Utah House approves $100,000 for mineral and petroleum literacy resources; bill not mandatory

The Utah House of Representatives passed House Bill 25 during the legislature’s second day of floor business, allowing the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining to use a portion of the Oil and Gas Conservation Account surplus to create educational materials about natural resources.

Representative Jack Draxler, sponsor of the bill, said the measure would make a limited appropriation ‘‘We’re looking at $100,000 appropriation to develop materials and to develop workshops and resources for teachers to be able to teach the role of natural resources in young students' lives,’’ and emphasized the funding would come from surplus funds above a $750,000 threshold in the conservation account. He told colleagues the program is designed as optional classroom support: "This would not insert this kind of education into our state's curriculum. It would not force it upon anyone. It would simply create resources that could be used."

Draxler framed the bill as a modest, non‑tax increase use of industry fees that currently fund plugging abandoned wells and reclamation. He said the Natural Resources Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee and the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining supported the idea and that an Oklahoma model had been successful.

Opponents warned the resources could lead to pressure to require use in classrooms. Representative Moss asked whether materials would be mandated and stressed caution about inserting new curriculum: "I'm always reluctant to mandate something in the curriculum that's not already there," she said. Representative Nielsen raised broader concerns about the role of government and argued the private sector might produce similar materials, urging lawmakers to consider returning surpluses to the general fund instead: "I would urge voting no on this measure." Draxler and other supporters repeatedly responded that the materials would be voluntary and that educators would be consulted on target grade levels and geographic needs.

The House voted to pass the bill on third reading by a 54–19 margin. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.

The measure creates a path for a one‑time, limited appropriation to develop instructional resources; it does not itself change mandated curriculum or create compulsory instructional requirements.