Bill > HB0047

This bill makes several key amendments to Utah's water rights laws, specifically focusing on livestock watering rights on public lands. The bill eliminates the previous requirement for a separate "livestock water use certificate" and removes associated fees, while establishing more detailed provisions for water rights related to livestock grazing on public lands. It defines key terms such as "beneficial user" (the person with the right to use a grazing permit), "livestock watering right" (the right for livestock to consume water from public land sources), and introduces a new definition for "Public Water Reserve No. 107" (a specific water rights claim from a 1926 executive order). The bill prevents public land agencies from conditioning land use permits on water right transfers and prohibits agencies from acquiring livestock watering rights if they are not the beneficial user. Additionally, the bill provides a detailed framework for recognizing Public Water Reserve No. 107 claims, including specific criteria for determining the validity of such claims, such as the water source's natural formation, accessibility, and historical use. The bill also allows beneficial users to file nonuse applications for livestock water rights if grazing allotments are reduced and ensures that such water rights cannot be repurposed for non-livestock uses. The amendments are designed to protect the water rights of livestock grazers on public lands and provide clearer guidelines for water use in these contexts. The bill is set to take effect on May 7, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0047.html