HB 217 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Stolen Vehicle Amendments

HB 217 prevents local governments from blocking or delaying vehicle theft reports, especially for rental cars. It requires police to accept reports immediately if evidence shows theft (e.g., unauthorized use, fraud, or refusal to return the vehicle), but allows a 48-hour waiting period for rentals unless such evidence exists. Local authorities can request basic documentation like proof of ownership and rental agreement details before processing reports. This directly affects renters, rental companies, and law enforcement agencies handling vehicle theft claims.

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 · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add specific protections for rental vehicles, allowing local governments to require a 48-hour waiting period after a scheduled return time before a theft report is accepted, unless there is clear evidence of fraud or unauthorized use. The amendment also clarifies the definition of a rental agreement and lists specific documentation local governments can require to verify the report. Additionally, the Senate sponsor was updated, and the effective date was changed from May 6, 2026, to February 2, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include vehicles subject to rental agreements, introducing new conditions under which local governments can delay reporting such vehicles as stolen.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'written rental agreement' to clarify which contracts are covered by the new rules.

REQUIREMENT

Introduced a 48-hour waiting period for reporting stolen rental vehicles after the scheduled return time, unless specific exceptions like fraud or unauthorized use apply.

ENFORCEMENT

Authorized local governments to require specific documentation, such as proof of ownership, rental agreement details, and evidence of contact attempts with the renter, before accepting a theft report.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the bill from May 6, 2026, to February 2, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Updated the Senate Sponsor name from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Wayne A. Harper'.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House Feb 12, 2026

How they voted

25–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 29

Feb 27, 2026

D Democratic6

5 Yea 1

83% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

19 Yea 3

86% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 26, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Transportation Committee]

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Transportation Committee]

lower

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor