UtahH.B. 632026 General SessionHouse

Livestock Watering Amendments

Sponsored By: Scott H. Chew (Republican)

Signed by Governor

LivestockAnimalsNatural ResourcesWater RightsAgriculture & FoodWater

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New claim process for livestock watering

Beginning May 6, 2026, you can file a sub-basin livestock watering claim. You may file a diligence claim, corrected diligence claim, change application, or a statement of claim. You must draw a sub-drainage boundary, include a map, and get the state engineer to approve that boundary. The boundary must be limited in size so it does not impair an existing water right. The claim follows normal rules for advertising, protests, proof of beneficial use, and nonuse or forfeiture.

Pond and diversion rules inside claim areas

Beginning May 6, 2026, inside a sub-basin claim area you may build a small pond without a change application. A small pond is two acre-feet or less. A large pond needs an approved change application and must meet dam safety rules to get a dam permit. You cannot build any pond outside a claim area without an approved change application. Except for wells and large ponds, any surface water in the sub-drainage can be a point of diversion, and you may list specific points if you want.

Stricter limits and consent for livestock water

Beginning May 6, 2026, claims are limited to private land you own or public land where you hold a grazing permit. The use must be historically documented, starting before the state water law for that use and continuing since. You cannot claim more water than the holder has historically used, and you must keep total depletion, including pond evaporation, within the claim’s depletion limit. The state engineer cannot authorize a claim without the beneficial user’s written consent. You may not move water to another sub-basin if that would impair someone else’s water right.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Scott H. Chew
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Scott D. Sandall
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 150 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd reading

Yes: 26 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Senate/ uncircled

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/18/2026

Senate/ circled

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 69 • No: 0

House vote • 1/23/2026

House Comm - Amendment Recommendation

Yes: 11 • No: 0