All Roll Calls
Yes: 149 • No: 26
UtahS.B. 2922026 General SessionSenate
Autonomous Systems Amendments
Sponsored By: Kirk A. Cullimore (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Judicial OperationsLegislative OperationsSunsets and RepealersMotor VehiclesTransportationAutonomous VehiclesCivil Procedure
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Fewer claim options for automated-driving victims
Beginning May 6, 2026, Level 4 or 5 system makers and developers are shielded from negligence claims for covered injuries, deaths, and property damage. The shield applies while the system is engaged in an equipped or dedicated vehicle. Negligent design, development, testing, manufacture, and deployment claims instead count as product-liability claims; product-liability and separate driverless-operation claims remain available. A claimant's own fault can reduce recovery. Punitive damages—money meant to punish wrongdoing—are barred in Level 4 or 5 cases under Utah's liability-limits chapter.
Tougher defect cases for automated-driving victims
Beginning May 6, 2026, victims alleging Level 4 or 5 operating defects must prove two points as more likely than not. A reasonable, workable alternative design existed when the system was designed and made, and the system causes more injuries overall than humans doing similar tasks. Systems are presumed defect-free if they met federal safety, bumper, and theft-prevention standards at manufacture and were authorized in Utah; victims can challenge that presumption. Makers and developers can defeat design, manufacturing, or warning claims by showing compliance with scientific and technical knowledge and circumstances at manufacture, or fewer injuries overall than humans doing the same activity. The law repeals that defense on July 1, 2030.
Safety and operating rules for automated vehicles
Beginning May 6, 2026, Utah defines automated vehicles using Level 3–5 categories from an April 2021 industry standard. Dedicated driverless vehicles must be designed exclusively for Level 4 or 5 operation within their system's operating limits. Automated driving systems must meet federal vehicle safety, bumper, and theft-prevention standards in effect when the vehicle is made. When engaged in an equipped vehicle, the system counts as the operator and is responsible for lawful operation. The system does not need an operator license.
Automated-driving liability protections end in 2030
On July 1, 2030, the law repeals Utah's special liability limits for automated vehicles, including the negligence shield and punitive-damages ban. It also repeals specified automated-driving definitions, special product-defect rules, and the defense based on knowledge at manufacture or lower overall injuries. This ends those limits on victims' claims and those protections for makers and other covered defendants.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kirk A. Cullimore
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jordan D. Teuscher
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
Yes: 24 • No: 2
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 55 • No: 15
House vote • 3/4/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 5
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 24 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/20/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026Senate/ 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/ 3rd reading
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ comm rpt/ substituted
3/4/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/4/2026House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
3/4/2026
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #2
3/4/2026
Substitute #1
2/26/2026
Introduced
2/12/2026