All Roll Calls
Yes: 138 • No: 3
UtahS.B. 552025 General SessionSenate
Unauthorized Use of Real Property Amendments
Sponsored By: Heidi Balderree (Republican)
Signed by Governor
BusinessReal EstateLandlord -- TenantDispute ResolutionCourtsLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeReal Property
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Owners gain faster removal of trespassers
Beginning May 7, 2025, Utah owners or authorized agents can request immediate law-enforcement removal of unlawful occupants. They must submit a verified complaint and proof of ownership or authority, after directing the person to leave. The person must have entered and stayed unlawfully, and the property cannot have been open to the public when entered. This route excludes current or former tenants with owner-authorized written rental agreements and the owner's immediate family. It also excludes cases with pending property-related litigation between the parties. After verifying ownership and entitlement to relief, officers must serve notice or direct departure and restore possession without delay. Officers must record identity verification and may arrest for trespass, outstanding warrants, or other offenses. After notice, owners can request officers stand by while locks are changed and belongings moved near the property line.
Wrongfully removed occupants gain damage claims
Beginning May 7, 2025, people harmed by wrongful removal under this procedure can seek an expedited trial to regain possession. They can recover actual costs and damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees. They can also recover statutory damages equal to three times the dwelling's fair-market rent. Law enforcement is not liable for property loss, destruction, or damage under this procedure. Owners and agents have similar protection for personal property, but only when the removal was not wrongful.
Unauthorized property deals become felony offenses
Beginning May 7, 2025, knowingly advertising a Utah home for sale without legal title or authority is a second-degree felony. Knowingly selling, leasing, or mortgaging real property without title or authority carries the same felony classification.
Trespassers face felony and money penalties
Beginning May 7, 2025, unlawful entry or remaining on Utah property causing at least $1,500 in damage or financial loss is a second-degree felony. This applies when the conduct is not burglary and excludes that conduct from the specified criminal-trespass rule. Trespass rules also cover an entire drone entering or remaining without permission over private property not open to the public. They cover unlawful entry or remaining with intent to annoy, injure, damage property, or commit a non-theft, non-felony crime. Recklessly causing fear for another's safety is also covered, and notice can come through direct communication, fencing, or signs. Intent-based violations are generally class B misdemeanors; reckless-fear violations are infractions. Class A enhancements include living in a dwelling, accompanying offenses listed in the law, and entering an opposite-sex-designated privacy space. Restitution is required, and owners or their assignees can separately pursue civil damages. Statutory damages can equal three times the damage or $500, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees capped at $250 and court costs.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Heidi Balderree
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Karianne Lisonbee
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/19/2025
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 63 • No: 2
House vote • 2/19/2025
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2025
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2025
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 10 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/3/2025
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/3/2025
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/3/2025
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/24/2025
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/23/2025
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/22/2025
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/22/2025
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/25/2025Senate/ to Governor
3/12/2025SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2025SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/6/2025SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/6/2025Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/21/2025Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
2/21/2025Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
2/19/2025SenateSenate/ received from House
2/19/2025SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/19/2025HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
2/19/2025HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
2/19/2025HouseHouse/ uncircled
2/19/2025HouseHouse/ circled
2/19/2025HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
2/19/2025HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
2/13/2025HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/13/2025HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/12/2025HouseHouse/ to standing committee
2/7/2025HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/4/2025HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/3/2025HouseSenate/ to House
2/3/2025SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/3/2025SenateSenate/ substituted
2/3/2025SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/3/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/6/2025
Substitute #2
2/3/2025
Substitute #1
1/22/2025
Introduced
1/2/2025