How SB 252 changes current law

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.