SB 143 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Utah Exemptions Act Amendments

SB 143 amends Utah's Exemptions Act to expand protections for motor vehicles used by individuals with disabilities. The bill allows people with disabilities (or their dependents) to exempt a vehicle specifically modified to accommodate their disability from unsecured debt collection, regardless of the vehicle's value. Previously, such vehicles were limited to a $3,000 exemption or a $15,000 value cap. This change directly affects individuals relying on modified vehicles for daily mobility, ensuring these essential assets cannot be seized to pay debts.

Bill status passed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Amended Excerpts 2/24/2026 14:02:875 → Amended 2/24/2026 14:02:875 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Utah Exemptions Act to update motor vehicle exemption values and expand protections for individuals with disabilities. It increases the standard motor vehicle exemption value from $10,000 to $15,000, while maintaining a separate exemption for vehicles modified for disabilities regardless of value. The changes clarify the definition of disability vehicles and remove outdated formatting from the previous version.

Scope change

The bill expands eligibility for motor vehicle exemptions by increasing the dollar threshold for standard vehicles and creating clearer criteria for disability-related vehicle modifications.

ELIGIBILITY

Increased the standard motor vehicle exemption value from $10,000 to $15,000 for individuals without disabilities.

Maintained an unlimited value exemption for motor vehicles specifically equipped or modified to accommodate disabilities, with clearer criteria for qualifying individuals.

DEFINITION

Updated the disability definition reference to align with federal regulations (23 C.F.R. Sec. 1235.2) regarding mobility limitations.

REQUIREMENT

Added new subsection requiring that disability vehicles must be specifically equipped or modified to accommodate the individual's or dependent's disability.

SCOPE

Added a new exemption category for heirlooms or items of particular sentimental value up to $1,000.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the bill to May 6, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

20–4

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 29

Feb 25, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Yea

100% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

13 Yea 4 Nay 5

59% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Transportation Committee]

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Transportation Committee]

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ floor amendment

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Committee

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

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor