This bill addresses use of water related to diligence claims.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's process for claiming unrecorded water rights — known as diligence claims, used when someone's water use isn't documented through a state permit, application, court decree, or prior filing — would be updated by this bill, with most changes clarifying paperwork requirements such as using standardized forms, specifying what counts as an "acceptably complete" claim, and confirming that filing a claim doesn't automatically mean the state has validated it. The bill also creates a new legal presumption for certain rain-fed livestock watering ponds located on "homestead parcels" (land of 640 acres or less originally granted by the federal government): if the pond existed before the land patent was issued, was used for surface water before 1903, and total water use from all such ponds on the property is under 20 acre-feet per year, the claimant is presumed to have a valid right to use that water once they file a complete claim and pay for the state's review. Someone who holds a separate water right can challenge this presumption by showing, with more evidence than not, that their own water right is being harmed, and the two parties can also settle the dispute through a written agreement that becomes part of the official record. The priority date for these livestock pond claims would be set as the date the land was first used for raising livestock, even if that predates when the federal government formally granted the land.
Current version: HB0251S01 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 2
House Floor Vote
Feb 12
Senate Rules
Feb 17
Senate Committee
Feb 18
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 25
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 26
Governor Signed
Mar 25
IntroductionJan 20
House Rules
House CommitteeFeb 2
House Floor VoteFeb 12
Senate RulesFeb 17
Senate CommitteeFeb 18
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 25
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 26
Governor SignedMar 25
This bill addresses use of water related to diligence claims.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's process for claiming unrecorded water rights — known as diligence claims, used when someone's water use isn't documented through a state permit, application, court decree, or prior filing — would be updated by this bill, with most changes clarifying paperwork requirements such as using standardized forms, specifying what counts as an "acceptably complete" claim, and confirming that filing a claim doesn't automatically mean the state has validated it. The bill also creates a new legal presumption for certain rain-fed livestock watering ponds located on "homestead parcels" (land of 640 acres or less originally granted by the federal government): if the pond existed before the land patent was issued, was used for surface water before 1903, and total water use from all such ponds on the property is under 20 acre-feet per year, the claimant is presumed to have a valid right to use that water once they file a complete claim and pay for the state's review. Someone who holds a separate water right can challenge this presumption by showing, with more evidence than not, that their own water right is being harmed, and the two parties can also settle the dispute through a written agreement that becomes part of the official record. The priority date for these livestock pond claims would be set as the date the land was first used for raising livestock, even if that predates when the federal government formally granted the land.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
House/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Clerk of the House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Clerk of the House
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM