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Committee holds S.B. 250 after wide public push to redirect Bear River funds to Great Salt Lake

Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee · February 9, 2026
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Summary

Sponsor sought authority to use statutory Bear River development funds to acquire water and match private investments to benefit the Great Salt Lake; the committee heard extensive public testimony in favor but voted to hold the bill 5–1 to allow further stakeholder work with the Great Salt Lake Commission and others.

Senate Bill 250, which would allow the state to use funds currently dedicated to Bear River development to purchase or lease water and otherwise support actions that increase inflows to the Great Salt Lake, drew large public turnout and vigorous debate in the Senate Natural Resources committee.

Sponsor arguments: The bill’s sponsor told the committee that the Bear River diversion proposal is likely decades away and that leaving taxpayer money idle in a dedicated account makes little sense while the Great Salt Lake continues to decline. He said…

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