Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB251: Diligence Claims Water Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 25, 2026
This bill addresses use of water related to diligence claims.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 4, 2026:
0 Diligence Claims Water Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Scott H. Chew Senate Sponsor: David P. Hinkins LONG TITLE General Description: This bill addresses use of water related to diligence claims. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - clarifies provisions related to submitting a claim; - defines terms; - provides for the creation of a rebuttable presumption of the right to use certain water related to a homestead parcel; - establishes the process for rebutting the presumption; and - makes technical and conforming amendments. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 73-5-13 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 59 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 73-5-13 is amended to read: 73-5-13 . Claim to surface or underground water not otherwise represented -- Information required -- Corrections -- Filing -- Investigation -- Publication -- Judicial action to determine validity -- Rules -- Homestead parcels. (1) (a) A claimant to the right to the use of water, including both surface and underground water, whose right is not represented by a certificate of appropriation issued by the state engineer, by an application filed with the state engineer, by a court decree, or by a notice of claim filed pursuant according to …
Sponsors
- Chew, Scott H. (R, 68) · 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
- Senate/ passed 3rd reading (February 26, 2026): 19 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 2nd reading (February 25, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 18, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 12, 2026): 68 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Substitute Recommendation (February 2, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 2, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Livestock, Water, Agriculture & Food, Natural Resources, Water Rights, State Engineer, Animals
Common questions
- What is HB251?
- HB251 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Diligence Claims Water Amendments.
- What does HB251 do?
- This bill addresses use of water related to diligence claims.
- What is the status of HB251?
- Signed into law as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB251?
- Chew, Scott H. (R, 68), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB251?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0251.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.