53-1-106. Department duties -- Powers.
(1) In addition to the responsibilities contained in this title, the department shall: make rules and perform the functions specified in Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code, including: setting performance standards for towing companies to be used by the department, as required by Section; and 41-6a-1406 advising the Department of Transportation regarding the safe design and operation of school buses, as required by Section; 41-6a-1304 make rules to establish and clarify standards pertaining to the curriculum and teaching methods of a motor vehicle accident prevention course under Section; 31A-19a-211 aid in enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking; meet with the Division of Technology Services to formulate contracts, establish priorities, and develop funding mechanisms for dispatch and telecommunications operations; provide assistance to the Department of Criminal Justice and the Office for Victims of Crime in conducting research or monitoring victims' programs, as required by Subsection; 75E-5-203(2) develop sexual assault exam protocol standards in conjunction with the Utah Hospital Association; engage in emergency planning activities, including preparation of policy and procedure and rulemaking necessary for implementation of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, as required by Section; 53-2a-702 implement the provisions of Section, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact; 53-2a-402 ensure that any training or certification required of a public official, as defined in Section, or a public employee, as defined in Section, complies with Title 63G, Chapter 22, State Training and Certification Requirements, if the training or certification is required: 53-1-102 63G-22-102 under this title; by the department; or by an agency or division within the department; employ a law enforcement officer as a public safety liaison to be housed at the State Board of Education who shall work with the State Board of Education to: support training with relevant state agencies for school resource officers as described in Section; 53G-8-702 coordinate the creation of model policies and memorandums of understanding for a local education agency and a local law enforcement agency; and ensure cooperation between relevant state agencies, a local education agency, and a local law enforcement agency to foster compliance with disciplinary related statutory provisions, including Sectionsand; 53E-3-516 53G-8-211 provide for the security and protection of public officials, public officials' staff, and the capitol hill complex in accordance with the provisions of this part; fulfill the duties described in Sectionsandrelated to lethality assessments; and 77-36-2.1 78B-7-120 fulfill the duties described in Sectionrelated to restricted foreign entities. 63L-13-201
(2) The department shall establish a schedule of fees as required or allowed in this title for services provided by the department. All fees not established in statute shall be established in accordance with Section. 63J-1-504
(3) The department may establish or contract for the establishment of an organ procurement donor registry in accordance with Section. 26B-8-319
(4) The department and the State Tax Commission shall jointly study the feasibility of combining the motor vehicle-related divisions under a single umbrella agency, including the Driver License Division, the Motor Vehicle Division, and the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division. The study described in Subsectionshall include an evaluation of: (4)(a) potential cost savings, including administrative, operational, and technology-related savings; potential efficiency gains in governance, staffing, data sharing, and service delivery; potential improvements to customer experience, including service accessibility, processing times, and coordination of services; and legal, operational, and fiscal barriers to consolidation. In conducting the study, the department may: consult with employees and leadership of each motor vehicle-related division; review consolidation and organization models from other states; consult with relevant stakeholders; conduct surveys or studies with users and customers; and identify statutory changes that would be required to implement consolidation. On or before November 30, 2026, the department shall submit a written report of the study described in this section to the Transportation Interim Committee. The report required under Subsectionshall include: (4)(d) findings and conclusions from the study; and recommendations, including whether consolidation should be pursued and, if so, an implementation framework.