Ute Tribe may continue to get portion of tax

The Ute Indian Tribe would continue to receive a portion of the taxes collected on oil and gas drilling on Indian lands under a bill making its way to the Utah Senate.

The Senate Natural Resources Agriculture and Environment Committee on Tuesday approved SB82, a bill that continues the oil and gas severance tax indefinitely. The law, passed 10 years ago, was to expire this year. The bill now moves on to the Senate floor.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Beverly Evans, R-Altamont, said the royalty money has been helpful to the tribe and counties, and should continue.

Ute Indians agreed.

"Since the legislation was enacted 10 years ago, it has helped the Ute Tribe fund education, built the Head Start building, renovate the high school and construct community buildings, Laundromats and playgrounds," said Maxine Natchees of the Ute Tribe.

Increased oil and gas development over the last two years has generated $2 million a year into the Uintah Basin Revitalization Fund — the maximum amount allowed in the fund. Twenty-five percent of the severance tax is given to Duchesne and Uintah counties for capital improvement projects.