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HB 412UTAHSession 2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Utah requires utility-scale solar and wind projects to consult wildlife officials before local permitting

Original title: Energy Development Planning Amendments

Last action · March 25, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Doug Owens and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

Developers of utility-scale solar and wind power plants exceeding 10 megawatts must consult with the Division of Wildlife Resources regarding potential habitat impacts before applying for local permits, effective May 6, 2026.

Why it matters

Project developers must submit location details, layout plans, timelines, and wildlife surveys to state wildlife officials and include proof of that consultation in local permit applications, while local governments must review the state's recommendations without ceding final approval authority.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

owners and operators of utility-scale renewable energy facilities

Developers of large solar and wind plants must consult with the Division of Wildlife Resources, submit project details and wildlife surveys, and include proof of consultation in local permit applications.

Directly affected

Division of Wildlife Resources

The division must review complete consultation requests, issue written recommendations within 30 days, and establish administrative rules for consultation procedures.

Directly affected

local jurisdictions

Local governments must consider the wildlife division's recommendations when evaluating permit applications for utility-scale renewable energy facilities.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which renewable energy facilities are affected by this law?
Solar and wind power plants that have a in excess of 10 megawatts.
Does the Division of Wildlife Resources have the final say on whether a renewable energy project gets built?
No. The law specifies that the Division of Wildlife Resources does not have the authority to approve or deny permit applications, and local jurisdictions retain their full authority to approve or deny permits.
When does this law take effect?
May 6, 2026.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

51 actions
  1. Mar 25, 2026Lieutenant Governor's office for filingEnrolled
    Governor Signed
  2. Mar 16, 2026House
    House/ to Governor
  3. Mar 16, 2026House
    House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
  4. Mar 12, 2026House
    House/ enrolled bill to Printing
  5. Mar 12, 2026Clerk of the House
    Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
  6. Mar 6, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
    Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
Show 45 earlier actions
  1. Mar 6, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
    Bill Received from House for Enrolling
  2. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
  3. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ received from Senate
  4. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ to House
  5. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
  6. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ received from House
  7. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ to Senate
  8. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ concurs with Senate amendment
  9. Mar 5, 2026House
    House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
  10. Mar 5, 2026House
    House/ received from Senate
  11. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ to House with amendments
  12. Mar 5, 2026SenateFloor
    Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
  13. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ substituted
  14. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
  15. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
  16. Mar 4, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0412S01
  17. Mar 4, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0412S01
  18. Mar 4, 2026Senate
    Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
  19. Mar 4, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0412S01
  20. Mar 4, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0412S01
  21. Feb 26, 2026Senate
    Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
  22. Feb 26, 2026Senate
    Senate/ committee report favorable
  23. Feb 26, 2026Senate
    Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
  24. Feb 23, 2026SenateCommittee
    Senate/ to standing committee
  25. Feb 19, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
  26. Feb 19, 2026Senate
    Senate/ received from House
  27. Feb 19, 2026House
    House/ to Senate
  28. Feb 19, 2026HouseFloor
    House/ passed 3rd reading
  29. Feb 12, 2026House
    House/ placed back on 3rd Reading Calendar
  30. Feb 11, 2026House
    House/ circled
  31. Feb 11, 2026House
    House/ 3rd reading
  32. Feb 9, 2026House
    House/ 2nd reading
  33. Feb 9, 2026House
    House/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar
  34. Feb 6, 2026House
    House Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation
  35. Feb 6, 2026House
    House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
  36. Feb 4, 2026HouseCommittee
    House/ to standing committee
  37. Feb 4, 2026House
    House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
  38. Feb 3, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0412
  39. Feb 2, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0412
  40. Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroduced
    House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
  41. Jan 29, 2026House
    House/ received bill from Legislative Research
  42. Jan 28, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0412
  43. Jan 28, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0412
  44. Jan 28, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
    Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
  45. Jan 28, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
    Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Doug OwensHouse · District 33DemocraticPrimary sponsor
Derrin OwensSenate · District 27RepublicanCosponsor
Derrin OwensSenate · District 27RepublicanCosponsor

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

cross reference100% confidence

Coordination with H.B. 16

The bill includes a specific coordination mechanism with H.B. 16 (Solar Power Plant Amendments) to renumber sections and align consultation requirements if both measures become law.

H.B. 16H.B. 412

Connected Entities

Division of Wildlife Resources
OrganizationDivision of Wildlife Resources“Consulted by renewable energy developers regarding potential impacts to wildlife”Map →

Sources

Open source document

le.utah.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance60
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy25
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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