1. (1) The commission shall consider and make recommendations to the Legislature and governor on the following issues:

   1. (a) how the water needs of the state's growing agricultural, municipal, and industrial sectors will be met;
   2. (b) what the impact of federal regulations and legislation will be on the ability of the state to manage and develop its compacted water rights;
   3. (c) how the state will fund water projects;
   4. (d) whether the state should become an owner and operator of water projects;
   5. (e) how the state will encourage the implementation of water conservation programs; and
   6. (f) other water issues of statewide importance.

2. (2) The commission shall consult with the Division of Water Resources and the Board of Water Resources regarding:

   1. (a) recommendations for rules, criteria, targets, processes, and plans described in Subsection 73-10g-105(3); and
   2. (b) the scope of any request for proposals that may be issued by the Division of Water Resources and Board of Water Resources to assist in creating the rules, criteria, targets, processes, and plans described in Subsection 73-10g-105(3) .

3. (3) The commission shall support community efforts to develop a unified, state water strategy to promote water conservation and efficiency that:

   1. (a) is consistent with Section 73-1-21;
   2. (b) is created with the aid of stakeholders including water conservancy districts created under Title 17B, Chapter 2a, Part 10, Water Conservancy District Act;
   3. (c) includes model ordinances or policies consistent with the unified, statewide water strategy that may be adopted by political subdivisions; and
   4. (d) respects different needs of different political subdivisions or geographic regions of the state.

4. (4) The commission may:

   1. (a) form one or more working groups from the membership of the commission to consider and study the issues described in this section;
   2. (b) meet up to six times per calendar year without approval from the Legislative Management Committee; and
   3. (c) open one or more committee bill files that relate to the commission's duties under this section.

Amended by Chapter 258, 2023 General Session