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 Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 208: Vehicle Emission Inspection Program Revisions

SB 208 amends Utah's vehicle emissions inspection rules to prevent owners from evading inspections by providing false or improper addresses. It directly affects vehicle owners who submit inaccurate address information to avoid emissions testing. Key provisions include allowing the Motor Vehicle Division to revoke registration for such false addresses, prohibiting registration renewal if owners fail to pay associated civil penalties, and permitting the State Tax Commission to recover investigation costs. The bill does not change emissions testing requirements but strengthens enforcement against address fraud to ensure compliance with existing inspection programs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStrengthens emissions inspection enforcement to prevent evasion, ensuring vehicles meet pollution standards and reducing overall emissions through mandatory compliance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 410: Water Leasing Amendments

HB 410 establishes the Great Salt Lake Preservation Program and its governing board to manage water leasing specifically for preserving Great Salt Lake. It appropriates $5 million (nonlapsing) for the program, creates streamlined leasing processes for water dedicated to the lake, and authorizes the board to enforce leases and address violations. The bill defines key terms, requires reporting by the board and state engineer, and sets a sunset date for the program. It directly affects water rights holders and entities leasing water for Great Salt Lake preservation, focusing on concrete administrative and funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M nonlapsing for Great Salt Lake preservation program, directly funding a state initiative under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Great Salt Lake Preservation Program with $5M funding, streamlined leasing, and enforcement to protect the lake's ecosystem and water rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 No ✓ Supports 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

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 431: Wildlife Crossing Amendments

HB 431 creates a dedicated Wildlife Crossing Account funded through voluntary $1 contributions when Utah residents apply for vehicle registration or purchase hunting, fishing, or other licenses. The bill directs the Department of Transportation, with input from wildlife officials, to prioritize projects that improve wildlife safety (like animal crossings over roads) and protect livestock. It does not appropriate new state funds but instead uses existing voluntary contributions and allocates a portion of sales tax revenue to the account. The account will support projects designed to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and enhance habitat connectivity across Utah.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife crossings to protect animals and reduce roadkill, directly advancing wildlife conservation and habitat protection through transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs DOT to prioritize wildlife crossing projects improving road safety and infrastructure, funded through voluntary contributions without new state funds.90% 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

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 154: Water Loss Study Amendments

HB 154 directs Utah's Division of Water Resources to study water loss in public water systems from 2015 to 2024, compiling data on system size and analyzing industry practices for both public systems and end-use losses. The study requires the division to make recommendations for improving water loss estimates and reducing actual water losses. The division must report findings to the Legislative Water Development Commission by October 31, 2026. The bill also repeals related provisions by July 1, 2027, with most provisions effective May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects study to reduce water loss, requiring conservation-focused recommendations; explicitly lists 'Water Conservation' as subject.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 Environment

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 Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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