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 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

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

Track

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 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 Mar 7, 2026

HB 93: Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area

HB 93 creates the Goshen Bay Waterfowl Management Area on state-owned lands near the Great Salt Lake, designated for conservation and public use. The bill authorizes the Wildlife Board to manage this area to protect waterfowl and other wildlife habitat, enhance wetland ecosystems, and provide recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. It directly affects the Wildlife Board (which will manage the area) and the public who access the site for outdoor activities. The bill makes technical updates to existing Utah law (23A-6-403 and 23A-12-301) to formally establish the area without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates conservation area to protect wildlife habitat and enhance wetlands, directly advancing environmental protection per bill summary95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment