Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

HB 187 — Water Amendments

Last action — Governor Signed

  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 07, 2026. Enacted.

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

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • 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).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

373 added · 353 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill HB 187 adds exemptions for certain water rights held by water conservancy districts in the lower basin, making it easier for them to maintain those rights without facing abandonment due to nonuse. Additionally, the bill now prohibits specific applications that would change instream flow related to the same area, including those tied to dedicated water applications. These changes aim to protect water resources in the lower basin and ensure stability for water rights holders, which is particularly important for managing water in regions prone to scarcity.

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Latest
HB0187S02 compared with HB0187 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0187 but was omitted in HB0187S02 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0187 but was inserted into HB0187S02 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy H.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
187 Water 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:
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bad input data;
or other causes.
Water Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Jack Senate Sponsor:Don L.
Jack Senate Sponsor:
Don L.
{and} ▸ provides a coordination clause between this bill and H.B.
▸ provides a coordination clause between this bill and H.B.
H None B Other Special Clauses:
None Other Special Clauses:
1 This bill provides coordination clauses.
This bill provides a coordination clause.
8 HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 Utah Code Sections Affected:
Utah Code Sections Affected:
73-3-30 (05/06/26) , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 34, 253 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
73-3-30 (05/06/26), as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 34, 253 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1.
H.B.
187 Enrolled Copy Section 1.
73-1-4.
73-1-4 (Effective 05/06/26) (Partially Repealed 12/31/30).
and - 2 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (II) whose voting members:
and (II) whose voting members:
and (II) that is a local sponsor of a water project constructed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation.
and - 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
187 (II) that is a local sponsor of a water project constructed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation.
(2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or (e), when an appropriator or the appropriator's successor in interest abandons or ceases to beneficially use all or a portion of a water right for a period of at least seven years, the water right or the unused portion of that water right is subject to forfeiture in accordance with Subsection (2)(c).
(2)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or (e), when an appropriator or the appropriator's successor in interest abandons or ceases to beneficially use all or a portion of a water right for a period of at least seven years, the water right or the unused portion of that water right is subject to forfeiture in accordance with Subsection (2)(c).
(b) (i) An appropriator or the appropriator's successor in interest may file an application for nonuse with the state engineer.
(b)(i) An appropriator or the appropriator's successor in interest may file an application for nonuse with the state engineer.
(iv) - 3 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (A) The approval of a nonuse application excuses the requirement of beneficial use of water from the date of filing.
(iv)(A) The approval of a nonuse application excuses the requirement of beneficial use of water from the date of filing.
(B) The time during which an approved nonuse application is in effect does not count toward the seven- year period described in Subsection (2)(a).
(B) The time during which an approved nonuse application is in effect does not count toward the seven-year period described in Subsection (2)(a).
or (II) claiming the benefit of Subsection (2)(e) or any other forfeiture defense provided by law.
or - 3 - H.B.
(c) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c)(ii), a water right or a portion of the water right may not be forfeited unless a judicial action to declare the right forfeited is commenced:
187 Enrolled Copy (II) claiming the benefit of Subsection (2)(e) or any other forfeiture defense provided by law.
(c)(i) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c)(ii), a water right or a portion of the water right may not be forfeited unless a judicial action to declare the right forfeited is commenced:
(ii) (A) The state engineer, in a proposed determination of rights filed with the court and prepared in accordance with Section 73-4-11, may not assert that a water right was forfeited unless the most recent period of nonuse of seven years ends or occurs:
(ii)(A) The state engineer, in a proposed determination of rights filed with the court and prepared in accordance with Section 73-4-11, may not assert that a water right was forfeited unless the most recent period of nonuse of seven years ends or occurs:
- 4 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (iii) A water right, found to be valid in a decree entered in an action for general determination of rights under Chapter 4, Determination of Water Rights, is subject to a claim of forfeiture based on a seven- year period of nonuse that begins after the day on which the state engineer filed the related proposed determination of rights with the court, unless the decree provides otherwise.
(iii) A water right, found to be valid in a decree entered in an action for general determination of rights under Chapter 4, Determination of Water Rights, is subject to a claim of forfeiture based on a seven-year period of nonuse that begins after the day on which the state engineer filed the related proposed determination of rights with the court, unless the decree provides otherwise.
and (B) the water made available by the forfeiture:
and - 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
187 (B) the water made available by the forfeiture:
(vi) a water right if a water user has beneficially used substantially all of the water right within a seven- year period, provided that this exemption does not apply to the adjudication of a water right in a general determination of water rights under Chapter 4, Determination of Water Rights;
(vi) a water right if a water user has beneficially used substantially all of the water right within a seven-year period, provided that this exemption does not apply to the adjudication of a water right in a general determination of water rights under Chapter 4, Determination of Water Rights;
(A) (I) owned by a public water supplier;
(A)(I) owned by a public water supplier;
or - 5 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (III) to which a public water supplier owns the right of beneficial use;
or (III) to which a public water supplier owns the right of beneficial use;
(ix) a period of nonuse of a water right during the time the water right is subject to an approved change application where the applicant is diligently pursuing certification;
- 5 - H.B.
187 Enrolled Copy (ix) a period of nonuse of a water right during the time the water right is subject to an approved change application where the applicant is diligently pursuing certification;
(A) (I) uses or diverts within the lower basin;
(A)(I) uses or diverts within the lower basin;
and (B) (I) owns, including as a beneficial owner of a water right conveyed to the state, acting through the Board of Water Resources or Division of Water Resources, in connection with a loan agreement;
and (B)(I) owns, including as a beneficial owner of a water right conveyed to the state, acting through the Board of Water Resources or Division of Water Resources, in connection with a loan agreement;
Show all 67 changed rows (27 more)
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(f) - 6 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (i) The reasonable future water requirement of the public is the amount of water needed in the next 40 years by:
(f)(i) The reasonable future water requirement of the public is the amount of water needed in the next 40 years by:
(ii) For purposes of Subsection (2)(f)(i), a community water system's reasonably anticipated service area:
(ii) For purposes of Subsection (2)(f)(i), a community water system's reasonably - 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
187 anticipated service area:
(3) (a) The state engineer shall furnish a nonuse application form requiring the following information:
(3)(a) The state engineer shall furnish a nonuse application form requiring the following information:
- 7 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (i) the name and address of the applicant;
(i) the name and address of the applicant;
(b) (i) Upon receipt of the application, the state engineer shall publish a notice of the application once a week for two successive weeks:
- 7 - H.B.
187 Enrolled Copy (b)(i) Upon receipt of the application, the state engineer shall publish a notice of the application once a week for two successive weeks:
(4) (a) The state engineer shall grant a nonuse application on all or a portion of a water right for a period of time not exceeding seven years if the applicant shows a reasonable cause for nonuse.
(4)(a) The state engineer shall grant a nonuse application on all or a portion of a water right for a period of time not exceeding seven years if the applicant shows a reasonable cause for nonuse.
- 8 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (iii) the initiation of water conservation or an efficiency practice, or the operation of a groundwater recharge recovery program approved by the state engineer;
(iii) the initiation of water conservation or an efficiency practice, or the operation of a groundwater recharge recovery program approved by the state engineer;
or (vii) the loss of capacity caused by deterioration of the water supply or delivery equipment if the applicant submits, with the application, a specific plan to resume full use of the water right by replacing, restoring, or improving the equipment.
or - 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
(5) (a) Sixty days before the expiration of a nonuse application, the state engineer shall notify the applicant by mail or by a form of electronic communication through which receipt is verifiable, of the date when the nonuse application will expire.
187 (vii) the loss of capacity caused by deterioration of the water supply or delivery equipment if the applicant submits, with the application, a specific plan to resume full use of the water right by replacing, restoring, or improving the equipment.
(5)(a) Sixty days before the expiration of a nonuse application, the state engineer shall notify the applicant by mail or by a form of electronic communication through which receipt is verifiable, of the date when the nonuse application will expire.
The following section is affected by a coordination clause at the end of this bill.
73-3-30.
73-3-30 (Effective 05/06/26).
(2) - 9 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (a) Pursuant to Section 73-3-3, a division may file a permanent change application, a fixed time change application, or a temporary change application, or a person entitled to the use of water may file a fixed time change application or a temporary change application, to provide water within the state for:
(2)(a) Pursuant to Section 73-3-3, a division may file a permanent change application, a fixed time change application, or a temporary change application, or a person entitled to the use of water may file a fixed time change application or a temporary change application, to provide water within the state for:
(i) the propagation or maintenance of wildlife;
- 9 - H.B.
187 Enrolled Copy (i) the propagation or maintenance of wildlife;
(3) (a) A person entitled to the use of water shall obtain a division director's approval of the proposed change before filing a fixed time change application or a temporary change application with the state engineer.
(3)(a) A person entitled to the use of water shall obtain a division director's approval of the proposed change before filing a fixed time change application or a temporary change application with the state engineer.
- 10 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (4) (a) Pursuant to Section 73-3-3, a person entitled to the use of water may file a fixed time change application or a temporary change application for a project to deliver water to a reservoir located partially or entirely within the Colorado River System in the state in accordance with:
(4)(a) Pursuant to Section 73-3-3, a person entitled to the use of water may file a fixed time change application or a temporary change application for a project to deliver water to a reservoir located partially or entirely within the Colorado River System in the state in accordance with:
(b) Before filing a change application under this Subsection (4), a person entitled to the use of water shall obtain the approval from the executive director of the Colorado River Authority of Utah, appointed under Section 63M-14-401.
(b) Before filing a change application under this Subsection (4), a person entitled to the use of water shall obtain the approval from the executive director of the Colorado - 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
187 River Authority of Utah, appointed under Section 63M-14-401.
- 11 - HB0187 compared with HB0187S02 (10) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, if the diversion point under a proposed permanent, fixed time, or temporary change application is located within the lower basin, as defined in Section 73-12a-2:
(10) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, if the diversion point under a proposed permanent, fixed time, or temporary change application is located within the lower basin, as defined in Section 73-12a-2:
Effective date.
348 If H.B.
348.
- 11 - H.B.
187 Enrolled Copy If H.B.
1-30-26 3:13 PM - 12 -
- 12 -
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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/ passed 3rd reading

  13. Senate/ 3rd reading

  14. Senate/ passed 2nd reading

  15. Senate/ 2nd reading

  16. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  17. Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  18. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  19. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  20. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  21. Senate/ received from House

  22. House/ to Senate

  23. House/ passed 3rd reading

  24. House/ 3rd reading

  25. House/ 2nd reading

  26. House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  27. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0187S02

  28. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0187S02

  29. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  30. House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  31. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0187S02

  32. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0187S02

  33. House/ to standing committee [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  34. Bill Substituted by Sponsor in House Rules Comm [House Rules Committee]

  35. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  36. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  37. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0187S01

  38. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0187S01

  39. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0187

  40. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0187

  41. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  42. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0187S01

  43. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0187S01

  44. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0187

  45. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0187

  46. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  47. 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.

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"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

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 187?
HB 187 is sponsored by Don L. Ipson (Republican) and Colin W. Jack (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 187?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 187?
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