1. (1) Unless otherwise expressly provided by statute, the executive director may organize the office in any appropriate manner, including the appointment of deputy directors of the office.
2. (2) The executive director may consolidate personnel and service functions for efficiency and economy in the office.

3. (3) The executive director, with the approval of the governor:

   1. (a) may, by following the procedures and requirements of Title 63J, Chapter 5, Federal Funds Procedures Act, seek federal grants, loans, or participation in federal programs;
   2. (b) may enter into a lawful contract or agreement with another state, a chamber of commerce organization, a service club, or a private entity; and
   3. (c) shall annually prepare and submit to the governor a budget of the office's financial requirements.
4. (4) With the governor's approval, if a federal program requires the expenditure of state funds as a condition for the state to participate in a fund, property, or service, the executive director may expend necessary funds from money provided by the Legislature for the use of the office.
5. (5) The executive director shall coordinate with the executive directors of the Department of Workforce Services and the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget to review data and metrics to be reported to the Legislature as described in Section 63N-1a-306.

6. (6) The executive director shall:

   1. (a) receive guidance from the Economic Development Council created in Section 63N-1a-501;
   2. (b) establish and implement strategies to recruit industries identified by the Economic Development Council to locate in the state;
   3. (c) establish strategies for and actively support entrepreneurship, small business development, and existing small businesses in the state;

   4. (d) coordinate state and local efforts on economic development activities, including efforts led by:

      1. (i) the Utah Inland Port Authority created in Section 11-58-201;
      2. (ii) the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority created in Section 11-59-201;
      3. (iii) the Utah Lake Authority created in Section 11-65-201;
      4. (iv) the Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District created in Section 11-68-201;
      5. (v) the Military Installation Development Authority created in Section 63H-1-201; and
      6. (vi) regional associations of governments created under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act;
   5. (e) identify areas of the state for targeted economic development;
   6. (f) match areas of the state for targeted economic development, with targeted industries or businesses encouraged to permanently relocate to, or significantly expand operations in, the state;
   7. (g) ensure the office's efforts are, to the extent practicable, data-driven, evidence-based, and focused on developing human capital, physical capital, and innovation; and
   8. (h) support an integrated international trade strategy for the state.

7. (7) Nothing in Subsection (6) shall be construed to:

   1. (a) give the executive director authority over an entity described in Subsection (6)(e); or
   2. (b) modify the legal status of a political subdivision.
8. (8) Unless otherwise provided in this title, the executive director may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, as necessary for the administration of programs established under state law.

Amended by Chapter 343, 2026 General Session