Environment

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 155: Water Rates Amendments

HB 155 requires Utah residential water suppliers to adopt a three-tiered rate structure by July 2027, designed to encourage water conservation. The tiers must include: one block for efficient indoor use, one for efficient indoor/outdoor use, and one for wasteful use, with higher rates for increased usage. Suppliers must include water conservation efforts in the highest usage tier's rate calculation and provide clear billing details to customers. The bill applies to residential customers primarily served by retail water suppliers, with specific requirements for rate transparency and conservation funding. It does not appropriate new funds but modifies existing rate-setting rules under Utah Code Section 73-10-32.5.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires tiered water rates to incentivize conservation, directly aligns with water conservation and natural resource protection as stated in the summary and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 263: Heavy Duty Vehicle Amendments

HB 263 requires a registration fee for heavy duty vehicles (over 14,000 pounds gross weight) with a 2009 or older model year, excluding farm tractors and trucks. The fee revenue must be deposited into Utah's Environmental Mitigation and Response Fund. This bill updates vehicle registration codes to establish the fee and directs its funding source, with no new money appropriated. It directly affects owners of older heavy commercial vehicles registered in Utah.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs registration fees from older heavy vehicles to Environmental Mitigation Fund, explicitly advancing environmental protection through dedicated funding for mitigation/response.95% confidence

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 125: Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments

HB 125 updates Utah's rules for preventing invasive mussels (like zebra or quagga mussels) from spreading via watercraft. It directly affects boat owners, renters, boat livery operators, and government agencies managing waterways. Key changes include clarifying definitions of "invasive mussel," exempting boat renters from fees and decals (with livery operators handling decontamination), updating fee collection processes, and modifying education requirements. These provisions aim to improve enforcement and reduce invasive species spread through clearer vessel operation rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents spread of invasive mussels, protecting aquatic ecosystems and natural resources. Directly aligns with environmental conservation goals through updated enforcement measures.95% confidence

signed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 93: Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area

HB 93 creates the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area on state-owned lands near the Great Salt Lake, designated for conservation and public use. The bill authorizes the Wildlife Board to manage this area to protect waterfowl and other wildlife habitat, enhance wetland ecosystems, and provide recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. It directly affects the Wildlife Board (which will manage the area) and the public who access the site for outdoor activities. The bill makes technical updates to existing Utah law (23A-6-403 and 23A-12-301) to formally establish the area without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates conservation area to protect wildlife habitat and enhance wetlands, directly advancing environmental protection per bill summary95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 37: Used Oil Management Act Amendments

HB 37 amends Utah's Used Oil Management Act to increase the recycling fee on lubricating oil sales starting July 1, 2026, and grants the Division of Waste Management rulemaking authority to set future fees beginning July 1, 2027. The bill requires the Division to notify the State Tax Commission 90 days before any fee change takes effect and clarifies that grant funds can be used to hire permitted transporters for curbside used oil collection programs. It directly affects lubricating oil vendors who must collect and remit the fees, and supports used oil collection programs through updated incentive payment rules. The changes take effect May 6, 2026, with the new fee structure beginning July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases recycling fee (tax) on lubricating oil sales, generating state revenue. Establishes fiscal management procedures (notification to Tax Commission, rulemaking authority) for fee adjustments, supporting budget stability.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases recycling fees for used oil, mandates proper disposal via higher costs, and clarifies grant funds for curbside collection programs to promote environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 64: School and Institutional Trust Lands Amendments

HB 64 creates a formal process for counties to nominate culturally or scientifically significant sites on Utah's school and institutional trust lands for preservation. It requires counties to submit detailed nominations - including maps, evidence of significance, public input, and preservation plans - within 24 months of receiving notice from the trust lands administration. The director must review nominations within 180 days, approve those meeting strict criteria (like limiting sites to 640 acres or excluding mineral resources), and maintain a public list of approved sites. This bill directly affects counties with trust lands and the administration, establishing clear procedures without new funding or altering existing historic preservation laws.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates preservation of culturally/scientifically significant sites on public lands, directly conserving natural resources and protecting environmental value through formal preservation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

Track

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 30: Wildlife Management Area Amendments

HB 30 creates the Wildlife Management Area Stewardship Fund, funded by voluntary contributions, to support habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and volunteer coordination in state wildlife areas. It repeals the previous requirement for hunting or fishing licenses to access these areas and instead mandates that recreational users (non-hunting, non-fishing visitors) in certain counties complete an approved educational video and obtain digital verification for entry. Exceptions include highway travel within the areas, participation in educational programs, or existing property rights. The bill directly affects non-hunting, non-fishing visitors and the Division of Wildlife Resources, which will manage the fund and oversee the educational requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Wildlife Management Area Stewardship Fund to directly support habitat restoration, conservation, and volunteer coordination in state wildlife areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Wildlife

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

Sub-Topics Nuclear Waste Management

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

Sub-Topics Solar Wildlife

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 76: Data Center Water Transparency Amendments

HB 76 requires large data centers (over 10,000 square feet) to report water use before construction and annually after 2027. Operators must communicate with local water providers before building and submit detailed water usage reports to the state. The bill defines "large data center" and amends Utah water law to include these reporting requirements as a compliance obligation. It applies directly to operators of qualifying data centers and aims to increase transparency around water consumption for these facilities. No new funding is appropriated for this policy change.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires water usage reporting from large data centers to increase transparency and support water conservation, directly addressing water resource management under Environment.95% confidence