HB 376 passed unanimously (12-0) through a House committee on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. The bill allocates increased funding for Utah State University’s (USU) Utah Forest Restoration Institute (UFRI). The bill also establishes funding for collaboration with fellow environmental organization Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI).
HB 376 would allow these partnering institutes to conduct research into forest and watershed health and coordinate to fund restoration projects.
Public comment
Various environmental organization officials from organizations such as Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Trout Unlimited spoke in support of the bill.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Carl Albrecht, said the bill would allow for better transparency in regards to wildfire relief funds. Albrecht added that the addition of a university partnership would allow for students to be more active within the institute. “It gives the students in the Institute a real seat at the table. Because what are we doing? We’re building the next generation of proactive stewards on our lands,” he said.
Tyler Thompson, Watershed Restoration Initiative Director, said the bill would allow for more streamlined collaboration between the WRI and UFRI. “[We] feel like this bill just kind of formalizes an already informal relationship that we have with the Forest Restoration Institute,” he added.
According to a January 2026 report from USU, the risk of wildfire will increase by 60% by 2050, if current climate trends continue. Justin Shannon, Division of Wildlife Resources employee, said increased funding for wildfire relief would allow for rehabilitation for affected wildlife. “I think the more restoration work we can do on Utah’s landscape, especially our summer ranges, is going to help wildlife in the state,” Shannon said.
Sierra Nelson, the vice chair of the Utah Sportsman’s Caucus Advisory Council, also spoke to the bill’s potential rehabilitation for wildlife. She described the bill as a “win” for wildlife in the state. “Having the ability to have boots on the ground people make decisions, and be able to help out with these wildfires is going to be amazing,” she added.
University funding allocations
The bill allocated $4.5 million from the Utah Income Tax Fund — a fund consisting of all income tax revenue in the state. The fund goes towards public and higher education. “Having [the institute] be at Utah State, which is going to be training the next generation of land managers, is a critical step,” said Rep. Casey Snider. “WRI has probably been one of the most successful programs this state has ever implemented,” he added.
