All Roll Calls
Yes: 158 • No: 20
UtahH.B. 5142026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Utah Energy Council Amendments
Sponsored By: R. Neil Walter (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Public Funds and AccountsPublic BondsElectricityEnergyPublic Utilities and TechnologyLimited Purpose Local Government EntitiesPolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)Local Government Infrastructure and UtilitiesEnergy Storage
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
More local money for housing and impacts
The council and local governments split property tax growth from designated energy zones. Money not kept by the council goes to the city or county. Cities must spend at least 10% of their share on affordable housing. Counties must place at least 10% of their share into a registered regional nonprofit for housing. The rest must ease local impacts from energy projects.
State energy financing role expanded
The Utah Energy Council is the state’s energy financing institution. It can access federal energy financing programs and loans. The council also manages the Electrical Energy Development Investment Fund. This helps line up funding for energy projects in Utah.
Local privilege tax up to 0.23%
The district may levy a local privilege tax up to 0.0023 in its service area. If charged, your bill equals 0.0023 times your property’s taxable value. This applies only to properties inside the district when the tax is levied.
Taxes and PILOTs for facility operators
If you operate in a district-owned facility, you must pay the state privilege tax. The district’s board can agree to take a negotiated payment in lieu of taxes instead. All district-owned property is tax-exempt. These rules shape what project operators pay and what local governments receive.
How projects are financed and run
The district can issue revenue bonds that are paid only from the district’s enterprise fund. The board creates that fund to hold bond proceeds and payments from contracts, and it can only be used for district purposes. The State Finance Review Commission reviews and may approve bonds before issuance. Operating contracts can last up to 40 years, must cover debt service and operating costs, require insurance or performance bonds when needed, and return full control to the district when they end. These bonds are not a general obligation of the state or local governments.
New state energy district and board
The Utah Energy Council creates a new energy infrastructure district by resolution and filings with the lieutenant governor. The district is a separate legal entity; its debts are not the state’s. The council members also serve as the district’s board and must adopt bylaws. The council sets the district’s service area; once set, it cannot be expanded. If the district stops operating and all debts are paid, it can be dissolved and any remaining assets go to the state. Until July 1, 2026, the director chairs the council; starting then, the director is co-chair with a legislatively designated co-chair. The law sets who appoints members, their terms, and removal rules.
What the district can and can't do
The district can buy, build, own, and run energy facilities in its service area. It must get a city or town’s consent before using local streets or highways. The district cannot sell or provide retail electric service inside any existing certificated provider’s territory. If the council acquires certain project assets, it must agree not to interfere with project entities that own or run natural gas or hydrogen plants.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
R. Neil Walter
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Ann Millner
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 53 • No: 14
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 22 • No: 5
House vote • 3/2/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 1
House vote • 2/25/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026House/ to Governor
3/17/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/7/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/7/2026House/ 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
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
3/2/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/2/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #2
3/4/2026
Amended 2/27/2026 09:02:805
2/27/2026
Substitute #1
2/25/2026
Introduced
2/9/2026
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