Committee advances bills to create dedicated water applications and a state water‑leasing program for Great Salt Lake

Two companion bills aimed at increasing inflows to the Great Salt Lake were presented and advanced by the committee.

Representative Cofer introduced HB 348 (dedicated water amendments), which establishes a new dedicated-water application that allows water-right holders to commit water for in‑stream flows, sovereign-lands projects and reservoir purposes while protecting the underlying water right. The sponsor said the dedicated application "protects the underlying water right and it also protects agricultural land," and limits approvals so the same field cannot be approved for the full year more than 2 of every 5 years.

Representative Cofer then presented HB 410 (water leasing amendments), which sets up a state-run leasing program for agricultural water rights that is voluntary, temporary and market-driven. The lease program includes reporting, measurement requirements, a $5,000,000 nonlapsing fiscal note, enforcement language to ensure leased water reaches the lake, a 2030 sunset for program review, and agricultural safeguards including the 2-in-5-year limit. Representative Cofer described the program as "protect[ing] leased water in transit" and intended to be farmer-driven.

Questions from senators addressed delivery logistics, depletion losses through the system, shepherding pathways and species protections. Hannah Friese, Deputy Commissioner (Great Salt Lake office) and the state engineer explained that depletion losses and timing would be handled in change applications and that shepherding pathways and coordination with districts will be part of implementation. Multiple stakeholders — Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Farm Bureau, conservation groups and citizens — testified in support but raised concerns about infrastructure costs and ensuring leases do not cause burdens for nonparticipating irrigators.

Public commenters offered a mix of support and cautions: Cecily Ross (different proceeding) earlier raised conservation concerns for other bills; in this item Tim Davis (DQ executive director), Connor Peterson (UDOF), Commissioner Kelly Pearson, Theresa Wilhelmsen (state engineer), Farm Bureau and others urged the committee to advance the bills, noting farmer participation and safeguards. Sierra Nelson and one other commenter raised questions about split‑season lease limits, shepherding costs and potential externalized infrastructure burdens.

Senator Hankins moved favorable recommendations for both HB 348 and HB 410; the committee passed both measures unanimously and sent them to the full Senate.