SB 298 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Programmable Money Amendments

SB 298, the "Programmable Money Amendments," modifies Utah's Uniform Commercial Code to regulate digital payment methods (like digital tokens or programmable currency). It directly affects businesses that issue or accept programmable money by requiring them to offer free non-digital payment options and banning discrimination based on political views, religion, medical history, or lawful firearm ownership. The bill prohibits denying transactions due to environmental/social/governance compliance or diversity programming, mandates written explanations for denied transactions within 30 days, and allows affected parties to seek punitive damages or revoke an issuer’s license. It explicitly clarifies that the law does not restrict cryptocurrency purchases or sales by any party.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Feb 17, 2026 Signed Mar 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #2 Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 19, 2026
MINOR
This bill amends the state's consumer credit laws to explicitly allow the purchase and sale of cryptocurrency and other assets, removing previous prohibitions. It also clarifies rules regarding negotiable instruments used in consumer credit sales and updates the bill's effective date to May 5, 2027.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of permitted transactions by explicitly including cryptocurrency and other assets in the list of items that can be bought or sold under consumer credit laws.
REQUIREMENT

Amended Section 70A-9a-904 to explicitly state that state law does not prohibit the purchase or sale of cryptocurrency or any other asset by public or private parties.

Updated Section 70C-2-204 to clarify that holders of negotiable instruments are not in good faith if they know the instrument was issued in violation of the law, and confirmed that holders in due course are not subject to specific violation liabilities.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the bill from February 25, 2026, to March 11, 2026, and set the final implementation date to May 5, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House Mar 6, 2026

How they voted

251
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 29
Feb 27, 2026
D Democratic6
4 Yea 1 Nay 1
66% 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
51
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Mar 19, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Mar 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee]
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors