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Committee clears bill clarifying pay and benefits for state water commissioners
Summary
House Bill 415, clarifying payment and benefit arrangements for state water commissioners and deputies employed by the state but paid through local water distribution systems, received unanimous committee approval.
House Bill 415 received a unanimous favorable recommendation from the Senate Natural Resources committee. Representative Peterson, the sponsor, said the bill clarifies how the state employs 34 water commissioners and 21 deputies and how the 41 local water distribution systems that fund those positions interact with state payroll and benefits systems.
Peterson explained that since February 2015 the water commissioners and deputies have been state employees paid through a state payroll system, but their wages are negotiated with local distribution systems and those systems remit funds to the state to cover pay. The bill clarifies pay procedures and allowable benefit packages to address issues raised by the Department of Human Resource Management.
Wade Garrett, testifying for the Utah Farm Bureau, told the committee the change is helpful and supported the measure. With no further public opposition, the committee moved and approved the substitute with a favorable recommendation by voice vote. The measure will go forward to the full Senate with the committee’s recommendation.
