2026 Session Wrap: Utah
H.B.41: Construction and Fire Codes Amendments
Building Codes and Defensible Space
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Peterson, Thomas W. | Floor Sponsor: Sen. Vickers, Evan J.
The bill adopts the 2024 edition of the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
The legislation implements a fee intended to support wildfire prevention and mitigation, with a portion retained by counties for administrative costs and the remainder deposited into the Utah Wildfire Fund.
The bill introduces new requirements for the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands regarding the wildfire risk assessment mapping tool. The Division must provide counties with copies and explanations of the mapping tool or any expansions to high-risk boundaries, allow counties 30 days to submit recommended written changes, and either implement those changes or provide a written justification for any modifications or rejections within 30 days.
Additionally, the bill mandates that counties and municipalities adopt and enforce the updated wildland-urban interface building standards within two years of the state’s adoption of a new standard. Failure to comply may result in the Division withholding payment of wildfire suppression costs under cooperative agreements.
The bill clarifies the process for entering and maintaining cooperative fire protection agreements, including requirements for prevention, preparedness, and mitigation actions, as well as annual reporting and financial commitments by eligible entities. It prohibits the designation of WUI areas below a certain risk threshold unless approved by the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands.
The effective date for most provisions is January 1, 2027.
H.B. 376: Land Management Funding Amendments
Wildfire Fuels Reduction, Suppression, Preparedness
Bill Sponsor: Rep. Albrecht, Carl R. Floor Sponsor: Sen. Sandall, Scott D.
The bill establishes the Utah Forest Restoration Institute (the Institute) in connection with Utah State University to enhance research, coordination, and funding for watershed restoration and forest health. The Institute will conduct research on forest and watershed health, recommending wildfire mitigation strategies, coordinating with the existing Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI) to fund and monitor restoration projects, and responding to emergency funding requests following natural disasters.
The bill mandates that the Institute and the WRI collaborate on project prioritization, long-term monitoring, data collection, and educational opportunities for higher education students and faculty. For fiscal year 2027, the bill appropriates $1.9 million from the Income Tax Fund, with at least $1.75 million designated for funding and studying watershed restoration projects and up to $800,000 for Institute operations and staffing.
2026 Wildfire Bill Tracking &
Forging a Resilient West Dashboard
Western States
This memo was prepared by CSG West staff using AI-assisted research tools, with findings reviewed and verified prior to publication. The Council of State Governments (CSG) is a nonpartisan organization that provides members with unbiased research based on peer-reviewed evidence, reliable data, facts, and objective analysis. CSG takes no position on any pending legislation, enacted laws; proposed or enacted regulations, executive orders or agreements, or other executive actions; past or present court rulings or orders; or any other governmental action or potential action mentioned in this brief or in any linked material. Additionally, CSG does not endorse the viewpoints of any outside author, source, or third-party publication mentioned; sources cited are for informational purposes only.