All Roll Calls
Yes: 143 • No: 3
UtahH.B. 242026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Criminal Penalty Amendments
Sponsored By: Ryan D. Wilcox (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Motor Vehicle InsuranceEducationK-12 EducationCrimesLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeMotor VehiclesTransportationFinesTraffic Violations
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Insurance convictions trigger driver license suspensions
Beginning May 6, 2026, covered vehicle-security convictions require Utah’s Department of Public Safety to suspend the driver’s license. The department cannot issue or renew a license until the driver provides proof of required insurance or other financial security. The department must keep that proof for three years. If coverage becomes invalid during that period, suspension applies for the remaining period until proof covering that remainder is provided. Insurers providing certificates under Sections 41-12a-402 or 41-12a-403 must report policy terminations to the department within 10 days.
Drivers face fines but retain defenses
Beginning May 6, 2026, drivers who lack immediately available proof of required vehicle insurance or other financial security and fail to show it when an officer asks commit a class C misdemeanor. The minimum fine is $400, rising to $1,000 for a repeat offense within three years of a prior conviction. Courts can waive up to $300 for owners who obtain required coverage after the violation but before sentencing. Drivers charged only with failing to carry and show proof have a defense if coverage existed at citation or arrest. The carry-and-show rule excludes specified government-owned or leased vehicles and employer-owned or leased vehicles driven with the employer’s permission.
Lower penalties for some driving offenses
Driving 21–29 mph in a reduced-speed, 20-mph school zone is an infraction; driving 30 mph or faster remains a class C misdemeanor. Repeat school-zone speeding rules apply within three years of a prior conviction; bail forfeiture alone no longer counts. This narrows which past events trigger repeat-offense fines, required service, and conviction-record consequences. Beginning May 6, 2026, careless driving is an infraction instead of a class C misdemeanor. Covered conduct includes two or more moving violations during continuous driving of three miles or less, or a covered moving violation while distracted by an unrelated activity inside the vehicle.
Drivers gain digital proof and privacy protections
Beginning May 6, 2026, drivers can show required insurance or other financial-security proof on paper or a mobile device. Officers cannot view unrelated device content, but face no civil liability or criminal penalties under this section for accidental viewing. Insurance cards cannot show the owner’s or operator’s address. State insurance database records control over specified renewal notices and insurance cards, and over other listed motorboat-security proof. Officers cannot cite or arrest drivers solely for failing to carry and show proof when the database shows the driver or vehicle is insured.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ryan D. Wilcox
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Calvin R. Musselman
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/3/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/3/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/3/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/3/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/3/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/27/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/27/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/27/2026SenateSenate/ placed back on 3rd Reading Calendar
2/26/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd reading
2/18/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/17/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/17/2026SenateSenate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/12/2026Senate Comm - Not Considered
2/9/2026Senate/ to standing committee
2/6/2026SenateSenate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/3/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/3/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/3/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/3/2026
Amended 2/5/2026 11:02:822
2/5/2026
Substitute #2
1/29/2026
Amended 1/26/2026 10:01:989
1/26/2026
Substitute #1
1/22/2026
Introduced
12/4/2025