All Roll Calls
Yes: 108 • No: 1
UtahS.B. 202026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Technical Changes
Sponsored By: Keven J. Stratton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Natural ResourcesDepartment of Natural ResourcesSunsets and Repealers
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Great Salt Lake plans require approval
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Great Salt Lake commissioner must submit the strategic plan for governor approval every five years. The proposed plan goes to the governor, House speaker, and Senate president. The approved plan goes to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee. It also goes to the departments of Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, and Agriculture and Food.
Mercury switch law avoids scheduled repeal
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law cancels the Mercury Switch Removal Act's scheduled July 1, 2027 repeal. The Act's remaining provisions stay in effect beyond that date. This continuation does not preserve the collection, reimbursement, reporting, and penalty provisions separately repealed by this law.
Review rights for environmental enforcement orders
Beginning May 6, 2026, covered environmental violation notices and orders fall under Utah's administrative hearing and court review framework. This covers actions under the Air Conservation, Radiation Control, Safe Drinking Water, and Water Quality acts. People and businesses receiving covered notices or orders can use that process. The change sets no new penalties.
Utah Lake study authority stays active
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law cancels the scheduled July 1, 2027 repeal of the Utah Lake study provision. That provision stays in effect beyond the planned repeal date. The change specifies no new study work or funding.
Water facilities gain planning deadline flexibility
Beginning May 6, 2026, water conveyance facilities with potential risk locations no longer face the former plan-adoption deadlines. The law also removes the written-justification requirement. Owners or operators still need an affirmative board vote adopting a management plan before receiving covered state money. This condition applies to funding for water development, facility repairs, or improvements.
Mineral sites gain waste fee exemption
From May 6, 2026, through June 30, 2029, qualifying mineral waste is exempt from the specified solid waste fee. The exemption covers treating, transferring, storing, or disposing of waste from ore and mineral extraction, beneficiation, or processing. The person must own, control, or operate the handling site. Waste must come from that person's on-site operations or off-site sources they own, control, or operate.
Veterinarian loan repayment funds carry forward
Beginning May 6, 2026, unused appropriations for Utah's Veterinarian Education Loan Repayment Program remain available after the fiscal year ends. This supports continued loan-repayment assistance for eligible recipients. The change sets no funding amount or individual payment amount.
Narrower grants for vehicle fuel conversions
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law narrows the vehicle eligibility references for alternative-fuel conversion grants. Vehicles must qualify under Sections 19-2-302 through 19-2-304; Section 19-2-301 is no longer included. Grants cover installing conversion equipment, and other program requirements still apply.
Emergency water project assistance pathway ends
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah repeals its statutory financial assistance pathway for emergency water resource projects. Government entities and other applicants can no longer use these provisions. The repeal removes eligibility, payment, feasibility-study, account, and funding rules. No replacement assistance is specified in this repeal.
Mercury switch removal reimbursements end
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah repeals its mercury-switch collection plan and removal reimbursement provisions. Participating entities lose those statutory reimbursements. Related reporting and penalties are also repealed. The law specifies no reimbursement amount or replacement program.
Waste fees reach more recycling activities
Beginning May 6, 2026, recycling, using, reusing, or reprocessing listed wastes is no longer excluded from the nonhazardous waste fee. Facilities doing these activities may owe the existing fee. Collected fees go into Utah's Environmental Quality Restricted Account; this change sets no new fee amount. The expanded fee coverage lasts through June 30, 2029.
Expired farm disaster borrowing authority removed
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law removes authority to borrow up to $3 million from the Agricultural Water Optimization Account. That authority supported agriculture disaster-relief loans but already expired on December 31, 2024. The law also removes the department's duty to prioritize full repayment to that account. It creates no new personal repayment duty.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Keven J. Stratton
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Carl R. Albrecht
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 71 • No: 1
House vote • 1/28/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/20/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 28 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
2/23/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
2/23/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
2/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
2/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/4/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/4/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
2/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/4/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
1/29/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
1/29/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
1/28/2026House/ to standing committee
1/26/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
1/21/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
1/21/2026HouseSenate/ to House
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
1/20/2026SenateSenate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
1/14/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
2/23/2026
Introduced
12/4/2025