H.B. 376: Land Management Funding Amendments

About this bill

Signed by the governor on March 25, 2026. This bill addresses funding for watershed restoration and forest health.

• Defines terms
• Establishes the Utah Forest Restoration Institute (institute) in connection with Utah State University
• Provides funding to the institute
• Requires the institute to: conduct research as provided by state and federal law; study how the state can improve forest and watershed health; recommend mitigation strategies that reduce the risks and impact of wildfire; coordinate with the Watershed Restoration Initiative to fund watershed and forest restoration projects; review and respond to, in a timely manner, an emergency request for funding a watershed restoration project in response to a natural disaster; and monitor the long-term effectiveness of watershed and forest restoration projects
• Requires the Watershed Restoration Initiative to: coordinate funding decisions with the institute on partnership watershed restoration projects; coordinate the long-term monitoring of a watershed restoration project with the institute; collect data required by the institute; provide research and learning opportunities for higher education students and faculty associated with the institute; and submit an annual report to the institute and two legislative committees
• Makes technical and conforming changes

Full bill page: steps, fiscal note and sponsors · Chief sponsor Carl R. Albrecht