A bill said to be one of the most important to the Uintah Basin passed in the Utah Legislature before it closed on Friday. SB176, 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. “This was the most significant legislation for rural Utah,” shared 7 County Infrastructure Coalition Executive Director Mike McKee. “The ability for rural Utah communities like ours to utilize mineral lease monies has helped more than any other item. Passage of this bill was crucial to continue to use these resources as has been done traditionally.” Duchesne County Commissioner Greg Miles also emphasized the importance of this bill passing. “The special service districts use of the money could be challenged,” stated Miles. “This bill simply clarifies and better defines how it is to be used. The state legislature shouldn’t be allowing special interest groups or non-governmental organizations to determine how these monies are spent.” SB176 passed the Senate on February 22nd and the House on March 5th. It’s now awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law.
