SB 72 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

Obscene Animal Abuse Material Amendments

SB 72 creates a new legal definition for "obscene animal abuse material" and makes distributing it a standalone criminal offense in Utah. The bill specifically adds "animal crushing" (graphic abuse of animals for sexual purposes) to the prohibited material, separating it from existing definitions of pornographic content. It requires that this material be treated identically to pornographic materials under Utah law for enforcement and penalties. The bill affects anyone distributing such material, with no budget impact or new funding required.
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 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute #1 Enrolled · 7 edits · Mar 23, 2026
MODERATE
This bill updates Utah's laws regarding obscene animal abuse material and pornographic content on school property and the internet. Key changes include clarifying definitions to explicitly include 'obscene animal abuse material,' adjusting felony sentencing for conspiracy offenses, and adding specific exemptions for internet service providers and hosting companies. The bill also establishes a new civil enforcement mechanism with a $500 settlement option for private citizens to report violations and mandates that 50% of penalties go to a victim reparations fund.
Scope change
The scope was expanded to explicitly include 'obscene animal abuse material' in multiple sections and to clarify exemptions for internet service providers and hosting companies. Applicability to school property was refined with specific exceptions for law enforcement investigations.
DEFINITION

Updated definitions in multiple sections to explicitly include 'obscene animal abuse material' alongside traditional pornographic or indecent material.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified conspiracy sentencing guidelines to increase penalties for repeat offenders and clarified that these offenses supersede general conspiracy statutes.

Created a new civil enforcement process allowing private citizens to file notices of alleged violations and settle for $500 per violation to avoid litigation.

EXEMPTIONS

Added specific exemptions for internet service providers and hosting companies when they merely transmit or store data without knowledge or intent to distribute illegal content.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for clear warning labels on digital and print publications containing harmful material to minors.

FISCAL

Mandated that 50% of civil penalties paid under the new enforcement scheme be deposited into the Crime Victim Reparations Fund.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the bill to May 6, 2026, and included a provision for future penalty amount adjustments based on inflation.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 23, 2026 · House Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

240
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 29
Feb 23, 2026
D Democratic6
3 Yea 3
50% 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
47
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Mar 23, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Mar 6, 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
Senate/ concurs with House amendment
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Committee
House/ to standing committee [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]
upper
Jan 20, 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

Sponsors