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The Colorado River Authority of Utah, the state body responsible for protecting Utah's interests in Colorado River water, would move from the Governor's Office to the Department of Natural Resources starting July 1, 2026, under this bill. The measure would also change how authority members and the river commissioner are appointed, allow the river commissioner to receive compensation for the first time by repealing the current ban on paying that position, and shift hiring authority for the authority's executive director. In addition, the bill would eliminate the authority's dedicated restricted fund account, expand the authority's powers and duties—including its ability to manage contracts, funding, and Colorado River-related projects—and make related technical updates to state open-records and procurement laws to reflect the authority's new placement within state government.