UtahPolice must direct impairment tests and review fatal crash decisions
Utah police must direct testing for suspected alcohol or drug driving offenses and seek senior review when they find insufficient grounds for a testing warrant after a fatal crash.
What it does
Police must direct alcohol or drug testing when they reasonably suspect a person drove or controlled a vehicle in violation of alcohol or drug driving laws.
After a fatal crash, an officer who believes there is not enough evidence for a testing warrant must check that decision with a senior officer.
Argument forA senior officer's review could help police avoid overlooking evidence of impaired driving after a fatal crash.
Argument againstRequired alcohol or drug tests could intrude on drivers' privacy when officers reasonably suspect an offense.
More detail
Police must direct alcohol or drug testing when they reasonably suspect a covered driving offense. The requirement covers people suspected of driving or being in physical control of a vehicle in Utah while violating alcohol or drug driving laws. Officers must have a reasonable basis to suspect a violation of the alcohol or drug driving laws listed in the law. Separate Utah rules under Section 77-23-213 also govern blood tests. The law took effect on May 6, 2026.
An officer investigating a fatal crash must review the facts with a senior officer when the officer believes there are insufficient grounds for a testing warrant. This requirement applies to police investigations of motor vehicle crashes that cause someone's death. The review must confirm that no impairment is suspected and that there is no probable cause, meaning sufficient legal grounds, for alcohol or drug testing. The review requirement took effect on May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 23Governor Spencer Cox SignedLatest
- Mar 23Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 13Senate/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 13Senate/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 12Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 12Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 10Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 10Bill Received from Senate for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 10Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 10Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 7House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded Senate/ concurs with House amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 7House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 7House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 7Senate/ to House
- Mar 7Senate/ concurs with House amendmentMajor
- Mar 7Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 7Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 6House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Mar 6House/ uncircled
- Mar 6House/ circled
- Mar 6House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 5House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mar 4House/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules [House Rules Committee]Minor
- Mar 3House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Mar 3House/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0226S02
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0226S02
- Mar 2House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]
- Mar 2House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]
- Mar 2House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Mar 2House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Major
- Mar 2LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0226S02
- Mar 2LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0226S02
- Feb 27House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 25House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 25House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 25Senate/ to House
- Feb 25Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 25Senate/ uncircled
- Feb 25LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0226S01
- Feb 25LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0226S01
- Feb 24Senate/ circled
- Feb 24Senate/ floor amendment
- Feb 24Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 23Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 23Senate/ substituted
- Feb 23Senate/ uncircled
- Feb 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0226S01
- Feb 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0226S01
- Feb 20Senate/ circled
- Feb 20Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 6Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 6Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Major
- Feb 4Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 4Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 4Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Feb 3LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0226
- Feb 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0226
- Feb 3Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 2Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 30Senate/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 30LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0226
- Jan 30LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0226
- Jan 30Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 30Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
TransportationPublic SafetyCriminal Justice