UtahH.B. 2472026 General SessionHouseWALLET

Great Salt Lake Related Amendments

Sponsored By: Raymond P. Ward (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Natural ResourcesSeverance TaxRevenue and TaxationWaterGreat Salt Lake

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Lake funds support water and shrimp

Beginning July 1, 2026, Utah must spend $125,000 of designated lands-account royalty deposits as the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council directs. That money must benefit the lake. The remaining designated deposits must fund water-right leases that add lake water or projects supporting the lake's brine shrimp health. Money received by state natural-resources officials from ownership judgments or settlements concerning sovereign lands near the lake also enters this account. Those proceeds must be spent according to the judgment or settlement terms.

Lake revenues support lands and species

Beginning July 1, 2026, the first $125,000 of annual brine shrimp royalties goes to the Sovereign Lands Management Account. In fiscal years 2027 and 2028, the remainder initially goes to the Species Protection Account. Royalties stay there only to fill any gap between specified other account revenue and $800,000; money beyond that moves to the lands account. If that other revenue already reaches $800,000, all royalties otherwise sent to the species account transfer to the lands account. Beginning July 1, 2028, all remaining royalties go directly to the lands account. Extra lake-extraction tax revenue is measured against the standard 2.6% rate and counts as the fiscal year's first severance-tax revenue. Finance makes the required statutory deposit first, then sends any remaining extra revenue to the lands account.

Extra filing time for lake operators

Lake extraction operators normally submit their annual tax certification by December 31 for the next calendar year. For tax years 2025 and 2026, operators entering a voluntary agreement concerning state-owned water rights can file by May 15, 2026. The Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands must send an updated report to the Tax Commission by June 1, 2026. This exception takes effect May 6, 2026.

Brine shrimp harvesters pay higher royalties

Utah raises the royalty on unprocessed brine shrimp eggs harvested in the state from 3.25 to 3.75 cents per pound. The higher rate applies to tax years beginning on or after February 1, 2026. The royalty equals the total pounds harvested during the tax year multiplied by the rate. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies beginning January 1, 2026.

Higher or lower lake extraction taxes

Effective May 6, 2026, the law changes Great Salt Lake extraction taxes starting with calendar year 2025. Operators without an approved voluntary water-rights agreement pay 7.8% of taxable value, or 2.6% if they never use evaporation to concentrate minerals. Operators covered by an agreement approved for beneficial water use, including third-party beneficiaries, generally pay 2.6% or no tax. They pay no tax when the prior year's June 15 lake elevation was below 4,198 feet; otherwise, they pay 2.6%. Covered operators also pay 2.6% on specified metal compounds sold under royalty agreements made on or after May 1, 2024.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Raymond P. Ward
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Carl R. Albrecht
Republican • House
John Arthur
Democratic • House
Stewart E. Barlow
Republican • House
Kay J. Christofferson
Republican • House
Paul A. Cutler
Republican • House
Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Democratic • House
Ariel Defay
Republican • House
Rosalba Dominguez
Democratic • House
Jake Fitisemanu
Democratic • House
Stephanie Gricius
Republican • House
Sahara Hayes
Democratic • House
Ken Ivory
Republican • House
Mike L. Kohler
Republican • House
Anthony E. Loubet
Republican • House
Matt MacPherson
Republican • House
Ashlee Matthews
Democratic • House
Verona Mauga
Democratic • House
Hoang Nguyen
Democratic • House
Clinton Okerlund
Republican • House
Doug Owens
Democratic • House
Nicholeen P. Peck
Republican • House
Scott D. Sandall
Republican • Senate
Jason E. Thompson
Republican • House
Stephen L. Whyte
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 189 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2026

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

Yes: 67 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 4 • No: 0

House vote • 2/17/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 71 • No: 0

House vote • 2/17/2026

House/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 2/5/2026

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 13 • No: 0