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 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 · 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 401: Geothermal Study Amendments

HB 401 directs Utah's Office of Energy Development to study whether geothermal energy facilities can be developed at or near existing or retired coal power plants. The study must assess underground heat levels, infrastructure suitability, potential electricity output, costs, and economic impacts for each site, with results published online by December 31, 2027. The office must report annually to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee before November meetings. This procedural bill affects the Office of Energy Development and coal plant sites, but does not fund construction or alter energy regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates study of geothermal development at coal sites, promoting renewable energy assessment for potential infrastructure expansion.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStudies geothermal energy development at coal sites, promoting clean energy research as a step toward environmental protection and reduced emissions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 78: Nuclear Regulatory Amendments

HB 78 creates a new Nuclear Energy Regulatory Office within Utah's Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control to oversee state-level nuclear energy regulation. It directly affects nuclear facilities and operators in Utah by establishing state authority for licensing and oversight of nuclear fuel cycle activities like fuel fabrication, storage, and waste management - previously managed federally. Key provisions include granting the division rulemaking power for safety and environmental standards, authorizing fees to cover regulatory costs, and directing efforts to expand Utah's "Agreement State" status with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The bill reorganizes existing regulatory structures without new funding, focusing on coordinating state and federal oversight of nuclear energy operations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates state regulatory office for nuclear energy, enabling oversight of nuclear facilities and infrastructure per bill's focus on licensing and safety oversight.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

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