as creating space for innovation on water — from conservation to potential interstate projects — while opponents asked for stronger limits. After debate and the amendment's adoption, the Senate read SB211 as amended for a third time. The roll call recorded 24 "yay" votes, 1 "nay" and 4 absent; the bill will go to the House for further consideration.
Water efficiency and development bills moved alongside SB211. Senator McCall described Second Substitute Senate Bill 118 as an incentive‑driven approach focused on new construction: "We have the day of water, and we finally have a water bill," McCall said, noting the measure puts incentives on front‑end landscaping and mirrors programs some large water districts already run. The Senate approved the second substitute on a roll call (25 ayes, 0 nays, 4 absent).
Higher education policy also drew extended floor time. Senator Wilson said First Substitute Senate Bill 190 would allow public universities to create development districts on university land so institutions could capture revenue for capital projects, maintenance and operations while placing guardrails such as board approval, conflict‑of‑interest disclosures and annual reporting to the higher education appropriations subcommittee. Wilson argued the change is designed to reduce pressure on student fees and provide local control over development projects; First Substitute SB190 passed by roll call (28 yes, 3 no, 6 absent).
On energy and grid policy, Senator Bleuen presented First Substitute SB191 to require the state's largest utility to evaluate grid‑enhancing technologies (dynamic line ratings, power‑flow controllers, topology optimization and advanced conductors) in planning and report findings to the Public Service Commission. Sponsor materials described potential benefits including avoided capital costs, improved reliability and operational savings; the bill passed (24 yes, 0 no, 5 absent).
Votes at a glance (selected outcomes reported on the floor):
- SB113 (second substitute, disposition of state property amendments): passed 24–0, 5 absent.
- SB118 (second substitute, water efficiency): passed 25–0, 4 absent.
- SB183 (first substitute, lobbyist activities amendments): passed 25–0, 4 absent.
- SB188 (professional licensing revisions): passed 23–0, 6 absent.
- SB145 (utility easement amendments, substituted): passed 24–0, 5 absent.
- SB190 (first substitute, higher education development areas): passed 28–3, 6 absent.
- SB191 (first substitute, grid enhancing technologies): passed 24–0, 5 absent.
- SB211 (as amended, generational water infrastructure): passed 24–1, 4 absent.
What happens next: Bills that passed the Senate will be transmitted to the House for its consideration; SB211 and several other measures now head to the House for further action or concurrence on floor amendments.
The Senate concluded with announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. the following day.
Senate President Adams presented Senate Bill 211 as a vehicle to create an advisory council and an agent to study and coordinate multi‑decade water strategy. Adams said the proposal is intended to give the state a “50 to 100 year vision” for water and to allow careful, confidential negotiation with other states and agencies when needed. The sponsor and floor supporters repeatedly emphasized the council is advisory and will not appropriate funds or set policy without returning to the Legislature.
"The agent has specific responsibility to work with other states," President Adams said during floor remarks, describing the bill's role in interstate coordination.
Senator Escamilla offered and the Senate adopted a floor amendment clarifying the council's advisory status, that it will not establish policy or control money, and that any accounts or recommendations remain subject to appropriations and legislative oversight.
Supporters framed SB211 as creating space for innovation on water — from conservation to potential interstate projects — while opponents asked for stronger limits. After debate and the amendment's adoption, the Senate read SB211 as amended for a third time. The roll call recorded 24 "yay" votes, 1 "nay" and 4 absent; the bill will go to the House for further consideration.
Water efficiency and development bills moved alongside SB211. Senator McCall described Second Substitute Senate Bill 118 as an incentive‑driven approach focused on new construction: "We have the day of water, and we finally have a water bill," McCall said, noting the measure puts incentives on front‑end landscaping and mirrors programs some large water districts already run. The Senate approved the second substitute on a roll call (25 ayes, 0 nays, 4 absent).
Higher education policy also drew extended floor time. Senator Wilson said First Substitute Senate Bill 190 would allow public universities to create development districts on university land so institutions could capture revenue for capital projects, maintenance and operations while placing guardrails such as board approval, conflict‑of‑interest disclosures and annual reporting to the higher education appropriations subcommittee. Wilson argued the change is designed to reduce pressure on student fees and provide local control over development projects; First Substitute SB190 passed by roll call (28 yes, 3 no, 6 absent).
On energy and grid policy, Senator Bleuen presented First Substitute SB191 to require the state's largest utility to evaluate grid‑enhancing technologies (dynamic line ratings, power‑flow controllers, topology optimization and advanced conductors) in planning and report findings to the Public Service Commission. Sponsor materials described potential benefits including avoided capital costs, improved reliability and operational savings; the bill passed (24 yes, 0 no, 5 absent).
Votes at a glance (selected outcomes reported on the floor):
- SB113 (second substitute, disposition of state property amendments): passed 24–0, 5 absent.
- SB118 (second substitute, water efficiency): passed 25–0, 4 absent.
- SB183 (first substitute, lobbyist activities amendments): passed 25–0, 4 absent.
- SB188 (professional licensing revisions): passed 23–0, 6 absent.
- SB145 (utility easement amendments, substituted): passed 24–0, 5 absent.
- SB190 (first substitute, higher education development areas): passed 28–3, 6 absent.
- SB191 (first substitute, grid enhancing technologies): passed 24–0, 5 absent.
- SB211 (as amended, generational water infrastructure): passed 24–1, 4 absent.
What happens next: Bills that passed the Senate will be transmitted to the House for its consideration; SB211 and several other measures now head to the House for further action or concurrence on floor amendments.
The Senate concluded with announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. the following day.
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