Appointment of river commissioner.
Utah Code § 73-35-301
in effect73-35-301. Appointment of river commissioner.
(1)
(a) If the governor appoints the river commissioner before March 16, 2021, that appointment expires on June 30, 2027.
(b) If the river commissioner appointed by the governor under Subsection (1)(a) is also appointed as a member of the authority, the river commissioner shall serve as the chair of the authority for a term expiring June 30, 2027.
(c) After June 30, 2027, the governor shall appoint the river commissioner with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(d) If after June 30, 2027, the governor appoints as the river commissioner an individual who is a member of the authority appointed under Subsection 73-35-202(1)(b) or (c), the individual is no longer a member of the authority under Subsection 73-35-202(1)(b) or (c) but is a member of the authority as the chair of the authority. The governor shall replace the vacancy created by appointment of the river commissioner under this Subsection (1) in accordance with Subsection 73-35-202(7).
(e) An individual may not hold one of the following positions and be the river commissioner at the same time:
(i) the director of the Division of Water Resources;
(ii) the executive director of the department; or
(iii) the state engineer.
(2) The term of a river commissioner runs concurrently with the term as chair as provided in Sections 73-35-203 and 73-35-302.
(3) If the river commissioner no longer serves as river commissioner, the governor shall fill the vacancy in accordance with this section and Section 73-35-203.
(4) Notwithstanding Title 67, Chapter 16, Utah Public Officers' and Employees' Ethics Act, and except as provided in Subsection (1)(e), a river commissioner may hold another government position at the same time as being a river commissioner without creating a conflict of interest.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 370, 2026 General Session
Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title73/Chapter35/73-35-S301.html?v=C73-35-S301_2026050620260701Fetched: 10/26/2026