H.B. 215 Landscaping Restrictions Amendments

What this bill does

The bill would stop cities and counties from enforcing local ordinances that prevent property owners from clearing defensible space around homes as required by the wildland urban interface code. It would also address homeowners associations, and the sponsor says the language will still be revised with cities and counties.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the official description. Check the official text below.

Your legislators on this bill

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Quotes come from the official recordings' automatic captions, which can mishear words. Speakers and summaries are identified by AI and can be wrong. Use the ▶ links to check the recording.

Every vote

• 9 yes, 0 no, 3 absentHouse Political Subdivisions Committee: vote, which it did not pass · Jan 21, 2026Who voted how
• 9 yes, 0 no, 3 absentHouse Political Subdivisions Committee: vote to change the bill · Jan 29, 2026Who voted how
• 9 yes, 0 no, 3 absentHouse Political Subdivisions Committee: Amendment Recommendation · Jan 29, 2026Who voted how
• 9 yes, 0 no, 3 absentHouse Political Subdivisions Committee: vote to approve it · Jan 29, 2026Who voted how
• 72 yes, 0 no, 3 absentFinal House vote · Feb 10, 2026
• 6 yes, 0 no, 1 absentSenate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 17, 2026Who voted how
• 22 yes, 0 no, 7 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 19, 2026
• 24 yes, 1 no, 4 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 20, 2026

Hearings and debates

• Jan 21, 2026 House Political Subdivisions Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (41 turns)

  1. Committee chair8:11

     The other a different Representative. Peterson, if you'll come up and we'll consider House Bill two 15, political Subdivision Landscaping Authority Rep Z Peterson. Go ahead.

  2. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson8:22

     Thank you Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. It's a pleasure to be with you this, this afternoon, and I appreciate you Amening. The, uh, agenda to accommodate my time schedule, this legislation was brought forth with the idea that, uh, we, we see devastating wildfires throughout our, our state and surrounding states. And it was brought to my attention that we have certain municipalities that, uh, that have ordinances in place that don't allow, uh, residences to comply with the urban, the wildland urban interface. Uh, we've, we've heard a lot about it this year, last year, and we, we will continue to hear about it as it's a real issue. But what this, what this draft legislation does is it says that if a city or county, uh, has an ordinance that re that prohibits, uh, a resident from taking from, from clearing their property, creating what in the code is called the defensible space, that, that the city cannot, or county cannot require, um, an ordinance that keeps their property in violation of defensible space in the wildland Urban Interface code. I've had a lot of conversations with a lot of cities. There's some concern with this initially. And so, uh, I have committed to work with a few cities to make sure that, and I think we're all on the same intent. Uh, the intent is that we will, um, we will allow people to, to comply with the Wooey code. Um, but we need to give cities the flexibility to do what they feel is the best, uh, for their city. It just cannot prevent somebody from being in violation of the Wildland Urban Interface Code.

  3. Committee chair9:59

     Thank you. That's your presentation? Yes. Thank you Representative Peterson to the committee for clarifying questions. Is that Representative Kohler?

  4. Rep. Kohler10:09

     Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And this might be Representative Walters bailiwick anyway, question is, I get it with the city, but what about an HOA, can they stop it in spite of the city's ordinances or otherwise?

  5. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson10:20

     Uh, I, it's my intent to eliminate any requirement from, from prohibiting somebody to comply with a Wooey code and therefore not having to pay the fee. My suggestion would be you get both if they're not already there. Thank

  6. Committee chair10:32speaker not certain

     You. Yep. Thank you. That's a great idea.

  7. Committee chair10:34

     Thank you. Next we will have Representative Ward.

  8. Rep. Ryan Ward10:43

     Thank you Mr. Chair. Just a couple of background questions to help those of us who don't know it as well as you do already. What, what's the size of the zone that the Whoopi Co says you need to make defensible space. How big is that?

  9. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson10:55

     So it's typically a hundred feet for defensible space. Um, so, but it depends on the, the vegetation surrounding the home. Okay. The structure I should say. Sure. Right. What what it might be. Um, there.

  10. Rep. Ryan Ward11:08

      And then you had said, I think that you were still intending to work with cities on something. What was the nature of the, what they were still hoping to have sorted out?

  11. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson11:15

      So the way I initially drafted it, it's very broad. It, it says that it would affect entire cities. My goal is just to make sure that the ordinance does not affect someone, a property owner from being able to, to comply with this code. So I I, I haven't, I've seen a couple different versions of some language and, and we'll work back and forth on that to make sure we get it right. I, I think the intent that I'm trying to do everyone else is on board with too, but it's just a little bit broad with how I drafted it Because we still, okay.

  12. Rep. Ryan Ward11:44

      So it, the city, if it's not in that what we zone, this will not change the way a city may Regulate it. That would be the correct direction. We're heading.

  13. Committee chair11:54

      Representative Miller,

  14. Rep. Ryan Ward11:58speaker not certain

      Uh, her concern that the maps are old and and out of date. Can you address that concern?

  15. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson12:05

      I, I can. It's not part of. I I absolutely can. Um, so I'm running HBU 41, which we circled. Um, and that we'll be com coming back to business and labor and commerce. I, as I've reviewed the maps, I I believe the maps are terribly outdated and put put property, uh, in the wooey code. That should not be. And that's the reason I circled it. That's the reason I, I want to get people on board with, with where we go from here. I don't feel comfortable adopting the WWE code until we clarify the maps and make sure that we don't have city parks listed as wild land urban interface. Make sure we don't have areas that are clearly outside of the wildland urban interface. That should be a very clear and distinct line. It shouldn't, in my opinion, it shouldn't be random pieces of, of property that have overgrowth on them in the city. Okay. So it's, so this bill would take effect hopefully with cleaned up maps to work with. Yeah, this bill doesn't talk at all about the maps, but my other bill, HB 41 absolutely does and and it won't move forward until we clear up the maps. Okay.

  16. Rep. Ryan Ward13:22

      Can I ask one more question? Yes. It, it seems like it would be in the best interest of cities to allow, um, property owners to, um, clean up that vegetation and provide that area defense. Why would a city not want to allow a property owner to do that?

  17. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson13:38

      There are certain areas, um, Summit County, Wasatch County, where they're trying to keep a certain feel of wild wildland, I guess. Um, but, but it's gonna come at a significant cost to those property owners. And, and all we're suggesting is we're not saying they have to, but we're saying the city can't force them to not comply with the wooey code with this ordinance.

  18. Committee chair14:02

      Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Next we'll go to Representative Fati, Manu Arthur, who's got their lighting representative Arthur, I see my face on the screen and he's like, am I Jake, Is your light representative box. Yes, go ahead. Thank you. And actually,

  19. Rep. Arthur14:28

      representative Miller's question was also one that I shared, although I am also curious as you've gone out and talked to the different stakeholders, you mentioned the cities. Have you spoken with county leadership throughout the state about this?

  20. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson14:42

      Um, not county leadership. I've talked to a few individuals at uac, um, so I'm sure they'll be in touch.

  21. Rep. Arthur14:51speaker not certain

      Absolutely. Thank you. Now I'm testing our technology that I have been promised in double pinky squared would work and does not advance. Does not work. Okay. All right. Good to know.

  22. Committee chair15:08

      Next we'll have Representative Hansen.

  23. Rep. Hansen15:10

      Thank you, Mr. Chair. I I also share the same concern that, um, representatives Millard and Arthur have regarding, um, local control, county control. Um, is there anything that can be done to, to allow for that?

  24. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson15:31

      Um, well we're, we plan on working with them, I think more importantly is property rights. Um, and that's sort of what this will allow to those individuals who are gonna get hit with a fine, that the state is imposed, that if we don't, don't do something telling counties or cities that they, they can't import, enforce an ordinance on people that is going to cost them a significant amount of money, potentially monthly, uh, if, if they are in the wie, the wildland urban interface area.

  25. Rep. Hansen16:01

      Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't know much about wie. Can you explain that to me?

  26. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson16:06

      I I can do it now or if I could I could do it offline. I, it'd probably be Good to do it offline.

  27. Committee chair16:11

      Okay. Okay. I see no further questions from the committee.

  28. Committee chair16:16

      I have one or two Representative Snider has a bill to do area photograph for the WIE statewide, is that correct?

  29. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson16:24

      I believe so. He passed it last session, so I don't know what the timetable is though. But the intent is that the state forester will arrange or do a new Matt for the entire state, and then the cities in the wild line, urban face or the homeowners will, they'll be given notice that maybe some adjustments that need to be made to make their property more fire hardened.

  30. Committee chair16:49

      And then you've got a bill. I'm not sure what your other bill does, but, um, he, he's, I believe they're in the process of updating it. So have you talked to him about that?

  31. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson17:01speaker not certain

      Yes. I believe that map was completed in November of December of this year. And there are some significant concerns still.

  32. Committee chair17:11

      Okay, thank you. Let's go to any comments on mine. Let's go to the public. Who would like to speak to this? Raise your hand please. Come up, sir.

  33. Taz Biesinger, Utah Home Builders17:31

      Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, is this, this on right. Taz b Singer with the Utah Home Builders. And just for clarification, I didn't wanna speak. My client told me I had to. So, uh, we, we support this bill. It makes total sense to us that you can't have one government entity requiring you to do something that's in violation with another governmental entity. So, uh, we, we think it makes totally sense and we, we firmly believe in Representative Peterson's ability to, to draft whatever amendments he needs you to make the cities happy, but we ask that you support it. Thank you.

  34. Committee chair18:05

      Thank you, sir. Anyone else from the public come up please?

  35. Jared Tingey, Utah League of Cities and Towns18:17

      Yes, Jared Tingy with the Utah League of Cities and Towns. And, uh, first of all, I'd like to thank Representative Peterson for working with us. Uh, we do have a few cities that have, would like to make, um, that have a few concerns with it, uh, that I think that, uh, we'll be able to be ironed out. And so hope to continue to work with the representative and, uh, thank you.

  36. Committee chair18:41

      Thank you. Thanks for your testimony. Alright, we'll close anyone else from public, we'll close the public comment period and come back to the committee for consideration.

  37. Committee chair18:51speaker not certain

      Sam Peterson, I just wanna make a couple of comments. It seems like maybe HOAs need to be looked at in this. Um, it also seems like you have some work to do with the league. So for me, this bill needs more work before we take a vote on it. We've, you know, we've been directed by our leadership plus it's good practice to try to get as much of the work done on committee on the floor. So if we gave you three or four months to work on this, would this be ready, do you think? How long? Three or four minutes? No till next Monday. Oh yeah, that'd be fine. I was just seeing if you're awake. Yeah, so I heard months, but I was hoping it was Good. Our, uh, next committee is Monday. We'd prefer, especially since we're early in the session and you'll get together the league and get it in a better place, I believe. Is that correct? Yeah. I just found out about these concerns this afternoon, so We'll get through it. Okay, fair enough. Is there somebody that would like to take any action?

  38. Rep. Ryan Ward19:52

      Represe board. Thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like make a motion to move to the next item on the agenda.

  39. Committee chair19:57

      Thank you. The, the motion is to move to the next item on the agenda. Lemme go back to the bill sponsor comments.

  40. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson20:03speaker not certain

      Uh, I support that and we'll get it ironed out.

  41. Committee chair20:06

      Thank you, Representative Peterson, Representative Ward for summation waive submission is waived. I'll place the motion to move to the next item on the agenda. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Say no. Motion carries. Thank you representative.

• Jan 29, 2026 House Political Subdivisions Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (35 turns)

  1. Committee chair (presiding)1:18:32

     Okay. Our next bill up is House Bill two 15, Representative Peterson, are we ready for that one? Yeah. Okay.

  2. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson1:18:49

     Thank you Madam Chair and members of the committee. It's good to be back before you again. Um, I'll be speaking to the House of Memo one to the first sub, I believe is the proper order. Maybe Nathan can make sure I'm saying that right. All right. Um, so this is HP two 15, which the intent of this legislation is to just make it so that, uh, if a property owner wants to be able to defend their house from, uh, a wildfire, that they don't have a local ordinance that prohibits them from creating defensible spaces defined in the Wildland Urban interface code, uh, from being able to protect their own property. So in this amendment, we've worked with many of the people that are, we're engaged with this. Um, and this is what we've come up with. So, uh, it's pretty basic. With that, I'll take any questions from members of the committee.

  3. Committee chair (presiding)1:19:50

     Thank you Representative Peterson to the committee for clarifying questions.

  4. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:19:57

     Seeing representative of Kohler.

  5. Rep. Michael L. Kohler1:20:03

     Thank you. Mr. Chair, does this actually happen? What's that? Where Does this happen? I mean, I've had some experience up there where it was a fight with the neighbors, but not necessarily government. So, Um, so I've been told that there are city ordinances and county ordinances that, uh, do not let you affect the area outside of a 10 foot space from where you're, when you're constructing a home.

  6. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson1:20:26

     Okay. Um, so I've been told that it is an issue and, and we should not have ordinances that prohibit us from complying. And I did take your recommendation. This also does include homeowners associations now seems Strange. Thank you.

  7. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:20:40

     Thank you. Further discussion Representative Arthur.

  8. Rep. John Arthur1:20:45

     Thank you, chair. So I think what you were just talking about that, that 10 foot space, that this, that defensible space is kind of where I'm going with my question. Just in the, in the amendment, um, where it says, uh, where removal is required to comply with the defensible space requirements of the addition of the International Wildland Urban Interface code, um, what is the defensible space as defined within that code?

  9. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson1:21:09

     So it, it depends on your risk category based on the, uh, potential fire, uh, around you. So on a, on a medium hazard home, it would be 30 feet. On a, on a high hazard home it would be 50 feet, and on a extreme it would be a hundred feet.

  10. Rep. John Arthur1:21:25

      Can I ask some follow up questions? Sure, go ahead. So in determining, I'm just fascinated by this, in determining those categories, is it based on the amount of fuel load in the area?

  11. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson1:21:35

      Generally? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Thank you.

  12. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:21:40

      Thank you, representative Arthur. I see no further questions from the committee. Let's go to the public. Who'd like to speak to this? Raise your hand. We have one to come forward. Please. If you go ahead and introduce yourself and then sign the witness sheet. Thank you.

  13. Jared Tingey, League of Cities and Towns1:22:05

      Yes. Thank you. Uh, Jared Tingey with League of Cities and Towns, and we really appreciate Representative Peterson working with us to get the language, uh, where our folks feel comfortable with it. And, um, and just thank him for it and, uh, urge you to pass it out.

  14. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:22:24

      Thank you. Appreciate it. We have if, uh, one online, we'll take her online commenter, if you'd introduce yourself and your city of residence. Clint.

  15. Clint Smith, Draper City Fire Chief, Utah State Fire Chiefs' Association1:22:53

      Thank you. Uh, Mr. Chair, members of the committee. My name is Clint Smith. I'm the fire chief in, uh, Draper City and also here representing the Utah State Fire Chiefs Association. I'd like to speak in support of HB two 15 today. Uh, appreciate, uh, Representative Peterson and the work that he's put in, in, in the space of the Wild Island urban interface area. Uh, we support the, uh, the changes that in the substitute that is there. Um, the one, I guess the one thing that I would say that I've heard that, uh, that may uh, come up in future discussions is, uh, certainly we wanna allow our members or our residents to do mitigation on their own property, especially when they fall within the wild enter and interface designated area. Uh, we all see the increase of, of the risk that, uh, is happening around the country, and especially in the West. Uh, we certainly are also mindful of how vegetation helps, uh, maintain slope stability. And so we certainly don't want to compromise that. I don't think anyone's looking at this as a avenue to just go in and, and completely, you know, clear cut their land, but to give them guidance in how they successfully, uh, do fuels mitigation and thin that to, again, create the defensible space that has been mentioned here. So we are in support of this and thank, uh, the Committee for the time and Representative Peterson for his work on this bill.

  16. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:24:21

      Thank you, sir. Anyone else from the public, seeing none will close the public comment and come back to the committee for action. Representative Arthur,

  17. Rep. John Arthur1:24:31

      Thank you Chair. I, forgive me if I do this incorrectly, but I'd like to move the amended first sub.

  18. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:24:40

      Okay. So the way it goes is you'll move to adopt the first substitute. Okay. Is that your motion?

  19. Rep. John Arthur1:24:46

      I, I like to move to adopt the first substitute.

  20. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:24:48

      Okay. The motion is to adopt the first substitute. Would you like to speak to it?

  21. Rep. John Arthur1:24:52

      Um, I, I would just like to commend the sponsor for working with, excuse me, all the, all the different groups that you spoke with and, and bringing in the input. And I think that this, this bill has landed in a good place.

  22. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:25:06

      Thank you. The motion is to adopt the first substitute discussion to the motion Representative Hansen.

  23. Rep. Leah Hansen1:25:12

      I, uh, um, well, to the substitute, I don't have any comment on that, but I have a comment. I mean, just a question on something else. Okay. Um, I just, but would you have a question on the, the motion

  24. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:25:21

      to adopt the first substitute? No. Okay. I'll come back to you. The motion is to adopt the first substitute Representative Ward for, or Peterson for summation. I'll waive Representative Arthur for summation. I'll, the motion is to adopt first substitute. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Say no. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Further Action. Representative Hansen.

  25. Rep. Leah Hansen1:25:50

      Thank you, chair. I just had one question.

  26. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:25:52

      Can I just ask one tiny question? Go.

  27. Rep. Leah Hansen1:25:54

      Um, a, a constituent wants to know if this only applies for wild. I mean, does this only apply for wildfire fires or does it apply to any situation?

  28. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson1:26:03

      Thank You, Mr. Chair. Uh, this would apply only to wildland urban interface areas.

  29. Rep. Leah Hansen1:26:07

      Okay. Thank you Chair.

  30. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:26:11

      Representative Arthur,

  31. Rep. John Arthur1:26:14

      I would like to move the amendment.

  32. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:26:16

      Thank you. The motion is to adopt amendment number one to the first substitute. Would you like to speak to your motion? I'll just say that, um, we've, we've heard a lot about how difficult it is to fight fire within a wwe and just how critical an issue this is right now. So I think that this amendment, um, takes the bill to a place where it's, it's supported by my constituents, the, the municipalities I represent. So I just am excited to go ahead and vote in favor of it. Thank you, Representative Peterson to the amendment. Appreciate your support. Thank you. Let's go to the committee. Is there discussion to the amendment? Seeing none, Representative Peterson for summation, I'll Wa Representative Arthur for summation. Thank you. Waive summation is waived. I'll place a motion to adopt amendment number one for first substitute house. Bill 2 1 5. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Say no. The motion carries. The bill is amended to the bill. Let's have Representative Arthur.

  33. Rep. John Arthur1:27:20

      Thank you chair. Uh, motion to, uh, favorably pass out, uh, HB two 15. First sub, uh, with the amendment.

  34. Chair Dunnigan (presiding)1:27:29

      Thank you. The motion is to recommend favorably first sub to house bill two 15. As amended, we'd like to speak to your motion. I'll waive discussion by the committee. Seeing none. Representative Peterson for summation, I waive. Thank you, representative Arthur for summation. I'll place the motion to adopt first substitute house bill two 15 as amended. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? A no. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you, Representative Peterson.

  35. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson1:27:57

      Thank you.

• Feb 10, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (16 turns)

  1. Clerk37:35

     Third reading calendar. First substitute house bill two 15, landscaping restrictions amendments by representative Tom Peterson. This bill was heard in political subdivisions with the vote of 9 0 3

  2. Speaker (presiding)37:47

     Representative Tom Peterson.

  3. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson37:49

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. HB two 15 is simply

  4. Speaker (presiding)37:53

     Representative. Hang on just a minute. Representatives, can we bring the volume down please Go ahead. Representative Tom Peterson.

  5. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson38:03

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, HB two 15 essentially, um, prohibits a city, county or a homeowner's association from allowing an individual that is in the wildland urban interface co, uh, area to be able to clear their property, the defensible space, uh, around their property. And it just prohibits a city from enacting an ordinance that would eliminate the option for someone in that area to provide the defensible space around their own home.

  6. Speaker (presiding)38:41

     Uh, thank you Representative Peterson. Discussion to the bill Representative Thurston.

  7. Rep. Stephen L. Whyte38:46

     Will the sponsor yield to a question? Representative

  8. Speaker (presiding)38:48

     Peterson will yield to a question

  9. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson38:50speaker not certain

     Only because of that nice blue suit Does look very matching Representative Thurston.

  10. Speaker (presiding)38:56

      Yes, sir. You've got one question.

  11. Rep. Norman K Thurston38:58

      One question. I am curious if this, uh, definition of w wildland urban interface currently is defined by the Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code or the International Wildland Urban Interface Code.

  12. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson39:13

      Thank you Mr. Speaker for that wonderful question. Uh, this is defined in both.

  13. Rep. Norman K Thurston39:19

      Thank you Mr. Speaker. If it's the Utah Wildland Urban Interface, I can a hundred percent support this.

  14. Speaker (presiding)39:28

      Thank you Representative Thurston. Further discussion to the bill? None. Back to your Representative Peterson

  15. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson39:37

      for summation. This Is a good bill.

  16. Speaker (presiding)39:39

      Thank you. Representative voting will now be open on first substitute HB two 15, seeing all present and involved in voting is now closed. First substitute HB two 15 passed this body with 72 yes votes zero no votes will be sent to the Senate for its consideration. Madam reading Clerk

• Feb 17, 2026 Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (14 turns)

  1. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson1:48:35

     We have, um, first substitute house Bill two 15 Landscaping restriction amendments. Thank you Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Uh, this bill is a very simple bill. It just, uh, what it does is it protects property owners that are in the wildland urban interface from City, county, or HOA ordinances that, um, would prohibit them from clearing the defensible space around their home. And that concludes my presentation.

  2. Committee chair1:49:06

     Just a clarifying question. Yes. Senator Vickers. Yeah,

  3. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:49:09

     I don't really have a clarifying question, but I, it seems like a common sense thing if, and and I, I guess in a sense by the, what we're saying is the, the WWE code supersedes any others. So really, realistically that's what you're saying. Yeah. And I've seen that actually in some h HOAs, not so much in a municipality, but in HOA where individuals wanted to do that and they wouldn't let 'em. So Yeah. So does this address the problem we're we're seeing now with the people being able to get insurance in these areas? I, I hope it, it, hope it's a step towards that.

  4. Committee chair1:49:43

     Okay. All right. Seeing no other questions, let's go to the public. Is there someone that would like to address this? We've got one, got one online also. So state your name, who you're with, and, uh,

  5. Karson Eilers, Utah League of Cities and Towns1:49:58

     Yes. Thank you Mr. Chair, members of the committee. My name is Carson ERs. I'm, uh, speak on behalf of the Go Cities and towns. I'll be very quick today. This is a simple bill, but we wanted to thank Representative Peterson for reaching out and working with us just to address some of the little wording concerns we had and clarifying that it, that Ordinance preemption really only applies for the areas in that Woo We code. So, um, yeah, we thank him for working with us and, and we're neutral on the bill. Okay. Thank you.

  6. Committee chair1:50:26

     Ask be I can't see you over there.

  7. Taz Biesinger, Utah Home Builders Association1:50:32

     Yeah. Thank you Mr. Chair Taaz. Be Senator Cullimore with the Utah Home Builders Association. Quickly, we'd just like to, uh, I echo our support for this bill. I appreciate the sponsor's work on this. Great bill, hope you'll support it. Thank you.

  8. Committee chair1:50:46

     Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh, we'll close public comment. Come back to Senator Vickers.

  9. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:50:53

     Yeah. Thank you Mr. Chair. I would make a motion to be favor. We recommend for substitute house Bill two 15

  10. Committee chair1:50:58

      Discussion. Go back to the sponsor for summation. I just appreciate your

  11. Rep. Thomas W. Peterson1:51:03

      Support. It's a good bill. Senator Vickers, I'll waive. All right.

  12. Committee chair1:51:07

      All those in favor of first substitute house bill two 15, landscaping restrictions. Amendments favorably say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed?

  13. Unknown speaker1:51:17speaker not certain

      Uh, Senator Sandall. Okay, thank you. This Is stand.

  14. Committee chair1:51:22

      All right. That was an up, right? They charge schools to do assemblies. Okay. All right. So that is Not really, pops are Free. Six to zero. All right. Thank you. He passes. Thanks.

• Feb 19, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (7 turns)

  1. Sen. Evan J. Vickers47:21

     Senator Vickers, Thank Mr. President Pro Tem. If you are a property owner and your property is within a wooey or within the wild down urban interface, this bill is very simple. It just says that a municipality, a county, or municipality or a homeowner's association cannot prohibit you from removing vegetation to, to comply with the defensible space. And if that, I'm open for any questions. Thank you. Is there discussion to the bill sign? None.

  2. Presiding officer (President Pro Tem)47:54

     Senator Vickers back to you. For summation or a motion

  3. Sen. Evan J. Vickers47:57

     I'd waive summation, move the first substitute hospital two 15. Be read a third time

  4. Presiding officer (President Pro Tem)48:01

     And the question is, shall first sub house bill two 15, be read for a third time. Roll call Vote. Senator Vickers.

  5. Senate clerk (roll call)48:07

     Baldy Aye. Lewin Aye. Brammer Aye. Bus colmore as Camia Fillmore Grover Harper Aye. Hankins ipson I Aye. Johnson. Aye. K Juab McKay Aye. Mikel Milner Musselman Owens Aye. Hitcher plum rebe Aye. Sandal Stevenson Stratton Vickers Aye. Weiler Aye. Wilson Aye. Winterton Aye. President Adams

  6. Sen. J. Stuart Adams (presiding)49:00

     First substitute house Bill two 15. Having received 22 yay votes, zero na votes seven being absent will be read for third time.

  7. Sen. Daniel McCay49:47speaker not certain

     Thank you Mr. President Pro Tem Appreciate this.

• Feb 20, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (7 turns)

  1. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:00:54

     Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. If you own property and it is resides in the wild and urban interface of the WWE area, the bill, this bill simply says that a, a homeowner's association or a missed pallet or county cannot prevent you from removing vegetation for the purpose of, of creating defensible space. With that, I'm open for any questions. Thank you. Senator Vickers, say no discussion.

  2. Senate President Adams (presiding)1:01:25

     Back to you. For a motion

  3. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:01:27

     I'd wait. Summation, move the first substitute house Bill two 15 pass. Thank

  4. Senate President Adams (presiding)1:01:30

     You. And the question is, shall first substitute house Bill two 15 pass. Roll call vote.

  5. Senate clerk (roll call)1:01:35

     Senator Vickers Baldry Lewin Lewin Brammer Bus Cullimore Escamia Fillmore Grover Harper Kinins Ipson Johnson. Kwan McKay. Mikel Milner Musselman Owens Pitcher Plum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Vickers Aye. Weiler Wilson Winterton.

  6. Senate President Adams (presiding)1:02:31

     President Adams First substitute house Bill two 15. Having received 24 yay votes, one nay vote, four being absent passes his body will be signed by the president. Turn to the house for the signature or the speaker.

  7. Senate President Adams (presiding)1:02:54

     Tax return donation amendments. Senator Escamilla. Senator Escamilla. Thank you.