The ceremonial signing of SB 176 during the Building Utah Conference was of great importance to the Uintah Basin and other communities with heavy extraction industry presence. SB 176, Mineral Lease Funds Amendments, modifies provisions related to the expenditure of federal mineral lease revenues, addressing the legislative intent and purpose of the Community Impact Fund and allows their Board to make a grant or loan regardless of whether the project results in more than one impact or outcome. The bill also made the provisions retroactive. “The ability for rural Utah communities like ours to utilize mineral lease monies has helped more than any other item,” shared 7 County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director Mike McKee at the time the bill was passed. “Passage of this bill was crucial to continue to use these resources as has been done traditionally.” Bill sponsor Senator Ron Winterton was also present during the exciting ceremonious signing on Wednesday in Vernal.
