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
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Utah residents can capture precipitation
Beginning May 6, 2026, people in Utah can directly capture and store precipitation outside the general water-right application process. Capture and storage must comply with Utah Code Section 73-3-1.5.
Less notice for temporary water changes
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's state engineer does not have to publish notice of temporary water-right change applications. If a temporary request is rejected, the applicant can apply for a permanent change or one lasting a fixed period.
Narrower reviews for Utah water-right applicants
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah's state engineer must protect existing water rights but no longer separately reviews competing, more beneficial uses. Public-welfare review covers water use, quantity, quality, availability, and other factors specifically required by law. The engineer cannot reject applications on that basis for unrelated matters or matters reserved for or better handled by another agency. Factors with negligible effects on those water interests also cannot justify rejection on public-welfare grounds. The engineer considers protests only when they address a legal reason to approve or reject the application.
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
Senate 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