Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 313: Landscaper Certification Amendments

HB 313 updates Utah's licensing rules for landscape work. It requires the Division of Professional Licensing to define "landscape work" and specify which licensees can perform it. Landscaping licensees must complete 6 hours of continuing education every two years, including an additional 3 hours focused on water conservation (like drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation) and fire risk management (such as fire-resistant landscape designs). The bill affects current and future landscape contractors who need to renew their licenses under these new education requirements, effective May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 3 hours of water conservation education (drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation) for landscapers, directly promoting environmental conservation and resource protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 222: Limitation of Actions Amendments

HB 222 modifies Utah's liability rules for greenhouse gas emissions. It removes the requirement that companies must reside or do business in Utah to qualify for limited liability in climate-related lawsuits. Companies can now only be held liable if a court finds clear evidence they violated specific emissions laws or permits, and the plaintiff must identify the exact gases and prove direct harm. The bill also updates the definition of greenhouse gases to include sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and other specific compounds.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts climate lawsuit liability by requiring strict evidence of emissions violations, weakening enforcement of environmental regulations and prioritizing industry over accountability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 22: Vintage Vehicle Amendments

HB 22 creates a "classic vehicle" designation to replace the current "vintage vehicle" classification in Utah. The bill removes emissions testing requirements for vehicles under the new classic vehicle category and updates related vehicle definition codes in state law. This change directly affects owners of older vehicles currently classified as "vintage" who will now fall under the new "classic" designation. The bill also appropriates $36,400 for administrative costs related to implementing these changes.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves emissions testing requirements for classic vehicles, weakening pollution control standards under environmental regulations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 57: Motor Vehicle Division Amendments

HB 57 makes technical updates to Utah's motor vehicle laws to improve clarity and correct errors in existing code. It standardizes vehicle weight definitions, exempts street-legal all-terrain vehicles from certain emissions inspections and odometer requirements, and discontinues special interest vehicle license plates. The bill also updates definitions for terms like "rack" and "all-terrain vehicle," corrects a sales tax earmark error, and removes unnecessary security deposit requirements for registered but non-operational vehicles. These changes primarily affect vehicle owners, rental car fleets, and the Motor Vehicle Division, with no new funding required.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts street-legal ATVs from emissions inspections, reducing regulatory oversight on vehicle emissions per bill summary.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 328: Water Usage Modifications

HB 328 prohibits the use of overhead spray irrigation for nonfunctional turf (aesthetic turf not used for sports, recreation, or active community purposes) in new or redeveloped projects on specified land within the Great Salt Lake drainage area, effective January 1, 2027. It applies to property owners and developers of commercial, industrial, institutional, or multifamily projects in this region, excluding agricultural land, single-family homes, schools, and government properties. Municipalities must include warnings about the prohibition in land use permits and may inspect projects for compliance. The bill defines key terms like "nonfunctional turf" and "specified land" to clarify which developments and landscapes are affected.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits water-wasting irrigation for nonfunctional turf in commercial/industrial projects, directly conserving water resources in the ecologically sensitive Great Salt Lake area. Subjects explicitly include 'Water Conservation'.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

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