Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 252 — Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments

Last action — Governor Signed

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 04, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 26, 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

Likely to advance 70% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

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

In plain language

This bill regulates water usage at state-owned facilities in Utah.

The bill mandates that state agencies reduce outdoor water use and limits the amount of lawn or turf at state facilities. It also requires regular reporting and auditing of irrigation systems.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This means that state facilities will adopt more sustainable water practices.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

79 added · 90 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill SB 252 now mandates that the Division of Facilities Construction and Management will audit irrigation systems regularly to ensure they meet a distribution uniformity standard of at least 75%. This change also specifies that audits will document any necessary actions for systems that fall short of this standard. Additionally, the bill emphasizes collaboration with state universities to utilize best practices and the latest technology in landscape irrigation. These updates are important because they aim to improve water efficiency in state facilities, ultimately reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.

→
Previous
Latest
SB0252S01 compared with SB0252 {Omitted text} shows text that was in SB0252 but was omitted in SB0252S01 inserted text shows text that was not in SB0252 but was inserted into SB0252S01 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy S.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
252 Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Sometimes this automated comparison will NOT be completely accurate.
Stephanie Pitcher House Sponsor:
Therefore, you need to read the actual bills.
Jill Koford 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
limitations of the compare program;
bad input data;
or other causes.
Water Usage at State-owned Facilities Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Stephanie Pitcher House Sponsor:Jill Koford 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
None S Utah Code Sections Affected:
None Utah Code Sections Affected:
B AMENDS:
AMENDS:
2 63A-5b-1108 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 50 5 SB0252 compared with SB0252S01 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
63A-5b-1108, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 50 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
63A-5b-1108.
63A-5b-1108 .
(b) "Grounds" means the real property, whether fenced or unfenced, of the parcel of land on which is located a state government facility, including a public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, or parking garage on the property.
(b) "Grounds" means the real property, whether fenced or unfenced, of the parcel of land on which is located a state government facility, including a public or private S.B.
(c) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c)(ii), "lawn or turf" means nonagricultural land planted in closely mowed, managed grasses.
252 Enrolled Copy driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, or parking garage on the property.
(c)(i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(c)(ii), "lawn or turf" means nonagricultural land planted in closely mowed, managed grasses.
(e) (i) "State agency" means a department, division, office, entity, agency, or other unit of state government.
(e)(i) "State agency" means a department, division, office, entity, agency, or other unit of state government.
(f) (i) "State government facility" means a building, structure, or other improvement that is constructed on property owned by the state, the state's departments, commissions, institutions, or other state agency.
(f)(i) "State government facility" means a building, structure, or other improvement that is constructed on property owned by the state, the state's departments, commissions, institutions, or other state agency.
(2) - 2 - SB0252 compared with SB0252S01 (a) Unless exempted under Subsection (2)(b), a state agency that owns or occupies a state government facility that is built or reconstructed on or after May 4, 2022, may not have more than 20% of the grounds of the state government facility be lawn or turf.
(2)(a) Unless exempted under Subsection (2)(b), a state agency that owns or occupies a state government facility that is built or reconstructed on or after May 4, 2022, may not have more than 20% of the grounds of the state government facility be lawn or turf.
(3) (a) A state agency shall reduce the state agency's outdoor water use as compared to the state agency's outdoor water use for fiscal year 2020:
(3)(a) A state agency shall reduce the state agency's outdoor water use as compared to the state agency's outdoor water use for fiscal year 2020:
(ii) by no later than October 1, 2023, the state agency's water use for fiscal year 2023;
- 2 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
252 (ii) by no later than October 1, 2023, the state agency's water use for fiscal year 2023;
(d) coordinate with the division to implement water efficient methods, technologies, and practices;[ {[} and] (e) at least annually:
(d) coordinate with the division to implement water efficient methods, technologies, and practices;[ and] (e) at least annually:
- 3 - SB0252 compared with SB0252S01 (i) evaluate opportunities to update irrigation technology with devices that:
(i) evaluate opportunities to update irrigation technology with devices that:
and (iii) audit and repair a landscape irrigation system so that the landscape irrigation system is operating at maximum acceptable efficiency[.] , except that for a landscape irrigation system installed on or after May 6, 2026, the minimum {efficiency } distribution uniformity of the landscape irrigation system shall equal or exceed 75%;
and (iii) audit and repair a landscape irrigation system so that the landscape irrigation system is operating at maximum acceptable efficiency[.] , except that for a landscape irrigation system installed on or after May 6, 2026, the minimum distribution uniformity of the landscape irrigation system shall equal or exceed 75%;
(f) select low-water turf grass when replacing or installing lawn or turf except that the division may exempt a state agency from this requirement if use of low-water turf is not practical due to the existing slope, erosion, stoniness, or other features of the landscape;
(f) select low-water turf grass when replacing or installing lawn or turf except that the - 3 - S.B.
252 Enrolled Copy division may exempt a state agency from this requirement if use of low-water turf is not practical due to the existing slope, erosion, stoniness, or other features of the landscape;
(6) (a) The Division of Facilities Construction and Management shall routinely audit state government facilities to {determine the efficiency of a landscape irrigation system used at a state government facility, except that for a landscape irrigation system installed on or after May 6, 2026, the Division of Facilities Construction and Management shall determine whether the efficiency at which the landscape irrigation system operates equals or exceeds 75%.} :
(6)(a) The Division of Facilities Construction and Management shall routinely audit state government facilities to:
(b) The director of the Division of Facilities Construction and Management may make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to incorporate an audit - 4 - SB0252 compared with SB0252S01 under this Subsection (6) with a facility condition audit conducted by the Division of Facilities Construction and Management.
(b) The director of the Division of Facilities Construction and Management may make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to incorporate an audit under this Subsection (6) with a facility condition audit conducted by the Division of Facilities Construction and Management.
Effective date.
2-23-26 6:51 PM - 5 -
- 4 -
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (4)

How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

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

The bill modifies regulations on water usage and turf management at state-owned facilities, including mandates for irrigation audits and the use of low-water turf.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    that exceeds the lesser of:20% of the grounds of the state government facility; or the percentage of grounds allowed by ordinance in the municipality or county where the state government facility is located; or in a park strip. → that is lawn or turf; or exceeds 20% of the grounds of the state government facility.

    This change clarifies that state facilities cannot have more than 20% of their grounds as lawn or turf and removes provisions allowing for percentage allowances based on local ordinances.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    the division may exempt a state government facility from the restrictions of Subsection (2)(a) if the division determines that the purposes of a state agency that occupies the state government facility requires additional turf that is not functional turf. → the division may exempt a state government facility from the restrictions of Subsection (2)(a) if the division determines that the purposes of a state agency that occupies the state government facility requires additional lawn or turf.

    This change standardizes the terminology from 'additional turf that is not functional turf' to 'additional lawn or turf' for clarity in exemption criteria.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    in an amount equal to or greater than 25% by the end of fiscal year 2026. → in an amount equal to or greater than 25% by the end of fiscal year 2026.

    No change, as the wording is retained without amendment.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    a state agency may not use overhead spray irrigation to water landscapes at a state government facility between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. → except when allowed by the division, a state agency may not water landscapes at a state government facility between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

    This change maintains the prohibition on watering during certain hours but clarifies that exceptions may be allowed by the division.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    bi-annually evaluating opportunities to update irrigation technology with devices that: meet national recognized standards for efficiency; include rain and wind shutoff functions; and include soil moisture sensors; → at least annually: evaluate opportunities to update irrigation technology with devices that: meet national recognized standards for efficiency; include rain and wind shutoff functions; and include soil moisture sensors;

    This change increases the frequency of required evaluations from biennial to annual.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    maximum acceptable efficiency[.] → maximum acceptable efficiency, except that for a landscape irrigation system installed on or after May 6, 2026, the minimum distribution uniformity of the landscape irrigation system shall equal or exceed 75%;

    This addition establishes a specific standard of 75% distribution uniformity for new landscape irrigation systems.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    and implement water efficient methods, technologies, and practices;[ and] → and implement water efficient methods, technologies, and practices; and select low-water turf grass when replacing or installing lawn or turf except that the division may exempt a state agency from this requirement if use of low-water turf is not practical due to the existing slope, erosion, stoniness, or other features of the landscape;

    This change adds a requirement for selecting low-water turf grass and allows for exemptions under specific circumstances.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    The Division of Facilities Construction and Management shall routinely audit state government facilities to: document distribution uniformity at the time of the audit of a landscape irrigation system; and for a landscape irrigation system that does not meet or exceed 75% distribution uniformity, identify and document specific action items required to achieve at least 75% distribution uniformity.

    This addition mandates regular auditing of irrigation systems to ensure compliance with distribution uniformity standards.

  • 63A-5b-1108

    The director of the Division of Facilities Construction and Management may make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to incorporate an audit under this Subsection (6) with a facility condition audit conducted by the Division of Facilities Construction and Management.

    This addition provides authority for rulemaking regarding the integration of audits for irrigation systems with facility condition audits.

Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. Senate/ to Governor

  3. Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling

  8. Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

  9. Senate/ received from House

  10. House/ to Senate

  11. House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

  12. House/ passed 3rd reading

  13. House/ 3rd reading

  14. House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar

  15. House/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules [House Rules Committee]

  16. House/ 2nd reading

  17. House/ committee report favorable [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]

  18. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]

  19. House/ to standing committee [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]

  20. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  21. House/ received from Senate

  22. Senate/ to House

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

  24. Senate/ uncircled

  25. Senate/ circled

  26. Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  27. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  28. Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  29. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0252S01

  30. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0252S01

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

  32. Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  33. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0252S01

  34. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0252S01

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

  36. Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  37. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0252

  38. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0252

  39. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  40. Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research

  41. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0252

  42. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0252

  43. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  44. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

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

environment
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 SB 252?
SB 252 is sponsored by Jill Koford (Republican) and Stephanie Pitcher (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 252?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 04, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 252?
Track SB 252 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 252

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 252

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →