All Roll Calls
Yes: 217 • No: 2
UtahH.B. 4102026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Water Leasing Amendments
Sponsored By: Jill Koford (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AgricultureEnvironmentNatural ResourcesWater RightsAdministrative Rulemaking and ProceduresAgriculture & FoodState EngineerWaterWater CompanyNew Rulemaking AuthorityGreat Salt Lake
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Program pays farms to lease water
The law creates a program to pay farmers to lease water for the Great Salt Lake. The board sets yearly lease rates using the five‑year average alfalfa hay price from the USDA Utah Direct Hay Report. Apply by December 1 for leases that start on or after April 1. Split‑season leases are allowed if the farm segment is at least four straight weeks, and no leases use underground diversions. A new board runs the program, and the commissioner can accept public or private money to fund leases; senior adjudicated rights get priority.
Limits and compliance for farm leases
Leases must benefit the Great Salt Lake and, for a full irrigation season, the same field can be leased only two years in any five. After a lease is awarded, the farmer must get the matching water‑right approval. The state engineer approves leases only for the lease period and requires yearly measuring and monitoring reports. The board posts each year how many acre‑feet reached the lake, how many leases were awarded, and how much was spent, and reports by November 30 for the prior October 1–September 30 period. The commissioner may spend on water purchases or leases only after a Trust Council review finds it matches the strategic plan.
Repayment and penalties for broken leases
If a leaseholder breaks lease terms or diverts water wrongly, the board can order them to repay state money. The board issues a notice stating the repayment amount, outside the usual Administrative Procedures Act. You can request a hearing, and a court can review the final order de novo if you file within 20 days in Salt Lake County or where the violation happened. The board may sue to enforce and recover court costs and attorney fees. Money collected goes to the General Fund as a dedicated credit to run the program.
Bigger planning role for lake commissioner
Beginning May 6, 2026, the commissioner leads more planning and coordination for the Great Salt Lake. The commissioner helps run leasing, reviews state‑funded water purchases or leases for consistency with the strategic plan, and works with the Department of Agriculture and Food on farm lease terms. The commissioner also meets and reports with the Trust Council and water districts.
Funding and carryover for lake program
Starting July 1, 2026, the law provides $2.75 million for FY 2027 to the Great Salt Lake Preservation Program. Beginning May 6, 2026, money given to this program does not lapse at year end and stays available.
Older water programs end on schedule
Several programs and councils end on set dates. The Agricultural Water Optimization program ends July 1, 2028. The Water Banking Act and related change‑application and creation rules end December 31, 2030. The Legislative Water Development Commission ends January 1, 2031, and the Utah Water Agent ends July 1, 2034. Advisory council authorities and staffing rules end July 1, 2027 and July 1, 2029. Title 73, Chapter 34 (Great Salt Lake Preservation Program) is scheduled to be repealed July 1, 2030.
State engineer protects leased water flows
Beginning May 6, 2026, only the state engineer can regulate approved leased water between the release point and the approved place of use. Intervening users cannot divert or impound that water, and the engineer may allocate it as if it were natural flow. If a dam or barrier blocks the water, the owner must pass the water through or around it at their own expense, unless a written agreement says otherwise.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jill Koford
Republican • House
Cosponsors
John Arthur
Democratic • House
Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Democratic • House
James A. Dunnigan
Republican • House
Joseph Elison
Republican • House
Jake Fitisemanu
Democratic • House
Sahara Hayes
Democratic • House
Clinton Okerlund
Republican • House
Stephanie Pitcher
Democratic • Senate
Scott D. Sandall
Republican • Senate
David Shallenberger
Republican • House
Jason E. Thompson
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/5/2026
House Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 71 • No: 1
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ refuse to concur with Senate amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ refused to recede from Senate amendments
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 25 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 22 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/17/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 1
House vote • 2/5/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/5/2026House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/5/2026House/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2026SenateSenate Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/5/2026Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/5/2026Senate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateConference Committee Report
3/5/2026House/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse Conference Committee Appointed
3/5/2026House/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/5/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Amended 3/6/2026 15:03:845
3/6/2026
Substitute #1
2/5/2026
Introduced
1/28/2026
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