House committee advances bill to streamline state funding for reservoir projects

Representative Brooks presented HB 349 as a bill to organize the process for securing state funding for reservoir and storage projects: projects need a local sponsor (usually a water district), appropriate water rights, evidence of regional or state benefit and a plan showing the project can be ready to build within five years. Brooks said the bill helps make projects shovel‑ready and does not alter the Board of Water Resources’ decision authority.

Public witnesses generally supported the bill. Terry Camp of the Utah Farm Bureau urged inclusion of groundwater storage and recharge projects to reduce evaporative loss. Joel Williams, acting director at the Division of Water Resources, said the bill would open an additional funding source through the water infrastructure restricted account and that loans would still be made through existing Board processes. Zachary Frankel of the Utah Rivers Council urged caution about funding projects with sales taxes rather than local rates or bonds, arguing that local repayment and interest requirements are an economic check on project necessity.

Representative Brooks said repayment and tax details remain governed by existing code and that projects must demonstrate state benefits to qualify. The committee passed the bill favorably by unanimous voice vote and urged sponsors to consider stakeholder suggestions on groundwater recharge eligibility.