HB 85 Utah House · 2025 General Session

Environmental Permitting Modifications

HB 85 modifies Utah's air quality permitting rules by requiring the Division of Air Quality to develop new guidance on federal plantwide permit rules, review its current permit-by-rule program, and add five new categories of polluters to that program. The bill also mandates a report to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee on the review results and sets a repeal date for outdated sections of the law. These changes directly affect businesses seeking air quality permits and the state agency managing the permitting process. The bill makes no new funding requests or fee changes.

Issues: ✗ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Signed Mar 24, 2025

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What changed between versions

Substitute #1 → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's environmental permitting laws to align with federal requirements and modernize the state's regulatory framework. It mandates the creation of new rules for plantwide applicability limitations, expands the 'permit by rule' program to include at least five new source categories by 2025, and establishes specific repeal dates for temporary sections of the Air Conservation Act. The changes aim to improve permitting efficiency, ensure compliance with federal standards, and clarify the timeline for repealing transitional provisions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the 'permit by rule' program by requiring the inclusion of at least five new categories of sources (such as asphalt plants and dry cleaners) and adds specific requirements for developing guidance on plantwide applicability limitations.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the Division of Air Quality to develop guidance and rules for plantwide applicability limitations and report findings to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee.

Mandates the expansion of the 'permit by rule' program to include at least five new source categories, such as abrasive cleaning and wood processing, by November 30, 2025.

TIMELINE

Establishes specific repeal dates for Sections 19-2-109.6 and 19-2-109.7, set to expire on July 1, 2026, while other chapters of Title 19 are scheduled for repeal between 2027 and 2030.

TECHNICAL

Corrects a citation error in Section 19-1-201, changing the reference for fee penalties from Subsection 19-2-109.1(4) to 19-2-109.1(3).

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 24, 2025

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 5, 2025

Legislature · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

legislature

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Amended

House/ floor amendment failed

lower

Jan 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

House/ to standing committee

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor