Rule Against Perpetuities Amendments
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
Mar 5
House Committee
Feb 9
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
This bill amends provisions relating to the rule against perpetuities.
This bill:
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah water law uses a "first in time, first in right" priority system, meaning older water rights get first access during shortages. Sometimes water right holders enter into "subordination agreements," voluntarily agreeing to let their senior right temporarily yield to a junior right — a useful flexibility tool in water management. A longstanding legal doctrine called the rule against perpetuities limits how long certain property interests can remain unresolved, and there has been uncertainty about whether these subordination agreements might run afoul of that rule. This bill clarifies that water right subordination agreements do not create the kind of unresolved property interest that the rule against perpetuities governs, and it applies that clarification retroactively to existing agreements.
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
Mar 5
House Committee
Feb 9
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
IntroductionJan 20
House RulesMar 5
House CommitteeFeb 9
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
This bill amends provisions relating to the rule against perpetuities.
This bill:
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Utah water law uses a "first in time, first in right" priority system, meaning older water rights get first access during shortages. Sometimes water right holders enter into "subordination agreements," voluntarily agreeing to let their senior right temporarily yield to a junior right — a useful flexibility tool in water management. A longstanding legal doctrine called the rule against perpetuities limits how long certain property interests can remain unresolved, and there has been uncertainty about whether these subordination agreements might run afoul of that rule. This bill clarifies that water right subordination agreements do not create the kind of unresolved property interest that the rule against perpetuities governs, and it applies that clarification retroactively to existing agreements.
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Clerk of the House
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House Rules Committee
House Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules
House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
House Comm - Not Considered
House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
Last updated Mar 26, 2026, 9:40 PM