This bill preempts a political subdivision from imposing certain restrictions on reporting a vehicle theft.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Vehicle theft reporting rules would be standardized statewide under this bill, which stops cities and counties from passing local ordinances that restrict or delay a person's ability to report a stolen vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor, including rules requiring written demands, certified notices, notarization, or supervisory approval before a report can be filed. For vehicles rented under a written rental agreement, local governments could still require owners to wait up to 48 hours past the scheduled return time before accepting a stolen vehicle report, but that waiting period would not apply if the owner presents evidence of actual theft, such as unauthorized use, fraud in obtaining the vehicle, a refusal to return it, signs it's being used in a crime, or other facts suggesting intent to permanently keep the vehicle. Local governments could still require reasonable proof before accepting a rental vehicle theft report, such as documentation of ownership, the rental agreement and its expiration, confirmation the vehicle hasn't been returned, and evidence that reasonable attempts were made to contact the renter. The bill also clarifies that simply accepting or processing a late payment after the scheduled return time does not, by itself, prevent an owner from reporting the vehicle as stolen.
Current version: HB0217S01 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 2
House Floor Vote
Feb 12
Senate Rules
Feb 17
Senate Committee
Feb 20
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 26
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 27
Governor Signed
Mar 26
IntroductionJan 20
House Rules
House CommitteeFeb 2
House Floor VoteFeb 12
Senate RulesFeb 17
Senate CommitteeFeb 20
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 26
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 27
Governor SignedMar 26
This bill preempts a political subdivision from imposing certain restrictions on reporting a vehicle theft.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Vehicle theft reporting rules would be standardized statewide under this bill, which stops cities and counties from passing local ordinances that restrict or delay a person's ability to report a stolen vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor, including rules requiring written demands, certified notices, notarization, or supervisory approval before a report can be filed. For vehicles rented under a written rental agreement, local governments could still require owners to wait up to 48 hours past the scheduled return time before accepting a stolen vehicle report, but that waiting period would not apply if the owner presents evidence of actual theft, such as unauthorized use, fraud in obtaining the vehicle, a refusal to return it, signs it's being used in a crime, or other facts suggesting intent to permanently keep the vehicle. Local governments could still require reasonable proof before accepting a rental vehicle theft report, such as documentation of ownership, the rental agreement and its expiration, confirmation the vehicle hasn't been returned, and evidence that reasonable attempts were made to contact the renter. The bill also clarifies that simply accepting or processing a late payment after the scheduled return time does not, by itself, prevent an owner from reporting the vehicle as stolen.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
House/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Clerk of the House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Clerk of the House
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM