This bill addresses groundwater.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
When farmland that has been in agricultural use for at least six of the past ten years is proposed for conversion to another use through a development, this bill would require city and county land use authorities to consider ways to preserve groundwater levels beneath that land before approving a permit or application. Authorities could consider requiring developers to use methods such as irrigation, recharge basins, injection wells, or other approaches to help maintain groundwater levels. If a city or county requests it, the Utah Geological Survey or local irrigation companies would be required to provide groundwater level data to help inform these decisions. The bill also specifies that none of these local groundwater considerations can override or change existing water rights or the authority of the state engineer, who oversees water rights in Utah.
Current version: HB0533S02 (Substitute)
Introduction
Feb 10
House Rules
Mar 5
House Committee
Feb 23
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
IntroductionFeb 10
House RulesMar 5
House CommitteeFeb 23
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
This bill addresses groundwater.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
When farmland that has been in agricultural use for at least six of the past ten years is proposed for conversion to another use through a development, this bill would require city and county land use authorities to consider ways to preserve groundwater levels beneath that land before approving a permit or application. Authorities could consider requiring developers to use methods such as irrigation, recharge basins, injection wells, or other approaches to help maintain groundwater levels. If a city or county requests it, the Utah Geological Survey or local irrigation companies would be required to provide groundwater level data to help inform these decisions. The bill also specifies that none of these local groundwater considerations can override or change existing water rights or the authority of the state engineer, who oversees water rights in Utah.
Motion: Held in Committee
House/ filed
House file for bills not passed
House/ strike enacting clause
Clerk of the House
House/ comm rpt/ sent to Rules
House Rules Committee
House Comm - Recommends Returned to Rules
House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
House Comm - Held
House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM