1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) "Account" means the Water Rights Restricted Account created by this section.
   2. (b) "Division" means the Division of Water Rights.
2. (2) There is created in the General Fund a restricted account known as the "Water Rights Restricted Account."
3. (3) The account shall consist of the money deposited into the account under Subsection 59-12-103(4)(b).

4. (4) Upon appropriation, the division may use money in the account for:

   1. (a) costs incurred by the division that benefit water rights adjudications, including:

      1. (i) employing technical staff;
      2. (ii) acquiring equipment;
      3. (iii) conducting studies;
      4. (iv) installing, operating, and maintaining measurement infrastructure; and
      5. (v) sharing the costs of installed United States Geological Survey stream gauges;
   2. (b) not to exceed 5% of the money deposited into the account under Subsection 59-12-103(4)(b) in the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year of appropriation, costs incurred by the division to acquire, manage, and analyze surface and groundwater data, not limited to geographic areas of adjudication; and
   3. (c) costs incurred by the division to obtain legal support, not limited to geographic areas of adjudication.

5. (5)

   1. (a) The account may not exceed $8,000,000 at the end of a fiscal year.
   2. (b) If the account exceeds $8,000,000 at the end of a fiscal year, the Division of Finance shall deposit into the Water Resources Conservation and Development Fund, created in Section 73-10-24, the money in excess of the amount necessary to maintain the account balance at $8,000,000.

Amended by Chapter 285, 2025 General Session