UtahLaw limits court actions over harm linked to greenhouse gases
People seeking compensation or other court action for greenhouse gases' climate effects must prove a qualifying emission rule violation and resulting harm with strong evidence.
What it does
People are protected from liability and court orders over covered climate harm unless strong evidence shows an emission law or permit violation. Those bringing an action must also prove direct harm.
Argument forPeople following emission laws and permits could face less uncertainty because the law ties liability for climate harm to proven violations.
Argument againstPeople harmed by climate effects may be unable to obtain compensation or court orders without proving an emission law or permit violation.
More detail
The law protects people from civil liability, criminal liability, and other court remedies for covered climate harm unless a court finds a qualifying violation. The rule covers actual or potential climate effects caused wholly or partly by seven named greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, from human activity or nature. People need not live or do business in Utah. A court must find clear and convincing evidence, meaning strong, highly persuasive proof, of an enforceable emission law violation involving gas originating within Utah or a violation of a valid, enforceable permit. The permit must come from a state or federal agency with authority over the person's greenhouse gas emissions. The violation must involve the permit's express terms. The person bringing the action must identify each gas involved and provide strong, highly persuasive proof that unavoidable, identifiable harm has occurred or will occur directly because of the defendant's violation of statutory and permit limits. The protection applies to every type of claim and requested court remedy, including compensation and court orders. The law took effect on 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 23Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 11House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 10House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 10Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Feb 25Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Feb 25Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Feb 20House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 20House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 20Senate/ to House
- Feb 20Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Feb 20Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 20Senate/ uncircled
- Feb 20Senate/ circled
- Feb 20Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 19Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 17Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 17Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 17Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 13Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 10Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 10House/ to Senate
- Feb 10House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 10House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 30LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0222S01
- Jan 30LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0222S01
- Jan 30House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 30House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]
- Jan 29House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 29House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Major
- Jan 29LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0222S01
- Jan 29LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0222S01
- Jan 28House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 20House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 17LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0222
- Jan 17LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0222
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 9LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0222
- Jan 9LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0222
- Jan 9Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 9Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Environment & Energy