Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

HB 247 — Great Salt Lake Related Amendments

Last action — Governor Signed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 13, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 25, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

352 added · 334 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of HB 247 shifts the way revenue from the brine shrimp royalty tax is allocated. Now, instead of going to the Species Protection Account, these funds will be directed to the Sovereign Lands Management Account in certain situations, which is important for more effective management of land resources. Additionally, the bill clarifies how funds in this new account should be used and allows any money from legal judgments related to the Great Salt Lake to also be deposited there. This matters because it ensures that resources are better focused on supporting activities specifically benefiting the Great Salt Lake.

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HB0247S05 compared with HB0247 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0247 but was omitted in HB0247S05 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0247 but was inserted into HB0247S05 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy H.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
247 Great Salt Lake Related Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Sometimes this automated comparison will NOT be completely accurate.
Therefore, you need to read the actual bills.
This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
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bad input data;
or other causes.
Great Salt Lake {Funding } Related Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Ward Senate Sponsor:Scott D.
Ward Senate Sponsor:
Sandall 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
Scott D.
This bill addresses {funding of } activities that {benefit } are related to the Great Salt Lake.
Sandall Cosponsor:
Rosalba Dominguez Ashlee Matthews Carl R.
Albrecht Jake Fitisemanu Verona Mauga John Arthur Stephanie Gricius Hoang Nguyen Stewart E.
Barlow Sahara Hayes Clinton D.
Okerlund Kay J.
Christofferson Ken Ivory Doug Owens Paul A.
Cutler Michael L.
Kohler Nicholeen P.
Peck Jennifer Dailey-Provost Anthony E.
Loubet Jason E.
Thompson Ariel Defay Matt MacPherson Stephen L.
Whyte 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
This bill addresses activities that are related to the Great Salt Lake.
▸ directs revenue generated by the brine shrimp royalty tax to the Sovereign Lands Management Account instead of the Species Protection Accountunder certain circumstances;
▸ directs revenue generated by the brine shrimp royalty tax to the Sovereign Lands Management Account instead of the Species Protection Account under certain circumstances;
▸ provides for the deposit of proceeds from a judgment, settlement, or compromise intoHthe Sovereign Lands Management Account;
▸ provides for the deposit of proceeds from a judgment, settlement, or compromise into the Sovereign Lands Management Account;
B ▸ provides for how the revenue in the Sovereign Lands Management Account is to be spen2;
H.B.
247 Enrolled Copy ▸ provides for how the revenue in the Sovereign Lands Management Account is to be spent;
4 HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
23A-3-214.
23A-3-214 (Effective 07/01/26).
(Effective 07/01/26)Species Protection Account -- Reporting.
Species Protection Account -- Reporting.
{[(b) revenue generated by the brine shrimp tax }[provided for in Title 59, Chapter 23, Brine Shrimp Royalty Act] and deposited in accordance with Section 59-23-4{;
(b) revenue generated by the brine shrimp tax [provided for in Title 59, Chapter 23, Brine Shrimp Royalty Act] and deposited in accordance with Section 59-23-4;
]} {[(c){]} {(b)} } tax revenue deposited into the Species Protection Account in accordance with Section 59-24-105;
(c) tax revenue deposited into the Species Protection Account in accordance with - 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
- 2 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 {[(d){]} {(c)} } tax revenue collected in accordance with Title 59, [Chapter 32] Chapter 33, Wind or Solar Electric Generation Facility Capacity Tax;
247 Section 59-24-105;
{[(e){]} {(d)} } revenue collected in accordance with Title 79, Chapter 6, [Part 11] Part 14, Energy Project Assessment;
(d) tax revenue collected in accordance with Title 59, [Chapter 32] Chapter 33, Wind or Solar Electric Generation Facility Capacity Tax;
and {[(f){]} {(e)} } interest earned on money in the Species Protection Account.
(e) revenue collected in accordance with Title 79, Chapter 6, [Part 11] Part 14, Energy Project Assessment;
and (f) interest earned on money in the Species Protection Account.
59-5-202.
59-5-202 (Effective 05/06/26) (Applies beginning 01/01/25).
- 3 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (1) A person engaged in the business of mining or extracting metalliferous minerals in this state shall pay to the state a severance tax equal to 2.6% of the taxable value of all metals or metalliferous minerals sold or otherwise disposed of.
(1) A person engaged in the business of mining or extracting metalliferous minerals in this - 3 - H.B.
247 Enrolled Copy state shall pay to the state a severance tax equal to 2.6% of the taxable value of all metals or metalliferous minerals sold or otherwise disposed of.
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(5) (a) As used in this Subsection (5):
(5)(a) As used in this Subsection (5):
- 4 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (b) Notwithstanding the exclusion for chloride compounds or salts from the definition of metalliferous minerals under Section [59-5-201and] 59-5-201 and in lieu of the severance tax imposed under Subsection (1), beginning with calendar year 2025, a Great Salt Lake extraction operator shall pay to the state a severance tax in accordance with the following:
(b) Notwithstanding the exclusion for chloride compounds or salts from the definition of metalliferous minerals under Section [59-5-201and] 59-5-201 and in lieu of the - 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
247 severance tax imposed under Subsection (1), beginning with calendar year 2025, a Great Salt Lake extraction operator shall pay to the state a severance tax in accordance with the following:
[and] or (iv) notwithstanding Subsection (5)(b)(iii), for a Great Salt Lake extraction operator that is a party or third-party beneficiary to a voluntary agreement for water rights with an approved beneficial use by a division as defined in Section 73-3-30, a severance tax equal to 2.6% of the taxable value of a metalliferous compound sold or otherwise disposed of under a royalty agreement issued under Subsection 65A-6-4(2)(d), entered into on or after May 1, 2024.
[and] or (iv) notwithstanding Subsection (5)(b)(iii), for a Great Salt Lake extraction operator that is a party or third-party beneficiary to a voluntary agreement for water rights with an approved beneficial use by a division as defined in Section 73-3-30, a severance tax equal to 2.6% of the taxable value of a metalliferous compound sold or otherwise disposed of under a royalty agreement issued under Subsection - 5 - H.B.
(c) - 5 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (i) Subject to Subsection (5)(c)(ii), the Division of Finance shall deposit the incremental revenue in accordance with Section 51-9-305.
247 Enrolled Copy 65A-6-4(2)(d), entered into on or after May 1, 2024.
(c)(i) Subject to Subsection (5)(c)(ii), the Division of Finance shall deposit the incremental revenue in accordance with Section 51-9-305.
59-5-207.
59-5-207 (Effective 05/06/26) (Applies beginning 01/01/25).
(c) for July 1 through September 30, on or before December 1;
- 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
247 (c) for July 1 through September 30, on or before December 1;
- 6 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (5) (a) If the taxpayer fails to report and pay any tax when due, the taxpayer is subject to the penalties provided under Section 59-1-401, unless otherwise provided in Subsection (6).
(5)(a) If the taxpayer fails to report and pay any tax when due, the taxpayer is subject to the penalties provided under Section 59-1-401, unless otherwise provided in Subsection (6).
59-23-4.
59-23-4 (Effective 07/01/26) (Applies beginning 01/01/26).
(Effective 07/01/26) (Applies beginning 01/01/26)Brine shrimp royalty -- Royalty rate -- Commission to prepare billing statement -- Deposit of revenue.
Brine shrimp royalty -- Royalty rate -- Commission to prepare billing statement -- Deposit of revenue.
(2) (a) A person that harvests unprocessed brine shrimp eggs shall report to the Division of Wildlife Resources the total number of pounds of unprocessed brine shrimp eggs harvested by that person for that tax year on or before the February 15 immediately following the last day of that tax year.
(2)(a) A person that harvests unprocessed brine shrimp eggs shall report to the Division of Wildlife Resources the total number of pounds of unprocessed brine shrimp eggs harvested by that person for that tax year on or before the February 15 immediately following the last day of that tax year.
(b) The Division of Wildlife Resources shall provide the following information to the commission on or before the March 1 immediately following the last day of a tax year:
(b) The Division of Wildlife Resources shall provide the following information to the commission on or before the March 1 immediately following the last day of a tax - 7 - H.B.
- 7 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (i) the total number of pounds of unprocessed brine shrimp eggs harvested for that tax year;
247 Enrolled Copy year:
(i) the total number of pounds of unprocessed brine shrimp eggs harvested for that tax year;
(c) (i) The commission shall prepare and mail a billing statement to each person that harvested unprocessed brine shrimp eggs in a tax year by the March 30 immediately following the last day of a tax year.
(c)(i) The commission shall prepare and mail a billing statement to each person that harvested unprocessed brine shrimp eggs in a tax year by the March 30 immediately following the last day of a tax year.
(3) Revenue generated by the brine shrimp royalty shall be deposited {[as follows:]} {[(a)} the first {$125,000 of the revenue generated }in each fiscal year {by the brine shrimp royalty shall be deposited }[in] into{ the Sovereign Lands Management Account created in Section 65A-5-1;
(3) Revenue generated by the brine shrimp royalty shall be deposited as follows:
}[and] {[(b)} for fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028, {the remainder of the revenue generated }in each fiscal year {by the brine shrimp royalty }after the deposit under Subsection (3)(a) {shall be deposited }[in] into{ the Species Protection Account created in Section 23A-3-214]} {into the Sovereign Lands Management Account created in Section 65A-5-1} , except that if the aggregate amount of revenue deposited under Subsections 23A-3-214(2)(a), (c), (d), and (e):
(a) the first $125,000 of the revenue generated in each fiscal year by the brine shrimp royalty shall be deposited [in] into the Sovereign Lands Management Account created in Section 65A-5-1;[ and] (b) for fiscal year 2027 and fiscal year 2028, the remainder of the revenue generated in each fiscal year by the brine shrimp royalty after the deposit under Subsection (3)(a) shall be deposited [in] into the Species Protection Account created in Section 23A-3-214, except that if the aggregate amount of revenue deposited under Subsections 23A-3-214(2)(a), (c), (d), and (e):
(A) retain brine shrimp royalty revenue in the Species Protection Account in an amount equal to cover the shortfall below $800,000;
- 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
and - 8 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (B) once the $800,000 threshold is met, transfer any remaining brine shrimp royalty revenue to the Sovereign Lands Management Account for the fiscal year;
247 (A) retain brine shrimp royalty revenue in the Species Protection Account in an amount equal to cover the shortfall below $800,000;
and (B) once the $800,000 threshold is met, transfer any remaining brine shrimp royalty revenue to the Sovereign Lands Management Account for the fiscal year;
65A-5-1.
65A-5-1 (Effective 07/01/26).
(Effective 07/01/26)Sovereign Lands Management Account.
Sovereign Lands Management Account.
(3) (a) The expenditures of the division relating directly to the management of sovereign lands shall be funded by appropriation by the Legislature from the Sovereign Lands Management Account or other sources.
(3)(a) The expenditures of the division relating directly to the management of sovereign lands shall be funded by appropriation by the Legislature from the Sovereign Lands Management Account or other sources.
(c) In appropriating money from the Sovereign Lands Management Account, the Legislature shall prefer appropriations that benefit the sovereign land from which the money is derived unless - 9 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 compelling circumstances require that money be appropriated for sovereign land other than the sovereign land from which the money is derived.
(c) In appropriating money from the Sovereign Lands Management Account, the Legislature shall prefer appropriations that benefit the sovereign land from which the money is derived unless compelling circumstances require that money be - 9 - H.B.
247 Enrolled Copy appropriated for sovereign land other than the sovereign land from which the money is derived.
(4) (a) [The ] On or before June 30, 2026, the division shall use the amount deposited into the [account] Sovereign Lands Management Account under Subsection (2)(e) {[for the Great Salt Lake as described in Section 65A-17-201{]} {as follows:} {(a)} the division shall expend $125,000} as directed by the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council created in Section 73-32-302{ for the benefit of the Great Salt Lake;
(4)(a) [The ] On or before June 30, 2026, the division shall use the amount deposited into the [account] Sovereign Lands Management Account under Subsection (2)(e) for the Great Salt Lake as described in Section 65A-17-201 as directed by the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council created in Section 73-32-302.
and} {(b) the division shall expend the remainder of the amount deposited under Subsection (2)(e) to benefit the Great Salt Lake by:} {(i) {leasing a water right for water to be deposited into the Great Salt Lake;
or} {(ii)} funding a project that directly benefits or maintains the health of the Great Salt Lake brine shrimp population}.
65A-17-306.
65A-17-306 (Effective 05/06/26) (Applies beginning 01/01/25).
- 10 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (2) (a) [A ] Subject to Subsection (7), a Great Salt Lake extraction operator shall by no later than December of each year certify to the division for purposes of determining a severance tax imposed under Subsection 59-5-202(5) during the next succeeding calendar year, the information listed in Subsection (2)(b).
(2)(a) [A ] Subject to Subsection (7), a Great Salt Lake extraction operator shall by no later than December 31 of each year certify to the division for purposes of determining a severance tax imposed under Subsection 59-5-202(5) during the next succeeding calendar year, the information listed in Subsection (2)(b).
(ii) the Great Salt Lake extraction operator's tax identification number;
- 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
247 (ii) the Great Salt Lake extraction operator's tax identification number;
- 11 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (c) the Great Salt Lake extraction operator's tax identification number for each Great Salt Lake extraction operator listed in Subsection (4)(b);
(c) the Great Salt Lake extraction operator's tax identification number for each Great Salt Lake extraction operator listed in Subsection (4)(b);
(5) The division may audit a certification submitted under this section for completeness and accuracy.
(5) The division may audit a certification submitted under this section for completeness and - 11 - H.B.
247 Enrolled Copy accuracy.
Effective date.
{This } Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect {on July 1, } May 6, 2026.
(1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect May 6, 2026.
Retrospective Operation.
Retrospective operation.
and - 12 - HB0247 compared with HB0247S05 (b) Section 65A-5-1 (Effective 07/01/26).
and (b) Section 65A-5-1 (Effective 07/01/26).
3-4-26 2:30 PM - 13 -
- 12 -
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Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. House/ to Governor

  3. House/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. House/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from House for Enrolling

  8. House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

  9. House/ received from Senate

  10. Senate/ to House

  11. Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

  12. Senate/ received from House

  13. House/ to Senate

  14. House/ concurs with Senate amendment

  15. House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar

  16. House/ received from Senate

  17. Senate/ to House with amendments

  18. Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  19. Senate/ substituted

  20. Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  21. Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar

  22. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0247S05

  23. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0247S05

  24. Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

  25. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0247S05

  26. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0247S05

  27. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0247S04

  28. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0247S04

  29. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0247S04

  30. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0247S04

  31. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0247S03

  32. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0247S03

  33. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  34. Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  35. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  36. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0247S03

  37. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0247S03

  38. Senate Comm - Not Considered [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  39. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0247S02

  40. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  41. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  42. Senate/ received from House

  43. House/ to Senate

  44. House/ passed 3rd reading

  45. House/ substituted

  46. House/ 3rd reading

  47. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0247S02

  48. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0247S02

  49. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0247S01

  50. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0247S01

  51. House/ 2nd reading

  52. House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  53. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  54. House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  55. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0247S01

  56. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0247S01

  57. House/ to standing committee [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  58. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  59. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  60. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0247

  61. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0247

  62. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  63. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0247

  64. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0247

  65. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  66. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

taxation environment
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 247?
HB 247 is sponsored by Scott D. Sandall (Republican) and Raymond P. Ward (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 247?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 13, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 247?
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