Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

HB 401 — Geothermal Study Amendments

Last action — Governor Signed

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 25, 2026.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

45 added · 70 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to HB 401 changes the responsibility for conducting a study on geothermal energy development from the Office of Energy Development to Utah State University. This study will now focus on the geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy in the state, rather than specifically assessing feasibility near coal-powered plants. Additionally, while previously the findings were to be reported annually, the amendment simplifies the reporting requirement to just a report to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee. These changes are significant as they shift oversight to a university, potentially increasing the rigor and academic scrutiny of the findings.

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HB0401S01 compared with HB0401 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0401 but was omitted in HB0401S01 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0401 but was inserted into HB0401S01 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy H.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
401 Geothermal Study Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Sometimes this automated comparison will NOT be completely accurate.
Therefore, you need to read the actual bills.
This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
limitations of the compare program;
bad input data;
or other causes.
Geothermal Study Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Watkins Senate Sponsor:David P.
Watkins Senate Sponsor:
David P.
This bill directs {the Office of Energy Development } Utah State University to conduct a study {to examine } on the {feasibility } geological and environmental impacts of {developing } geothermal energy {facilities at or near existing coal-powered electrical generation facilities} development.
This bill directs Utah State University to conduct a study on the geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy development.
▸ directs {the Office of Energy Development (office) } Utah State University to conduct a study {to examine } on the {feasibility of developing } geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy {facilities at or near existing coal-powered electrical generation facilities} development in the state;
▸ directs Utah State University to conduct a study on the geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy development in the state;
▸ requires {the office } Utah State University to report {annually on or before the November interim meeting } findings to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim CommittHe;and ▸ {requires the office to publish the study on the office's website upon completion;
▸ requires Utah State University to report findings to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee;
and } B ▸ provides a repeal date.
and ▸ provides a repeal date.
4 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
0 HB0401 compared with HB0401S01 None Other Special Clauses:
None Other Special Clauses:
63I-2-279 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 258 ENACTS:
63I-2-279, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 258 ENACTS:
79-6-410 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
79-6-410, Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
63I-2-279.
63I-2-279 .
(2) Subsection 79-4-1002(2), regarding a pilot program for veteran free admission to state parks, is repealed July 1, 2025.
H.B.
401 Enrolled Copy (2) Subsection 79-4-1002(2), regarding a pilot program for veteran free admission to state parks, is repealed July 1, 2025.
Section 2 is enacted to read:
Section 79-6-410 is enacted to read:
79-6-410.
79-6-410 .
(2){(c)} {On or before December 31, 2027, the office shall work with the Utah Geological Survey to conduct a study to examine the feasibility } an assessment of the geological and environmental - 2 - HB0401 compared with HB0401S01 impacts of {developing } geothermal energy {facilities } development at or near coal-powered electrical generation facility sites {in the state.} ;
(c) an assessment of the geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy development at or near coal-powered electrical generation facility sites;
and {(3) {The study described in Subsection (2) shall include, for each coal-powered electrical generation facility site:} } {(a) {an assessment of:} } {(i) {subsurface temperatures;} } Ĥ→ {[(ii) steam quality;]} {[(iii)] {(ii)} ←Ĥ {potential electricity production;} } Ĥ→ {[(iv)] {(iii)} ←Ĥ {infrastructure suitability;} } Ĥ→ {[(v)] {(iv)} ←Ĥ {estimated capital costs;
and (d) recommendations for geothermal energy development practices that minimize geological and environmental impacts.
and} } Ĥ→ {[(vi)] {(v)} ←Ĥ {economic and job impacts;
(3) Upon completion of the study described in Subsection (2), Utah State University shall report the findings on or before the November interim meeting to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee.
and} } (b){(d)} recommendations for geothermal energy {system } developmentpractices that minimize geological and environmental impacts.
{(4) {The office shall publish the study on the office's website upon completion.} } (5){(3)} {The office } Upon completion of the study described in Subsection (2), Utah State University shall report {annually } the findings on or before the November interim meeting to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee {regarding the status of the study} .
Effective date.
3-5-26 10:43 AM - 3 -
- 2 -
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View plain text versions (6)

How this bill changes current law

4 changes Share ↗

Compared against the Utah Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the repeal dates for certain laws and enacts a new geothermal energy facilities study.

  • 63I-2-279

    Section 79-6-410, Geothermal energy facilities study, is repealed July 1, 2028. → Section 79-6-410, Geothermal energy facilities study, is repealed July 1, 2028.

    It leaves the repeal date for the geothermal energy facilities study unchanged.

  • 63I-2-279

    Subsection 79-4-1002(2), regarding a pilot program for veteran free admission to state parks, is repealed July 1, 2025. → Subsection 79-4-1002(2), regarding a pilot program for veteran free admission to state parks, is repealed July 1, 2025.

    It confirms the repeal date for the veteran admission pilot program.

  • 63I-2-279

    Section 79-2-407, Study of funding for water infrastructure costs, is repealed July 1, 2025. → Section 79-2-407, Study of funding for water infrastructure costs, is repealed July 1, 2025.

    It reaffirms the repeal date for the water infrastructure funding study.

  • 79-6-410

    79-6-410 . Geothermal energy facilities study. (1) As used in this section, "coal-powered electrical generation facility site" means a location in the state where a facility that generates electricity using coal as a primary fuel source: (a) is currently operating; or (b) has ceased operations but retains existing infrastructure suitable for energy generation purposes. (2) On or before October 31, 2027, Utah State University shall conduct a study on the geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy development in the state, which shall include: (a) an assessment of subsurface geological conditions and the interactions with geothermal energy development activities; (b) an evaluation of geothermal energy development techniques and the relative impacts on surrounding geological and environmental conditions; (c) an assessment of the geological and environmental impacts of geothermal energy development at or near coal-powered electrical generation facility sites; and (d) recommendations for geothermal energy development practices that minimize geological and environmental impacts. (3) Upon completion of the study described in Subsection (2), Utah State University shall report the findings on or before the November interim meeting to the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee.

    It establishes the framework and requirements for the geothermal energy facilities study.

Amendments

1 amendment

Click Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.

Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. House/ to Governor

  3. House/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. House/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from House for Enrolling

  8. House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

  9. House/ received from Senate

  10. Senate/ to House

  11. Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

  12. Senate/ received from House

  13. House/ to Senate

  14. House/ concurs with Senate amendment

  15. House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar

  16. House/ received from Senate

  17. Senate/ to House with amendments

  18. Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  19. Senate/ substituted

  20. Senate/ uncircled

  21. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0401S01

  22. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0401S01

  23. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0401S01

  24. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0401S01

  25. Senate/ circled

  26. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  27. Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar

  28. Senate/ 3nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

  29. Senate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table

  30. Senate/ 3rd reading

  31. Senate/ passed 2nd reading

  32. Senate/ 2nd reading

  33. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  34. Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]

  35. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]

  36. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]

  37. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  38. Senate/ received from House

  39. House/ to Senate

  40. House/ passed 3rd reading

  41. House/ floor amendment

  42. House/ 3rd reading

  43. House/ 2nd reading

  44. House/ committee report favorable [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

  45. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

  46. House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

  47. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  48. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0401

  49. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0401

  50. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  51. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  52. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0401

  53. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0401

  54. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  55. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 102 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education energy
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 401?
HB 401 is sponsored by David P. Hinkins (Republican) and Christine F. Watkins (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 401?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 27, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 401?
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