All Roll Calls
Yes: 99 • No: 34
UtahH.B. 602026 General SessionHouse
Water Rights Amendments
Sponsored By: David Shallenberger (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Natural ResourcesWater RightsState EngineerWater
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
You can capture and store rain
You may capture and store rain and other precipitation, as allowed in state law. This lets households and businesses collect rainfall under the set limits and rules.
Changes start May 6, 2026
The law takes effect on May 6, 2026. All parts apply that day unless a section lists a different start date.
Clearer approval and protest rules for water rights
The state engineer approves a water application only if key tests are met. There must be unclaimed water, no harm to existing rights, a plan that is physically and economically feasible (the United States Bureau of Reclamation is exempt from the economic test), no harm to public welfare, proof of money to finish, good faith, and any needed groundwater-plan compliance. Protests count only if they raise a legal approval or denial ground, with 20 days to protest informal notices and 30 days for formal notices. If the plan takes salts or minerals from a navigable lake or stream, the applicant must file a royalty contract and any mineral lease; breaking those terms allows the engineer to reverse approval.
Tighter rules for changing water rights
Permanent and fixed-time change requests use the same steps as new appropriations. The engineer may skip notice when the diversion point moves 660 feet or less. Saved water must be measured, reported, and verified; reuse is limited to net decreases and sustained volumes, and if reuse is only from lower diversion, it must be nonconsumptive and not raise depletion. The engineer investigates temporary change requests and can skip public notice, but must deny any change that impairs an existing right. The engineer may grant time-limited rights, must give at least 60 days’ notice before they expire, and may extend only if the original purpose is still unmet, not due to neglect, and water is still available.
Water shortage orders are not disaster declarations
A governor’s temporary water-shortage order is not a disaster declaration under the Disaster Response and Recovery Act. To use those broader emergency powers, the governor must issue a separate emergency order.
Who can challenge water-right decisions
Only people with a specific, personal injury can ask a court to review a state engineer order. A petitioner must name the state engineer as a respondent. Petitioners must give written notice to each protestant so they can intervene. If required notice is missing, the court dismisses the case without prejudice. Courts cannot award costs against the state engineer.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
David Shallenberger
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Keven J. Stratton
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 18 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 15 • No: 7
House vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 1
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 54 • No: 17
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026House/ to Governor
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
2/25/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
2/25/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/24/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/24/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/20/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/20/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/20/2026SenateSenate/ circled
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/17/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/17/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/12/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/5/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/3/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/3/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/3/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
2/25/2026
Substitute #1
2/2/2026
Introduced
12/22/2025