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HB 136UTAHSession 2026State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Utah Revises Vehicle Impound Rules, Driver License Penalties, and Law Enforcement Fingerprint Procedures

Original title: Unlicensed Driver Amendments

Last action · March 26, 2026: Governor SignedSponsors: Matt MacPherson and 12 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

Utah enacts HB 136 to mandate vehicle impoundment for drivers lacking valid credentials or involved in road rage, increase impound and administrative testing fees, and require on-duty law enforcement officers to carry portable biometric capture devices by January 1, 2028. The measure takes effect primarily on May 6, 2026, with specific towing provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Unlicensed drivers face mandatory vehicle seizure, higher administrative fees starting at $600, and mandatory ing checks during traffic stops, while police departments must equip officers with portable biometric devices and ensure citation software supports biometric data submission.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Motor vehicle operators

Operators face mandatory vehicle seizure, higher administrative fees, and fingerprinting requirements if stopped without valid driving credentials.

Directly affected

Law enforcement agencies

Agencies must enforce mandatory vehicle impoundments for unverified drivers and ensure all on-duty officers carry portable biometric capture devices by January 1, 2028.

Directly affected

Tow truck operators and motor carriers

Towing providers must submit electronic removal reports before charging storage fees and must permit retrieval of life-essential items.

Directly affected

Vehicle owners

Owners are responsible for towing, impound, and storage expenses when their vehicles are impounded and may face vehicle sale if unrecovered after 30 days.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a driver is stopped without a driver license or valid credential?
A peace officer must query the Utah Criminal Justice Information system, and if no valid can be verified, the officer must seize and take possession of the vehicle, subject to certain safety and operational exceptions.
Are there exceptions where an officer does not have to impound a vehicle for lack of a driving credential?
Yes. An officer is not required to seize the vehicle if the operator's credential is simply expired, seizure creates a public safety hazard, the operator is under 18 years old, or another qualified occupant or licensed person is available to drive the vehicle.
Can I retrieve personal property from my impounded vehicle before paying towing and storage fees?
Yes. Tow truck operators, motor carriers, and impound yards must allow you to take possession of life-essential items during normal business hours without requiring payment of towing, impound, or storage fees.
When must law enforcement officers be equipped with portable biometric capture devices?
Law enforcement agencies must ensure that every on-duty officer outside of the agency facility is supplied with a portable biometric capture device no later than January 1, 2028.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

93 actions
  1. Mar 26, 2026Lieutenant Governor's office for filingEnrolled
    Governor Signed
  2. Mar 12, 2026House
    House/ to Governor
  3. Mar 12, 2026House
    House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
  4. Mar 11, 2026House
    House/ enrolled bill to Printing
  5. Mar 11, 2026Clerk of the House
    Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
  6. Mar 6, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
    Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
Show 87 earlier actions
  1. Mar 6, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel / Enrolling
    Bill Received from House for Enrolling
  2. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
  3. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ received from Senate
  4. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ to House
  5. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
  6. Mar 6, 2026Senate
    Senate/ received from House
  7. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ to Senate
  8. Mar 6, 2026Senate President
    House Conference Committee - Final Passage
  9. Mar 6, 2026Conference Committee
    House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
  10. Mar 6, 2026House
    House/ received from Senate
  11. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ to House
  12. Mar 5, 2026Conference Committee
    Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage
  13. Mar 5, 2026Conference Committee
    Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
  14. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ received from House
  15. Mar 5, 2026Conference Committee
    Conference Committee Report
  16. Mar 5, 2026Conference Committee
    Bill amended by Conference Committee
  17. Mar 5, 2026Conference Committee
    Bill Substituted by Conference Committee
  18. Mar 5, 2026House
    House/ to Senate
  19. Mar 5, 2026Conference Committee
    House Conference Committee Appointed
  20. Mar 5, 2026House
    House/ received from Senate
  21. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ to House
  22. Mar 5, 2026Conference Committee
    Senate Conference Committee Appointed
  23. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ refused to recede from Senate amendments
  24. Mar 5, 2026House
    House/ to Senate
  25. Mar 5, 2026House
    House/ refuse to concur with Senate amendment
  26. Mar 5, 2026House
    House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
  27. Mar 5, 2026House
    House/ received from Senate
  28. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ to House with amendments
  29. Mar 5, 2026SenateFloor
    Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
  30. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ uncircled
  31. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ circled
  32. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ uncircled
  33. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ circled
  34. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
  35. Mar 5, 2026Senate
    Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
  36. Mar 4, 2026Senate
    Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
  37. Mar 3, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0136S05
  38. Mar 2, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0136S05
  39. Feb 27, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0136S05
  40. Feb 27, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0136S05
  41. Feb 26, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0136S04
  42. Feb 26, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0136S04
  43. Feb 25, 2026Senate
    Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
  44. Feb 25, 2026Senate
    Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted/ amended
  45. Feb 24, 2026Senate
    Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
  46. Feb 24, 2026Senate
    Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
  47. Feb 24, 2026Senate
    Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
  48. Feb 24, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0136S04
  49. Feb 24, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0136S04
  50. Feb 23, 2026SenateCommittee
    Senate/ to standing committee
  51. Feb 13, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0136S03
  52. Feb 12, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0136S03
  53. Feb 12, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0136S02
  54. Feb 12, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0136S02
  55. Feb 10, 2026SenateIntroduced
    Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
  56. Feb 9, 2026Senate
    Senate/ received from House
  57. Feb 9, 2026House
    House/ to Senate
  58. Feb 9, 2026HouseFloor
    House/ passed 3rd reading
  59. Feb 9, 2026House
    House/ substitute adoption failed
  60. Feb 9, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0136S03
  61. Feb 9, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0136S03
  62. Feb 9, 2026House
    House/ substituted
  63. Feb 9, 2026House
    House/ uncircled
  64. Feb 9, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0136S02
  65. Feb 9, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0136S02
  66. Feb 5, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0136S01
  67. Feb 4, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0136S01
  68. Feb 4, 2026House
    House/ circled
  69. Feb 4, 2026House
    House/ 3rd reading
  70. Feb 3, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0136S01
  71. Feb 3, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0136S01
  72. Jan 29, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0136
  73. Jan 28, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0136
  74. Jan 26, 2026House
    House/ 2nd reading
  75. Jan 26, 2026House
    House/ comm rpt/ amended
  76. Jan 23, 2026House
    House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
  77. Jan 23, 2026House
    House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
  78. Jan 22, 2026HouseCommittee
    House/ to standing committee
  79. Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroduced
    House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
  80. Jan 20, 2026House
    House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
  81. Jan 18, 2026Released
    LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0136
  82. Jan 18, 2026Version Sponsor
    LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0136
  83. Jan 14, 2026House
    House/ received bill from Legislative Research
  84. Jan 5, 2026Legislative Fiscal Agency
    LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0136
  85. Jan 5, 2026Legislative Fiscal Analyst
    LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0136
  86. Jan 5, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
    Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
  87. Jan 5, 2026Legislative Research and General Counsel
    Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Matt MacPhersonHouse · District 26RepublicanPrimary sponsor
Tiara AuxierHouse · District 4RepublicanCosponsor
Clancy, T.HouseCosponsorNo profile match
Paul CutlerHouse · District 18RepublicanCosponsor
Stephanie GriciusHouse · District 50RepublicanCosponsor
Show 8 more sponsors
Gwynn, M.HouseCosponsorNo profile match
Trevor LeeHouse · District 16RepublicanCosponsor
Karianne LisonbeeHouse · District 14RepublicanCosponsor
Cory MaloyHouse · District 52RepublicanCosponsor
Jordan TeuscherHouse · District 44RepublicanCosponsor
Ryan WilcoxHouse · District 7RepublicanCosponsor
Dan McCaySenate · District 18RepublicanCosponsor
Dan McCaySenate · District 18RepublicanCosponsor

Discoveries

2 patterns noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift99% confidence

Mandatory Biometric Deployment Timeline

The state has established a firm deadline of January 1, 2028, for law enforcement agencies to equip all on-duty officers with portable biometric capture devices.

financial connection99% confidence

Administrative Impound Fee Restructuring

Increases in administrative impound and testing fees route specific portions of revenue to dedicated credits, the Department of Public Safety Restricted Account, the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and the State Laboratory Drug Testing Account.

Motor Vehicle DivisionState Tax Commission

Connected Entities

State Tax Commission, Office of Recovery Services, Tiara Auxier and 12 more
OrganizationState Tax Commission“Makes rules setting standards for public garages and impound lots”Map →
OrganizationOffice of Recovery Services“Orders license suspensions”Map →
PersonTiara Auxier“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonKarianne Lisonbee“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonA. Cory Maloy“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonTyler Clancy“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
OrganizationMotor Vehicle Division“Receives impound reports and issues notices and certificates of sale”Map →
PersonJordan D. Teuscher“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonMatthew H. Gwynn“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonRyan D. Wilcox“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonStephanie Gricius“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonMatt MacPherson“Chief Sponsor of HB 136 in the lower house”Map →
PersonPaul A. Cutler“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonTrevor Lee“Cosponsor of HB 136”Map →
PersonDaniel McCay“Senate Sponsor of HB 136”Map →

Sources

Open source document

le.utah.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance75
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy45
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz35
    Current news / social attention level

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