Land Bills Passed During the 2025 Utah Legislative Session
Legend
Bird icon: Early Bird
Moon icon: Latecomer
Gavel icon: Unanimous Votes
Binoculars icon: Media Attention
HB0018 | Petroleum Storage Tank Amendments
Eliason, S.
This bill introduced updates to the requirements and environmental safety measures for petroleum storage tanks. It included directing some money into the Petroleum Storage Tank Cleanup Fund.
HB0047 | Public Lands Watering Rights Amendments
Albrecht, C.
This bill established that if water for grazing is not used because the Animal Unit Months have been reduced by the federal government (this is when the government permits less stock to graze on an area so that overgrazing doesn’t occur), then water can’t be claimed by the federal government for other uses, particularly for wildlife, so long as the beneficial users of the spring or watering hole file a non-use application. This also does away with outdated livestock water use certificates.
HB0053 | Litter Cleanup Amendments
Ivory, K.
This bill created the Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund to help keep Utah’s highways clean. This also made throwing any lighted material like cigarettes or fireworks from a moving vehicle a class C misdemeanor.
HB0103 | State Land Access Road Amendments
Shelley, T.
This bill requires PLPCO, SITLA, and the DWR to identify and record class D roads that traverse certain lands owned by the state. It also provided that the Division of Wildlife Resources may not permanently close a road without the consent of the legislative body of the county in which the road is located. The bill established that when a class D road is abandoned by a county, it remains open for public use.
HB0115 | State Park Funding Amendments
Brooks, W.
This bill allows interest earned on the money in the State Park Fees Restricted Account to remain in the account.
HB0177 | Glass Recycling Amendments
Welton, D.
This bill commissioned a study to explore potential recycling processes for glass.
HB0202 | Private Landowner Big Game Revisions
Albrecht, C.
This bill allows small private landowners with between 640 and 8,999 acres to annually enter into a draw for a bull elk voucher that they may use or sell. It also allows landowners with between 4,000 and 8,999 acres to annually gain up to two additional bull elk vouchers. HB 202 also defines landowners associations and outlines the process and qualifications for registering them, as well as rules for establishing the number of limited-entry landowners association program vouchers available.
HB0254 | Waste Classification Amendments
Bolinder, B.
This bill adjusted Utah’s definitions of high-level and low-level radioactive waste to align with federal standards.
HB0255 | Local Land Use Modifications
Chew, S.
This bill authorizes an owner of at least 50 contiguous acres in rural counties to divide off a new parcel as small as one acre without needing a formal plat, so long as the new parcel is at least 500 feet away from any other similar division. The parcel is not required to be owned by the same person that owns the divided land.
HB0342 | Animal Composting Amendments
Kohler, M.
This bill redefined certain farm and ranch operations in Utah to facilitate the composting of animal mortality and offal waste. Specifically, the bill amended the definition of “commercial nonhazardous solid waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility” to exclude farm or ranch operations that compost such waste for beneficial reuse, provided the waste originates from a facility that processes animals supplied by the farm or ranch.
HB0345 | State Park Road Amendments
Sawyer, J.
This bill updated Utah’s transportation code to include access roads to Lost Creek State Park and Utahraptor State Park.
HB0355 | Mining and Critical Infrastructure Materials Amendments
Snider, C.
This bill updated Utah’s regulations concerning the extraction of critical infrastructure minerals: sand, gravel, and rock aggregate. The bill allowed existing mining operations to expand onto adjacent land, even if they hadn’t previously mined there, provided they notify local governments and the public. It also shifted the burden of proof in disputes over vested mining rights, requiring challengers to disprove the existence of a vested use rather than operators having to prove it. Additionally, the bill clarified definitions related to mining and critical infrastructure materials.
HB0368 | Local Land Use Amendments
Whyte, S.
This bill clarified and updated various laws related to municipal annexation, boundary adjustments, land use, and development processes. It amended how municipalities or counties will conduct annexation plan reviews and modified public notice requirements for proposed land use regulations. It prevented municipalities or counties from requiring private individuals or entities, such as community associations or homeowners associations, to maintain public access amenities or water utilities unless specific conditions applied. The bill adjusted the process for municipalities and counties to inspect and approve or reject warranty work and allowed municipalities to enforce landscaping ordinances. It also updated the process for transferable development rights and created an expedited review process for applicants submitting identical floor plans. The bill stopped municipalities and counties from requiring public hearings for variance requests or other land use appeals. The bill limited the ability of municipalities and counties to enforce ordinances by withholding building permits or certificates of occupancy. Finally, it modified the State Fire Code Act, updated provisions related to special districts and land use, and established a process for conveying real property by deed to a public entity.
HB0388 | Antiquities Protection Amendments
Barlow, S.
This bill directed the State Historic Preservation Office (office) to conduct a statewide public awareness media campaign to educate and inform the public on issues relating to cultural sites and required the office to provide seminars and training to agencies, organizations, and individuals on the preservation and protection of cultural sites.
HB0490 | State Parks Modifications
Okerlund, C.
This bill made several updates to how Utah’s Division of State Parks operates. The bill required the Division to largely sustain its operations using its own fee revenue, and requires the director to implement a long-term plan for park development focused on recreation, historical and cultural preservation, and public enjoyment. The Division gained rulemaking authority to manage park use, including setting access restrictions and enforcing infractions. Additional changes include renaming the State Parks Restricted Account, increasing the share of golf-course revenue that parks can retain (from 15% to 30%), removing outdated boating and river grant provisions, and authorizing civil damage penalties and misdemeanor charges for trespassers who ignore orders to leave park lands or otherwise misuse resources. It removes the requirement for the division to follow the state procurement code when choosing concessionaires and repeals sections related to boating accounts and river enhancement grants.
HB0501 | Law Enforcement Salary Amendments
Wilcox, R.
This bill required Utah’s Human Resources Division to conduct a comprehensive salary survey for Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers and wildland firefighters. It established clear salary ranges for different classifications, outlined minimum qualifications for each, and asked HR to make recommendations on future funding needs and pay adjustments.
SB0034 | Mineral Surety Study
Owens, D.R.
This bill requires Utah’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining to conduct a comprehensive study on “surety”—the financial guarantees (like bonds, cash, collateral, or insurance) that mining and other mineral operators must provide to cover reclamation costs. The study will explore which types of surety are acceptable, how much operators should pledge, when and how surety should be released or forfeited, and how Utah’s requirements compare with those in other states. It also asks whether new tools—like captive insurers or a state surety pool—could help modernize the system. The division must present its findings and any legislative recommendations to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee by October 2025.
SB0051 | State Resource Management Plan Amendments
Stratton, K.
This bill adopted a new state resource management plan to replace the previous year’s adopted plan. This management plan guides the management of Utah’s natural resources, including about 30 topics from Agriculture to Land Use to Wild Horses and Burros.
SB0113 | Traffic Code Amendments
Sandall, S.
This bill established that in open range areas, when there is a collision on the highway with livestock, there is a rebuttable presumption that the collision was due to the negligence of the driver. In the case of civil action, damages for livestock are limited to the replacement cost of the livestock.
SB0129 | Higher Education Development Areas
Wilson, C.
This bill allowed eligible Utah universities to designate certain university-owned land as a “development area.” Once a board of trustees approves this through a public hearing and resolution, the institution sets up a special fund to collect revenue from leasing or developing that land. The proceeds can be used for campus-related projects like infrastructure, operations, or maintenance. Universities must get approval from both their board and the Legislature’s Transportation & Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee before entering into any development agreements. To maintain ethical oversight, trustees with financial conflicts must disclose them and recuse themselves from related decisions.
SB0139 | Mineral Rights Amendments
Winterton, R.
This bill directed the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman to publish accessible information online about eminent domain and mineral rights. including explanations about compensation for real property and mineral rights.
SB0158 | Sale or Lease of Federally Managed Public Land Amendments
Stratton, K.
Study Commissioned
This bill requires the state office develop expertise, educate local governments on the process, consult on proposals, and help estimate the resources needed to fulfill public-use plans. It also required monitoring of all applications submitted between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2024—tracking who applied, when, which parcels, their size, and their current status. The office must report its findings.
SB0159 | Environmental Quality Modifications
Stratton, K.
This bill requires nonhazardous solid waste landfills to use synthetic or clay liners.
SB0217 | Recycling and Waste Amendments
Harper, W.
This bill mandates manufacturers to provide recycling information for electronic devices, requires public education on waste management, and updates the fee structure for solid waste disposal in Utah.
SB0220 | Construction Modifications
Musselman, C.R.
This bill was enacted to enhance the state’s authority over stormwater runoff and water pollution control at construction sites. The bill grants the Utah Water Quality Board the ability to establish regulations that are more stringent than federal standards under the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, provided that a thorough public review process demonstrates the necessity for such measures to protect public health and the environment. Additionally, this bill outlines enforcement authorities and penalties for violations, aiming to ensure compliance with the enhanced regulations. The bill also specifies that municipal system authorities and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) may enact more stringent regulations than federal standards when considering stormwater runoff or water pollution control at construction sites. Notably, the bill includes exceptions for the Department of Transportation, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by state infrastructure projects.
HB0237 | Rollback Tax Amendments
Snider, C.
This bill redirects 100% of rollback tax or in-lieu fee revenue (collected when land exits agricultural tax status) to the county, specifically into a designated fund for preserving or restoring open space or agricultural land. Any funds not spent or obligated by the county within 10 years after collection must be transferred to the LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund.
SB0239 | Inland Port Authority Amendments
Stevenson, J.
This bill introduces significant changes to the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) to enhance its operational flexibility and governance. The bill allows UIPA to extend project area durations to 25–40 years, providing more time for infrastructure development. It also strengthens business record protections under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), balancing transparency with confidentiality. Additionally, the bill expands the use of tax differential funding to support infrastructure improvements near project areas and authorizes UIPA to purchase land adjacent to existing project areas, particularly in the Northwest Quadrant, to protect environmentally sensitive land. Governance changes include increasing the number of governor-appointed board members from two to three, enhancing state oversight. The bill also clarifies land use policies, including restrictions on landfills and distribution centers, to prevent development conflicts. These amendments aim to support responsible economic growth and infrastructure investment while addressing environmental concerns.
HB0251 | Pollinator Program Amendments
Matthews, A.
This bill renamed the pollinator pilot program to the pollinator habitat program and repeals its sunset date. The bill included provisions for public education, distribution of pollinator-friendly plants, and grants to support pollinator habitats.
HB0253 | Agriculture and Food Amendments
Albrecht, C.
This bill made a wide range of updates to Utah agricultural laws. It renamed the “Utah Fertilizer Act” as the “Utah Plant Food Act” and broadened its scope to include not only fertilizers but also soil amendments, beneficial substances, plant inoculants, and biostimulants. It modified the definition of a “qualified veterinarian” to expand eligibility for the veterinarian loan repayment program. The bill also changed references to the National Council on Weights and Measures, repealed the Utah Agriculture Certificate of Environmental Stewardship Program, and adjusted timeframes for annual fees under the Agricultural and Wildlife Damage Prevention Act. It addressed the expiration process for livestock brands and updated the information required to operate a livestock market. Under the Domesticated Elk Act, the bill revised rules for licensing, recordkeeping, health documentation, and animal marking. It clarified that funds in the LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund Program were nonlapsing and converted the Agriculture Conservation Easement Account into an expendable special revenue fund. It authorized the use of the Agriculture Resource Development Fund to cover administrative costs and clarified the regulation of livestock by political subdivisions. The bill modified how certain sales and use taxes were earmarked to support the Division of Conservation within the Department of Agriculture and Food, and addressed the administration of grants under the agricultural water optimization program.
HB0307 | Wildfire Funding Amendments
Snider, C.
This bill consolidated multiple existing funds into the new Utah Wildfire Fund, which will be used to pay wildfire costs and invest in wildfire prevention. It authorized the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands to accept responsibility for managing a wildfire, and establish criteria for community wildfire preparedness plans in the wildland-urban interface. The law establishes minimum spending levels on fire prevention each year. A one-time investment of $150?million for FY-2026 supports these efforts.
HB0368 | Local Land Use Amendments
Whyte, S.
This bill clarified and updated various laws related to municipal annexation, boundary adjustments, land use, and development processes. It amended how municipalities or counties will conduct annexation plan reviews and modified public notice requirements for proposed land use regulations. It prevented municipalities or counties from requiring private individuals or entities, such as community associations or homeowners associations, to maintain for public access amenities or water utilities unless specific conditions applied. The bill adjusted the process for municipalities and counties to inspect and approve or reject warranty work and allowed municipalities to enforce landscaping ordinances. It also updated the process for transferable development rights and created an expedited review process for applicants submitting identical floor plans. The bill stopped municipalities and counties from requiring public hearings for variance requests or other land use appeals. The bill limited the ability of municipalities and counties to enforce ordinances by withholding building permits or certificates of occupancy. Finally, it modified the State Fire Code Act, updated provisions related to special districts and land use, and established a process for conveying real property by deed to a public entity.
HB0421 | Grazing Amendments
Monson, L.
This bill updated Utah’s Wildlife Conservation Fund rules by adding a requirement that the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) must get approval before purchasing a grazing permit using fund money. Specifically, DWR must receive approvals from the local land use authority, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture and Food. If any of these authorities don’t respond within 60 days, their silence counts as approval. The bill also harmonizes related terminology in state code and maintains existing reporting requirements, such as annual updates to the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee.
HB0510 | Agricultural Amendments
Dailey-Provost, J.
This bill mandated the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food to conduct a comprehensive study on local food availability. The bill defines “local food” as agricultural products produced, processed, and distributed within Utah for sale or consumption within the state. The study aims to identify barriers and gaps in the local food supply, focusing on areas such as the intrastate food supply chain, crop production optimization, the agricultural workforce, and capital funding for local food production. Additionally, the study will examine production costs, economic impacts for agricultural operators, and opportunities for modernizing equipment or incorporating alternative crops. The department is required to seek input from a diverse group of agricultural producers based on geography, operation size, and operation type. Findings and recommendations must be reported to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee by June 2026.
SB0253 | Railroad and Transportation Amendments
Harper, W.
This bill introduced several changes to the state’s railroad and transportation regulations. Notably, it removed the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s oversight of livestock injured on railroad rights-of-way, shifting that responsibility to the Utah Department of Transportation. Additionally, the bill mandated that the railroad ombudsman provide certain reports and complaints to rail companies, aiming to enhance communication and accountability within the industry. These amendments reflect the state’s ongoing efforts to streamline transportation regulations and improve coordination between agencies overseeing railroad operations.
SB0316 | Military Installation Development Authority and Other Development Zone Amendments
Stevenson, J.
This bill aims to give the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA) more control over development projects by allowing it to conduct its own environmental reviews and expand its jurisdiction to additional sites. It also changes how MIDA can use sales tax revenue from construction materials for infrastructure development and expands MIDA’s jurisdiction to encompass additional sites, including those associated with the Utah Army National Guard.
HB0438 | Environmental Legal Action Amendments
Jack, C.
This bill modified the definition of “environmental action” so that it doesn’t include a cause of action that seeks judicial review of a final agency action to issue a permit by the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining.
SB0005 | Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Base Budget
Hinkins, D.
This bill establishes the base budget for Utah’s Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Food, Department of Environmental Quality, and the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration for the fiscal years 2025 and 2026. The bill allocates specific funding amounts to various state agencies and programs, detailing exact budget allocations, nonlapsing fund provisions, and performance measurement targets.
SJR011 | Joint Resolution Regarding Critical Minerals
Millner, A.
This resolution calls for the critical minerals mining industry to establish a working group formed of industry, government, and academic professionals in order to build a statewide strategy for rare earth minerals in the state of Utah.
SB0028 | Livestock Brand Board Amendments
Sandall, S.
This bill extended the expiration date of the law that governs the Utah Livestock Brand Board until July 1, 2035.