# Utah H.B. 125: Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments Utah H.B. 125, Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments, is a 2026 General Session House bill sponsored by Rex P. Shipp (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-03-25 (Governor Signed); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-14). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB125-2026GS - As of: 2026-10-14 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Utah H.B. 125 - State: Utah - Session: 2026 General Session - Title: Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-01-02 - Last action: 2026-03-25, Governor Signed - Sponsor: Rex P. Shipp (Republican) - Cosponsors: 15 - Subjects: Boating, Environment, Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife, Water Rights, Transportation, State Engineer, Water - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 15 (208 yes, 1 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 20 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Lowest irrigation rates for growing food: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2030, suppliers using tiered conservation rates must charge qualifying food-growing users the lowest tiered rate. A user qualifies by using any portion of secondary water to grow food. Covered uses include gardens, fruit trees, and grazing pasture. The law states no rate or saving… - Meter-related irrigation rate increases face caps: benefit, low. Secondary-water suppliers generally cannot raise customer rates for metering costs by more than 10% in a calendar year. This includes small secondary-water retail suppliers. A catastrophic failure or similar event allows a larger increase when necessary. Suppliers must explain the basis before rais… - Local agencies get water planning help: benefit, low. The Division of Water Resources must help counties and cities add water-use and preservation elements to their general plans. It can seek watershed council input on regional conservation goals. The Utah Geological Survey must help state or local agencies that request research on water quantity, qua… - Natural resource rules gain enforcement coverage: benefit, low. The Division of Law Enforcement can enforce rules adopted by Department of Natural Resources divisions and their boards. The department director sets enforcement priorities. This change expands enforcement coverage but names no new individual duties or specific penalties. - State can fund water-right litigation: benefit, low. The Department of Natural Resources can pay the state's general litigation expenses and related costs for cases involving Utah's water interests. Covered interests include conservation, the right to use water, and water-resource development. The law sets no funding amount or direct household charge. - More financing options for irrigation meters: benefit, low. The Board of Water Resources can offer low-interest meter loans from the Water Resources Conservation and Development Fund beginning July 1, 2019. The law removes the former $10 million annual loan cap, sets no replacement cap, and bars prepayment penalties. Beginning July 1, 2021, suppliers with n… - Some irrigation suppliers can meter fewer locations: benefit, low. Qualifying suppliers can meter approved strategic points instead of every connection. One path covers systems with little or no storage that rely mainly on stream flow. Another covers systems where most users farm or generate power and residential users consume less than 50% of the water. A third c… - Some irrigation suppliers qualify for exemptions: benefit, low. Some suppliers are exempt from listed metering, planning, and enforcement duties. In fifth- or sixth-class counties, meter purchases, installation, and system upgrades must cost more than 25% of the owner's or operator's total operating budget. Those suppliers must agree not to add connections on o… - Irrigation suppliers must meter water use: cost, medium. Secondary water is non-drinking water used for irrigation; suppliers must meter every pressurized user by January 1, 2030, unless exempt. New commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential service requires meters when design starts on or after April 1, 2020, in first- and second-class count… - Boat rental businesses face stricter duties: cost, medium. Boat rental businesses must check renters' invasive-species course completion and proof before renting a vessel. This duty excludes rentals without highway transport between rental and use, or rentals the owner transports and a course-qualified representative operates instead of the renter. Busines… - Annual invasive-species course for boat operators: cost, low. Covered vessel operators age 12 or older must complete an approved invasive-species course once each calendar year. They must show proof when an officer asks; proof expires December 31 each year. Nonmotorized vessels and inflatable motorboats are exempt. The requirement also excludes authorized Gre… - Natural resource officers get required work periods: cost, low. The Department of Natural Resources no longer has an exception from work-period rules for nonexempt law enforcement employees. It must designate either 80 hours over 14 consecutive days or 160 hours over 28 consecutive days. These periods affect overtime calculations. The provision does not establi… - Some Utah tax credits end: cost, low. Beginning May 6, 2026, the law repeals two Utah tax-credit provisions and their related reporting provision. Taxpayers lose access to the credits covered by those provisions. The supplied text does not identify the credits, who qualified, or their amounts, so household tax increases cannot be calcu… - Mineral lease defaults affect water approvals: cost, low. This rule covers water applications for recovering salts, minerals, or elements from navigable state lakes or streams. After written notice that a related royalty contract or mineral lease ended or is not being followed, the State Engineer must act. The Engineer must reverse approval unless the not… - Water suppliers face fines and funding losses: cost, low. Beginning January 1, 2030, suppliers without required full metering cannot receive state money for water-related purposes. After referral and findings that enforcement is needed to conserve or protect water, final orders impose fines per unmetered connection. Fines are $10 in 2030, $20 in 2031, $30… - Irrigation customers move to tiered billing: mixed, medium. Secondary-water contracts started or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, must allow tiered conservation billing. By April 1, 2030, suppliers must provide usage education through monthly statements or a portal with more frequent information. By July 1, 2030, covered suppliers must use tiered rates tha… - Boater fees include exemptions for rentals: mixed, low. Annual invasive-species fees are $20 for resident-registered vessels and $25 for nonresident vessels that require registration for residents. Qualifying government vessels used for official duties, nonmotorized vessels, and inflatable motorboats are exempt. Boat-rental customers are exempt from the… - Water records are public; certification costs: mixed, low. Records filed or recorded with the State Engineer are public, including maps and electronic documents. Records legally classified as private, controlled, or protected remain exempt from disclosure. People requesting certified copies must pay reasonable copying costs and the legal certification fee.… - Stronger mussel protections can restrict waters: mixed, low. Utah's invasive-mussel rules now cover Dreissena and Limnoperna species, including golden mussels, living or dead at any life stage. The rules cover possession, transport, release, cleaning, reporting, inspections, detention, quarantine, closures, and penalties. Law enforcement can inspect potentia… - Water holders gain conservation-use options: mixed, low. Wildlife Resources, State Parks, and Forestry, Fire, and State Lands can seek permanent, fixed-time, or temporary water-use changes for stream flows or state-owned lakebeds and riverbeds. Other water-right holders can seek fixed-time or temporary changes with the relevant division director's approv… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Rex P. Shipp (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Carl R. Albrecht (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Stewart E. Barlow (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Kay J. Christofferson (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Leah Hansen (Republican), House - Cosponsor: David P. Hinkins (Republican), Senate - Cosponsor: Ken Ivory (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Jill Koford (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Mike L. Kohler (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Jason B. Kyle (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Lee, T. - Cosponsor: Clinton Okerlund (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Michael J. Petersen (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Thomas W. Peterson (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Troy Shelley (Republican), House - Cosponsor: Christine F. Watkins (Republican), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-06 | House | House Conference Committee - Final Passage | pass | 66 | 1 | | | 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage | pass | 29 | 0 | | | 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-06 | House | House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate/ refused to recede from Senate amendments | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate/ substituted | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-06 | House | House/ refuse to concur with Senate amendment | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension | pass | 24 | 0 | | | 2026-03-03 | Senate | Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation | pass | 4 | 0 | | | 2026-03-03 | Senate | Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 4 | 0 | | | 2026-02-25 | House | House/ uncircled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-25 | House | House/ passed 3rd reading | pass | 65 | 0 | | | 2026-02-24 | House | House/ circled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-19 | House | House Comm - Amendment Recommendation | pass | 8 | 0 | | | 2026-02-19 | House | House Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 8 | 0 | | ## Actions (59) - 2026-03-25: Governor Signed - 2026-03-16: House/ to Governor (House) - 2026-03-16: House/ received enrolled bill from Printing (House) - 2026-03-12: House/ enrolled bill to Printing (House) - 2026-03-12: Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate - 2026-03-11: Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared - 2026-03-11: Bill Received from House for Enrolling - 2026-03-11: House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling (House) - 2026-03-11: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-10: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-03-10: Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House (Senate) - 2026-03-10: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: House Conference Committee - Final Passage - 2026-03-06: House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt - 2026-03-06: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage - 2026-03-06: Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt - 2026-03-06: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Conference Committee Report - 2026-03-06: Bill Substituted by Conference Committee - 2026-03-06: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: House Conference Committee Appointed - 2026-03-06: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate Conference Committee Appointed - 2026-03-06: Senate/ refused to recede from Senate amendments (Senate) - 2026-03-06: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ refuse to concur with Senate amendment (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ to House with amendments (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ substituted (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted (Senate) - 2026-03-03: Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-03-03: Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation - 2026-02-27: Senate/ to standing committee (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced) (Senate) - 2026-02-25: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-02-25: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-02-25: House/ passed 3rd reading (House) - 2026-02-25: House/ uncircled (House) - 2026-02-24: House/ circled (House) - 2026-02-24: House/ 3rd reading (House) - 2026-02-19: House/ 2nd reading (House) - 2026-02-19: House/ comm rpt/ amended (House) - 2026-02-19: House Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-02-19: House Comm - Amendment Recommendation - 2026-02-17: House/ to standing committee (House) - 2026-01-20: House/ 1st reading (Introduced) (House) - 2026-01-14: House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst (House) - 2026-01-14: House/ received bill from Legislative Research (House) - 2026-01-02: Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed ## Bill text - Enrolled, 2026-03-12: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/HB0125.pdf) - Substitute #2, 2026-03-06: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0125S02.pdf) - Substitute #3, 2026-03-06: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0125S03.pdf) - Substitute #1, 2026-03-03: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0125S01.pdf) - Amended 2/19/2026 13:02:875, 2026-02-19: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/amended/AV_HB0125_2026-02-19_13-55-17.pdf) - Introduced, 2026-01-02: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0125.pdf) ## Related bills - H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments (signed) - H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments (signed) - H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments (signed) - H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments (signed) - H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments (signed) - H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments (signed) ## Sources - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/HB0125.pdf) - [Substitute #2 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0125S02.pdf) - [Substitute #3 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0125S03.pdf) - [Substitute #1 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0125S01.pdf) - [Amended 2/19/2026 13:02:875 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/amended/AV_HB0125_2026-02-19_13-55-17.pdf) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/HB0125.pdf) ## Related - [H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB94-2026GS) - [H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB101-2026GS) - [H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB178-2026GS) - [H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB134-2026GS) - [H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB136-2026GS) - [H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB220-2026GS) - [Utah bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah/bills) - [Utah state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB125-2026GS (as of 2026-10-14).