# Utah S.B. 149: Licensing Modifications Utah S.B. 149, Licensing Modifications, is a 2026 General Session Senate bill sponsored by Todd Weiler (Republican); status signed, last action 2026-03-17 (Governor Signed); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-14). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-SB149-2026GS - As of: 2026-10-14 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Utah S.B. 149 - State: Utah - Session: 2026 General Session - Title: Licensing Modifications - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2026-01-16 - Last action: 2026-03-17, Governor Signed - Sponsor: Todd Weiler (Republican) - Cosponsors: 1 - Subjects: Labor and Employment, Judicial Operations, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Department of Public Safety, Sunsets and Repealers, Bail/Pretrial Detention, Bureau of Criminal Identification, Occupational and Professional Licensing - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 14 (160 yes, 1 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 21 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Clients gain protections from investigator misconduct: benefit, medium. Beginning September 1, 2026, investigators cannot practice without a required license or exemption, obtain licenses through fraud, or hire unlicensed investigators. The law bars government impersonation and violating or helping violate laws, court orders, or injunctions during regulated work. It al… - Federal investigators get a licensing exemption: benefit, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, qualifying federal personnel can perform covered private investigation work without a Utah license. This covers armed forces, Public Health Service, Veterans Affairs, and other federal agency personnel. The work must be part of their federal job. They must hold a valid… - Prior training can ease agent licensing: benefit, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, the licensing division may create waivers for investigator experience requirements and bail-agent training or experience requirements. Applicants may qualify through an accredited criminal justice bachelor's degree, Utah peace officer basic training, or proven similar t… - Bail agents must notify local police: benefit, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, bail enforcement licensees must identify themselves when taking authorized action. For searches or apprehensions in occupied buildings, they must notify local police beforehand when possible, and always within four hours afterward. Before entering an occupied building t… - Stronger limits on investigator stalking exemptions: benefit, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, investigators lose the stalking-law exemption for conduct that can justify denying their license. Jail release court orders also count as protective orders under vehicle-tracking rules. The narrowed tracking exception requires a licensed investigator, a legitimate busin… - Bail licensing violations bring substantial fines: cost, high. The division can issue citations with fines up to $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for a second. A later continuing violation can bring fines up to $2,000 per day. Recipients have 20 days after service to request a hearing; the division may extend that deadline for cause. Otherwise, citations… - Bail agents face stricter licensing requirements: cost, medium. Beginning September 1, 2026, most bail-license applicants and applicable agency qualifiers must be at least 21, meet residency rules, and pass background checks. Listed convictions, supervision statuses, outstanding warrants, chapter violations, and peace-officer employment disqualify applicants; l… - Junior investigators must work under supervision: cost, medium. Beginning September 1, 2026, investigator registrants and apprentices must work as employees or contractors under a licensed agency agent's supervision. Registrants need 2,000 experience hours, including at least 1,000 within the past 10 years. Apprentices must be at least 18 and have no minimum ex… - New licensing rules for private investigators: cost, medium. Beginning September 1, 2026, private investigator agent applicants must meet licensing and exam requirements, pay an application fee, and maintain a surety bond. The department sets the fee; division rules set the bond amount. Agents need 5,000 qualifying experience hours; registrants need 2,000, i… - Private investigators face new entry rules: cost, medium. Beginning September 1, 2026, regulated private investigation work requires an agent, registrant, or apprentice license, unless a legal exception applies. Agents and registrants must be at least 21 and meet citizenship or legal-residency requirements. Applicants must provide fingerprints, pass backg… - Bail professionals face added legal duties: cost, medium. Beginning September 1, 2026, agency qualifiers share legal responsibility with licensees and can be held fully responsible for violations. Bail enforcement licensees cannot imply government ties without written government authorization and may possess only approved badge designs. Badge display must… - New licensing duties for bail businesses: cost, medium. Beginning September 1, 2026, covered bail work requires an agency, enforcement agent, recovery agent, or recovery apprentice license unless exempt. Bail agencies must apply, pay a department-set fee, and keep required liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and business registrations.… - Bail apprentices face supervised work limits: cost, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, bail recovery apprentices must be at least 18, meet general licensing rules, and pay an application fee. Applicants must name the bail agency that employs and supervises them. Apprentices must be employees of licensed enforcement or recovery agents and follow division s… - Bail licensees need training and classes: cost, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, bail-license applicants must complete at least 16 hours of approved initial training. Training covers searches, arrests, pursuit, transport, occupied-building entry, legal duties, people's rights, and ethics. Licensees carrying firearms for this work must hold a valid U… - Investigators need classes before license renewal: cost, low. For renewals on or after May 6, 2027, private investigator licensees must complete at least 16 hours of continuing instruction. The licensing division and board define the required instruction. Beginning September 1, 2026, the division may charge to review out-of-state education for approval. That… - Investigator and bail licensing changes offices: mixed, medium. The law replaces older investigator and bail-recovery licensing laws with new frameworks run by Utah's Division of Professional Licensing. On September 1, 2026, valid old investigator licenses count as matching new licenses, and holders must follow the new rules. Covered investigator and bail appli… - Investigator agencies gain a regulated path: mixed, medium. Beginning September 1, 2026, a licensed investigator agent in good standing can apply to run an agency. The agent cannot be a government employee or have conflicting activities. Applicants must show business registrations, general liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage for employee… - More court servers with cost safeguards: mixed, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, licensed investigator agents, registrants, and apprentices can serve papers issued by Utah courts. They no longer need visible credentials, but must say they are acting as process servers. Their name and license number must appear on the first page of every document ser… - Investigators get free identification with duties: mixed, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, the division issues investigator licensees identification cards at no charge. Licensees must carry them during regulated work, show their license to police or division staff on request, and return cards within five days after licensing ends. Agency workers must identify… - Investigator penalties support oversight and training: mixed, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, specified investigator violations or failure to obey a final citation are class A misdemeanors. Maximum fines are $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second, and $2,000 per day for a later continuing offense. The division can immediately suspend a license for a rea… - State oversight changes for licensed agents: mixed, low. Beginning September 1, 2026, the Security Services Licensing Board includes one licensed private investigator and one investigation agency owner. With board agreement, the director may use covered licensing collections for public and licensee training, investigations, and related legal representati… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Todd Weiler (Republican), Senate - Cosponsor: Clancy, Tyler ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-03-06 | House | House/ passed 3rd reading | pass | 60 | 1 | | | 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate/ concurs with House amendment | pass | 27 | 0 | | | 2026-02-26 | House | House Comm - Substitute Recommendation | pass | 9 | 0 | | | 2026-02-26 | House | House Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 9 | 0 | | | 2026-02-18 | Senate | Senate/ passed 3rd reading | pass | 24 | 0 | | | 2026-02-18 | Senate | Senate/ uncircled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-17 | Senate | Senate/ uncircled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-17 | Senate | Senate/ substituted | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-17 | Senate | Senate/ circled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-11 | Senate | Senate/ circled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-10 | Senate | Senate/ uncircled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-02-10 | Senate | Senate/ passed 2nd reading | pass | 25 | 0 | | | 2026-02-06 | Senate | Senate/ circled | fail | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-01-26 | Senate | Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation | pass | 6 | 0 | | ## Actions (50) - 2026-03-17: Governor Signed - 2026-03-13: Senate/ to Governor (Senate) - 2026-03-13: Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing (Senate) - 2026-03-12: Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing (Senate) - 2026-03-12: Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate - 2026-03-10: Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared - 2026-03-10: Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling - 2026-03-10: Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling (Senate) - 2026-03-10: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-03-07: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-07: House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate (House) - 2026-03-07: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ concurs with House amendment (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Senate/ received from House (Senate) - 2026-03-06: House/ to Senate (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ passed 3rd reading (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ 3rd reading (House) - 2026-03-06: House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar (House) - 2026-03-03: House/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules (House) - 2026-03-03: House/ 2nd reading (House) - 2026-03-03: House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar (House) - 2026-02-26: House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact (House) - 2026-02-26: House/ comm rpt/ substituted (House) - 2026-02-26: House Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-02-26: House Comm - Substitute Recommendation - 2026-02-24: House/ to standing committee (House) - 2026-02-20: House/ 1st reading (Introduced) (House) - 2026-02-19: House/ received from Senate (House) - 2026-02-19: Senate/ to House (Senate) - 2026-02-18: Senate/ passed 3rd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-18: Senate/ uncircled (Senate) - 2026-02-17: Senate/ circled (Senate) - 2026-02-17: Senate/ substituted (Senate) - 2026-02-17: Senate/ uncircled (Senate) - 2026-02-11: Senate/ circled (Senate) - 2026-02-11: Senate/ 3rd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Senate/ passed 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-02-10: Senate/ uncircled (Senate) - 2026-02-06: Senate/ circled (Senate) - 2026-02-06: Senate/ 2nd reading (Senate) - 2026-01-27: Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar (Senate) - 2026-01-27: Senate/ committee report favorable (Senate) - 2026-01-26: Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation - 2026-01-23: Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst (Senate) - 2026-01-21: Senate/ to standing committee (Senate) - 2026-01-20: Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced) (Senate) - 2026-01-19: Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research (Senate) - 2026-01-16: Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed ## Bill text - Enrolled, 2026-03-12: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/SB0149.pdf) - Substitute #2, 2026-02-23: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0149S02.pdf) - Substitute #1, 2026-02-13: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0149S01.pdf) - Introduced, 2026-01-16: [PDF](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0149.pdf) ## Related bills - H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments (signed) - H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments (signed) - H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments (signed) - H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments (signed) - H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments (signed) - H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments (signed) ## Sources - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/enrolled/SB0149.pdf) - [Substitute #2 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0149S02.pdf) - [Substitute #1 (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0149S01.pdf) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/introduced/SB0149.pdf) ## Related - [H.B. 94: Criminal Accounts Receivable Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB94-2026GS) - [H.B. 101: Firearm Background Check Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB101-2026GS) - [H.B. 178: School Zone Speeding Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB178-2026GS) - [H.B. 134: Offender Transfer Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB134-2026GS) - [H.B. 136: Unlicensed Driver Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB136-2026GS) - [H.B. 220: Public Safety Data Amendments](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-HB220-2026GS) - [Utah bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah/bills) - [Utah state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/utah) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/UT-SB149-2026GS (as of 2026-10-14).