HB 489 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Water Infrastructure Amendments

HB 489, the Water Infrastructure Amendments, requires local governments in the Great Salt Lake basin to prioritize low impact development (like permeable surfaces and rain gardens) over retention basins for storm water management, unless no feasible alternative exists. It mandates that detention basins in the basin be designed to release water as quickly as possible without compromising flood control or drainage capacity. The bill also establishes a process for independent review of storm water design disputes, with costs shared equally between applicants and local governments. These changes directly affect municipalities, counties, and developers operating within the Great Salt Lake basin under Utah’s storm water permitting system.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Amended Excerpts 2/26/2026 14:02:376 → Amended 2/26/2026 14:02:376 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's storm water permit regulations to clarify definitions, limit retention basin use in the Great Salt Lake basin, and establish design standards for detention basins. The changes aim to promote low impact development practices and improve water quality while reducing flooding risks.

Scope change

The bill applies to municipalities and counties with storm water permits in Utah, with specific restrictions for the Great Salt Lake basin area.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Great Salt Lake basin' and 'low impact development' to clarify regulatory scope.

Reorganized and updated existing definitions to improve clarity and consistency throughout the statute.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirement that detention basins must be designed to reduce erosion and improve water quality through sedimentation.

Modified retention basin requirements to prioritize low impact development practices in the Great Salt Lake basin starting January 1, 2027.

Added new provisions for independent review processes for storm water appeals, including cost-sharing between applicants and permittees.

Floor votes · House Feb 24, 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

Amendments

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee]

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee]

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee]

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced

House/ floor amendment

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor