Water Fee Amendments

Added a mandate for the Department of Environmental Quality to submit a report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee by October 31, 2025, regarding the development of the new fee schedule.

Added a repeal clause to the existing Utah Code that will remove the old reporting requirement on January 1, 2026, ensuring the new reporting timeline replaces the old one.

Updated the bill's title reference and highlighted provisions to reflect the new reporting requirement and the specific code section being amended.

Expanded the exemption from water fees to include agricultural water suppliers in addition to wholesale water suppliers.

Changed the state council's fee collection authority to be 'pending approval by the Legislature' rather than automatic.

Added 'defines terms' to the highlighted provisions list in the long title.

Added Section 73-10g-601 to the list of Utah Code sections being amended.

Added the Water Development Coordinating Council as an additional entity required to establish a fee schedule beginning July 1, 2026.

Added requirement that fees be deposited into the Water Infrastructure Fund instead of being retained as dedicated credits.

Added an exemption for special service districts from certain fee requirements.

Updated effective dates for several code sections, including changes from May 7, 2025 and July 1, 2026.

Added new requirements for special districts to provide itemized fee statements and establish impartial fee appeal processes.

Modified appeal processes to allow judicial review of special district fee decisions.