HB 314 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Firearm Purchase Amendments

HB 314 amends Utah's firearm purchase laws to streamline background check processes for licensed dealers. It removes a requirement that dealers use a specific form provided by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and extends the time the bureau can maintain background check records from 20 to 30 days when no prohibition is found. These changes are technical updates with no new fees or costs, affecting firearm dealers and the bureau's record-keeping procedures under Utah Code Section 53-5a-602.

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 22, 2026 Signed Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 24, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's firearm purchase laws by removing a requirement for dealers to use a specific state form, extending the time the Bureau of Criminal Identification can keep background check records from 20 to 30 days, and clarifying exemptions for concealed carry permit holders and law enforcement officers. These changes aim to streamline the sales process while ensuring background checks remain secure and records are retained long enough for potential investigations.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on firearm purchases from licensed dealers, but the applicability of record-keeping rules and specific exemption criteria has been adjusted.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the mandate that dealers must use a specific form issued by the Bureau of Criminal Identification when selling firearms.

Adjusted section numbering and text to conform with recent legislative changes to the Utah Code.

TIMELINE

Extended the retention period for criminal history background check records from 20 days to 30 days.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that individuals with valid concealed firearm permits or provisional permits are exempt from background checks and fees, while temporary permits are not exempt.

Updated the exemption for law enforcement officers to require a letter of good standing and current photo ID, limiting this exemption to one purchase every 24 months.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026 · House Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

21–5

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 29

Feb 19, 2026

D Democratic6

1 Yea 5 Nay

83% Nay

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 24, 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

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (21-5-3)

senate

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

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

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

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

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor