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Committee adopts resolution reaffirming Utah’s interpretation of Colorado River allocation
Summary
HJR 95 (sub 1) passed the committee; the joint resolution directs Utah's federal delegation and negotiators that the state asserts the right to use its Colorado River allocation at any location it can connect to the river consistent with the compact.
The committee voted to pass HJR 95, a joint resolution regarding Utah's share of the Colorado River, with a favorable recommendation.
Representative Snyder, the sponsor, said the resolution is intended to reaffirm the state's position to the federal delegation and negotiators: Utah believes it retains the right to use its allocation of Colorado River water at any location the state can connect to the river, consistent with the terms of the 1922 Colorado River Compact and subsequent agreements. Snyder described the resolution as declarative guidance to negotiators rather than a technical or adjudicative change to law.
Representative Bennion asked about over‑allocation concerns; Snyder replied the committee was not taking up the complex re‑apportionment debate in the resolution and noted ongoing multi‑state discussions about flows and potential federal curtailment by the Bureau of Reclamation should the basin states not reach a solution.
No public commenters addressed the resolution in committee. Representative Covert moved the favorable recommendation; the committee recorded the motion and passed the resolution with no recorded opposition in the available transcript.
