UT HB0533

Land use authorities in municipalities and counties must consider groundwater preservation amounts and methods when approving development on agricultural land being converted from agricultural use

Agricultural land is defined as land used for agriculture for at least 6 of the 10 years immediately preceding the land use decision

Permissible groundwater preservation methods include land irrigation, flood basins as recharge basins, injection wells, or other available methods

Utah Geological Survey or local irrigation companies must provide groundwater level measurement information to municipalities or counties upon request

The bill does not override or modify existing water rights or the authority of the state engineer; effective May 6, 2026