All Roll Calls
Yes: 108 • No: 1
UtahS.B. 202026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Technical Changes
Sponsored By: Keven J. Stratton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Natural ResourcesDepartment of Natural ResourcesSunsets and Repealers
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
25 provisions identified: 11 benefits, 3 costs, 11 mixed.
Major rollbacks of state environmental laws
The state repeals several core environmental laws on a schedule. On July 1, 2026, it repeals lead‑acid battery disposal rules and two air‑program sections on plantwide guidance and permit‑by‑rule studies. On July 1, 2028, it repeals the Petroleum Storage Tank Act. On July 1, 2029, it repeals the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Water Quality Act, the Used Oil Management Act, the Solid and Hazardous Waste Act, and the Air Conservation Act. On July 1, 2030, it repeals the Hazardous Substances Mitigation Act and the Waste Tire Recycling Act. The Mercury Switch Removal Act now follows state administrative procedures for notices and orders. The law also strikes a listed set of other code sections across multiple titles.
Help for local bids on federal land
Starting May 6, 2026, the Office helps governments seek federal land under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. It educates and advises applicants, adopts public‑interest factors, prioritizes and monitors applications, and can work with the U.S. Interior Department. The Office must send an annual written report by August 31 and tell budget leaders what state funding is needed.
More financing and grants for Utah Lake
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Utah Lake Authority can accept grants, borrow money, issue bonds, waive financial obligations, and award grants for lake projects. It must follow any conditions tied to loans or contracts and get board approval. The authority can also run a community enhancement program to help nearby neighborhoods. Money set aside for that program is protected from collection to pay judgments or debts tied to program activities.
New account funds environmental safety programs
Effective May 6, 2026, the state creates the Environmental Quality Restricted Account. Fees from radioactive, hazardous, PCB, and nonhazardous solid waste, plus investment income, go into this account. Each year, the Legislature may spend from the account to run radiation control and solid and hazardous waste programs at the Department of Environmental Quality.
School and childcare water testing repealed
On July 1, 2027, the state repeals the rule that required drinking water quality testing in schools and child care centers. Parents and facility operators lose that specific statutory testing and remediation requirement.
Farm loans created with disaster caps
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state creates a revolving loan fund for farms and water projects. Loans can support rangeland, watershed, soil and water conservation, energy‑efficient farming, storage, hydroponics or aquaponics, water quality, disaster relief, and temporary water shortage emergencies. An advisory board may approve loans and recommend policies. Disaster relief loans may use at most 10% of the Legislature’s funding for the fund, unless money is specifically appropriated for disaster relief. Outstanding temporary water‑shortage emergency loans may not exceed $5,000,000 at any time.
Caps and refunds for environmental program funds
The Legislature may not give DEQ more supplemental General Fund money than 25% of last year’s waste‑disposal fee receipts. If the Environmental Quality Restricted Account exceeds the year’s anticipated need by more than $4,000,000, the extra is credited back to last year’s payers in proportion to what they paid. The Conversion to Alternative Fuel Grant fund is capped at $10,000,000; interest beyond what is needed to keep that balance goes to the General Fund.
Salinity credits for Colorado River discharges
From May 6, 2026, the Division of Water Quality runs the Colorado River Salinity Offset Program. Oil, gas, mining, and other companies can buy salinity credits to finance projects that reduce salt in the river. These credits can offset authorized discharges under the program’s rules.
New rules and costs for lake mineral extraction
Starting May 6, 2026, the state requires separate royalty agreements to extract elements from Great Salt Lake brines when current leases don’t cover that right. Only one lease can cover the same resource on the same land, and leases must allow simultaneous operations without harming earlier rights. Brine-extraction leases must pay at least $100 per acre per year (other leases keep the $1 minimum). The division can limit production in emergencies, pull back operations or methods, reduce unused acreage or water diversion, and require proven, viable new technologies after about 5–7 years. It may issue short-term (12 months or less) royalty agreements that use at least five acre-feet of brine, with an exception for feasibility applications filed before Jan. 1, 2025. The division sets royalty rates to match market value, may lower rates for non‑evaporative and water‑saving methods, and may reduce lithium rates if a product will be processed or made in Utah (with listed exclusions). Lithium applicants that avoid evaporative concentration get priority.
Grants to convert vehicles to cleaner fuels
Effective May 6, 2026, the state creates a fund for grants to install approved equipment that converts eligible vehicles to alternate fuel. The fund may receive appropriations, contributions, fees, and interest. You must have an eligible vehicle to get a grant.
Grants for farm water-saving projects
Effective May 6, 2026, the state creates the Agricultural Water Optimization Account for grants and research. Money is used only if the Legislature appropriates it. Agencies together may spend at most 1.5% of the appropriated grant money on administration. The account sunsets July 1, 2028.
Grants favor rural recreation with bigger match
Effective May 6, 2026, recreation restoration grants prioritize high‑demand amenities and high‑priority trails. The division may give special consideration to rural counties and to projects with a 50% or greater local match. USDA or DOI cooperative funds count toward the match. The division must report program data each year by October 1.
Great Salt Lake water trust rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, a Great Salt Lake water trust must keep grant money separate, use a fiduciary, and provide a match. It must file an annual accounting with the state auditor by June 30 and an annual report with the division by January 31. At least 25% of grant money must protect and restore wetlands and habitat around the lake.
More crimes count in racketeering cases
Effective May 6, 2026, the law broadens what counts as an unlawful pattern by adding environmental crimes under Title 19, state tax offenses, and other listed crimes. This gives prosecutors stronger tools to pursue organized illegal activity.
Penalty for leaving others’ gates open
Beginning May 6, 2026, a person who willfully opens another person’s gate or fence and leaves it open commits a class C misdemeanor. That person is also liable for injuries that result.
Utah Water Ways partnership launches statewide
Effective May 6, 2026, the department oversees a nonprofit called Utah Water Ways. It coordinates public water education, private engagement, and grants, rebates, and sponsorships. A 13‑member board includes agency leaders and appointees. The board must have hired an executive director by August 1, 2023 for a four‑year term and must report each year by October 1.
Long-term water planning council duties
From May 6, 2026, the Water District Water Development Council is advisory only. It cannot own water systems, levy property taxes, or issue bonds. It must plan for 50 to 75 years, assess needs and sources, explore interconnections and conservation, coordinate with suppliers, and recommend projects and policy. It reports findings each year by October 1.
Counties face new steps on federal lands
Starting May 6, 2026, a county that supports a federal land designation in a congressional bill must prepare a detailed report and a draft concurrent resolution. The report must include the bill text, maps, acreage, impacts, stakeholder views, and road and R.S. 2477 right‑of‑way effects, and be delivered to the office. If the county does not do this, it cannot claim the Legislature supports the designation.
Ban on climate content in K-12 materials
Effective May 6, 2026, standards‑aligned K‑12 resources and teacher training made under Utah Water Ways subsection (3)(c) may not include information on human‑caused climate change. The ban applies only to those specific resources.
Higher qualifications for environmental division directors
Starting May 6, 2026, a division director must have needed administrative skills and a four‑year degree in physical or biological science, engineering, a related field, or law from an accredited college. This sets a minimum education rule for Department of Environmental Quality division leaders.
More oversight on Great Salt Lake spending
Effective May 6, 2026, the commissioner must get a review and recommendation from the Great Salt Lake Trust Council before spending money to buy or lease water or water rights. The council may recommend only if the plan matches the water trust’s strategy. The commissioner must get the governor’s approval before carrying out a strategic plan, inform leaders of substantive changes, and resubmit the plan every five years. The council advises state leaders and must report each year by October 1; this advisory section ends July 1, 2027.
New safety plans for water canals
Beginning May 6, 2026, owners of water conveyance facilities with risk spots must adopt a management plan to get state grants or loans. The board must vote to adopt the plan, and it must be updated at least every 10 years. Plans must include maps of risk areas, slope checks, proof of insurance, a maintenance schedule, and an emergency response plan updated each year after talking with local responders. Anyone adding storm water must give the owner the maximum flow and volume at each inlet. Owners must share emergency outlines with cities and counties; submitted outlines and plans are protected records.
Sage grouse habitat mitigation program starts
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state creates a Sage Grouse Compensatory Mitigation Program. The program enables conservation banks and lets people or governments do voluntary compensatory mitigation for habitat impacts. The Department of Natural Resources will run the program, create a plan, and write rules consistent with the conservation plan.
State fuel use rules and tank rebates
Beginning May 6, 2026, all state agencies and public colleges must use the state Division of Fleet Operations for fuel. They may not use other fuel services or systems. The division must make sure public underground storage tanks that use its service qualify for a rebate of part of the environmental assurance fee. The division may prioritize state-owned tanks when doing this work.
Statewide water team and reporting rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state water agent must negotiate with other states and tribes on water projects, report findings by October 1 each year, and coordinate monthly with state divisions. This section sunsets July 1, 2034. The four largest water conservancy districts and the Division of Water Resources must form a Water District Water Development Council. The council must maintain office space and staff; districts pay related office and staff costs. The state pays the water agent and any non‑district staff only if the Legislature appropriates money.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Keven J. Stratton
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Carl R. Albrecht
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 1
House vote • 1/28/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/20/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 28 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
2/23/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
2/23/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
2/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
2/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/4/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/4/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
2/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/4/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
1/29/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
1/29/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
1/28/2026House/ to standing committee
1/26/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
1/21/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
1/21/2026HouseSenate/ to House
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
1/14/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
2/23/2026
Introduced
12/4/2025
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