All Roll Calls
Yes: 142 • No: 37
UtahS.B. 2012026 General SessionSenate
Shelter Animal Euthanasia Amendments
Sponsored By: Keith Grover (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AnimalsPolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)Governmental Nonprofit Corporations
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Placement-first rules for shelter euthanasia
Beginning May 6, 2026, shelters must try placement before euthanasia. An animal may be euthanized only after the legal holding period ends, no reasonable alternative exists, and the shelter sends notice to shelters and rescue groups that asked to get at-risk animals. Adoption, transfer, placement in a community cat program, or owner reclaim all count as alternatives. After notice, those groups have two business days to request a transfer and two business days to pick up the animal; these windows can run during the holding period. A shelter may use its own notice procedures. Rescue groups must watch their messages and any online forum they run for placement notices. Euthanasia can happen sooner only to stop needless suffering or for dogs ruled dangerous or vicious.
Shelters can refuse risky rescue groups
Beginning May 6, 2026, a shelter may withhold notice or refuse release to a rescue group if it knows or has reason to believe the group’s leaders or staff have animal cruelty or neglect convictions, have pending cruelty charges, or the group is under a court order that limits taking in or keeping animals. The law does not require shelters to investigate or verify those histories or orders. If a shelter acts in good faith on the information it has, it is not liable for acts or omissions under this section.
Who counts as shelters and rescues
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law defines who is covered. An animal organization includes animal shelters and animal rescue groups. An animal rescue group includes a private humane society or private animal welfare group. An animal shelter does not include those private groups. These definitions decide who must follow the holding, notice, and transfer rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Keith Grover
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Anthony E. Loubet
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ floor amendment failed
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 25 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 44 • No: 28
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ floor amendment failed
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/2/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 3/2/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 4
House vote • 2/25/2026
House Comm - Held
Yes: 6 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 2
House vote • 1/30/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 1
House vote • 1/30/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2026Senate/ 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
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ 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/ floor amendment failed
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ floor amendment failed
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/3/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #2
3/2/2026
Substitute #1
1/30/2026
Introduced
1/26/2026