SB 200 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Impounded Vehicle Amendments

SB 200 allows individuals to remove essential items like cell phones and work tools from vehicles that have been impounded. It updates the definition of "life essential item" to include these items and requires that removing them does not interfere with health or safety. The bill affects drivers whose vehicles are towed, making it easier to access critical personal or work-related items during the impoundment process. It makes no changes to towing procedures or fees, focusing solely on item removal rules.

Bill status passed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 27, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the definition of 'life essential items' that can be retrieved from impounded vehicles to include cell phones, employment tools, prescription medications, medical equipment, shoes, coats, food, water, child safety seats, government-issued ID, and human remains. It also adds new definitions for various vehicle types and clarifies towing and impoundment procedures across multiple Utah code sections.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of items that individuals can retrieve from impounded vehicles and adds new definitions to the Vehicle Code that affect how different types of vehicles are classified and regulated.

DEFINITION

Added 'life essential items' to include cell phones, employment tools, prescription medications, medical equipment, shoes, coats, food and water, child safety seats, government-issued photo ID, and human remains.

Added new definitions for various vehicle types including all-terrain vehicles, electric assisted bicycles (Classes 1, 2, and 3), autocycles, and other vehicle classifications to the Vehicle Code.

Added comprehensive definitions section to Chapter 41, Title 6a, covering various vehicle types and terms used throughout the Vehicle Code.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that removal of essential items from impounded vehicles may not interfere with health and safety.

Added requirements for private property towing signage and notice procedures, including specific sign dimensions, colors, and content requirements for patrolled properties.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria for towing services on private property to clarify consent requirements and signage obligations for property owners.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

24–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 29

Feb 25, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Yea

100% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

17 Yea 5

77% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 26, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor