Determination of Town Abandonment
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects |
Concerning the abandonment of a town that has critical water infrastructure for the residents of the town, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
Bill Summary:
The act allows for a county, a landowner in the town, or a registered elector in the town to apply to the secretary of state (secretary) to determine a town is abandoned when a town:
- Has no board of trustees or town clerk;
- Is unable to hold an election; and
- Owns or operates infrastructure critical for the treatment or delivery of water to residents.
The act authorizes the department of public health and environment to transfer up to $100,000 from the small communities water and wastewater grant fund to the department of public safety to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of a town's water system if an application for abandonment of the town has been filed with the secretary and the town has a water system that is failing or is likely to fail.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Prime Sponsors
Senator
Rod Pelton
Senator
Nick Hinrichsen
Representative
Ty Winter
Representative
Matthew Martinez
Committees
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Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/15/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer Senate Bill 26-157 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 11-0. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer Senate Bill 26-157 to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 12-0. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| J.001 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-157, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.001 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 26-157, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. | Vote summary |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/09/2026 | Third Reading | BILL |
63
AYE
0
NO
2
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/29/2026 | Third Reading | BILL |
34
AYE
0
NO
1
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 05/26/2026 | Governor | Governor Signed |
| 05/21/2026 | Governor | Sent to the Governor |
| 05/21/2026 | House | Signed by the Speaker of the House |
| 05/21/2026 | Senate | Signed by the President of the Senate |
| 05/09/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 05/08/2026 | House | House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 05/07/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments |
| 05/07/2026 | House | House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 05/05/2026 | House | House Committee on Transportation, Housing & Local Government Refer Unamended to Appropriations |
| 04/29/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation, Housing & Local Government |
| 04/29/2026 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/28/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 04/28/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 04/22/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Local Government & Housing Refer Amended to Appropriations |
| 04/08/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government & Housing |
Prime Sponsor
Sponsor
Co-Sponsor
| Effective Date | Chapter # | Title | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/26/2026 | 147 | Determination of Town Abandonment |