Lawmakers say they will 'pause' major water-policy shifts while defending Great Salt Lake funding

Reporters asked whether this session amounts to a moratorium on water bills. The Speaker said the legislative approach is to pause large structural shifts to centuries-old water policy while continuing incremental changes that refine prior reforms. "We're going to first pause on major water policy shifts," he said, adding that several water bills this session are intended to "fine tune" earlier actions and to protect water rights and the Great Salt Lake.

A reporter said the pause could prompt headlines about drought. The Speaker acknowledged the risk and emphasized ethical implementation: "Anytime you take and shift centuries of water policy, I think it's important that we do both, do so ethically. We make sure that we're protecting people's water rights. We're making sure that we're protecting the Great Salt Lake." He said the 1980s-era policy framework required navigation and that changes now should be thoughtful.

Reporters also asked about a reported pause by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on a $50,000,000 investment for the Great Salt Lake. The Speaker said the new federal administration appears to be pausing many initiatives and that state officials will "continue to work with our federal partners to make our case" for the funding.

The transcript includes references to staff and legislators (Rex Hester named as someone who can provide more detail) but does not include text of the water bills, specific fiscal impacts, or vote records in the session text. Lawmakers said they will continue discussions and oversight as bills advance through committee.