Bills / H.B. 473
H.B. 473 Colorado River Authority Amendments
- Introduced
- House committee
- House vote
- Senate committee
- Senate vote
- Signed into law
What this bill does
The bill would move the Colorado River Authority from the governor's office to the Department of Natural Resources and transfer its funds with it. It would also add board seats, change how board members are appointed and how long they serve, and expand the authority's role to protecting Utah's Colorado River water rights, assisting the state water agent, and coordinating with the Attorney General on possible litigation.
Plain-English summary written by AI from the sponsor’s presentation in committee and on the floor. Check the official text below.
Official description
- moves the Colorado River Authority of Utah (authority) from the governor's office to the Department of Natural Resources, including providing a transition
- modifies the definition provision
- amends the membership provision of the authority including modifying the appointment process
- addresses the operation of the authority
- expands the powers and duties of the authority
- modifies the appointment of the river commissioner
- repeals provision prohibiting the river commissioner from receiving compensation
- amends provision on hiring of the authority's executive director
- repeals the Colorado River Authority Restricted Account
- makes technical and conforming amendments
What it costs you
- State spending from tax funds goes down by $1,900 in FY2027.
From the bill's latest official fiscal note, counting the state's tax funds (General, Income Tax, Education, Uniform School, and Transportation) in the first full budget year after the session. Some bills take effect partway through that year, so later years can be larger; the note shows each year. Household count: U.S. Census Bureau. An average is a starting point, not your bill.
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.
Take action
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Every vote
- 9 yes, 0 no, 5 absentHouse Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee: vote to change the bill · Feb 11, 2026Who voted how
- 9 yes, 0 no, 5 absentHouse Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 11, 2026Who voted how
- 65 yes, 1 no, 9 absentFinal House vote · Feb 19, 2026Who voted how
- 5 yes, 1 no, 1 absentSenate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 24, 2026Who voted how
- 25 yes, 1 no, 3 absentFinal Senate vote · Mar 5, 2026Who voted how
Hearings and debates
- Feb 11, 2026 House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee▶ WatchRead the transcript (32 turns) →
- Feb 19, 2026 House floor debate▶ WatchRead the transcript (13 turns) →
- Feb 19, 2026 House floor debate▶ WatchRead the transcript (11 turns) →
- Feb 24, 2026 Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee▶ WatchRead the transcript (26 turns) →
- Mar 5, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ WatchRead the transcript (9 turns) →