All Roll Calls
Yes: 185 • No: 0
UtahH.B. 4442026 General SessionHouse
State Land Access Road Amendments
Sponsored By: Troy Shelley (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Trust LandsCountiesState LandsRecordingsBusinessLand UseNatural ResourcesPublic LandsWildlifeOpen and Public MeetingsLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticePolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)Public SafetyGovernment Operations (State Issues)Roads/HighwaysMotor VehiclesTransportationWeaponsOff-highway VehiclesIndependent EntitiesReal PropertySchool and Institutional Trust Land AdministrationNotice Requirements
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
More safeguards before counties abandon roads
Counties cannot abandon class D roads that benefit the state or provide public-land access. Roads serving only private land beyond the abandonment point require every affected owner's written agreement. The county must give the department 180 days' written notice and obtain its approval. A public hearing is required, with published notice for at least four weeks and mailed notice to the department and abutting owners at least four weeks beforehand. A qualifying proposal must also appear on a public meeting agenda and the state public notice website at least 30 days before that meeting. The county cannot vote until at least 30 days after the meeting. Abandonment must preserve reasonable access to existing rights-of-way and easements, including water infrastructure and public utilities.
Dune riders get more flag choices
Off-highway vehicle riders on division-designated sand dunes can use a safety flag of any color, not just red or orange. Flags must still measure at least 6 by 12 inches. Vehicle-mounted flags must stand at least 8 feet above the ground. Headgear-mounted flags must extend at least 18 inches above the rider's head.
Public access survives state land sales
Before selling or exchanging a wildlife management area, the wildlife division must record every road on or across it with the county. The transaction must honor public access rights in place at that time. State-land sales and exchanges must also honor access rights from when the state acquired the land and throughout state ownership. This protects access rights beyond just those existing at the sale date.
Road records help protect land access
The trust-land director and state public lands advisor must identify and record public roads to help protect public-land access. The law sets a January 5, 2026 deadline for Carbon, Garfield, Grand, Kane, San Juan, Uintah, and Wayne Counties. In all other counties, the work proceeds as funding and staffing allow. Those other counties have no completion deadline.
Shooting ban protects more road signs
Beginning May 6, 2026, improperly firing a dangerous weapon at a sign on any highway is a class B misdemeanor. The protection is no longer limited to state highway signs. Courts must report convictions to the Driver License Division and state any license-revocation length required by existing law.
Stronger protection for public road access
Routes used or built for public travel by vehicles with four or more wheels can qualify as class D roads without past maintenance. Class A, B, and C roads and R.S. 2477 rights-of-way are excluded. The state and county share ownership of class D road rights-of-way unless either has vacated and abandoned its interest. The department cannot abandon roads that benefit the state or provide access to public land or private land beyond the abandonment point. People cannot place locks or gates on these rights-of-way when they serve multiple-use lands or private property.
Time limits protect access during repairs
Beginning May 6, 2026, temporary class B or D road closures to fix nearby land damage require yearly approval. Closures must end within two years of the first closure or when the repair work is complete, whichever comes first. These limits apply to closures used to correct or reduce damage to public or private land resources.
Fewer road titles pass to neighbors
Beginning May 6, 2026, the rule transferring road title after more than 50 years of discontinued public use has exceptions. It does not transfer roads on land owned by public entities or Utah public colleges and universities. Cities also keep title when local highway authorities close roads to vehicles through the law's temporary or indefinite closure procedures. Adjoining owners do not gain title through these rules.
Class D roads get shooting exception
Beginning May 6, 2026, the improper-discharge offense excludes firing a dangerous weapon from, on, or across a class D road. That highway-based restriction still covers other highways. This exception does not remove separate restrictions, such as firing from a vehicle or at a highway sign.
Counties lose veto over wildlife-road closures
The wildlife division must coordinate with the county before permanently closing a wildlife management area road through a management plan. County consent is no longer required. Coordination alone does not guarantee that the road stays open.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Troy Shelley
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Keven J. Stratton
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 66 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 66 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026House/ 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/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ returned to Rules
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
3/2/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
3/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Amended 3/6/2026 21:03:729
3/6/2026
Amended 2/25/2026 10:02:700
2/25/2026
Substitute #2
2/20/2026
Substitute #1
2/9/2026
Introduced
1/30/2026