Tail Light Obstruction Amendments
HB 120 prohibits operating a vehicle with a cargo carrier (including hitch-mounted racks, bicycle racks, cargo trays, or baskets) that blocks the tail light unless red auxiliary lighting or reflectors meeting visibility standards are installed. Drivers must attach these to the carrier, ensure lights activate with brake lights, and be visible from 500 feet to the rear. Violations carry fines up to $100 for a first offense and $200 for repeat offenses within three years. This directly affects drivers using cargo-carrying equipment on Utah roads.
Bill status
failed
2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Failed
Feb 2026
Governor
Introduced Jan 20, 2026
Last action Mar 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Substitute #1
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted and simplified by removing the 'bicycle rack' definition from the cargo carrier list and consolidating requirements for auxiliary lighting and reflectors. The substantive policy content regarding tail light obstruction, compliance standards, and penalties remains largely unchanged, though the formatting was updated to reflect a substitute bill version.
Scope change
The scope of the bill remains the same, but the definition of 'cargo carrier' was narrowed by removing 'bicycle rack' from the list of included devices, which may affect how bicycle racks are classified under this specific statute.
DEFINITION
Removed 'bicycle rack' from the list of devices included in the 'cargo carrier' definition, potentially creating ambiguity about whether bicycle racks are covered under this specific section.
REQUIREMENT
Consolidated the requirements for auxiliary lighting and reflectors into a single subsection, simplifying the language while maintaining the same technical standards for visibility and activation.
TECHNICAL
Updated formatting and removed timestamp headers, changing the document structure from an introduced version to a substitute bill format without altering substantive policy.
Floor votes · House Feb 3, 2026
How they voted
36–32
Failed · 7 other
Total votes 75
Feb 3, 2026
D
Democratic14
92% Yea
R
Republican61
52% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Feb 3, 2026
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (36-32-7)
house
Jan 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Transportation Committee]
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Transportation Committee]
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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