Environment

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 489: Water Infrastructure Amendments

HB 489, the Water Infrastructure Amendments, requires local governments in the Great Salt Lake basin to prioritize low impact development (like permeable surfaces and rain gardens) over retention basins for storm water management, unless no feasible alternative exists. It mandates that detention basins in the basin be designed to release water as quickly as possible without compromising flood control or drainage capacity. The bill also establishes a process for independent review of storm water design disputes, with costs shared equally between applicants and local governments. These changes directly affect municipalities, counties, and developers operating within the Great Salt Lake basin under Utah’s storm water permitting system.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires low-impact development for stormwater management, prioritizing water quality protection and natural resource conservation in Great Salt Lake basin per environmental subjects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 168: Hunting and Fishing Amendments

HB 168 creates the Poaching Mitigation Fund to use restitution from poaching violations for anti-poaching efforts like education programs, wildlife crime detection equipment, and law enforcement training. It modifies the Guide and Outfitter Fund to allow the Division of Law Enforcement to use its money for wildlife enforcement, removes outdated references to "spotters," and updates definitions for guides and outfitters. The bill also clarifies rules about the number of people allowed to provide guide services, addresses unlawful aircraft activity during hunting/fishing, and requires reimbursement for investigatory expenses related to violations. These changes directly affect wildlife law enforcement, licensed guides/outfitters, and individuals violating hunting/fishing regulations. The bill makes technical updates to Utah code sections without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill uses poaching violation restitution to fund law enforcement training and wildlife enforcement, directly strengthening law enforcement within criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Poaching Mitigation Fund using restitution for anti-poaching efforts, strengthens wildlife enforcement funding, directly advancing conservation and natural resource protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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 Environment

Track

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Utah · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 19: Drinking Water Utilities Amendments

HB 19 requires community water systems serving 3,300 or more people to create and update emergency response plans by December 2026 (with annual updates), while smaller systems must do so by July 2027. It mandates that any security breach threatening water quality or supply must be reported to the Utah Cyber Center within two hours. The bill also requires the Division of Drinking Water to annually report on security practices to legislative committees and classifies emergency response plans as protected records. These provisions aim to strengthen cybersecurity and emergency preparedness at drinking water facilities across Utah.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates emergency plans and breach reporting to protect water quality, directly safeguarding a core environmental resource as defined in the topic description.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Utah · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 66: Soil Health Program Amendments

HB 66 extends the repeal date for Utah's Soil Health Program from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036. This amendment directly affects the program itself, which supports agricultural practices that improve soil quality and sustainability for Utah farmers and ranchers. The bill changes Section 63I-1-204 of Utah Code to delay the program's termination by 10 years. No new funding is appropriated, and the change only modifies the program's scheduled end date without altering its current structure or operations. The bill passed unanimously and takes effect May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends soil health program promoting sustainable agriculture, directly supporting environmental conservation through improved soil quality and sustainability practices without defunding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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 Environment

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 5: Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Base Budget

HB 5 is a funding bill that allocates $1.3 billion in state funds for Utah's Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality agencies for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It directly affects the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, providing specific appropriations for its programs like Animal Industry, Invasive Species Mitigation, Plant Industry, and Marketing. The bill details funding sources (including General Fund and Income Tax Fund) and includes limited provisions for non-lapsing funds to cover specific operational needs like equipment, training, and projects. It does not create new policies but authorizes spending for existing agency operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.3B for state agencies' programs via General/Income Tax funds, directly funding essential services without cuts or tax increases.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $1.3B to Utah Department of Environmental Quality and Environmental Quality agencies, directly funding air quality, natural resources, and conservation programs per bill title and subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment