All Roll Calls
Yes: 217 • No: 2
UtahH.B. 4102026 General SessionHouse
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
8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.
Lease payments for Great Salt Lake farms
Beginning May 6, 2026, eligible agricultural water users can apply for paid leases that benefit the Great Salt Lake. The water must be used on farmland within Utah's part of the Great Salt Lake basin. The board accepts applications and awards leases at least once each year. It sets rates annually, considering the five-year average alfalfa hay price in the USDA Utah Direct Hay Report. It sets selection rules and gives priority to older water rights confirmed through a court process.
Farm lease violations can require repayment
Beginning May 6, 2026, the board can require repayment for breaking lease conditions or diverting water against the lease. Its violation notice must state the repayment amount, and collections support the program through a dedicated General Fund credit. Enforcement is outside Utah's Administrative Procedures Act; the board can set hearing procedures through rules. A recipient can seek a fresh court review in Salt Lake County or the county where the violation occurred. The filing deadline is 20 days after service; if the board wins, the state can recover court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Farm leases face limits and reporting
Beginning May 6, 2026, program leases must benefit the Great Salt Lake. A full-season lease can cover the same farm field no more than two years in any five-year period. After board approval, the water user must also get approval of a water-right application. That approval lasts only for the lease period. Participants must report annually on water measurement or monitoring, and the State Engineer must examine that work.
More funding for Great Salt Lake leases
The law adds $2.75 million for the Great Salt Lake Preservation Program for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The General Fund money goes to the Department of Natural Resources, Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner. Program appropriations remain available after the budget period ends. Beginning May 6, 2026, the commissioner can also accept public and private money, which must fund lake water leases. These added contributions have no set amount.
Lake preservation program ends in 2030
The law sets July 1, 2030, as the repeal date for the Great Salt Lake Preservation Program. This ends the program's legal framework for state agencies and participating water users.
Leased water protection adds barrier costs
Beginning May 6, 2026, intervening users cannot divert or hold back approved leased water before it reaches its approved destination. Only the State Engineer or a designee can regulate it, including allocating it as naturally flowing water. Owners or operators of barriers and impoundments must release this water when directed, at their own expense. Written agreements among water users or impoundment owners can still govern regulation.
New board manages lake water leases
Beginning May 6, 2026, a five-member board in the commissioner's office manages the program; the commissioner must help arrange leases. Three members vote and all three are needed for a quorum; the other two do not vote. The governor appoints the agriculture representative for four years; members can receive travel expenses and daily allowances, but no pay or benefits. The board publishes annual water deliveries in acre-feet, lease counts, and lease spending for October 1 through September 30. It reports to the Legislative Water Development Commission by November 30, and the commissioner reports program spending annually to the Executive Appropriations Committee.
Priority water lease review has limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, the State Engineer must prioritize qualifying surface-water lease applications for approved flow-protection uses. Diversion points must be within a water-commissioner-served distribution system, and underlying uses must be approved irrigation, industrial, or municipal uses. Applications must document the required partner's agreement and confirm eligibility; underground water is excluded. File by December 1 for leases starting on or after April 1 of the following year. Agricultural split-season applications must name one period of at least four consecutive weeks within the water right's allowed season; protests or unusual conditions can change priority.
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/ refuse to concur with Senate amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ refused to recede from Senate amendments
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 71 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • 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
Senate 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 - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 2/5/2026
House Comm - Substitute 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