Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 514: Utah Energy Council Amendments

HB 514 creates the Utah Energy Infrastructure Service District, a new state entity that will own and operate energy infrastructure like power lines and storage facilities. It expands the Utah Energy Council from five to seven members, designates the council as the district's governing board, and allows the district to issue revenue bonds (not subject to state debt limits) to finance projects. The district can enter contracts with private operators to manage facilities and is exempt from property taxes, though operators pay a privilege tax. This bill directly affects the Utah Energy Council, future district operations, and private energy operators entering contracts with the district.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Utah Energy Infrastructure Service District to own/operate energy infrastructure with funding via revenue bonds, directly advancing energy infrastructure development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 135: Nuclear Reprocessing Amendments

SB 135 amends Utah's energy development laws to establish a formal process for nuclear fuel recycling facility planning. It authorizes the Office of Energy Development to coordinate with private companies and local communities on facility development, and the Utah Energy Council to provide strategic guidance and preliminary assessments. The bill requires both agencies to include annual reports on their nuclear fuel recycling activities in their existing annual reports. These changes directly affect state energy agencies, private entities seeking to develop nuclear recycling facilities, and local communities near proposed sites. The bill makes no funding changes and focuses on procedural coordination rather than altering facility operations or environmental standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes formal process for nuclear fuel recycling facilities, advancing nuclear energy infrastructure under Clean Energy policy subjects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes nuclear fuel recycling process under Clean Energy subject, promoting low-carbon energy infrastructure aligned with environmental goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 185: Carbon Credit Amendments

HB 185 establishes new rules and funds for carbon credit transactions in Utah. It creates a Carbon Credit Investment Fund funded by a 19% assessment on carbon credit sales (administered by the State Tax Commission) and a Carbon Credit Litigation Fund. The bill requires carbon credit brokers to hold licenses, imposes criminal penalties for unlicensed sales, and gives the Office of Energy Development a right of first refusal to purchase in-state carbon credits. State agencies must report carbon credit details and deposit sale revenue into the General Fund, while 5% of the Investment Fund’s annual earnings go to rural counties and eligible rural colleges meeting specific enrollment and completion rate criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 19% assessment on carbon credit sales to fund state programs via new Carbon Credit Investment/Litigation Funds, directly establishing revenue mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Carbon Credit Investment Fund to support emissions reduction initiatives under energy policy, directly funding carbon credit transactions and renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Carbon Credit Investment Fund, requires licensing for brokers, and gives agencies authority to manage carbon credits - directly advancing emissions reduction efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 16: Solar Power Plant Amendments

HB 16 establishes new rules for utility-scale solar power plants in Utah, affecting developers planning projects permitted after May 6, 2026. It ties state financial incentives to land characteristics: projects on protected farmland (prime, irrigated, or high-capacity cropland) lose full incentives, while those on less productive land may qualify for partial support. The bill also requires wildlife impact consultations, mandates decommissioning plans with financial assurance (like bonds or letters of credit), and sets site restoration standards. Existing projects with pre-2026 agreements or permits are exempt from these new rules.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTies state incentives to solar projects on less productive land, promoting renewable energy development while adding environmental safeguards.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes solar energy development with environmental safeguards: requires wildlife consultations, decommissioning plans, and ties incentives to land use protecting farmland, advancing clean energy while conserving resources.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 575: Fuel Tax and Supply Amendments

HB 575 reduces Utah's motor fuel tax rate and requires refineries to report production data to the Office of Energy Development. The bill establishes new permitting rules for oil and gas infrastructure projects, including a 120-day processing timeline for applications and coordination between state agencies. These changes directly affect refineries, oil and gas companies building pipelines or storage facilities, and fuel consumers through tax adjustments. The bill appropriates $11.9 million for implementation in fiscal year 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces motor fuel tax rate (tax relief) and addresses tax policy via Motor Fuel Taxes subject, directly advancing fiscal policy for consumers/businesses.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces motor fuel tax and eases oil/gas infrastructure permits, favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy policies per bill's focus on Fossil Fuels and Motor Fuel Taxes.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationReduces motor fuel tax, a primary transportation funding source, without allocating funds for infrastructure maintenance or improvements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SCR 4: Concurrent Resolution Regarding Permitting of Oil, Gas, and Mining

SCR 4 is a Utah concurrent resolution supporting the state's effort to formalize a cooperative agreement (MOA) with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to streamline permitting for oil, gas, and mining operations on BLM lands. It urges the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining to negotiate an MOA that would allow the state to review technical aspects of permit applications - like drilling plans - while ensuring the BLM retains final decision-making authority. The resolution aims to reduce permitting delays and save BLM staff time by leveraging Utah’s local expertise in geology and resource management. This affects oil, gas, and mining operators seeking permits on federal lands, as well as Utah’s state agencies and the BLM.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill streamlines permitting for oil/gas/mining, favoring fossil fuel development over renewable energy policies per resolution language.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentStreamlines permitting for oil/gas/mining without environmental safeguards, prioritizing industry efficiency over environmental protection92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 157: Department of Natural Resources Amendments

HB 157 amends various Utah laws related to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It changes how the DNR handles employee work periods, allows water rights records to be kept electronically or physically, and adjusts rules for water rights after contract issues. The bill removes a cap on low-interest loans for water metering, ends the Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, and repeals funding rules for a watershed program. It appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for DNR operations in fiscal year 2027. The changes primarily affect DNR staff, water rights holders, and entities managing water resources in Utah.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEnds Alternative Energy Tax Credit and repeals watershed funding, defunding program and restricting tax relief.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals Alternative Energy Development Tax Credit Act, removing financial incentive for renewables and weakening clean energy support.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEnds Alternative Energy Tax Credit and repeals watershed program funding, defunding environmental initiatives per bill text.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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