UtahCovered permit challenges require a bond to pause agency action
Starting May 6, 2026, people seeking a court or agency pause in covered permit cases must post a bond, and a refusal to require one can be appealed right away.
What it does
In covered cases challenging certain state permits, plaintiffs must post a bond or cash equivalent before a court or agency can pause the permit decision. A bond may pay damages to defendants harmed by the pause if the plaintiff loses.
Argument forIf a plaintiff loses after a pause harms a defendant, the bond could help pay that defendant's damages.
Argument againstA person seeking to pause a covered permit decision may have to post money or find a licensed surety, which could make a court challenge harder to bring.
More detail
In a covered environmental case, a plaintiff must post a bond or cash equivalent before a court or agency can pause the permit decision. The text describes cases reviewing final permit decisions by the Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation, the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, and, for certain permits, the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining. It excludes challenges to that division's coal mining permits under Title 40, Chapter 10. The bond must be enough to cover possible damages to each defendant opposing the pause. If the plaintiff loses, harmed defendants who opposed the pause may receive damages from the bond; the plaintiff must pay any remaining amount. The law takes effect May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 11House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 6House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 6Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 2Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 2Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Feb 26House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 26Senate/ to House
- Feb 26Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Feb 26Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 26Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 25Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 19Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 19Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 18Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 17Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 12Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 11Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11House/ to Senate
- Feb 11House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 11House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 9House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 9House/ comm rpt/ placed on Consent Calendar [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]
- Feb 6House Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]
- Feb 6House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Feb 5House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Feb 2LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0419
- Feb 2LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0419
- Jan 29House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 29House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 28LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0419
- Jan 28LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0419
- Jan 28Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 28Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Environment & Energy