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Yes: 216 • No: 3
UtahH.B. 4812026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Transportation Modifications
Sponsored By: Kay J. Christofferson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
CountiesBusinessEconomic DevelopmentClean FuelsMunicipalitiesPolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)State Tax CommissionRevenue and TaxationDriver LicenseRoads/HighwaysLicense PlatesMotor VehiclesRailroadsRight of WayTransportationDepartment of TransportationVehicle RegistrationPublic Transit DistrictsCounty and Municipal FinanceDivision of Motor VehiclesGovernor's Office of Economic OpportunityLocal Taxation and FeesPublic TransitReal Property
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
16 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 8 mixed.
Ongoing state road funding formula
Each year, the transportation department receives 30% of a computed Transportation Fund amount. The department must also transfer $500,000 each year to the State Park Access Highways Improvement Program. The department moves money at least quarterly for class B and class C roads, and pays related admin costs from these funds. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.
Local corridor fund and spending rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state creates the Local Highway and Transportation Corridor Preservation Fund. Money can come from local option fees, certain sales taxes, appropriations, donations, property revenue, and bonds; counties that levy the fee receive allocations. The fund can buy corridor land, pay interest and direct costs, and cover maintenance up to 5% of the purchase price. Counties, cities, or towns may run their allocations as a revolving loan fund and must set repayment terms. Councils of governments must issue one annual priority list using factors like growth, matching funds, and cost‑effectiveness, and counties should keep city/town allocations spent locally. Some money can support planning outside MPO areas (up to four years of allocations in 20 years). Transit uses cannot draw from constitutionally restricted motor‑fuel sources. Highway authorities may pledge fund revenues to repay bonds.
Local corridor funds: more uses, new limits
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state sends corridor fund money to counties that levy the listed local fees or taxes. Money spent on a state highway counts as a local match, and the state is not charged for assets unless there is a prior written agreement. Counties in classes 3–6 may use up to 50% of their current balance and up to 50% of current-year collections for class B or C road work and related survey monument repairs. A county may use the money for broader transportation projects only if the county and MPO agree there are no regionally significant corridor buys in the next 20 years and they review the plan at least every four years. To buy state highway right-of-way with these funds, a local authority must have required acquisition and access policies, or the department must agree in writing to acquire the property.
Clearer, easier‑to‑read license plates
Beginning July 1, 2026, you may not use a cover or frame that hides the state, any letter or number, or the decal on your plate. Plates must have an embossed edge, and the letters and numbers must be readable from 563 feet in daylight. The DMV will issue one decal that shows both the month and year (two 12‑month decals are allowed for 24‑month registrations). If your plate fades or peels due to a manufacturing defect, the DMV waives the replacement fee. Plates five years old or more are presumed not defective.
Optional invisible‑condition mark on IDs
Beginning May 6, 2026, you or your authorized guardian may ask the DMV to add a small symbol on your license or driving privilege card to note an invisible condition. You must provide written verification from a health care professional and sign a waiver to share limited information. A parent or legal guardian may request this for a child under 18. A legal guardian or conservator may request it for an adult.
Breaks for veterans and discontinued plates
Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible Purple Heart plates are exempt from the listed plate fees if issued on or before December 31, 2023, or issued under Part 16. If you already have a discontinued special group plate, you may keep using it. You do not have to pay the sponsor’s required contribution to renew it. The state may not transfer a discontinued plate to a new owner.
Clean fuel vehicle decal ends
Effective May 6, 2026, the state repeals the clean fuel vehicle decal law. This ends the program for people who hold or apply for the decal.
Higher costs for personalized and sponsored plates
Beginning July 1, 2026, a new personalized plate costs an extra $50 application fee plus a $25 processing fee, on top of the regular plate fee. Sponsored support plates must have at least a $25 yearly contribution, or more if the sponsor sets a higher minimum. If a sponsored plate has fewer than 250 subscribers, an added service fee can apply. Starting July 1, 2025, the $25 historical support plate contribution is split: $2 to the Utah State Historical Society and $23 to the Transportation Investment Fund of 2005.
Per-mile fees for alternative-fuel cars
If you enroll in the road usage program, you pay per mile. Beginning January 1, 2026, the rate is 1.25¢ per mile with caps of $180 a year or $139 for six months. Beginning January 1, 2027, the rate is 1.5¢ per mile with caps of $280 a year or $216 for six months. Starting in 2028, the state adjusts the rates and caps each year by inflation. Beginning July 1, 2026, the department may fine late payers and ask DMV to block registration until paid. Starting January 1, 2027, the commission may set different rates by vehicle type.
Sponsored plate fees, rules, and protections
Beginning July 1, 2026, the DMV sets sponsored‑plate fees and a minimum yearly contribution of at least $25; sponsors may require more. New plates need startup funding; redesigns need a fee and at least five years between changes. A plate needs 250 preorders before design starts; a state agency can skip that if the governor certifies a government purpose and startup funds exist. Sponsors must keep a website and use contributions only for the stated charitable purpose, not for salaries, admin, or fundraising; abortions are excluded from “charitable purpose.” A Utah major league team’s plate may direct contributions to a 501(c)(3) charity (with the same use limits) or to the Transportation Fund. The DMV reviews plates yearly and stops a plate if fewer than 50 vehicles have it for two straight years. No contribution is required for disability, vintage vehicle, or farm truck special plates.
New lane rules for safer travel
Beginning May 6, 2026, vehicles 18,001 pounds or more may not use the left‑most lane on freeways with three or more lanes, with limited exceptions. Highway authorities can post lane rules for safety, maintenance, or HOV use, and public transit vehicles may use HOV lanes regardless of rider count if federal law allows. Breaking the heavy‑vehicle left‑lane rule or a posted lane rule is an infraction.
What counts as alternative‑fuel vehicles
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law defines “alternative fuel vehicle” to include electric cars, hybrids, plug‑in hybrids, and vehicles powered only by fuels other than gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or propane. This is a definition used by other laws and programs.
New rules for plate designs
Beginning July 1, 2026, the DMV may offer up to four standard plate designs at once: two economy/geography, one values/culture, and one commemorative (up to five years). Non‑commemorative designs must stay available at least 10 years. The Governor’s Office can propose design changes and accept public ideas, but proposals go to the review board and must name the plate they replace. Colleges can design collegiate plates when DMV has central distribution, and they must pay design costs. Every special group plate must show “Utah,” the group’s name or slogan, and the plate’s letters or numbers; the DMV sets the look for historical and classic support plates.
UDOT roles and project rules updated
Beginning May 6, 2026, UDOT can help provide public transit, run a clean‑roads public service campaign, and lease transit facilities in the Cottonwood Canyons area. During construction of UDOT‑supervised commuter rail, cities and counties do not control land use on needed property; control returns after the project and warranty work are done. Any Cottonwood Canyons gondola project must follow the phasing in the federal record of decision. Certain safety reports and data used for crash‑safety planning are privileged and not admissible in damage lawsuits.
What counts as a mobile home
Starting July 1, 2026, a mobile home means a factory-built home made before June 15, 1976 under the older state code. This sets which older factory homes count as mobile homes for other laws.
Where your plate fees now go
Beginning January 1, 2025, $1 from most plate fees goes to the Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Restricted Account and $1 to the Transportation Fund. The rest goes to the License Plate Restricted Account. Effective May 6, 2026, the law repeals the License Plate Restricted Account. This changes where plate fee money is held and managed.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kay J. Christofferson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Wayne A. Harper
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 64 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 26 • No: 1
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ refuse to concur with Senate amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ refused to recede from Senate amendments
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate Conference Committee - Final Passage
Yes: 27 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 1
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 68 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/24/2026House/ to Governor
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/16/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/11/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/11/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/11/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/6/2026House Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/6/2026House/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate Conference Committee - Final Passage
3/6/2026Senate Motion to Adopt Joint Conference Comm Rpt
3/6/2026Senate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateConference Committee Report
3/6/2026Bill Substituted by Conference Committee
3/6/2026House/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse Conference Committee Appointed
3/6/2026House/ received from Senate
3/6/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #4
3/6/2026
Substitute #5
3/6/2026
Substitute #3
3/5/2026
Amended 2/25/2026 10:02:267
2/25/2026
Substitute #2
2/19/2026
Substitute #1
2/10/2026
Introduced
2/4/2026
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