All Roll Calls
Yes: 182 • No: 28
UtahH.B. 162026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Solar Power Plant Amendments
Sponsored By: Colin W. Jack (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ElectricityEnergyPublic UtilitiesClean EnergyPublic Utilities and TechnologyUtilities Siting and Permitting
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Solar decommissioning plans and security
Beginning May 6, 2026, for plants with conditional use permits issued after that date, owners must post financial assurance (a bond, parent guarantee, irrevocable letter of credit, or similar) at least equal to the third‑party decommissioning and reclamation cost minus salvage. The local jurisdiction must agree to the estimator, and it may require a state‑registered engineer. The local governing body must approve the decommissioning plan before construction. Owners must update the plan every five years, account for inflation, restore vegetation and soils, and remove piles, foundations, and buried cables to four feet unless a permit says otherwise. If a plant stops, is abandoned, or is damaged, the owner must cure within 90 days after certified‑mail notice or submit a written cure plan with a new date. If repowering, owners must finish local permits within 18 months before any decommissioning penalties or get an extension.
New local permit steps for solar
Beginning May 6, 2026, you may not build a solar power plant without a conditional use, grading, building, and any other local permits. Applications must explain how the site meets local location and design standards. Before permits are issued, owners must submit site and development plans showing structures, setbacks, access, utilities, drainage and easements, vegetation changes, irrigation and water service, and agriculture protection areas, plus a decommissioning plan. Owners must also consult with the state wildlife division or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on possible wildlife impacts. Local governments may not unreasonably withhold approval of the required plans and decommissioning documents.
Solar incentives limited by farm soils
The law defines a solar power plant (over 1 megawatt) and what counts as a state incentive, including tax credits, grants, and loans. Beginning May 6, 2026, projects with permits issued after that date cannot get state incentives on NRCS prime, statewide, local, or unique farmland, on irrigated cropland, or on non‑irrigated cropland class 1–4. Projects on non‑irrigated cropland class 5–6 or on grazing land with 125–250 pounds per acre get only 50% of the incentive. Projects on grazing land over 250 pounds per acre are ineligible. If only part of a site overlaps protected farmland, incentives drop by the same percent as the overlap, and a conservation district may recommend an exemption. Projects in an interconnection queue or with a signed power deal before Jan 1, 2026, or already meeting incentive rules before May 6, 2026, keep eligibility.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Colin W. Jack
Republican • House
Cosponsors
David P. Hinkins
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/20/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 61 • No: 6
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 6
Senate vote • 2/5/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 7
House vote • 1/30/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 1/30/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 61 • No: 8
House vote • 1/21/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/24/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/24/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/20/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/20/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
2/19/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/19/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #2
2/6/2026
Substitute #1
2/5/2026
Amended 2/2/2026 11:02:286
2/2/2026
Amended 1/30/2026 10:01:881
1/30/2026
Introduced
12/4/2025
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