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HB 125UTAHSession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Utah Updates Department of Natural Resources Statutes, Boating Rules, and Water Management Laws

Original title: Department of Natural Resources Related Modifications Amendments

Last action · March 25, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Rex Shipp and 15 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Does

Utah enacts comprehensive updates to Department of Natural Resources statutes, modifying aquatic invasive species regulations, duties, secondary water metering requirements, and water rights procedures, with the measure taking effect on May 6, 2026.

Why it matters

Changes state boating compliance rules, water rights administrative processes, and water district data-reporting mandates across Utah without appropriating new state funds.

Background

HB 125 was introduced and enacted during the 2026 General Session of the Utah Legislature to update laws pertaining to the Department of Natural Resources. context

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

Boat owners and operators

Vessel owners and operators must comply with updated invasive species definitions, decal requirements, and annual education course mandates.

Directly affected

Boat liveries

Boat livery owners must maintain specific renter records for at least one year, ensure renters complete education courses, and adhere to strict operational prohibitions.

Directly affected

Secondary water suppliers

Secondary water suppliers operate under modified loan and metering provisions, including repealed loan caps and revised reporting duties.

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

What vessels are exempt from aquatic invasive species fees?

Vessels owned and operated by a federal, state, or political subdivision government agency used within the scope of agency duties, nonmotorized vessels, inflatable motorboats, and vessels rented or leased from a are exempt from the annual fee.

Who must complete the aquatic invasive species education course?

Any individual who is 12 years old or older who operates a vessel on the waters of the state must successfully complete the education course once every calendar year, unless operating on the Great Salt Lake while engaged in harvesting brine shrimp and brine shrimp eggs.

What changes are made regarding animal naming in state statutes?

The bill updates terminology by changing the term 'buffalo' to 'bison' in specific statutes, such as those governing state parks and Antelope Island herds.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

Coverage by outlet perspective4 articles

Lean Left 2Center 2

Blind spot - no right-leaning coverage

Teacher’s Career Hinges On First Amendment Battle After Her Firing Over Charlie Kirk Comments

Flagler LiveJul 7, 2026

Florida teacher fired after Charlie Kirk post fights for professional survival

WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)Jul 6, 2026

‘I can’t get a job’: Florida teacher fired after Charlie Kirk post fights for professional survival

Creative Loafing TampaJul 3, 2026

A former Clay County public school teacher is scheduled for an administrative court hearing in August following her termination over social media posts. Kelly Brock-Sanchez, previously an Exceptional Student Education teacher, is challenging the employment action taken against her.

Clay County teacher fired after Charlie Kirk post fights for professional survival

Florida PhoenixJul 3, 2026

Former Clay County teacher Kelly Brock-Sanchez is scheduled for an administrative court hearing in August following her termination from Ridgeview Elementary. The firing occurred after she posted on social media regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check

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Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

76 actions

Mar 25, 2026Lieutenant Governor's office for filingEnrolled
Governor Signed
Mar 16, 2026House
House/ to Governor
Mar 16, 2026House
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Mar 12, 2026House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Mar 12, 2026Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Mar 11, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

Show 70 earlier actions

Mar 11, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
Bill Received from House for Enrolling
Mar 11, 2026House
House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
Mar 11, 2026House
House/ received from Senate
Mar 10, 2026Senate
Senate/ to House
Mar 10, 2026Senate
Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
Mar 10, 2026Senate
Senate/ received from House
Mar 6, 2026House
House/ to Senate
Mar 6, 2026Senate President
House Conference Committee - Final Passage
Mar 6, 2026Conference Committee
House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Mar 6, 2026House
House/ received from Senate
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ to House
Mar 6, 2026Conference Committee
Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage
Mar 6, 2026Conference Committee
Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ received from House
Mar 6, 2026Released
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0125S03
Mar 6, 2026Version Sponsor
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0125S03
Mar 6, 2026Conference Committee
Conference Committee Report
Mar 6, 2026Conference Committee
Bill Substituted by Conference Committee
Mar 6, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0125S03
Mar 6, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0125S03
Mar 6, 2026House
House/ to Senate
Mar 6, 2026Conference Committee
House Conference Committee Appointed
Mar 6, 2026House
House/ received from Senate
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ to House
Mar 6, 2026Conference Committee
Senate Conference Committee Appointed
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ refused to recede from Senate amendments
Mar 6, 2026House
House/ to Senate
Mar 6, 2026House
House/ refuse to concur with Senate amendment
Mar 6, 2026House
House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
Mar 6, 2026House
House/ received from Senate
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ to House with amendments
Mar 6, 2026SenateFloor
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ substituted
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Mar 6, 2026Released
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0125S02
Mar 6, 2026Version Sponsor
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0125S02
Mar 6, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0125S02
Mar 6, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0125S02
Mar 6, 2026Senate
Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
Mar 4, 2026Senate
Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
Mar 3, 2026Senate
Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
Mar 3, 2026Senate
Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted
Mar 3, 2026Senate
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Mar 3, 2026Senate
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Mar 3, 2026Released
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0125S01
Mar 3, 2026Version Sponsor
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0125S01
Mar 3, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0125S01
Mar 3, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0125S01
Feb 27, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate/ to standing committee
Feb 25, 2026SenateIntroduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
Feb 25, 2026Senate
Senate/ received from House
Feb 25, 2026House
House/ to Senate
Feb 25, 2026HouseFloor
House/ passed 3rd reading
Feb 25, 2026House
House/ uncircled
Feb 24, 2026House
House/ circled
Feb 24, 2026House
House/ 3rd reading
Feb 19, 2026House
House/ 2nd reading
Feb 19, 2026House
House/ comm rpt/ amended
Feb 19, 2026House
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Feb 19, 2026House
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee
House/ to standing committee
Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
Jan 14, 2026House
House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
Jan 14, 2026House
House/ received bill from Legislative Research
Jan 13, 2026Released
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0125
Jan 13, 2026Version Sponsor
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0125
Jan 2, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0125
Jan 2, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0125
Jan 2, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
Jan 2, 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.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

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

policy shift95% confidence

Consolidated Natural Resources Updates

The bill consolidates disparate updates ranging from invasive species definitions and boat livery responsibilities to water engineering records and state geological survey board composition into a single omnibus enactment.

Department of Natural Resources Utah Geological Survey

Connected Entities

Department of Natural Resources, Rex P. Shipp, Division of Wildlife Resources and 5 more

OrganizationDepartment of Natural Resources“State department whose related provisions are modified by the bill”Map →

PersonRex P. Shipp“Chief Sponsor of HB 125”Map →

OrganizationDivision of Wildlife Resources“Division involved in biological sampling and wildlife management”Map →

OrganizationWildlife Board“Board authorized to make rules regarding invasive species and fees”Map →

PersonDavid P. Hinkins“Senate Sponsor of HB 125”Map →

OrganizationUtah Geological Survey“Survey whose duties and board makeup are modified”Map →

OrganizationDivision of Law Enforcement“Division within the department tasked with enforcement duties”Map →

locationGreat Salt Lake“Water body with specific vessel and brine shrimp exemptions”Map →

Sources

Open source document

le.utah.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance75
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy15
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools

What This Bill Does

Who It Affects

Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

News Coverage

Teacher’s Career Hinges On First Amendment Battle After Her Firing Over Charlie Kirk Comments

Florida teacher fired after Charlie Kirk post fights for professional survival

‘I can’t get a job’: Florida teacher fired after Charlie Kirk post fights for professional survival

Clay County teacher fired after Charlie Kirk post fights for professional survival

Where This Stands

Procedural history

Version history

Lobbying Activity

Full breakdown

Sponsors

Discoveries

Consolidated Natural Resources Updates

Connected Entities

Sources

Analysis Score

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