HB 247 Great Salt Lake Funding Amendments

Short Description: Redirects revenue generated by the brine shrimp tax to support activities that benefit the Great Salt Lake.
Sponsor(s): Rep. Ward
Impact: Positive
Bill Number: HB 247
Position: Support
Status: Passed
Past Hearings:
2/5 House Natural Resources

2/26 Senate Natural Resources
Floor Debates:
2/17 House 3rd Reading

2/17 House 3rd Reading

3/6 Senate 2nd/3rd Reading

3/6 House Concurrence

HB 247 Great Salt Lake Funding Amendments

This bill was substituted in House Natural Resources on 2/5. The substitute changed the effective date from 7/1/2026 to 7/1/2027.

HB 247 strengthens Utah’s long-term air quality strategy by redirecting all revenue from the brine shrimp royalty tax into the Sovereign Lands Management Account specifically for the benefit of the Great Salt Lake. By dedicating this funding stream to projects that lease water into the lake or support the health of the brine shrimp ecosystem, the bill creates a more stable and predictable source of funding for lake preservation efforts. Maintaining lake levels is directly tied to air quality because declining water levels expose lakebed sediments that can become wind-blown dust, contributing to PM₂.₅ pollution along the Wasatch Front. In this way, the bill links ecosystem funding to a preventive air quality measure rather than relying solely on downstream pollution controls.

From an air quality perspective, the bill is important because it prioritizes upstream intervention. Stabilizing the Great Salt Lake reduces the risk of future dust emissions that could undermine Utah’s recent progress toward PM₂.₅ attainment. The Great Salt Lake acts as a natural buffer against particulate pollution, and sustained investment in water leasing and ecosystem protection helps preserve that buffer. While HB 247 does not regulate emissions directly, it supports one of the most effective structural strategies Utah has to prevent new sources of airborne particulates.

The bill also improves coordination between ecological management and public health goals. By channeling funds toward measurable lake benefits and brine shrimp population health, it supports the broader stability of the lake system, which is essential for minimizing dust exposure to nearby communities. Over time, consistent funding for lake preservation reduces the likelihood of large-scale dust events that could reverse air quality gains, making HB 247 a preventive investment in both environmental resilience and public health.