HB 509 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Wetlands Study Amendments

HB 509 directs Utah's Department of Natural Resources to study wetlands in counties of the first or second class, focusing on how wetland status may change due to federal law shifts and impacts on outdoor recreation (like duck hunting and water quality). The department must report progress by November 2026 and a final report by October 2027, including recommendations for legislative or administrative changes. The bill also restores a requirement to publish wetlands land use permits online and adds a study on whether Utah should create or partner to run a program where developers pay for wetland restoration instead of doing it themselves. This study will inform future decisions but does not change current wetland regulations or funding.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed Mar 25, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #3 → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

This bill establishes a comprehensive study on wetlands in Utah's first and second-class counties to assess their status, changes, and impacts on recreation and water quality. It requires the Department of Natural Resources to complete this study by October 2027 and submit progress and final reports to the legislature. The bill also mandates the publication of land use permits and adds a new requirement to study the viability of an in-lieu fee program for wetland mitigation, including potential partnerships with private organizations.

Scope change

The bill's scope is expanded to include a specific study on the viability of an in-lieu fee program for wetland mitigation, which was not present in the previous version.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the department to study and make recommendations on the viability of an in-lieu fee program for wetland mitigation, including options for state administration or partnerships with private entities.

Reinstated the requirement for the department to publish land use permits collected by the Utah Geological Survey on its website.

Expanded the study scope to include an analysis of how wetlands may change based on federal law reclassifications and their impact on outdoor recreation and water quality.

TIMELINE

Set a deadline of October 30, 2027, for completing the wetlands study and submitting a final report, along with a November 30, 2026, deadline for a progress report.

Updated the study completion deadline from 2026 to October 30, 2027, and adjusted report submission dates accordingly.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026 · House Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

26–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 29

Mar 4, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Yea

100% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

19 Yea 3

86% 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 6, 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

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (26-0-3)

senate

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ to House with amendments

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

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

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor