Stay up to date with this year’s clean air, clean energy, and radioactive waste proposed legislation.
On Friday, March 3rd, the 2023 Utah Legislative Session officially ended with a record 1,400 bill requests, 933 bills filled, and 575 bills passed. During these fast-paced 45 days, topics such as healthcare, education, and even updating Utah’s state flag gained special attention from Utahns.
While they are all important issues, our team primarily focused on legislation that addresses our air quality crisis, supports a just and equitable energy transition, and keeps our communities safe from toxic and radioactive waste.
Below is a tracker of the air quality, renewable energy, climate change, and radioactive waste-related bills that our team monitored during the 2023 Legislative Session.
| Category | Bill number | Stance | Bill Name | Description | Sponsor / Co-Sponsor | Status | Bill Breakdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Air | SB 107 | Oppose | Incentives Amendments | Diver $20 million in severance tax revenue to cover the reconstruction of a road through Gate Canyon | Sen Winterton/ Rep. Stratton | Oppose | |
| Clean Air | HCR 9 | Oppose | Concurrent Resolution Concerning the Shutdown of Utah's Power by the Federal Government | The resolution highlights Utah’s continued need for affordable, sustainable, dispatchable energy, identifies so-called federal over reach through the enforcement of rules that would lead to the closure of some coal-fired power plants in Utah. | Rep. Schultz/ Sen. Vickers | Passed | |
| Clean Air | HB 220 | Support | Emissions Reduction Amendments | bill focuses specifically on reducing bromine pollution, like US Magnesium emits, which has an outsized impact on our inversions. | Rep. Stoddard / Sen. Cullimore | Passed | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | HB 144 | Oppose | High Cost Infrastructure Development Tax Credit Amendments | Bill creates funding for utility and extractive industry developments - buy outs for the industries | Rep. Albrecht / Sen. Owens | Passed | |
| Clean Air | HB 532 | Amend | Building Codes Revisions | "This bill adopts the commercial provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code, but leaves the energy conservation residential provisions at the 2015 standard " | Rep. Musselman / Sen. Bramble | Passed | |
| Clean Energy | S.B 249 | Support | Electric Energy Storage Amendments | This bill would create a tax credit for commercial entities to install energy storage systems in the state | Sen. Blouin | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Air | HB 522 | Support | State Vehicle Purchasing Amendments | This bill amends provisions related to the purchasing, leasing, or replacement of a state vehicle and prioritizes certain low or zero emissions vehicles to replace those vehicles. | Rep.Ward | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | HB 514 | Support | Fossil Fuels Tax Modifications | This bill creates a tax on carbon dioxide emissions. | Rep. Briscoe | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Energy | HB 407 | Oppose | Incentives Amendments | Bill would rollback tax credit for utility scale renewables by 2034 | Rep. Christofferson / Sen. Fillmore | Failed to pass | |
| Clean energy and Climate | HB 527 | Oppose | Mining Operations Amendments | Bill amends definitions related to the Agriculture, Industrial, or Critical Infrastructure Materials Protections Areas provisions. Requires actions be brought before the Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining. | Rep. Stratton | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Air | HB 474 | Support | Paratransit Services Amendments | This bill requires a public transit district to provide alternative services if it discontinues paratransit services. | Rep. Ivory/ Sen. Owens | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Air | HB 301 | Oppose | Transportation Tax Amendments | Creates a new tax on electric vehicle charging stations | Rep. Schultz/ Sen Harper | Passed | |
| Clean Air | HB 272 | Support | Water Efficient Landscaping Amendments | This bill supports incentives to use water efficient landscaping | Rep. Owens/ Sen. Harper | Failed to pass | |
| Clean air | HB 217 | Support | School Energy and Water Reductions | This bill helps school districts in the Great Salt Lake Basin and rural schools with funding for conservation improvements. | Rep. Bennion/ Sen. Cullimore | Passed | |
| Clean Energy | HB 513 | Support | GSL Amendments | This bill details a state of the emergency for the Lake and how the state can stop new mineral leases, revoke current mineral leases on the lake, and construct berm projects to manage salinity levels. | Rep. Snider/ Sen McKell | Passed | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | HJR 25 | Oppose | Joint Resolution Highlighting the Hazards of Net-Zero Energy | Argues that net-zero energy increases costs, causes environmental damage, is intermittent, and relies on foreign governments. Also argues that traditional forms of energy have had a postitive impact on health, life, and livelihood | Rep. Ivory/ Sen. Owens | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | SB 97 | Oppose | Fiduciary Duty Modifications | Restricts government entities and subdivisions from being able to consider social, environmental, or governance practices of investment funds when making deisions about where to invest public money | Sen. Wilson/ Rep. Pulsipher | Passed | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | SB 97 | Oppose | Public Contract Requirements | Restricts the ability of government entities and subdivisions to enter into contracts with companies that express certain politcal or social views | Sen. Wilson/ Rep Shipp | Passed | |
| Air Quality | SB 185 | Support | Transportation Amendments | Amends provisions related to active transportation, taxes, dep. of Transportation | Sen. Harper/ Rep Christopherson | Passed | |
| Clean Energy | SB 125 | Watching | Transportation Infrastructure Amendments | This bill designates the ASPIRE Engineering Research Center at Utah State University as the research center for strategic planning for the electrification of transportation infrastructure in Utah | Sen. Wilson/ Rep.Moss | Passed | |
| Clean Air | SB 48 | Watching | Energy Producers States Agreement Amendments | Directs the state legislature to participate in the Energy Council | Sen. Harper/ Rep. Lund | Passed | |
| Clean Air | HB 286 | Support | Great Salt Lake Funding Modifications | Changes the recipient of the revenue generated from a sales and use tax from the water Infrastructure Restricted Account to the Great Salt Lake Account for five years. | Rep. Briscoe | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | HJR 11 | Support | Joint Resolution of the Social Cost on Carbon | Addresses a state social cost on carbon | Rep. Dailey-Provost | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Air | SCR 2 | Support | Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Environmental Impact of Vehicle Idling | This resolution envourages individuals to adopt the Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free campaign | Sen. Fillmore/ Rep. Loubet | Passed | |
| Clean Air | SB 92 | Support | GSL Special License Plate | Funds research and education regarding the Great Salt Lake from funds aquired of the sale of a special Great Salt Lake License plate | Sen. Plumb/ Rep. Cutler | Passed | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | SB 84 | Watching | Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Amendments | Bill amends provisions related to housing and transit reinvestment zonex | Sen. Harper/ Rep. Snider | Passed | |
| Clean Air | HB 319 | Support | Uintah Basin Air Quality Research Project | Extends and expands a successful Utah State University air quality project in the Uintah Basin | Rep. Chew/ Sen. Winterton | Passed | |
| Clean Air | SCR 6 | Support | Joint Resolution on GSL Elevation Targets | Resolution describes the current status of the GSL and address the impacts of the lake on the state's economy; recommends the adoption of a goal to set policies and incentives. | Sen. Blouin | Faile to pass | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | SCR 9 | Oppose | Resolution opposing ESG | This resolution supports the treasurer and government entities in opposing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. | Sen. Wilson/ Rep. Maloy | Passed | |
| Clean Air | S.C.R. 2 | Support | Concurrent Resolution Regarding the Environmental Impact of Vehicle Idling | This bill encourages individuals to adopt the Turn Your Key, Be Idle Free. | Sen. Fillmore | Passed Both Chambers | https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnpekkKK06w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link |
| Clean Air | S.B. 62 | Watching | Hydrogen Amendments | This bill directs the Department of Natural Resources to establish a hydrogen council within the Office of Energy Development which may advise on issues related to hydrogen. | Senator Hinkins | Passed Both Chambers | |
| Clean Energy | SB 48 | Watching | Energy Producers States' Agreement Amendments | This bill directs the state legislature to participate in The Energy Council and provides for the appointment and power and duties of members. | Sen. Harper, Wayne A. | Passed | |
| Clean Air and Clean Energy | H.B 426 | Watching | Statewide Energy Policy Amendments | Makes changes to the Utah Energy Act | Rep. Moss/ Sen. Cullimore | Passed | |
| Clean Air | HB 327 | Support | Pollinator Pilot Program Amendments | Extends program sunset date to 2026 | Rep. Matthews / Sen. Vickers | Passed | |
| Clean Air | SB 185 | Support | Transportation Amendments | Amends provisions related to active transportation, taxes, Dep. of Transportation | Sen. Harper/ Rep Christopherson | Passed | |
| Toxic Waste | S.B. 28 | Support | Radon Related Amendments | Amendments would require the development of an online radon gas test data collection mechanism and map. | Sen. Sandall / Rep. Stratton | Failed to pass | |
| Clean Energy and Climate | HB 389 | Oppose | Renewable Energy Amendments | Bill promotes the development of nonrenewable energy sources. | Rep. Jack, Colin / Sen. Hinkins, David P. | Passed | |
| Toxic Waste | SB 201 | Support | Radon Notice Amendments | This bill requires educational information about radon to be provided to residential property owners | Sen. Kennedy / Rep. Hall | Passed | |
| Clean Energy | HB 425 | Oppose | Energy Security Amendments | Bill modifies the state's energy policy to promote energy independence primarily by extending fossil fuel energy. | Rep. Ivory/ Sen. Owens | Passed | |
| Clean Air | HB 349 | Support | Water Reuse Project Amendments | This bill gives the Director of the Division of Water Quality the authority to limit water reuse projects that might direct water away from the Great Salt Lake watershed, in an attempt to allow more water to make it into the lake. | Rep. Snider / Sen. McKell | Passed | |
| Clean Air | S.B. 92 | Support | GSL Special License Plate | Bill creates a special Great Salt Lake license plate and directs funds to research and education regarding the GSL. | Senator Plumb / Representative Cutler | Passed Both Chambers | |
| Clean Air + Clean Energy | H.B. 217 | Support | School Energy and Water Reductions | This bill would channel nearly $10 million to qualifying school districts to improve their conservation, with a priority for rural schools and districts or charter schools within the Great Salt Lake basin. | Rep. Bennion, Gay Lynn | Senate Floor | |
| Clean Air + Clean Energy | H.B. 220 | Support | Emissions Reduction Amendments | Bill would create incentive-based legislation intended to reduce air pollution in the Wasatch Front by 50% by 2030. | Rep. Stoddard | House Rules Committee | |
| Clean Air + Clean Energy | S.B. 107 | Against | Oil and Gas Severance Tax Amendments | Bill allocates 20 million to the CIB to fund the highway for hydrocarbons project out of the Uinta Basin | Sen. Winterton, Ronald M. | House Speaker | |
| Clean Air | S.B 84 | Watching | Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Amendments | This bill amends provisions related to housing and transit reinvestment zones. | Sen. Harper/ Rep. Snider | Passed Both Chambers | |
| Clean Energy + Climate | SB 96 | Oppose | Fiduciary Duty Modifications | "Restricts government entities and subdivisions (i.e. cities) from being able to consider social, environmental, or governance practices of investment funds when making decisions about where to invest public money. " | Sen. Wilson | House Rules | |
| Clean Energy + Climate | SB 97 | Oppose | Public Contract Requirements | "Restricts the ability of government entities and subdivisions (i.e. cities) to enter into contracts with companies that express certain political or social views. " | Representative Shipp | House Rules | |
| Clean Air | HB 272 | Support | Water Efficient Landscaping Amendments | This bill addresses incentives to use water efficient landscaping. | Representative Owens | House Rules Committee | |
| Clean Air | HB 286 | Support | Great Salt Lake Funding Modifications | Changes the recipient of the revenue generated from a 1/16% sales and use tax (the earmarked revenue) from the Water Infrastructure Restricted Account to the Great Salt Lake Account for five years. | Representative Briscoe | House Rules Committee | |
| Air Quality | H.B 319 | Support | Uintah Basin Air Quality Research Project | Repeals the July 2023 sunset date of the Uintah Basin Air Quality Research Project through the Bingham Entrepreneurship and Energy Research Center and places an appropriation request of $150,000. | Rep. Chew | Passed Both Chambers | |
| Air Quality | S.C.R 6 | Support | Joint Resolution on GSL Elevation Targets | This resolution: describes the current status of the Great Salt Lake; addresses the impacts of the Great Salt Lake on the state's economy; discusses the impacts of low lake levels; and recommends the adoption of a goal to devise and implement policies, incentives,and funding sources to return the Great Salt Lake to optimal levels. | Sen. Blouin | Senate Comm - Held | |
| Clean Energy | HJR 11 | Support | Joint Resolution on Social Cost on Carbon | Addresses a state social cost on carbon | Representative Dailey-Provost | House Rules Committee | |
| Clean Energy | HB 301 | Oppose | Transportation Tax Amendments | Imposes additional tax on EV charging | Representative Schultz | Final - House Floor | |
| Clean Energy | SB 125 | Watching | Transportation Infrastructure Amendment | $2 mil to the ASPIRE center | Senator Wilson | Passed | |
| Air Quality | HB 272 | Support | Water Efficient Landscaping Amendments | This bill addresses incentives to use water efficient landscaping. | Rep. Owens, Doug | Passed |
HEAL’s involvement in public policy stems from our mission to promote clean energy and clean air and protect communities from toxic and hazardous waste. Public policy advocacy also plays an essential role in creating systemic change and ensuring investment in the priorities that matter most to Utahns.
You’ll find HEAL up on the Hill advocating for bills that address our air quality crisis, support a just and equitable energy transition, and keep our communities safe from toxic and radioactive waste.
To create systemic change through public policy, HEAL needs active participation from its members. As a community lobbyist, you can provide feedback and voice support or concerns for specific legislation, thus playing an essential role in ensuring your priorities are heard and reflected in public policies.
Join our team up on the hill every Tuesday and Thursday for free lobbying training. Learn more about lobbying and how to sign up here.
You have a Senator and House Representative representing you during the General Session. Find out who they are by filling out this action alert.
On Friday, March 3rd, the 2023 Utah Legislative Session officially ended with a record 1,400 bill requests, 933 bills filled, and 575 bills passed. During these fast-paced 45 days, topics such as healthcare, education, and even updating Utah’s state flag gained special attention from Utahns.
Here is a bit about this year’s interns and their amazing work.
We’ve mentioned Community Lobbying several times in the past few months. Now that the session is officially over, it’s a good time to tell you a little bit more about this program, its impact during this year’s session, and why HEAL thinks it’s so important.
Here is a bit about this year’s interns and their amazing work.
