This bill amends provisions related to evidence retention.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah law currently sets specific time periods that law enforcement agencies must keep physical evidence from criminal cases and lays out procedures for returning or disposing of it early. This bill would change the misdemeanor evidence process so that when an agency asks a prosecutor for permission to return or dispose of evidence, the agency must also directly notify anyone still in custody based on a related conviction, that person's attorney, and the relevant prosecuting agency, giving any of them 60 days to object before the evidence can be released. For felony cases, the bill would narrow the rule requiring evidence to be kept for as long as a person remains in custody: instead of applying to any felony conviction, this longer retention period would apply only when the conviction is for a specific list of serious crimes, such as murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, or aggravated assault causing bodily injury. The bill would also add a new reason to extend felony evidence retention—while a federal habeas corpus petition challenging the conviction is pending—clarify that the existing rule tied to postconviction petitions applies specifically to filings under Utah's Postconviction Remedies Act, and allow electronic delivery services, in addition to certified mail, to be used when notifying people about evidence disposal requests.
Introduction
Jan 20
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Jan 27
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 13
Senate 3rd Reading
Feb 17
House Rules
Feb 18
House Committee
Feb 25
House Floor Vote
Feb 26
Governor Signed
Mar 23
IntroductionJan 20
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeJan 27
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 13
Senate 3rd ReadingFeb 17
House RulesFeb 18
House CommitteeFeb 25
House Floor VoteFeb 26
Governor SignedMar 23
This bill amends provisions related to evidence retention.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah law currently sets specific time periods that law enforcement agencies must keep physical evidence from criminal cases and lays out procedures for returning or disposing of it early. This bill would change the misdemeanor evidence process so that when an agency asks a prosecutor for permission to return or dispose of evidence, the agency must also directly notify anyone still in custody based on a related conviction, that person's attorney, and the relevant prosecuting agency, giving any of them 60 days to object before the evidence can be released. For felony cases, the bill would narrow the rule requiring evidence to be kept for as long as a person remains in custody: instead of applying to any felony conviction, this longer retention period would apply only when the conviction is for a specific list of serious crimes, such as murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, or aggravated assault causing bodily injury. The bill would also add a new reason to extend felony evidence retention—while a federal habeas corpus petition challenging the conviction is pending—clarify that the existing rule tied to postconviction petitions applies specifically to filings under Utah's Postconviction Remedies Act, and allow electronic delivery services, in addition to certified mail, to be used when notifying people about evidence disposal requests.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
Senate/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Senate Secretary
Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
Senate Secretary
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Senate Secretary
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM