ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT

New bill could prevent HOAs from fining over yellow grass

Feb 10, 2023, 7:30 PM

FILE - A bill that would make it illegal for HOAs to fine someone for yellow spots in their grass p...

FILE - A bill that would make it illegal for HOAs to fine someone for yellow spots in their grass passed its first hurdle Friday. In this April 9, 2021, file photo, sprinklers water grass near a street corner in the Summerlin neighborhood of northwest Las Vegas. effort to conserve water. (AP Photo/Ken Ritter, File)

(AP Photo/Ken Ritter, File)

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would make it illegal for HOAs to fine someone for yellow spots in their grass passed its first hurdle Friday.

If S.B. 191 sounds familiar, it’s because a very similar bill did pass last year.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Wayne Harper (R-Taylorsville), says they had to come back this year and clarify. He says some HOAs were still trying to fine people.

“Just saying no, you can’t fine them for conserving water,” he says.

If this bill passes, HOAs would also have to go through and adopt water-efficient landscaping by June 30, 2023.

Additionally, the bill says HOAs could charge a fee if a certain number of their units are transitioning over into rental units.

The bill passed unanimously in committee with no public comments. It is now on its way to the full Senate for consideration.

Devin Oldroyd contributed to this article.

Keep reading

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Elections, Politics, & Government

Plane carrying the deportees from the US arrives at the Roberts International Airport outside of Mo...

Mark Banchereau, Associated Press

US has sent deportees to many African countries, the latest one being Liberia. Here’s why

The Trump administration has deported thousands of people to two dozen countries that aren't those of the deportees, as it pushes ahead with its immigration crackdown,

2 days ago

Gov. Spencer Cox discusses Flock camera concerns at the PBS Utah Governor’s Monthly News Conferen...

Daniel Woodruff and Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL

Utah governor ‘deeply troubled’ by Flock camera concerns, orders privacy review

Amid heightened scrutiny on Flock cameras, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox orders two state entities to conduct a review.

2 days ago

The commissioner of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality said there are "major gaps" in Uta...

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL

Utah has ‘major gaps’ in regulating noise, temperature from new data centers, agency head says

An agency leader said there are "major gaps" in Utah's regulation of data center development, particularly when it comes to the impacts new projects will have on local temperatures and noise.

2 days ago

FILE: Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, at the Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on June 19, 20...

Bridger Beal-Cvetko and Daniel Woodruff, KSL

Utah Senate president threatens critics with defamation lawsuits

Utah Senate President Stuart Adams is threatening several critics with defamation lawsuits for comments made following his primary election defeat in June.

3 days ago

FILE: The Charles Hall Ferry in 2016. Citing diminishing use due to low water levels, Utah lawmaker...

Carter Williams, KSL

‘It’s run its course’: Utah ready to sell Lake Powell ferry as reservoir hits new low

Citing diminishing use due to low water levels, Utah lawmakers voted unanimously this week to begin permanently discontinuing the Lake Powell ferry.

3 days ago

Four gang members recently charged as part of a long-term investigation highlight a recent rash of ...

Pat Reavy, KSL

4 charged in ‘long-term investigation’ into Utah street gang

An alleged "shot caller" for his street gang, who is already facing a charge of attempted murder, has been charged again in connection with a long-term investigation by police.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this spo...

Bear Lake

Road trip ready: How Bear Lake became the go-to destination for Western U.S. travelers

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this sponsored guide—brought to you in partnership with Bear Lake —uncovers everything you need to plan the ultimate getaway.

How Harper Clinic's IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah....

Harper Clinic

A new standard of care: How Harper Clinic’s IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah

As demand for mental health care continues to rise across Utah County, Orem's Harper Clinic says it is trying to close the gap with a more comprehensive approach to mental health treatment.

The weight of depression is real. Many people spend years fighting it, adjusting medications, manag...

Harper Clinic

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic’s TMS Therapy can help

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic's TMS Therapy can help.

mental health...

Andrew Adams, KSL

Library discussions bring men’s mental health to the surface

Therapists say it’s common for men to repress things like trauma, grief, stress and anxiety. Now, a new weekly series of discussions aims to help men bring it all to the surface.

...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cozy up in Bear Lake: Discover the magic of a winter getaway

SALT LAKE CITY – The holiday season shines brightest when time slows down and loved ones gather. Gifts, decorations and festive music come and go, but shared experiences tend to last much longer. Research supports that idea. Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato told Psychology Today that vacations can strengthen relationships by creating meaningful time away from daily […]

...

Harper Clinic

Rewriting the path to healing: Inside Harper Clinic’s whole-person mental health model

OREM — A few decades ago, you’d have had a hard time finding a doctor to treat both your mind and body; And a century ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a doctor to treat your mind at all. Today, medical professionals are understanding more and more the undeniable connection between the body and […]

New bill could prevent HOAs from fining over yellow grass