HB 154 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Water Loss Study Amendments

HB 154 directs Utah's Division of Water Resources to study water loss in public water systems from 2015 to 2024, compiling data on system size and analyzing industry practices for both public systems and end-use losses. The study requires the division to make recommendations for improving water loss estimates and reducing actual water losses. The division must report findings to the Legislative Water Development Commission by October 31, 2026. The bill also repeals related provisions by July 1, 2027, with most provisions effective May 6, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to include a Senate sponsor and committee notes, and the substantive text was expanded to add two new sections. These additions clarify the repeal schedule for related statutes, define key terms like 'Division' and 'Public water system,' and mandate a specific study on water loss data from 2015 to 2024. The bill also sets a firm deadline for reporting findings to the Legislative Water Development Commission by October 31, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general directive to study water loss to a detailed mandate requiring a specific analysis of historical data, industry standards, and actionable recommendations for reducing water loss in public systems.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Division of Water Resources to conduct a specific study analyzing water loss data from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024.

Added a requirement to provide an overview of industry standard water loss principles and practices.

Added a requirement to make recommendations on improving data reliability and reducing actual water losses.

TIMELINE

Established a specific deadline of October 31, 2026, for the Division to report study findings to the Legislative Water Development Commission.

DEFINITION

Added formal definitions for 'Division' and 'Public water system' to ensure consistent interpretation of the bill.

TECHNICAL

Added a repeal date for a specific subsection regarding interim committee reporting requirements.

Updated metadata to include a Senate sponsor (Michael K. McKell) and a Legislative Vote count.

Floor votes · House Feb 17, 2026

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

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ comm rpt/ sent to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor