H.B. 268
Signed into LawTowing Notice and Ownership Rights Modifications
Towing Notice and Ownership Rights Modifications
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Jan 30
House Floor Vote
Feb 10
Senate Rules
Feb 12
Senate Committee
Feb 18
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 19
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 20
Governor Signed
Mar 18
What This Bill Does
This bill provides certain protections for an owner or lien holder of a towed vehicle if proper notice has not been provided to the owner or lien holder.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- provides that, for a private-property tow, a possessory lien related to a vehicle that has been towed is not enforceable if required notice was not properly provided to the owner or lien holder;
- allows an owner or a lien holder to take possession of a vehicle without paying towing or storage fees if notice was not properly given;
- if an owner claims notice was not properly provided, creates a presumption of improper notice that may be rebutted by presenting, as applicable:
- time-stamped evidence that notice was properly provided to the Motor Vehicle Division; or
- evidence that notice was sent via certified mail;
- allows a party prevailing in an action related to lack of notice to be awarded attorney fees;
- authorizes the Department of Transportation to make rules to establish the process for an owner or a lien holder to make a claim for release of a vehicle; and
- makes technical changes.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
When a vehicle is towed from private property without the owner's knowledge, Utah law already requires the towing company to report the tow to the Motor Vehicle Division immediately and send a certified letter to the vehicle owner and any lien holder within two business days. This bill strengthens enforcement of those notice requirements by making the towing company's right to collect fees — known as a possessory lien — unenforceable if proper notice was not given, and allowing vehicle owners or lien holders to reclaim their vehicle without paying towing or storage fees in that situation. If an owner disputes whether notice was properly given, the bill creates a legal presumption in the owner's favor that the towing company must overcome by producing time-stamped proof of database reporting or a certified mail record.
H.B. 268
Signed into LawTowing Notice and Ownership Rights Modifications
Introduction
Jan 20
House Rules
House Committee
Jan 30
House Floor Vote
Feb 10
Senate Rules
Feb 12
Senate Committee
Feb 18
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 19
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 20
Governor Signed
Mar 18
IntroductionJan 20
House Rules
House CommitteeJan 30
House Floor VoteFeb 10
Senate RulesFeb 12
Senate CommitteeFeb 18
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 19
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 20
Governor SignedMar 18
What This Bill Does
This bill provides certain protections for an owner or lien holder of a towed vehicle if proper notice has not been provided to the owner or lien holder.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- provides that, for a private-property tow, a possessory lien related to a vehicle that has been towed is not enforceable if required notice was not properly provided to the owner or lien holder;
- allows an owner or a lien holder to take possession of a vehicle without paying towing or storage fees if notice was not properly given;
- if an owner claims notice was not properly provided, creates a presumption of improper notice that may be rebutted by presenting, as applicable:
- time-stamped evidence that notice was properly provided to the Motor Vehicle Division; or
- evidence that notice was sent via certified mail;
- allows a party prevailing in an action related to lack of notice to be awarded attorney fees;
- authorizes the Department of Transportation to make rules to establish the process for an owner or a lien holder to make a claim for release of a vehicle; and
- makes technical changes.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
When a vehicle is towed from private property without the owner's knowledge, Utah law already requires the towing company to report the tow to the Motor Vehicle Division immediately and send a certified letter to the vehicle owner and any lien holder within two business days. This bill strengthens enforcement of those notice requirements by making the towing company's right to collect fees — known as a possessory lien — unenforceable if proper notice was not given, and allowing vehicle owners or lien holders to reclaim their vehicle without paying towing or storage fees in that situation. If an owner disputes whether notice was properly given, the bill creates a legal presumption in the owner's favor that the towing company must overcome by producing time-stamped proof of database reporting or a certified mail record.
Votes
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Documents
Floor Debates
Committee Hearings
Other Versions
Original
Subjects
Action History38
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 Mar 26, 2026, 9:40 PM