Water
Water is one of Utah’s most important resources and a critical part of our state’s future. As one of the driest and fastest-growing states in the nation, Utah must continue taking a thoughtful, long-term approach to conserving, managing, and protecting our water supply.
The Utah House of Representatives is committed to protecting Utah’s water through legislation that strengthens conservation, improves transparency, and modernizes water management.
We have also made preserving the Great Salt Lake a top priority. The Great Salt Lake directly impacts our state’s environment, economy, and quality of life. Through landmark legislation and targeted funding, we created tools to voluntarily lease agricultural water for the lake, expanded ongoing funding to support lake health, and advanced partnerships to bring additional state and federal resources to the Great Salt Lake. In the past four years, we’ve allocated over $300 million to lake specific projects, fostered key collaborations, and cultivated historic water donations.
By working together, we can protect Utah’s water resources and ensure they remain available for families, communities, agriculture, and future generations.
Funding Highlights
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$40 million to the Great Salt Lake Watershed Grant Program
Provided new dedicated fund to be used for conservation projects in and around the Great Salt Lake (2022)
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$12.5 million for the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner
Created a new office solely dedicated to directing Great Salt Lake preservation efforts and outlining an annual strategic plan (2023)
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$1.3 million to the Agriculture Voluntary Incentive Program
Created a program to help farmers improve soil health and water quality (2026)
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$30 million for the purchase of US Magnesium’s property
Secured 144,000 acre-feet of water for the preservation of the Great Salt Lake (2026)
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$6.2 million to the Dam Safety Grant Program
Funded active projects that will reduce the risk of catastrophic dam failures (2026)
Recent Legislation
HB 76
2026
Data Center Water Transparency Amendments
Required large data centers to submit annual reports on water use and conservation efforts to a database open to the public
HB 348
2026
Dedicated Water Amendments
Created the dedicated water application to allow a water right holder to add a nature of use for environmental or conservation purposes for either a fixed or indefinite period without forfeiting their underlying water right
HB 19
2026
Drinking Water Utilities Amendments
Required public drinking water systems to report cybersecurity breaches quickly to the state & prepare emergency response plans
HB 247
2026
Great Salt Lake Related Amendments
Expanded annual funding for the lake by increasing the brine shrimp royalty tax and allowed additional funds to be used to lease water rights for the lake or projects that maintain a healthy brine shrimp population
HB 410
2026
Water Leasing Amendments
Created the Great Salt Lake Preservation Program with a $2.75 million fund to establish a dedicated framework designed specifically to lease agricultural water to boost the lake’s levels
HB 473
2026
Colorado River Authority Amendments
Moved the Colorado River Authority of Utah from the Governor’s Office to the Department of Natural Resources to create a more cohesive state strategy and make available more staff and department resources
HCR 9
2026
Concurrent Resolution Addressing the Great Salt Lake
Laid the groundwork for a state-federal cost-sharing partnership following President Trump’s February 2026 pledge to help save the lake
HB 243
2025
Agricultural Water Optimization Amendments
Authorized the Agricultural Water Optimization Committee to use account funds for research and lowered the required cost match for grant applications, reducing barriers for farmers seeking conservation tools

