Senate committee approves bill letting Utah Lake Authority accept private donations and define partnership with nature center

Senator Brammer told the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Standing Committee that Senate Bill 319 would allow the Utah Lake Authority to accept private donations and formalize a relationship with a nature center to provide scientific study and recommendations. "This allows them to receive those monies," Brammer said of nonprofit contributions for lake projects.

The bill responds to recent practice: the authority has received offers from nonprofits to fund lake improvements, and sponsors said the measure clarifies that those gifts may be accepted. Brammer also described an anticipated nature center that would be housed “in conjunction with UBU” to study Utah Lake and advise the authority.

Senator Sandoff pressed for fiscal clarity after noting language that “appropriates $2,152,000,” and said he could not find a fiscal note attached to the bill. Brammer replied that the amount likely refers to an existing, ongoing appropriation for the Utah Lake Authority "because it is a state owned asset," and that he did not believe the bill created new state spending.

No public speakers testified on the bill during the committee session. Senator Hankins moved that the committee favorably recommend Senate Bill 319 to the full Senate; the committee voiced assent and the motion passed.

The committee’s action sends the bill to the full Senate for consideration; the committee did not attach a new fiscal note during the hearing.