HB 101 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Firearm Background Check Amendments

HB 101 amends Utah's firearm background check laws by creating two specific exemptions. It exempts individuals from background checks when purchasing a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm if they have an approved application from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) within the past 30 days. It also clarifies that Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) do not need to conduct background checks when transferring firearms to another FFL. These changes directly affect firearm dealers, NFA applicants, and FFLs during specific transactions, while leaving general background check requirements for most firearm sales unchanged. The bill makes no changes to funding or other policy areas.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 26, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Amended Excerpts 2/13/2026 11:02:409 → Amended 2/13/2026 11:02:409 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill clarifies exemptions from firearm background checks for Federal Firearms Licensees and individuals with approved National Firearms Act applications. It also adds exemptions for concealed carry permit holders and law enforcement officers, while requiring dealers to collect fees and distribute gun locks. The changes aim to streamline legal transfers and reduce administrative burdens for specific groups without weakening overall safety protocols.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of exemptions from background checks to include Federal Firearms Licensees, individuals with pending NFA applications, concealed carry permit holders, and law enforcement officers purchasing personal firearms.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that background checks are not required for sales to Federal Firearms Licensees or for NFA firearms where an ATF application was approved within the last 30 days.

Created new exemptions for individuals holding valid concealed firearm permits and for law enforcement officers purchasing personal firearms off-duty.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that dealers distribute a cable-style gun lock to customers purchasing shotguns, rifles, or short-barreled variants.

Established a fee collection system for background checks, with proceeds dedicated to funding the background check program.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions to explicitly include 'Federal firearms licensee' and clarified the definition of 'short barreled rifle' to include modified weapons.

ENFORCEMENT

Required law enforcement agencies to report on domestic violence-related firearm prohibitions to the bureau annually.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026 · House Feb 4, 2026

How they voted

24–1

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 29

Feb 19, 2026

D Democratic6

5 Yea 1 Nay

83% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

18 Yea 4

81% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 26, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ to House with amendments

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Introduced

Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor