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 Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 549: Energy Efficiency Rebate Amendments

HB 549 requires large electric and natural gas utilities (serving over 200,000 customers in Utah) to operate energy efficiency rebate programs and submit detailed annual reports to the Office of Energy Development. These reports must include program descriptions, customer participation by category (residential, commercial, etc.), rebate amounts, energy savings data, and alignment with state energy policy. The Office of Energy Development must then review these reports, consult with utilities, and provide recommendations to improve program effectiveness, all to be included in the Office’s annual report to the legislature. The bill takes effect in May 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utility energy efficiency rebates and reporting, aligning with clean energy policy to increase savings and reduce energy use.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy efficiency rebate programs for utilities, promoting reduced energy consumption and alignment with clean energy policy per bill summary and subjects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 545: Budgetary Modifications

HB 545 modifies Utah's budgetary accounts and fund management. It changes the names of two accounts (Agriculture Conservation Easement Account and LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund), repeals five existing funds (including Navajo Water Rights and Alternative Fuel Grant Programs), and creates the new Energy Development Infrastructure Fund to provide loans for nuclear power infrastructure. The bill also clarifies grant administration rules, prohibits agencies from using grant funds to manage grants unless specified, and adjusts reporting requirements for competitive grants. These changes primarily affect state agencies managing public funds, conservation programs, and energy infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Energy Development Infrastructure Fund for nuclear loans, modifies budget accounts, clarifies grant rules - promotes fiscal management and strategic budget restructuring.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Energy Development Infrastructure Fund for nuclear power loans, advancing energy infrastructure investment.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals Alternative Fuel Grant Programs and Navajo Water Rights, defunding environmental initiatives. Creates nuclear fund without environmental focus.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals Alternative Fuel Grant Programs, which fund transportation-related infrastructure, indicating defunding of transportation initiatives.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 323: Solar Panel Disposal Amendments

HB 323 creates a new program to manage solar panel waste in Utah, directly affecting solar installers, panel owners, and waste facilities. It requires installers to register with the Waste Management Division and pay fees, mandates panel owners to test for hazards and dispose of panels at approved sites starting July 2027, and authorizes the Waste Management Board to set testing and disposal rules. The bill also establishes a dedicated waste account, requires detailed disclosures from solar retailers about disposal, and mandates annual reports to lawmakers. No new funding is appropriated for this program.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes waste management for solar panels, supporting renewable energy infrastructure sustainability by ensuring responsible end-of-life disposal.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates solar panel hazard testing and approved disposal to prevent environmental harm, requiring installer registration and waste management oversight under Environment subject.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SCR 9: Concurrent Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals Development and Funding

Utah's SCR 9 is a concurrent resolution urging federal action to support the state's critical minerals industry. It calls for creating the MINES Center (a research hub for mineral extraction technology) and requests federal block grants - instead of project-specific funding - to accelerate domestic mineral development. The resolution specifically asks Utah's congressional delegation to advocate for the state to host a federal critical minerals national lab and to secure funding for the MINES Center. This resolution directly affects Utah's state agencies, the University of Utah, and Utah's federal lawmakers, without appropriating state funds.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill advocates for critical minerals development funding essential for renewable energy infrastructure (e.g., batteries, clean tech), aligning with energy advancement indicators.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prioritizes accelerated mineral extraction development (MINES Center, block grants) without environmental safeguards, aligning with industry growth over environmental protection per indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 176: Landscaping Procurement Amendments

SB 176 requires Utah state agencies to purchase electric-powered landscape maintenance equipment when replacing old gasoline-powered equipment for routine outdoor care (like mowing or trimming) on state government grounds. It applies specifically to properties in counties classified as first or second class with less than 50,000 square feet of maintained grounds. Exceptions allow exemptions if electric equipment is impractical due to terrain features or during emergencies. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate new funding.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates electric equipment over gasoline, reducing fossil fuel dependence in state operations per procurement requirements.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates electric equipment for state landscaping, reducing emissions from gasoline-powered alternatives per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

Track

passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 223: Sales and Use Tax Exemptions Modifications

SB 223 modifies Utah's sales and use tax exemptions to support renewable energy infrastructure development. It extends the tax exemption for equipment used to expand existing alternative energy power plants (like solar, wind, or geothermal facilities) and adds a new exemption for equipment that increases capacity at electric energy storage facilities (such as battery systems). This directly affects businesses building or upgrading renewable energy projects by reducing their upfront costs for qualifying equipment. The bill also includes minor technical adjustments to tax code definitions but does not appropriate new state funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemptions for renewable energy equipment, reducing business costs via tax relief, directly advancing tax policy for fiscal support.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends tax exemptions for renewable energy equipment and storage, reducing costs to advance clean energy infrastructure development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends tax exemptions for renewable energy equipment (solar, wind, geothermal) and energy storage, directly promoting clean energy infrastructure development and reducing financial barriers for environmental projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

Track

signed · Utah · House Feb 13, 2026

HCR 1: House Concurrent Resolution Regarding Advanced Nuclear Manufacturing

HCR 1 is a non-binding resolution expressing Utah's support for the advanced nuclear manufacturing industry and declaring the state's desire to host such manufacturing. It commits Utah to helping technology companies address safety challenges in nuclear manufacturing, transportation, and waste management, while welcoming innovative nuclear firms to the state. The resolution does not create new laws, appropriate funds, or directly affect specific entities, but signals legislative backing for the industry's development.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly expresses Utah's support for advanced nuclear manufacturing, addressing safety challenges and welcoming firms, aligning with Clean Energy and Nuclear Energy subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly supports nuclear manufacturing under 'Clean Energy' subjects, aligning with promoting low-carbon energy solutions per environmental indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy