Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB494: Transfer of Water Interests
Status: Failed, March 6, 2026
This bill addresses water rights, shares in water companies, and their relationship to land conveyances.
What the bill says
From the substitute text, February 25, 2026:
0 Transfer of Water Interests 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Doug Owens Senate Sponsor: Derrin R. Owens LONG TITLE General Description: This bill addresses water rights, shares in water companies, and their relationship to land conveyances. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - modifies provisions related to the transfer of shares in water companies; - addresses that ownership of a share of stock is not maintained on the records of the state engineer; - addresses the nature of water company shares and the relationship to water companies; and - makes technical and conforming amendments. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 16-6a-606 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 358 73-1-10 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 363 73-1-11 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 17 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 16-6a-606 is amended to read: 16-6a-606 . Transfers. (1) Except as provided in Subsection (3) , and unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, a member of a nonprofit corporation may not transfer: (a) a membership; or (b) any right arising from a membership. (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3) , where …
Sponsors
- Owens, Doug (D, 33) · primary sponsor
- Owens, Derrin R. (R, 27)
Latest actions
- : House/ filed
- : House/ received from Senate
- : Senate/ to House
- : Senate/ strike enacting clause
- : Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- : Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
- : Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- : Senate/ committee report favorable
- : Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
- : LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0494S01
Votes
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (March 3, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 26, 2026): 62 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 23, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Amendment Recommendation (February 23, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Water, Natural Resources, Water Company, Water Rights, State Engineer, Corporations, Governmental Nonprofit Corporations
Common questions
- What is HB494?
- HB494 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Transfer of Water Interests.
- What does HB494 do?
- This bill addresses water rights, shares in water companies, and their relationship to land conveyances.
- What is the status of HB494?
- Failed as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: House/ filed (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB494?
- Owens, Doug (D, 33), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB494?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0494.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.