Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB16: Solar Power Plant Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 25, 2026
This bill enacts provisions related to utility scale solar power plants.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 12, 2026:
0 Solar Power Plant Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Colin W. Jack Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins LONG TITLE General Description: This bill enacts provisions related to utility scale solar power plants. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - defines terms; - establishes eligibility criteria for state incentives for solar power plants based on land characteristics; - provides for reduction of incentives for solar power plants located on certain protected farmland; - creates exemptions for solar power plants with existing agreements or incentives; - requires wildlife impact consultation with state or federal agencies for solar power plants; - establishes requirements for decommissioning plans and financial assurance for solar power plants; - creates a permitting process for solar power plants; - requires submission and approval of site and development plans before permit approval; and - provides for severability. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: ENACTS: 54-17-1201 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 54-17-1202 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 54-17-1203 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 54-17-1204 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 54-17-1205 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 54-17-1206 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 54-17-1201 is enacted to read: 54-17-1201 . Definitions. As used in this part: (1) "Agriculture protection …
Sponsors
- Colin Jack (R, 73) · primary sponsor
- David Hinkins (R, 26)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : House/ to Governor
- : House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from House for Enrolling
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
- : House/ received from Senate
- : Senate/ to House
Votes
- House/ concurs with Senate amendment (February 20, 2026): 61 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 3rd reading (February 18, 2026): 20 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 2nd reading (February 5, 2026): 21 yea, 7 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (January 30, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation (January 30, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (January 23, 2026): 61 yea, 8 nay, passed
Subjects: Public Utilities and Technology, Energy, Public Utilities, Clean Energy, Utilities Siting and Permitting, Electricity
Common questions
- What is HB16?
- HB16 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Solar Power Plant Amendments.
- What does HB16 do?
- This bill enacts provisions related to utility scale solar power plants.
- What is the status of HB16?
- Signed into law as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB16?
- Colin Jack (R, 73), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB16?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0016.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.