By james art 
As Utah’s 2025 legislative session gets under way, bills limiting federal influence over public lands, banning collective bargaining and banning fluoride in public water are just some of the issues being tackled by lawmakers this year.
The management of public lands is expected to be a key issue lawmakers will address after the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the Utah case To place federal lands under hive state control.
So far, one environmental bill and one resolution have been introduced on the Capitol floor. These are HB 47 and SCR 3both of which aim to reduce federal influence in their respective areas.
Amendments to Watering Rights on Public Lands
HB 47 introduced by Rep. Carl Albrecht(R-Richfield), seeks to address and protect animal watering rights on public lands. This would limit the federal government’s influence over ranching rights.
The bill updates the definitions and processes for animal watering rights, repeals outdated provisions, and outlines the conditions for recognizing claims under Public Water Reserve No. 107Federal Rule Governing Water Supplies of 1926.
Key provisions include prohibiting federal agencies from acquiring water rights unless the rancher specifically agrees and allowing beneficiary users, such as grazing permit holders, to apply for animal water use certificates. Certificates formalize water rights tied to grazing allotments and remain valid if the water is used or covered by a use application.
The legislation also addresses situations where federal agencies reduce grazing permits by ensuring that the ranch can retain affected water rights through non-blow requests. Additionally, the state engineer is tasked with reviewing and processing claims and certifications electronically, simplifying ranch access.
If passed, this bill would go into effect on May 7, 2025.
Utah’s authority to determine its energy future
The concurrent resolution regarding Utah’s authority to determine its energy future, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Harper (R-Salt Lake) and Rep. Albrecht sought to reaffirm Utah’s authority to set its own energy policies and limit federal influence in energy regulation within the state.
SCR 3 argued for the Tenth Amendment’s reservation of powers to the states. He argued that Utah is best positioned to make energy decisions based on its unique geography, resources and economic needs.
The resolution emphasizes the role of the state in the formation of energy policies that affect local economic development and the protection of the environment and public health. It calls on the federal government to shelve the state’s energy projects authority and limit its regulatory reach to matters of interstate commerce and national security.
Additionally, the Resolution calls on Congress to enact legislation requiring federal agencies to consult with the State of Utah before implementing energy-related regulations and to establish formal mechanisms for state input into federal energy decisions.
The resolution is currently being considered by the Senate Rules Committee.
Public sector union changes
A bill for collective bargaining between public employers and unions was approved by House Labor Committee By a vote of 11-4-0 on January 23.
If HB 267 is passed into law, public employers can only negotiate with union representatives.
Most of the state’s unified collective bargaining happens in education, according to Republican Rep. Bill Sponsor. Jordan Tesher (R-South Jordan). He said that while in committee, the bill would help ensure that all workers’ voices are heard in the bargaining process, but the bill has already received discount by public educators and students.
Fluoride changes
Utah’s public water systems could go fluoride-free if lawmakers vote in favor of HB 81.
Rep. Stephanie Grisius, (R-utah), the bill’s sponsor said ABC4 This is designed to standardize how people take fluoride.
The bill would ban the addition of fluoride to public water systems and prevent local governments from enforcing ordinances that allow its use. This will also require Department of Health and Human Services to issue prescriptions for fluoride supplements.
Killed and Extinct Modifications of Indigenous Relatives
HB 125 would continue the efforts of the murderous and missing special indigenous group. Originally created in 2020The task force works with local tribes to better understand and ameliorate the injustices that disproportionately affect their communities. This includes establishing protocols, guiding community work and finding best practices for investigations into murdered and missing Indigenous people.
In 2023The task force reported that American Indians and Alaska Natives accounted for more than 5 percent of all homicide victims in Utah, despite making up 1.5 percent of the population.
Changing weather changes
Utah lawmakers want to give daylight savings to the trunk and stick to standard time year-round.
The House Government Operations Committee approved HB 120 on January 22 and will now proceed to a full house for debates.
He was a sponsor representative. Joseph Ellison (R-Toquerville) said the majority of Utahns are tired of moving their clocks twice a year. He said he doesn’t favor daylight saving time, but it would take federal action to move to daylight saving time.
If the bill passes, the change would take effect on January 1, 2026.
Changes to cannabis
HB 203 seeks to amend the rules on medical cannabis. It would create new licenses for independent medical cannabis dispensaries, but limit the number of licenses Ministry of Agriculture and Food may issue processing facilities.
The bill also deals with advertisements for medical cannabis pharmacies, prohibiting people from advertising discounts, medical results or specific products. However, advertisements for name and logo, location and hours, and educational materials will be permitted.
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