Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 378: Fugitive Dust Mitigation Amendments

HB 378 amends Utah's air quality laws to regulate dust emissions from specific industrial sites. It requires facilities like sand/gravel operations, excavation sites, and bulk material handling areas (over a quarter acre) to post visible public signage with facility details and contact information. The bill establishes a tiered annual fee system based on dust emissions: $750 for under 20 tons, $1,500 for 20-79 tons, $3,500 for 79-99 tons, and $4,500 for 99+ tons, starting in 2027 (with rules finalized by 2028). These fees apply to "aggregate operations" defined as facilities extracting or processing rock materials like sand, gravel, and stone, excluding agricultural sites or road salting. The bill repeals an outdated section and has no budget impact.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates industrial dust emissions via signage and tiered fees, directly reducing air pollution and strengthening Utah's air quality protections under environmental regulations.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 30: Wildlife Management Area Amendments

HB 30 creates the Wildlife Management Area Stewardship Fund, funded by voluntary contributions, to support habitat restoration, trail maintenance, and volunteer coordination in state wildlife areas. It repeals the previous requirement for hunting or fishing licenses to access these areas and instead mandates that recreational users (non-hunting, non-fishing visitors) in certain counties complete an approved educational video and obtain digital verification for entry. Exceptions include highway travel within the areas, participation in educational programs, or existing property rights. The bill directly affects non-hunting, non-fishing visitors and the Division of Wildlife Resources, which will manage the fund and oversee the educational requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates Wildlife Management Area Stewardship Fund to directly support habitat restoration, conservation, and volunteer coordination in state wildlife areas.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 16: Solar Power Plant Amendments

HB 16 establishes new rules for utility-scale solar power plants in Utah, affecting developers planning projects permitted after May 6, 2026. It ties state financial incentives to land characteristics: projects on protected farmland (prime, irrigated, or high-capacity cropland) lose full incentives, while those on less productive land may qualify for partial support. The bill also requires wildlife impact consultations, mandates decommissioning plans with financial assurance (like bonds or letters of credit), and sets site restoration standards. Existing projects with pre-2026 agreements or permits are exempt from these new rules.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTies state incentives to solar projects on less productive land, promoting renewable energy development while adding environmental safeguards.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes solar energy development with environmental safeguards: requires wildlife consultations, decommissioning plans, and ties incentives to land use protecting farmland, advancing clean energy while conserving resources.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 37: Used Oil Management Act Amendments

HB 37 amends Utah's Used Oil Management Act to increase the recycling fee on lubricating oil sales starting July 1, 2026, and grants the Division of Waste Management rulemaking authority to set future fees beginning July 1, 2027. The bill requires the Division to notify the State Tax Commission 90 days before any fee change takes effect and clarifies that grant funds can be used to hire permitted transporters for curbside used oil collection programs. It directly affects lubricating oil vendors who must collect and remit the fees, and supports used oil collection programs through updated incentive payment rules. The changes take effect May 6, 2026, with the new fee structure beginning July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases recycling fee (tax) on lubricating oil sales, generating state revenue. Establishes fiscal management procedures (notification to Tax Commission, rulemaking authority) for fee adjustments, supporting budget stability.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases recycling fees for used oil, mandates proper disposal via higher costs, and clarifies grant funds for curbside collection programs to promote environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 46: Water Wise Landscaping Amendments

SB 46 requires Utah state government facilities built or reconstructed after May 2026 to limit non-functional turf (like decorative grass) to 20% of grounds or local ordinance limits. It mandates a 25% reduction in outdoor water use by 2026 compared to 2020 levels, prohibits overhead irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and requires agencies to report water usage annually. The bill defines "functional turf" as grass used for active purposes (e.g., sports fields) and "water wise landscaping" as using drought-resistant plants, efficient irrigation, and canopy coverage. These changes apply directly to state agencies managing government facilities, with the Division of Water Resources overseeing compliance.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates 25% outdoor water reduction by 2026, restricts irrigation hours, and limits non-functional turf to conserve water resources, directly supporting environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 348: Dedicated Water Amendments

HB 348 amends Utah's water rights laws to clarify and streamline the handling of "dedicated water" applications, which are water rights set aside for specific future uses like instream flow protection. It prohibits separating dedicated water applications from the underlying water right they're tied to, updates fee structures for these applications, and specifies requirements for reporting and approval processes. The bill directly affects water rights applicants and the state engineer's office when processing these specialized applications. These changes aim to reduce administrative confusion while ensuring dedicated water uses are properly documented and managed under existing law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly designates water for instream flow protection (environmental conservation) and prevents dilution of dedicated water rights, strengthening resource protection.92% 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 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

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

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