UtahUtah grant rules require checks, while public entities may borrow for nuclear projects
Starting July 1, 2026, state agencies must check grant recipients' work before final payments, and public entities may seek secured loans for nuclear power projects.
What it does
State agencies must check grant budgets and track recipients' work. Before paying the final amount, agencies must receive a report and confirm that recipients completed the agreed work.
The Office of Energy Development may lend money to public entities for infrastructure that supports nuclear power in Utah. Borrowers must agree to repay, and the loans must have public debt or project revenue as security.
Eligible governments and charities may receive matching grants to protect or restore open land or farmland. The board generally cannot use the money to buy land outright, and local land-use consent is required.
Argument forPublic entities could borrow for nuclear power infrastructure, with repayment agreements and secured loans helping keep public money tied to the project.
Argument againstGrant recipients could wait longer for final payments because agencies must review reports and confirm agreed work before paying the balance.
More detail
State agencies that administer grants must follow rules for payments, reports, and oversight. These rules cover state grants administered by state agencies, including agencies administering grants for another agency. They do not cover loans, tax credits, rebates, or several other listed payments. Before paying grant money, an agency must get a detailed budget and set a payment schedule. A grant agreement must describe the work and progress measures, unless the grant appropriation says otherwise. Payments remain subject to legislative funding. An agency may pay all the money at once only after the recipient completes its agreed work. It must receive and review the final report before making the final payment. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026.
The Office of Energy Development may lend money to public entities for infrastructure that supports nuclear power generation and transmission in Utah. Eligible borrowers include state agencies, counties, cities, special districts, certain public entities formed under state law, and the Military Installation Development Authority. Borrowers must sign an agreement to repay the loan, secured by public debt or project revenue. The interest rate may not be more than 0.5 percentage points above bond rates available to the state. The office may set conditions to keep the money on the project and ensure it is completed. The fund and loan authority take effect July 1, 2026.
The Land Conservation Board may provide grants to eligible governments and organizations for protecting or restoring open land and agricultural land. Eligible applicants include local governments, the Department of Natural Resources and its units, and tax-exempt charitable organizations. Projects must preserve or restore open land or agricultural land. Recipients must provide matching funds at least equal to the grant. The board generally may not use the money to buy land outright, except for a parcel of 20 acres or less; in counties where more than half the land is publicly owned, a roughly equal amount of land must also be transferred to private ownership. The board may not use or threaten eminent domain for a purchase. The local land-use authority must consent, but consent is assumed if it takes no action within 60 days. Before a grant over $1 million, the board must report it to the Legislative Management Committee. These provisions take effect July 1, 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 12House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 7Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 7Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 6House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House
- Mar 6Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 6Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Mar 6House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Mar 6House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House with amendments
- Mar 6Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 6Senate/ substituted
- Mar 6Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 5LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0545S04
- Mar 5LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0545S04
- Mar 5LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0545S04
- Mar 5LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0545S04
- Mar 5Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Mar 4Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 4Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]
- Mar 4LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0545S03
- Mar 4LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0545S03
- Mar 4Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Mar 4Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Major
- Mar 3LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0545S03
- Mar 3LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0545S03
- Feb 27Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0545S02
- Feb 27Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 27Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 27House/ to Senate
- Feb 27House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 27House/ substituted
- Feb 27House/ uncircled
- Feb 27House/ circled
- Feb 27House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 26LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0545S02
- Feb 25LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0545S02
- Feb 25LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0545S02
- Feb 23LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0545S01
- Feb 21LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0545S01
- Feb 20House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 20House/ comm rpt/ substituted/ amended [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Major
- Feb 20House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 20House Comm - Reconsider actions [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]
- Feb 20House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 20House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 20House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Major
- Feb 20LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0545S01
- Feb 20LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0545S01
- Feb 17House/ to standing committee [House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee]Minor
- Feb 17House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Feb 13LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0545
- Feb 12LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0545
- Feb 11House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 11House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Feb 11LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0545
- Feb 11LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0545
- Feb 11Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Feb 11Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Environment & EnergyGovernment & Ethics