Limitation of Actions Amendments
HB 222 modifies Utah's liability rules for greenhouse gas emissions. It removes the requirement that companies must reside or do business in Utah to qualify for limited liability in climate-related lawsuits. Companies can now only be held liable if a court finds clear evidence they violated specific emissions laws or permits, and the plaintiff must identify the exact gases and prove direct harm. The bill also updates the definition of greenhouse gases to include sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and other specific compounds.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 20, 2026
Signed Mar 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Substitute #1
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Mar 23, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was finalized by updating the effective date from May 6, 2026, to February 24, 2026, and refining the legal text to clarify that no person can be held liable for climate damage unless they specifically violated emission limits or permits. The definition of greenhouse gases was expanded to include sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and nitrogen trifluoride, while removing water vapor from the list. Crucially, the liability shield now applies to all persons regardless of whether they reside in or do business within Utah, broadening the protection to out-of-state entities.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was expanded to protect any person, including those outside Utah, from liability for climate damage unless they violated specific emission rules.
TIMELINE
The effective date was changed from May 6, 2026, to February 24, 2026.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'greenhouse gas' was updated to include sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and nitrogen trifluoride, and water vapor was removed from the list.
ELIGIBILITY
The requirement that a person must reside or do business in Utah to qualify for liability protection was removed, extending the shield to all persons.
REQUIREMENT
The conditions for being held liable were clarified to require proof that the person violated an enforceable statutory limit or a valid permit issued by a state or federal agency.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 20, 2026 · House Feb 10, 2026
How they voted
20–6
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 29
Feb 20, 2026
D
Democratic6
100% Nay
N
Forward1
100% Yea
R
Republican22
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
44
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 23, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 222
Scope: UT
Hi! I can help you understand HB 222. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline