Representatives Seal

Fiscal Note

2nd Sub. S.B. 254 (Salmon)

2026 General Session

Critical Minerals Amendments

by Millner, Ann (Shallenberger, David)

Senate Seal
General, Income Tax, and Uniform School FundsJR4-4-101
OngoingOne-timeTotal
Net GF/ITF/USF (rev.-exp.) $(324,700) $(50,900) $(375,600)


State GovernmentUCA 36-12-13(2)(c)
Revenues FY2026 FY2027 FY2028
Total Revenues $0 $0 $0

Enactment of this legislation likely will not materially impact state revenue.


Expenditures FY2026 FY2027 FY2028
Infrastructure and Economic Diversification Investment Account (GFR) $0 $1,000,000 $1,000,000
Infrastructure and Economic Diversification Investment Account (GFR), One-time $0 $10,000,000 $0
Utah Geological Survey Restricted Account (GFR), One-time $0 $50,000 $0
Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (GFR) $0 $528,000 $528,000
General Fund $0 $324,700 $324,700
General Fund, One-time $900 $50,000 $0
Total Expenditures $900 $11,952,700 $1,852,700

Enactment of this legislation could cost the Division of Finance $900 one-time from the General Fund in FY 2026 and $1,900 ongoing from the General Fund beginning in FY 2027 to create and maintain the new Critical Minerals Development Account. Enactment of this legislation could cost the Legislature $2,800 ongoing from the General Fund beginning in FY 2027 for per diem and travel reimbursement for legislative members on the new Critical Minerals Council. Enactment of this legislation could cost the Department of Natural Resources an estimated $50,000 one-time from the General Fund in FY 2027 and $50,000 one-time from the Utah Geological Survey Restricted Account in FY 2027 for the completion of a critical minerals atlas; the agency has indicated these costs can be absorbed. Enactment of this legislation could also cost the Department of Natural Resources an estimated $320,000 ongoing from the General Fund beginning in FY 2027 for two full-time equivalent support staff within the Utah Office of Energy Development; the agency has indicated $112,700 of this can be absorbed. Enactment of this legislation could also cost the Department of Natural Resources an estimated $528,000 ongoing from the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining Restricted Account beginning in FY 2027 for three full-time equivalent support staff within the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining. Enactment of this legislation would also transfer $10 million one-time from the Infrastructure and Economic Diversification Investment Account into the newly created Critical Minerals Development Account in FY 2027. Enactment of this legislation would appropriate $10,000,000 one-time in FY 2027 and $1,000,000 ongoing beginning in FY 2027 from the Infrastructure and Economic Diversification Investment Account to the newly created Critical Minerals Council within the Department of Natural Resources for initial startup costs and ongoing support of the program.


FY2026 FY2027 FY2028
Net All Funds (rev-exp) $(900) $(11,952,700) $(1,852,700)
Local GovernmentUCA 36-12-13(2)(c)

To the extent that critical minerals zones are created within counties or municipalities, enactment of this legislation could result in incremental property tax revenue generated within such zones being transferred from local governments to the Critical Minerals Development Account, resulting in forgone revenue to the taxing entities; the aggregate impact is unknown and impacts will vary among local entities.

Individuals & BusinessesUCA 36-12-13(2)(c)

To the extent that critical minerals zones are created within counties or municipalities, enactment of this legislation could result in individuals and businesses within such zones facing higher tax rates as certified taxable value is adjusted for incremental value; individual impacts will vary and the aggregate impact is unknown.

Regulatory ImpactUCA 36-12-13(2)(d)

Enactment of this legislation likely will not change the regulatory burden for Utah residents or businesses.

Performance EvaluationJR1-4-601

This bill does not create a new program or significantly expand an existing program.