All Roll Calls
Yes: 160 • No: 1
UtahS.B. 1492026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Licensing Modifications
Sponsored By: Todd Weiler (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Labor and EmploymentJudicial OperationsLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeDepartment of Public SafetySunsets and RepealersBail/Pretrial DetentionBureau of Criminal IdentificationOccupational and Professional Licensing
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
19 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 15 mixed.
New licenses and training for bail agents
Beginning 09/01/2026, you must hold a state license to do bail enforcement or recovery work. Most applicants must be 21 or older, be a citizen or legal resident, pass a background check, and have no disqualifying convictions. Bail enforcement agents need 2,000 hours of experience; bail recovery agents need 1,000 hours. You must complete at least 16 hours of initial training; firearms use also requires a concealed-carry permit and 16 hours of firearms training. Before renewal, you must finish at least 8 hours of continuing education. A surety bond is required and must stay active; a qualifier may be listed on the agency bond. Apprentices must be 18+, apply, and be employed and supervised by a bail bond agency. The division can give credit for prior criminal‑justice or POST training. The division issues a free ID card; you must carry it while working and return it within five days if your license ends.
New licensing rules for private investigators
Beginning 09/01/2026, you need a state license to do private investigation. Agent applicants must show 5,000 hours of experience; registrants need 2,000 hours, with 1,000 in the past 10 years; apprentices have no hours requirement. New agents must pass an exam and pay application fees. On or after 05/06/2027, you must complete at least 16 hours of continuing instruction before renewal. Registrants must keep a surety bond and may work only as employees or under contract and supervision of a licensed agent. The division can credit or waive parts of experience for a criminal‑justice degree, POST basic training, or similar training, and issues a free ID card you must carry and return when your license ends. The division uses standard state rules to refuse, suspend, or revoke a license. Existing valid PI licenses under the old law convert to the new system on 09/01/2026. Certain federal employees with a recognized out‑of‑state license may do covered work in federal duties without a Utah license.
Bail agencies must insure and register
Beginning 09/01/2026, a bail bond agency must apply, pay fees, and name a resident qualifier in good standing who has day‑to‑day authority. The agency must keep general liability and workers’ comp insurance and register with the corporations division, state tax and unemployment offices, and the IRS. The application includes an affidavit listing officers and certifying no listed convictions or warrants. If a qualifier stops doing their duties, the agency must notify the division within 15 days and replace the qualifier within 60 days.
New background checks and fingerprint fees
Beginning September 1, 2026, applicants for private investigator and bail licenses must submit fingerprints and consent to state and FBI background checks. The Division collects the state and FBI fingerprint fees, gets a signed waiver, and sends prints to the Bureau of Criminal Identification. The Division can revoke a license right away if a later check shows you failed to disclose criminal history, with a right to a hearing. The Bureau also removes listed fees for bail enforcement and private investigator licensing from its fee schedule.
Stronger enforcement and fines for bail
Beginning September 1, 2026, the Division can issue citations, try settlements, or require a hearing after finding a violation. Fines are up to $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second, and up to $2,000 per day for continued later violations. You have 20 days to ask for a hearing or the citation becomes final, and your license can be denied, suspended, revoked, or put on probation for not complying. The Division may immediately suspend a license when it finds an ongoing threat to health or safety, but it cannot impose most license sanctions by citation alone (except a cease‑and‑desist). The Division must issue any citation within one year of getting the report and enforces a list of unlawful and unprofessional acts. With board approval, licensing money also supports training, public education, investigations, and legal work.
PI agencies: insurance and state preemption
Beginning 09/01/2026, a private investigator agent who forms an agency must get an agency license, register with corporations, tax, unemployment, and IRS offices, and carry general liability and workers’ comp insurance. The agency license cannot be transferred and ends when the agent’s license ends. The division and board set operating standards, including uniforms, badges, and titles. Cities and counties may not make local licensing or training rules for work covered by this chapter; state rules control.
Stronger penalties and fine collections
Unlawful conduct or ignoring a final citation is a class A misdemeanor. The division may issue citations and fines: up to $1,000 for a first offense, up to $2,000 for a second, and up to $2,000 per day after that. The director may suspend a license immediately if there is an ongoing threat. Unpaid fines may be sent to collections or sued in district court; courts award attorney fees to the prevailing party. Fines are deposited as dedicated credits for the division, and the division may use collected program money for training, public education, and enforcement with board approval.
State preempts local bail regulations
Beginning September 1, 2026, state law replaces city and county rules on licensing, training, and regulation for bail‑bond activities. Local laws on those topics do not apply.
Pets protected during eviction enforcement
Beginning September 1, 2026, the law defines personal pets and production animals. During an eviction order, if a pet is present and the tenant is there, the officer must give the pet to the tenant. If the tenant is not there, animal control must take the pet within one business day and post notice. The landlord must give animal control the tenant’s name and last known contact info.
Licensed PIs can serve legal papers
Starting 09/01/2026, licensed PI agents, registrants, and apprentices, and some state investigators, may serve complaints, summonses, and subpoenas. Servers must be 18 or older, not a party to the case, and follow the service rules.
Uniform and ID limits for licensees
Beginning September 1, 2026, the Division sets rules for how licensed bail agencies and staff may use uniforms, badges, titles, and representations. Licensees cannot wear a uniform or use a title or ID that suggests federal, state, or local government affiliation without written permission from that authority.
Stronger stalking and tracking protections
Beginning September 1, 2026, emotional distress under the stalking law includes suffering from harm to an animal. A licensed private investigator who installs a tracker must tell the Division the purpose on request and may not share protective‑order confirmations except as allowed by law. If you are harmed by an unlawful tracker, you can sue to stop it, get damages if proven, recover attorney fees, and seek extra damages for malicious acts. The private‑investigator stalking exemption is narrowed if the investigator engaged in conduct that would justify denying a license.
Rules for investigator and bail apprentices
Beginning September 1, 2026, private investigator apprentices must be at least 18, file a Division form, pay a set fee, and work only as an employee of a licensed agent. A bail recovery apprentice whose agency lost its license can reinstate without a fee if they did not do the bad conduct and they show a new licensed agent now supervises them.
Tighter rules for serving legal papers
Beginning September 1, 2026, servers must state they are the process server and record date, time, name, address, and phone on the return. Private investigators may not arrest on a bench warrant while serving. Only police or appointed deputies may use force, and only if the document allows it or a breach of the peace is likely. People with certain sex‑offender felonies or current protective‑order respondents cannot serve. Courts may allow extra service fees above legal rates only if the court finds them justified.
Bail agency and insurer liability rules
Beginning September 1, 2026, acts by a bail bond producer under delegated authority count as the agency’s or insurer’s acts. Acts by a bail bond agency under an insurer’s authority count as the insurer’s acts. Agencies and insurers are not liable for actions by bail enforcement or recovery agents and apprentices. Sureties who surrender defendants must follow the Bail Bond Licensing Act.
Shift to new licensing system in 2026
On and after September 1, 2026, valid bail licenses under the old law convert to matching licenses under the new chapter. The law repeals the former private‑investigator and bail statutes. It also updates repeal dates across many code sections through 2033.
Bail agents must identify and notify police
When acting, a bail enforcement agent must identify themself to law enforcement at the first chance. Agents may carry a division‑approved badge, but must avoid accidental display and show it only with clear identifying clothing or when demonstrating authority. If an immediate apprehension leaves no chance to wear identification, the agent must identify and then put on identifying clothing or a badge as soon as possible. For searches or arrests in occupied buildings, agents must notify local law enforcement as soon as possible, ideally before acting, and always within four hours; before entry, they should verbally advise when practicable. Agents and apprentices must carry written proof of their authority and show it to police on request.
Tracking-device rules for private investigators
Beginning 09/01/2026, a licensed PI may install a tracking device for a legitimate business purpose. A device may not be installed on a vehicle owned by someone under a protective order, or when a protected co‑resident is the driver, unless a court authorizes it. Before installing, the PI must ask local law enforcement, the state BCI, or a court to confirm whether the owner or any co‑resident driver is under a protective order; the agency replies yes or no only.
Updated definition of Utah banks
Beginning September 1, 2026, a Utah depository institution is one with Utah as its home state or one that operates a branch in Utah. This changes which banks state rules apply to.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Todd Weiler
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Clancy, Tyler
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 27 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 60 • No: 1
House vote • 2/26/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/6/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/26/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/17/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/10/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/10/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/7/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/7/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/7/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ concurs with House amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ substituted
2/26/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #2
2/23/2026
Substitute #1
2/13/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026
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