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HB 5

Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Base Budget

2026 General Session Introduced by Stewart Barlow and 1 co-sponsor

HB 5 appropriates fiscal 2026 base budget funds to Utah's natural resources, agriculture, and environmental quality departments to manage water, public lands, farming support, and environmental protection.

House/ received bill from Legislative Research
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Bill Summary · HB 5

Legislative bill overview

HB 5 is a base budget appropriation bill for Utah's Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Food, and Department of Environmental Quality for fiscal year 2026. The bill allocates funding across these three agencies responsible for managing the state's natural resources, agricultural interests, and environmental protection.

Why is this important

These three departments oversee critical functions including water management, public lands, wildlife, agricultural support, air and water quality regulation, and waste management. Budget allocations directly affect the state's ability to manage drought conditions, protect air quality in populated areas like the Wasatch Front, support farmers and ranchers, and enforce environmental regulations.

Potential points of contention

  • Water resource allocation - Utah faces ongoing water scarcity; debates may center on funding for conservation versus agricultural water rights
  • Public lands management - Potential disagreement over funding priorities between recreation access, conservation, and resource extraction support
  • Environmental enforcement vs. industry support - Balance between funding environmental quality monitoring/enforcement and supporting agricultural/business operations

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

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