Data Center Water Transparency Amendments
This bill addresses reporting related to water use and large data centers.
Where it is
- NumberedDec 23
- House committeeJan 22
- House voteJan 29
- Senate committeeMar 3
- Senate voteMar 5
- GovernorMar 23 · Signed
Last action: Governor Signed, Mar 23, 2026.
What it does
From the bill's own summary
- defines terms
- directs land use authorities to issue certain notices
- requires certain large data centers to communicate with water providers
- requires reporting by operators of certain large data centers before construction and annually
- addresses disclosure of the reported information
- provides for enforcement mechanisms
- addresses rulemaking
- makes technical and conforming amendments
What it costs
| FY2026 | FY2027 | FY2028 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Spending | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
To the extent that operators of large industrial facilities fail to submit the reports required by this legislation to the Division of Water Rights, the General Fund could see increased revenue of up to $100 per day of non-compliance starting in FY 2027. The amount in aggregate cannot be estimated at this time. Enactment of this legislation could cost the Department of Natural Resources $10,000 ongoing beginning in FY 2026 from the General Fund for staff to coordinate with approximately 5 new, large data centers per year collect and verify data, publish aggregated information to their website, for rule making and undertake enforcement actions for noncompliance. The agency has indicated it can absorb this cost.
From the fiscal note for HB0076S03, by the Legislative Fiscal Analyst. A fiscal note counts direct costs only.
Who pays
- State budgetUp to $10,000 in a year. Details under What it costs.
- Local governmentsTo the extent that local governments approve a land use application for a large data center, those local governments will be required to notify the state.
At your address
This bill is state law, so it applies the same way at every Utah address.
It changes the rules for: Water rights. See which of these govern your address.
People disagree
- Who testifiedFor it: the State Engineer's office presented with the sponsor, and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, the City of Eagle Mountain, Mormon Women for Ethical Government and residents spoke in favor. One resident spoke against it. The Utah Rivers Council spoke without taking a side. Source 1 Source 2
- What changed to win votesBefore the Senate vote, the bill was narrowed to cover only new data centers that use 75 or more acre-feet of water a year, and to skip any that already report to the state. Source
- The last-day reversalOn Mar 5 the Senate voted it down 13 to 15 at 10:13 a.m. An hour later senators agreed to reconsider, and it passed 19 to 5 with no change to the text. The public record doesn't say why eight senators changed their vote. Source
Each side's case, in its own words, goes here once it's checked against the record. Until then Civic Agent sends no alert about this bill.
Tried before?
No close match among Utah bills from 2020 on.
Votes so far
- House committee: Substitute RecommendationJan 22 · 8 yes, 0 no, 2 absent or not voting
- House committee: Amendment RecommendationJan 22 · 8 yes, 0 no, 2 absent or not voting
- House committee: Favorable RecommendationJan 22 · 8 yes, 0 no, 2 absent or not voting
- House: passed 3rd readingJan 29 · 72 yes, 0 no, 3 absent or not voting
- Senate committee: Substitute RecommendationMar 3 · 4 yes, 0 no, 3 absent or not voting
- Senate committee: Favorable RecommendationMar 3 · 4 yes, 0 no, 3 absent or not voting
- Senate: failedMar 5 · 13 yes, 15 no, 1 absent or not voting
- Senate: passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMar 5 · 19 yes, 5 no, 5 absent or not voting
- House: concurs with Senate amendmentMar 5 · 62 yes, 2 no, 11 absent or not voting
How to weigh in
- This session is overIt's law now. To change it, talk to your legislators before the next session.
- Your own legislatorsFind your House and Senate members by address, with their email.
- The sponsorRep. Koford, Jilljkoford@le.utah.gov
Sources
Taken from the Legislature's public record. Spot an error? hello@civicagent.org. We correct within 2 business days.