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HB 473

Colorado River Authority Amendments

2026 General Session Introduced by Scott Chew

HB 473 amends Colorado River Authority statutes, pending specification of proposed changes affecting Utah's water management and interstate negotiations.

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
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Bill Summary · HB 473

Legislative bill overview

HB 473 amends Utah's statutes regarding the Colorado River Authority, though the specific amendments are not detailed in the available legislative history. The bill was introduced on February 4, 2026, by Representative Scott Chew and is currently in early House consideration following its first reading.

Why is this important

The Colorado River is critical to Utah's water supply, agricultural economy, and interstate water rights negotiations. Any amendments to the authority governing this resource could affect water allocation, management practices, or the state's negotiating position in ongoing Colorado River compact discussions affecting seven western states.

Potential points of contention

  • Lack of available details: The specific amendments proposed are not yet publicly documented, making it difficult to assess whether changes benefit urban users, agricultural interests, environmental conservation, or other stakeholders
  • Interstate water negotiations: Any authority modifications could complicate Utah's relationships with other Colorado River Compact states during sensitive ongoing water shortage discussions
  • Local versus state interests: Amendments may shift power between state-level authority and local water districts, affecting how communities access and manage water resources

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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