Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB496: Forestry and Fire Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 25, 2026
This bill addresses forestry and fire related issues.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 11, 2026:
0 Forestry and Fire Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Troy Shelley Senate Sponsor: Derrin R. Owens LONG TITLE General Description: This bill addresses forestry and fire related issues. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - provides for the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands enforcement and investigatory powers related to wildland fires and heritage trees; - addresses use of money related to cooperative agreements for forest management; and - makes technical and conforming amendments. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 65A-3-3 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 17 65A-8-217 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 17 65A-8-308 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 80 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 65A-3-3 is amended to read: 65A-3-3 . Enforcement of laws -- City, county, or district attorney to prosecute. (1) It is the duty of the Division of Law Enforcement, county sheriffs, county sheriff deputies, peace officers, and other law enforcement officers within the law enforcement jurisdiction , and the division to enforce the provisions of this chapter and to investigate and gather evidence that may indicate a violation under this chapter. (2) …
Sponsors
- Shelley, Troy (R, 66) · primary sponsor
- Owens, Derrin R. (R, 27)
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
- : Senate/ to House
- : Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
Votes
- House/ concurs with Senate amendment (March 5, 2026): 61 yea, 5 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (March 4, 2026): 27 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (March 3, 2026): 4 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 27, 2026): 55 yea, 15 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 18, 2026): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Public Safety Retirement, Forestry and Fire, Natural Resources, State Lands, Firefighters' Retirement, Public Retirement and Insurance, Public Lands, Environment
Common questions
- What is HB496?
- HB496 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Forestry and Fire Amendments.
- What does HB496 do?
- This bill addresses forestry and fire related issues.
- What is the status of HB496?
- Signed into law as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB496?
- Shelley, Troy (R, 66), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB496?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0496.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.