SB 149 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Licensing Modifications

SB 149 modifies licensing rules for private investigators and bail bond recovery licensees in Utah. It shifts oversight from the Department of Public Safety to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, renames the licensing board, and requires licensees to provide identification when on property. The bill adds new application requirements (including a test), changes "cancellation" to "suspension" of licenses, and mandates licensees to report registration changes. It also removes the board’s authority to investigate unauthorized activities and adds procedures for disciplinary actions, including automatic license suspension for supervisees if their supervisor’s license is suspended.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Signed Mar 17, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #2 → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 17, 2026

MODERATE

The bill updates the licensing and enforcement rules for private investigators and bail bond agents, clarifying grounds for license denial and adding specific prohibitions against using unlicensed staff or impersonating law enforcement. It also strengthens stalking laws by explicitly exempting licensed private investigators from liability when acting for legitimate business purposes, while simultaneously tightening restrictions on the installation of tracking devices to prevent abuse. Finally, the bill redefines 'production animals' to include guard dogs and livestock guardian dogs, which impacts how restitution orders are handled in eviction cases involving these animals.

Scope change

The scope of the bill expanded to include specific definitions for 'production animals' and clarified the legal protections for licensed private investigators against stalking charges, while simultaneously narrowing the scope of permissible tracking device usage.

DEFINITION

Added 'guard dog' and 'livestock guardian dog' to the list of 'production animals' in restitution cases.

Clarified that 'conviction' includes specific types of pleas like 'nolo contendere' and 'Alford plea' regardless of suspended sentences.

ENFORCEMENT

Explicitly exempted licensed private investigators from stalking charges when acting in their official capacity for legitimate business purposes.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific prohibitions against employing unlicensed persons and impersonating law enforcement officers as grounds for license denial.

Updated the definition of 'production animal' to include various livestock and working dogs previously excluded.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures Utah's private investigation and bail bond laws by repealing the existing Title 53 chapters and enacting new Title 58 chapters. The most significant change is the transfer of administrative authority from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to the Division of Professional Licensing, which will now oversee licensing, rulemaking, and enforcement. The bill also introduces a new 'qualifier' role for bail bond agencies, mandates stricter identification and clothing requirements for bail agents, and expands preemption to block local governments from regulating these industries.

Scope change

The bill shifts regulatory authority from the Department of Public Safety to the Division of Professional Licensing and expands state preemption to prohibit local governments from enacting any laws regarding private investigator or bail bond licensing, training, or regulation.

SCOPE

Transferred administrative authority from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation to the Division of Professional Licensing, which will now administer both private investigation and bail bond licensing.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new 'qualifier' role for bail bond agencies who must exercise day-to-day control and assume collective liability for the agency's compliance.

Updated identification and clothing requirements for bail agents to include specific rules on when badges can be displayed and when identifying clothing must be worn.

Added requirements for bail bond agencies to notify the division if their qualifier ceases duties and to replace the qualifier within 60 days.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'DOD civilian' in the new bail bond chapter to clarify exemptions.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded state preemption to explicitly prohibit political subdivisions from enacting any legislation, codes, or ordinances related to the licensing or regulation of private investigators and bail bond agents.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date for the new laws from May 6, 2026 to January 1, 2027, and updated the repeal date for the old board to July 1, 2029.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 7, 2026 · House Mar 7, 2026

How they voted

27–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 29

Mar 7, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Yea

100% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

20 Yea 2

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 17, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

upper

Mar 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

upper

Mar 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ concurs with House amendment

lower

Mar 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Business and Labor Committee]

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor