Natural Resource Management Bills Passed During the 2025 Utah Legislative Session
Legend
Bird icon: Early Bird
Moon icon: Latecomer
Gavel icon: Unanimous Votes
Binoculars icon: Media Attention
HB0034 | State Campgrounds Amendments
Eliason, S.
This bill set up a process for creating state campgrounds, which may now be designated through a concurrent resolution by the legislature and the governor and will be managed by the Division of State Parks.
HB0036 | Provo Canyon Resource Management Plan Amendments
Bennion, G.
This bill extended the sunset date to 2027 for the Provo Canyon resource management plan.
HB0041 | State Water Policy Amendments
Albrecht, C.
This bill added provisions to the State Water Policy for groundwater quality, saved water, the monitoring of watersheds in consultation with watershed councils, promoting state water planning, and applying regionally appropriate water reuse.
HB0200 | Outdoor Recreation Amendments
Cutler, P.
This bill allows the governor to keep Utah’s federal public lands, such as national parks, national monuments, national forests, national recreation areas, and lands managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, open and operational during a fiscal emergency.
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.
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.
HB0380 | Presumption of State Jurisdiction Amendments
Ivory, K.
The bill asserts Utah’s sovereignty by establishing a presumption that the state holds jurisdiction over all matters not explicitly delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution. It places the burden of proof on the federal government to demonstrate constitutional authorization for federal jurisdiction in any conflict. The law emphasizes the state’s inherent police power over areas including natural resources, water rights, agriculture, education, and energy resources.
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.
HB0446 | Great Salt Lake Amendments
Koford, J.
This bill addressed several issues related to Great Salt Lake. It clarified metalliferous compounds for severance tax issues, modified requirements related to a feasibility study for activities on the lake, and changed provisions for adaptive management berms. It also allowed the Great Salt Lake Commissioner to oversee water leases to Great Salt Lake.
HB0456 | Transient Room Tax Amendments
Bolinder, B.
This bill let Utah counties use a portion of their transient room tax (TRT) revenue—collected from hotels, motels, vacation rentals—to fund outdoor recreation and tourism-related mitigation (like search and rescue, road repairs, and solid waste disposal), not only for promotion. It raised the state TRT rate by 0.75% (from 0.32% to 1.07%) and creates the Outdoor Recreation Mitigation Grant Program, which uses 25% of the new revenue to support eligible counties. The remaining new revenue feeds into the Long-Term Capital Projects Fund. The bill clarified definitions, reporting requirements, and permits counties to share TRT revenue with municipalities through interlocal agreements. It also extended the sunset date for the State Search and Rescue Advisory Board. No direct appropriations are included, but it reallocates revenue and establishes grant funding.
HB0483 | School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration Modifications
Walter, N.
This bill made several updates to the way Utah manages its trust lands—state-owned lands held to support public schools and other state institutions. Every five years, the director must have the entire land portfolio reviewed and value updated, and provide an annual report to the Legislature detailing the administration’s activities, audited finances, land valuations, and funds distributed. The bill provides that the director will sell trust lands that have been under lease for at least 25 years under certain conditions. It modified the unauthorized uses of trust lands, as well as enforcement. Finally, it repealed sections of law pertaining to the Land Trusts Protection and Advocacy Office.
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.
HJR009 | House Resolution Regarding Utah’s Share of Colorado River Water
Snider, C.
This resolution outlines the historical interstate compact regarding the Colorado River, highlights the significance of the Colorado River water allocated to Utah, and declares that it is the position of the state of Utah that any basin state should be able to use the state’s Colorado River allocation at any location within the geographic boundaries of that state.
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.
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.
SB0036 | Water Quality Board Amendments
Weiler, T.
This bill amended the Utah Water Quality Act to enhance the Utah Water Quality Board’s authority in handling settlement negotiations related to alleged violations of water quality regulations. The bill establishes a process for the board to review settlement negotiations between the director and a party in alleged violation of the act. If negotiations reach an impasse, the board is authorized to issue a final order establishing a reasonable penalty. The bill also outlines procedures for requesting a settlement conference, including timelines for scheduling and submitting materials. Additionally, it specifies that parties may seek judicial review of the board’s final order in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.
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 including agriculture, land use, and wild horses and burros.
SB0166 | Point of the Mountain State Land Authority Amendments
Stevenson, J.
This bill was enacted to refine the governance and financial structures associated with the Point of the Mountain development project. The bill introduces a new “privilege tax” on private lessees of state land within the Point of the Mountain area, compensating for the absence of property taxes on state-owned land. This tax is set to gradually decrease over time, with only 25% of the original amount remaining by 2068. Additionally, the bill restructures the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority’s board, reducing its size from 12 to 7 members. The new board composition includes three gubernatorial appointees with expertise in economic development, one member each from the House and Senate, and the mayors of Draper and Salt Lake County. These changes aim to streamline decision-making processes while maintaining public accountability through open meetings.
SB0172 | Local Health Department Amendments
Sandall, S.
This bill was enacted to enhance the operational capabilities of local health departments in managing public health issues. The bill grants these departments the authority to establish fees for services, accept various forms of funding, and disseminate crucial health information to the public. Additionally, it empowers local health departments to investigate health hazards, conduct studies on injury prevention, and collaborate with state agencies on healthrelated testing and emergencies. Notably, the bill also addresses bioterrorism concerns, allowing local health departments to investigate suspected incidents.
SB0179 | Local Regulation of Business Entities Amendments
Musselman, C.R.
This bill was enacted to address the balance of regulatory authority between local governments and state-level business operations. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing certain regulations on business entities that are inconsistent with state law, aiming to create a more uniform regulatory environment across Utah. Specifically, this bill restricts municipalities and counties from enacting ordinances that conflict with state statutes governing business operations, thereby limiting local control over certain aspects of business regulation.
SB0181 | Housing Affordability Amendments
Fillmore, L.
This bill was introduced to address the growing concern over housing affordability. A key provision of the bill prohibits urban municipalities and counties from requiring garages for affordable, single-family homes. This change aims to reduce construction costs, as garages can add significant expense to homebuilding. While the bill does not ban local governments from mandating garages for other types of homes, it offers an incentive for developers to build more affordable homes by easing parking requirements. The legislation is part of a broader effort to make homeownership more attainable for Utahns.
SB0195 | Transportation Amendments
Harper, W.
The bill introduces several changes to the state’s transportation policies. Notably, it eliminates the ongoing transfer of approximately $35 million annually from the Transportation Fund to the Transportation Investment Fund (TIF), which was generated from a 1.8- cent per gallon sales tax on motor and special vehicle fuels. This change aims to reduce unnecessary strain on the Transportation Fund as expressed by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) . Additionally, S.B. 195 reinstates funding for litter mitigation programs that had been reduced due to previous pandemic-related spending cuts. The bill also removes a $21.75 registration fee for hybrid vehicles, which had been previously introduced to offset the reduced fuel tax contributions from electric and hybrid vehicles.
SB0207 | Local Impact Mitigation Amendments
Winterton, R.
This bill was enacted to address the infrastructural challenges faced by counties due to oil and gas production activities. The bill introduces a temporary tax on privately produced oil and gas, set at 5 cents per barrel of oil and 1 cent per thousand cubic feet of gas, applicable from 2026 through 2028. This tax is distinct from the existing severance tax and is levied only when the resource is sold, saved, or transferred. Revenue generated from this tax is allocated directly to the counties where the production occurs, provided the county has established a qualifying special service district; otherwise, the funds are placed in a separate special revenue fund. The funds are designated specifically for transportation projects that mitigate the direct impacts of oil and gas production, such as road maintenance and infrastructure improvements.
SB0289 | Community Development Amendments
Harper, W.
Utah Senate Bill 289 (S.B. 289), titled “Community Development Amendments,” was signed into law on March 27, 2025. The bill allows local development agencies to extend the time they collect certain tax revenues by up to two years if their project areas were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension applies only to projects created before the end of 2019 and excludes areas containing federal Superfund sites. To qualify, agencies must pass a resolution explaining how the pandemic caused delays or financial setbacks. The goal of the bill is to give local governments more time and flexibility to complete development projects that were disrupted by the pandemic, helping communities move forward with critical infrastructure and economic development plans.