All Roll Calls
Yes: 172 • No: 2
UtahS.B. 212026 General SessionSenate
Geothermal Amendments
Sponsored By: Michael K. McKell (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Trust LandsEnergyNatural ResourcesPublic LandsWater RightsState EngineerWater
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
Surface owners hold geothermal resource rights
Beginning May 6, 2026, surface owners hold geothermal resource rights outside school and institutional trust lands. This applies even when mineral rights were sold separately. A recorded deed or other document transferring title can expressly transfer or reserve geothermal rights.
Broader geothermal coverage, with water-right limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah lowers its geothermal temperature threshold from above 120°C to above 100°C. The resource definition includes energy from conventional hydrothermal, enhanced geothermal, and advanced geothermal systems. Geothermal fluid is defined separately as water and steam above 100°C, not as part of the geothermal resource. People using geothermal fluid need a water right, subject to the exception in Section 73-22-8.
Geothermal operators face approvals and safeguards
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Division of Water Rights can require well and producing-lease identification, reports, and well records. It can require advance notice and approval for drilling, redrilling, repairs, casing changes, testing, maintenance, abandonment, and other well changes. It can set construction, spacing, testing, operating, and abandonment safeguards against pollution, leaks, reservoir cooling, blowouts, cave-ins, and harm to neighbors. When required, operators must measure production and keep accurate records for five years, available for Division review at reasonable times. Resources cannot escape into other underground layers unless allowed by a Division-approved injection program.
Geothermal operators face surety bond requirements
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Division of Water Rights can require surety bonds for new or redrilled abandoned wells. It sets a reasonable amount, and operators can use one blanket bond instead of separate well bonds. Surety bonds replace the prior cash-or-surety options and secure the state against costs of bringing wells into compliance. With Division consent, a bond can end after proper abandonment of covered wells or replacement with another valid bond.
Geothermal records become public after protection
Beginning May 6, 2026, filed geothermal well logs and records are public unless owners or operators request protection in writing. The Division sets protection periods, which cannot exceed the earliest applicable deadline. The limits are five years from production or non-testing injection, or two years from abandonment. Another limit is two years after completing a monitoring, exploration, investigation, or test-well project without moving directly into production development. Protected records remain open to people authorized in writing, state well regulators, and authorized State Tax Commission officials for tax assessment.
Trust land buyers exclude geothermal rights
Buying school or institutional trust land does not include the reserved geothermal rights. For trust mineral estates the state owns on May 6, 2026, geothermal rights belong to the state. An express deed transfer under the trust-land law is the exception. Sale certificates and patents must reserve geothermal resources. The state can use leases, rents, royalties, and business arrangements to develop resources and earn money for trust beneficiaries.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Carl R. Albrecht
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 24 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 67 • No: 1
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 3 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 2 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/26/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ substituted
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/27/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
2/27/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ substituted/ amended
2/26/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/25/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Substitute #4
3/2/2026
Amended 2/26/2026 11:02:89
2/26/2026
Substitute #3
2/25/2026
Amended 2/23/2026 15:02:235
2/23/2026
Substitute #2
2/4/2026
Substitute #1
2/3/2026
Introduced
12/4/2025