H.B. 69 Drinking Water Restructuring Amendments

What this bill does

The bill lets a court appoint a receiver to fix problems at a small water system that is violating drinking water rules, or merge that system into a better-run one. It also lets a court require a violating system's owner to give up ownership.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the sponsor’s presentation in committee and on the floor. Check the official text below.

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Every vote

• 60 yes, 11 no, 4 absentFinal House vote · Jan 22, 2026Who voted how
• 5 yes, 0 no, 2 absentSenate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee: vote to change the bill · Jan 30, 2026Who voted how
• 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absentSenate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee: vote to approve it · Jan 30, 2026Who voted how
• 24 yes, 0 no, 5 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 5, 2026Who voted how
• 26 yes, 0 no, 3 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 6, 2026Who voted how
• 68 yes, 1 no, 6 absentHouse vote to accept the other chamber's changes · Feb 10, 2026Who voted how

Hearings and debates

• Jan 22, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (23 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)46:07

     House Bill 69, drinking water Restructuring amendments by Representative Albrecht. Representative Albrecht.

  2. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht46:15

     Thank you Mr. Speaker to you. Um, this, this bill was heard by the Natural Resource Committee, the Water Task Force and the Water Development Commission, uh, where it passed unanimously in all three, uh, meetings. Uh, it's a, it's a bill that is a follow up from the 2023 Water Report, uh, which made some suggestions for this bill. Uh, it's supported by the Rural Water Users Association. Um, what it, what it basically does is, uh, if you have a small water system that that's just not doing their job, uh, they're in violation of a lot of the, the things that they should be doing. It provides, uh, the opportunity for a court to appoint a receiver to implement corrective action or merge them with, uh, another company that, uh, would be better, the people would be better served, uh, requires, uh, a violator to divest ownership. Uh, it's just another tool in the toolbox for the drinking water division. Very rarely will it ever be used, but it, it will be there if necessary. And like I said, it was recommended, uh, in the 2023 water report and had unanimous approval all the way through all the water committees. Thank you.

  3. Speaker (presiding)47:54

     Thank you, Representative Albrecht. Discussion to the bill Representative Peck.

  4. Rep. Jill Koford47:58

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm just, can I, would the sponsor yield to a series of questions? Representative Albrecht, will you yield to a series of questions?

  5. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht48:07

     You bet. Yes. Representative.

  6. Rep. Nicholeen P. Peck48:08

     Okay. Thank you. Um, Mr. Speaker, I am wondering what they are doing currently without one of these receivers or agents in place.

  7. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht48:21

     We don't, Mr. Speaker, we don't, uh, have any that I'm aware of. This is just a tool for future. Uh, so far I think the drinking water division has worked out any problems. Like I say, it would rarely be used.

  8. Rep. Nicholeen P. Peck48:37

     Okay. So my next question is if we, if we don't have it already, and it's probably not being used a lot, how much money is it gonna end up costing to do it?

  9. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht48:48

     Zero fiscal? No.

  10. Rep. Nicholeen P. Peck48:51

      So is it a volunteer post

  11. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht48:55

      Drinking water division will absorb that.

  12. Speaker (presiding)48:59

      Okay. Thank you. Thank you Representative Peck further discussion to the bill Representative Hansen.

  13. Rep. Leah Hansen49:07

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, will the sponsor yield to a question? Representative Albrecht, will you yield to a

  14. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht49:12

      Question? Of course, Yes. Representative

  15. Rep. Leah Hansen49:14

      Hansen, um, how is reasonably necessary defined in Line 80?

  16. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht49:19

      Say that again. I couldn't hear you.

  17. Rep. Leah Hansen49:20

      Um, in line 80, how is reasonably necessary defined?

  18. Unknown speaker49:25speaker not certain

      What'd she say?

  19. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht49:32

      I'm not an attorney. I can't answer that.

  20. Rep. Leah Hansen49:37

      There just seems to be some ambiguity for me. It makes me a little bit uncomfortable, but thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

  21. Speaker (presiding)49:43

      Thank you, representative. Further discussion to the bill. Seeing none. Back to you, Representative Albrecht for summation.

  22. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht49:51

      I'll waive in the interest of time.

  23. Speaker (presiding)49:54

      Thank you. Representative, uh, submission has been waived. Voting will now be open on Wilcox. Would you like to vote? Seeing all present, having voted voting is now closed. HB 69 passes this body with 60 yes votes. 11, no votes be sent to the Senate for its consideration, Madam or sorry, representatives.

• Jan 30, 2026 Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (23 turns)

  1. Committee chair1:00:38

     All right. Next item on the agenda is item six, representative re drinking water restructuring amendment. Welcome to our committee house Bill 69. Time is yours.

  2. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht1:00:53

     Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's good to be here again. Um, HB 69. Uh, I, I might say that I'm speaking to the sub we'll need to take care of. Okay. You wanna speak to what? Um, let's move that, but tell us what the substitute does. The sub basically just puts, uh, some language in that, uh, Senator Stratton, uh, came up with, uh, went on, uh, defining, uh, the legal actions that would take place under the bill, uh, and, uh, what a receiver is, and some, some tool or some reasons why, if it's, if, if it goes to a court action. Maybe you could explain 'em better than I can. You're an attorney or senator.

  3. Committee chair1:01:47

     Go ahead, Jen. Thank you.

  4. Sen. Keven J. Stratton1:01:50

     Uh, maybe before I speak, I'd like to move the substitute.

  5. Committee chair1:01:55

     Okay. Go ahead. And I'll speak to that.

  6. Sen. Keven J. Stratton1:01:57

     In addition to what the good representative has said and, and working with the director, we can talk about, we wanted to make sure that we have had some safety valves in place for legislative engagement, as if things begin to escalate similar to, uh, what we had with, uh, Garfield Reservoir earlier, and you were, I maybe in, in that, in that Legislative Water Development Commission meeting too. Uh, give us some support and make sure we're getting the best resolution forward. So that's in addition to what, uh, representative Barich has stated. That's what it

  7. Committee chair1:02:28

     Does. Great. Will you gonna place the motion then? Yes. Okay.

  8. Sen. Keven J. Stratton1:02:32

     Motion is, uh, we adopt, uh, we delete Title and Body House Bill 69. Replace it with first substitute House Bill 69, and further discussion to this motion.

  9. Committee chair1:02:44

     Not seeing any, I'll go ahead and place the motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? If any, we have a substitute bill before us. Go ahead, representative. Thank

  10. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht1:02:54

      You, Mr. Chair. Uh, this is a follow up bill from the 2023 Water Report, uh, that made some suggestions, uh, on what we do with maybe small systems that are not meeting the requirements, uh, of safe water drinking. And, uh, it's a tool of last resort. Uh, for the drinking water folks, uh, I have with me Nathan Lusted, the director. But, uh, let me emphasize, it's a tool of last resort. We, we want these folks to work, whether it's a, a merger with another water system or whatever, but this gives them a tool, uh, to address drinking water violations that pose serious public health risk. Uh, and, and then if they're unwilling or unable to correct the remediation issues, uh, then it gives them a, a procedure to work through the courts. But it only aims to fix the most extreme cases where a water system's outta compliance. Uh, this Bill Uintah through the Water Task Force, the Water Development Commission, the Natural Resource Committee, uh, and I, as I mentioned, was a follow up to the 2023, uh, water report. Uh, and, and I'd like to, to ask Mr. Lundstedt if he would make some comments on it too, Mr. Chair.

  11. Committee chair1:04:24

      That's appropriate. Go ahead, Mr. Director. You know the drill.

  12. Nathan Lundstedt, Director, Utah Division of Drinking Water1:04:27

      Yeah. Thank you. Uh, Mr. Chair. I'm Nathan lsat, director for the Division of Drinking Water. We appreciate, appreciate, um, Representative Albrecht supporting this bill. Um, this is a program, you know, restructuring is something the division has supported. We see this as a, a, a good tool to help support, um, our struggling water systems. Um, and just to help, um, provide opportunities to, you know, enhance public health and protection through our drinking water systems. Um, with, you know, those systems that are, they just don't have the resources. We see many of our water operators for the struggling systems that just don't have adequate resources. Uh, they may be the, the snowplow driver, the dog catch catcher, uh, grave digger, um, and they just don't have the time to devote, um, all their, or they don't have all the time to devote to just providing safe drinking water. Um, and I know we've had some success with this just on a voluntary basis. Um, former representative Mike Noel has done quite a bit with restructuring and consolidation of some of the struggling systems in Iron County. Um, and so it is a very beneficial program. We also see this as being a great opportunity to, um, you know, help with the housing crisis and growth where there's just better management of a water, uh, the water resources in a water basin. And, and we do appreciate the, the, you know, the guardrails that Senator Stratton has added. Um, there's just another level of mediation and, um, agreements, um, to help with the restructuring. So thank you.

  13. Committee chair1:06:04

      Thank you. Complete your presentation.

  14. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht1:06:07

      I'll just say, you know, I worked with Representative Noel when he's still the King County Water Conservancy District Manager, and when I was our king CEOI worked with him on some of those systems on Cedar Mountain that, uh, director referred to. And, uh, this would've been a, a godsend to, uh, former representative Noel.

  15. Committee chair1:06:31

      Okay. Thank you representative. I'll bring it then to the committee, um, to any clarifying questions on house Bill 69 for substitute. Senator Stratton?

  16. Sen. Keven J. Stratton1:06:45

      Yes, I, I would like to move house Bill 69 for substitute with favorable recommendation, Um, but not quite there yet until we get public on When you're ready.

  17. Committee chair1:06:53

      When we're ready. I'll hold you on that. Thank you, Senator. Okay. To the public, is there anyone who would like to speak to this house? Bill? 69. Somebody's cell phone. Wants to speak to it. No, no. One online. Okay. I'll bring it back to the committee. And Senator Stratton, go ahead.

  18. Sen. Keven J. Stratton1:07:12

      Yes, I'd like to move the question to favorable recommendation.

  19. Committee chair1:07:15

      Thank you. The question is, uh, shall we, uh, favorably recommend per substitute house Bill 69, uh, discussion to the motion saying none. Back to you, representative.

  20. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht1:07:28

      I'll waive. Senator, I'll Waive. Thank you.

  21. Committee chair1:07:31

      Okay. I'll place the motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? If any, say nay. Earl passage unanimously. Thank you. Thank you,

  22. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht1:07:38

      Mr. Chair. Committee members. You

  23. Committee chair1:07:40

      Bet. Always good to have you representative. I'll be back. Going to go back to,

• Feb 5, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (5 turns)

  1. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht1:02:39

     Uh, as substituted deals with challenges that occur with, uh, water companies, when they have financial, uh, limitations, they're not able to keep the drinking water safe. It provides, provides the opportunity for the agency to come in and help bringing the resources and also to create a, a more stable ownership for that particular provider to, uh, uh, meet the standards that we have across the state. I'll be glad to answer any questions.

  2. Senate President (presiding)1:03:18

     Thank you for that presentation. Looking for discussion to the bill. See no discussion. I'll go to you for summation and a motion.

  3. Sen. Keven J. Stratton1:03:27

     Uh, I'll move, I'll move the, the motion.

  4. Senate President (presiding)1:03:30

     Thank you. And the question is, shall first substitute House Bill 69? Be read a third time roll call vote. Senator Vickers Spery Aye. Luin Bramer Bus Comore Escamia Fillmore Grover Harper Hankins Ipson Johnson. K Juab McKay Mikel Mikel Aye. Milner Musselman Owens Pitcher Plum Rebe Sandal Aye. Stevenson. Aye. Stratton Aye. Bickers Aye. Weiler Aye. Wilson. Aye. Winterton President Adams Aye. First substitute house Bill 69. Having received 24 yay votes, zero na votes, five being absent shall be read a third time. Senator Hinkins.

  5. Sen. David P. Hinkins1:04:38

     Uh, thank you Mr. Uh, president, uh, personal privilege. Granted, Uh, with me, I have my niece,

• Feb 6, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (4 turns)

  1. Sen. Keven J. Stratton20:47

     Just, just reaffirm that what this bill is doing is creating a, a, a path for our smaller or water, not necessarily smaller, but any of our water companies throughout the state that are beginning to be stressed with resources or, or financial difficulties. What can happen is the, uh, company in their struggles, the the quality of the drinking water can really, uh, depreciate and not be where it needs to be up to standards. And so this puts in a process for the agency to, to engage and work for a solution synergistically. Ultimately, it does allow the agency to take, take the, take it into receivership. But we did put with this amendment that we passed yesterday, put in a come to the legislature report and try and work it out prior. So I think there's some good safety valves here and I think it's in a good place ready to be passed out as, uh, as as our recommendation. So thank you. Let's look for, uh, any discussion. Say no discussion to you for a motion. I'll move the question. Thank you.

  2. Senate President (presiding)21:54

     Thank you. And the question is, shall first substitute House Bill 69 pass Roll call vote.

  3. Unknown speaker21:59speaker not certain

     Senator Ipson Baldy Lein Brammer Bus Palmore Escamia Gilmore. Grover Harper Kins Ipson Johnson. Juab McKay, Mikel Milner Mussman Owens Pitcher Plum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Pickers Weiler Wilson Winterton Fillmore

  4. Senate President (presiding)22:51

     President Adams Aye. First substitute House Bill 69, having received 26 Sha votes, zero na votes, three being absent, passes this body and will be sent to the house. Return to the House for further consideration.

• Feb 10, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (11 turns)

  1. Reading Clerk19:09

     Madam Reading Clerk First substitute House Bill 69 Drinking water Restructuring amendments by Representative Albrecht.

  2. Speaker (presiding)19:20

     Representative Albrecht.

  3. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht19:23

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. Motion to concur

  4. Speaker (presiding)19:26

     That motion is an order representative, would you like to speak to it?

  5. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht19:29

     Sure. The Senate in their infinite wisdom made a great change.

  6. Unknown speaker19:35speaker not certain

     You want tell us what that change is?

  7. Speaker (presiding)19:37

     Representative Albrecht,

  8. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht19:39

     It was a, it was a change to have the, uh, drink drinking water director report back to committee's Interim and and standing committee.

  9. Speaker (presiding)19:51

     Thank you Representative Albrecht Discussion to the motion to concur with the Senate amendments on first substitute HB 69. Scene none. Back to Representative Albrecht. For summation,

  10. Rep. Carl R. Albrecht20:02

      I Waive. Motion

  11. Speaker (presiding)20:03

      has been waived. We'll go ahead and place the motion. The motion before is the House Concur with Ascend Amendments on first substitute HB 69. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Roll That motion passes. Uh, voting will now be open on final passage for HB first substitute HB 69. Representative Ballard, would you like to vote? Seeing all present, having voted voting is now closed. First substitute HP 69, pass this body with 68 Yes. Votes one no vote will be sent to the Senate for the signature of the president. Madam Reading Clerk