All Roll Calls
Yes: 130 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 472025 General SessionHouse
Public Lands Watering Rights Amendments
Sponsored By: Carl R. Albrecht (Republican)
Signed by Governor
LivestockNatural ResourcesPublic LandsWater RightsAgriculture & Food
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Ranchers can preserve water after grazing cuts
Beginning May 7, 2025, livestock water users can seek protection from partial loss of water rights after federal grazing cuts. This applies when a federal agency reduces animal unit months—the allowed amount of livestock grazing—and puts water rights at risk. The beneficial user can file a nonuse application for the portion tied to that reduction. Utah's state engineer must approve the application. The protected water remains limited to livestock watering when used again.
Ranchers gain stronger water rights protections
Beginning May 7, 2025, livestock watering rights and Public Water Reserve No. 107 claims attach to the grazing allotment where livestock drink. Beneficial users—those putting the water to livestock use—have access and improvement rights reasonably needed to use and maintain it. Public land agencies cannot condition livestock-related land-use approvals on transferring water rights to them or obtaining rights in their names. An agency can acquire a livestock watering right only when it is the beneficial user. Utah's state engineer cannot approve a change application for these rights or reserve claims without the beneficial user's written consent.
Historic livestock water claims face limits
Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah sets a recognition process for Public Water Reserve No. 107 claims. It covers springs and water holes on public land owned or managed by a federal public land agency. The agency must file with the beneficial user's written consent, and Utah's state engineer must review the claim. The agency must establish livestock watering and grazing-permittee drinking-water use, including the quantity needed, as of April 17, 1926. The source must have existed then, formed naturally, and be accessible to livestock. It must supply adequate livestock water and more than enough for one family and its domestic animals. Recognition must be needed to avoid frustrating those water-supply purposes. Claims cannot cover wildlife watering or harm water rights that existed before April 17, 1926. Only one claim is allowed per 40-acre parcel, and claims must be at least one-quarter mile apart.
Livestock water certificates and fees end
Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah ends its livestock water use certificate process and related fees. Livestock water users save those fees but lose access to the certificates. For other listed water-right services, the law authorizes fees based on water flow or volume, without setting dollar amounts. When a project involves both direct flow and storage, the higher applicable fee applies. Revenue goes to the General Fund as a dedicated credit for the Division of Water Rights. It can fund only notice publication, water-right transfer reports, and staff helping process applications, prepare copies, and handle transfer reports.
Livestock water rules change land coverage
Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah changes which state-owned lands fall under these livestock water rules. Land owned by the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands is excluded. Land owned by the Division of Outdoor Recreation is no longer excluded. This narrows coverage for livestock water users on the first division's lands and expands it on the second's.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Carl R. Albrecht
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Derrin R. Owens
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/20/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 2/4/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 0
House vote • 1/24/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2025House/ to Governor
2/28/2025HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
2/28/2025HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
2/27/2025HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
2/27/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/24/2025Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/24/2025House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/20/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/20/2025HouseSenate/ to House
2/20/2025SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/20/2025SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/20/2025SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/20/2025SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/19/2025SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/19/2025SenateSenate/ circled
2/13/2025SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/13/2025SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/11/2025SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/11/2025SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/10/2025SenateSenate/ to standing committee
2/6/2025SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/5/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
2/4/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/4/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/4/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
2/27/2025
Introduced
12/19/2024