Energy

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 21: Geothermal Amendments

SB 21 amends Utah's geothermal resource laws to clarify management and development rules. It updates key definitions (e.g., geothermal resources now exclude fluids and require 100°C+ temperatures) and clarifies that ownership of these resources derives from surface land ownership, not water rights. The bill also adjusts regulations for the Division of Water Rights, allowing up to five years of confidentiality for well records and updating water rights requirements for geothermal fluid use. These changes directly affect geothermal developers, operators, and the Division of Water Rights in Utah.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAmends geothermal laws to clarify development rules and ownership, facilitating renewable energy infrastructure expansion.95% 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 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 · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 412: Energy Development Planning Amendments

HB 412 requires developers of utility-scale solar and wind power plants (over 1 megawatt capacity) to consult with Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources before seeking local government permits. The bill mandates that developers submit project details, hold meetings with wildlife officials, and incorporate the division’s recommendations for minimizing wildlife impacts. Local governments must consider these recommendations when reviewing permits, though the wildlife division cannot approve or deny projects. The law takes effect May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate funds or change local permitting authority.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates wildlife consultations for solar/wind projects to minimize impacts, enabling responsible renewable energy development without restricting projects.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates wildlife consultations for renewable energy projects to minimize ecological impacts, directly advancing environmental protection through conservation requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 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

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 65: Construction Code Amendments

HB 65 updates Utah's State Construction Code to adopt newer editions of nationally recognized building standards, including the 2024 International Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, and Plumbing Code. It directly affects builders, architects, and local building officials by requiring compliance with these updated codes for new construction, renovations, and repairs starting July 1, 2026. Key changes include removing specific water heater regulations in certain areas and incorporating the 2024 code editions for safety, energy efficiency, and structural standards. The bill does not appropriate new funds and aligns Utah's code with current industry practices.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAdopts 2024 Energy Conservation Code requiring efficiency standards in new construction/renovations, directly advancing energy efficiency policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 No ✓ 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

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