Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah SB21: Geothermal Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 26, 2026
This bill addresses geothermal resources or fluids.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 11, 2026:
0 Geothermal Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Michael K. McKell House Sponsor: Carl R. Albrecht LONG TITLE General Description: This bill addresses geothermal resources or fluids. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - addresses the reservation of a geothermal resource on state and institutional trust land; - clarifies the purposes of the geothermal chapter; - addresses definitions; - modifies provisions related to ownership of geothermal resources or fluids; - amends powers of the Division of Water Rights related to confidentiality of information; - addresses bonding requirements; and - makes technical and conforming amendments. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 53C-2-401 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 192 73-22-2 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter 188 73-22-3 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 348 73-22-4 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter 188 73-22-6 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter 188 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 53C-2-401 is amended to read: 53C-2-401 . Coal and mineral deposits reserved -- Geothermal resource -- Exceptions. (1) (a) (i) Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, coal and mineral deposits in trust lands are reserved to the respective …
Sponsors
- Michael McKell (R, 25) · primary sponsor
- Carl Albrecht (R, 70)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : Senate/ to Governor
- : Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
- : Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
- : House/ to Senate
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
Votes
- Senate/ concurs with House amendment (March 6, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (March 5, 2026): 67 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Comm - Substitute Recommendation (February 25, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 25, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Comm - Amendment Recommendation (February 25, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 3rd reading (February 23, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Energy, Water, Natural Resources, Water Rights, Public Lands, State Engineer, Trust Lands
Common questions
- What is SB21?
- SB21 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Geothermal Amendments.
- What does SB21 do?
- This bill addresses geothermal resources or fluids.
- What is the status of SB21?
- Signed into law as of March 26, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB21?
- Michael McKell (R, 25), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB21?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0021.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.