HB 63 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Livestock Watering Amendments

HB 63 creates a new process for livestock water right claims in Utah, specifically for water used to water livestock from existing surface sources. It defines "sub-basin livestock watering claims" requiring landowners to map and get state engineer approval for geographically limited sub-basins (not impairing other rights), while restricting claims to historically used water levels without increasing total usage. The bill allows ranchers to build small ponds (≤900 sq ft) without permits but requires approval for large ponds (>900 sq ft) and dam safety compliance. It directly affects livestock water right holders on private or public grazing land with documented historical watering practices, ensuring no net increase in water use beyond past levels.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Amended Excerpts 1/26/2026 10:01:943 → Amended 1/26/2026 10:01:943 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a new legal mechanism called 'sub-basin livestock watering claims' to simplify how farmers and ranchers secure water rights for watering livestock. It defines specific rules for small and large ponds, clarifies who qualifies as a water right holder, and establishes strict limits to ensure new claims do not harm existing water users. The changes streamline the process for using existing water sources within a specific geographic area while maintaining protections for established water rights.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of Utah's water law by creating a specific pathway for livestock watering claims that allows for the use of multiple surface water sources within a defined sub-drainage area, rather than requiring separate claims for each water source.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'large pond', 'small pond', 'livestock', and 'sub-basin livestock watering claim' to clarify what these terms mean under the law.

REQUIREMENT

Requires anyone filing a new sub-basin claim to identify a specific geographic boundary, submit a map, and obtain approval from the state engineer to ensure the claim does not impair existing water rights.

Establishes that a new sub-basin claim cannot increase the total amount of water a holder can use and must be based on historically documented usage or private/public land ownership.

Differentiates construction rules for ponds, allowing small ponds to be built without a change application while requiring a change application and dam safety permit for large ponds.

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date of the new provisions to May 6, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026 · House Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

28–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 29

Mar 5, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Yea

100% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

21 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 25, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ 3nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

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

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

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

lower

Jan 21, 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