UtahUtah law sets school-zone speed limits and minimum fines
Drivers in reduced-speed school zones must stay at or below 20 mph, with minimum fines based on speed and recent repeat offenses.
What it does
Drivers may not exceed 20 mph in a reduced-speed school zone. Minimum fines rise with speed and are higher for repeat offenses within three years.
Argument forSpeed-based minimum fines could encourage drivers to slow down near schools, where faster driving carries higher penalties.
Argument againstDrivers who speed repeatedly or drive much too fast may face higher minimum fines, which could be difficult for some people to pay.
More detail
Drivers may not go faster than 20 miles per hour in a reduced-speed school zone, and the law sets minimum fines for violations. The speed limit applies to drivers in reduced-speed school zones. Minimum fines depend on how fast the driver was going and whether the offense is a repeat offense. A court may order service instead of all or part of a fine. The text also describes when a court must order service observing a crossing guard, but the missing amendment formatting makes it unclear whether that wording remains in force. The law takes effect May 6, 2026. For a second or later offense, the higher minimum fine applies if a previous conviction or bail forfeiture was within three years.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 26Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 11House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 7House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 7Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 4Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 4Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 3House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 3House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 2Senate/ to House
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 2Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 2House/ to Senate
- Mar 2House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Feb 27House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 27House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 27Senate/ to House with amendments
- Feb 27Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 27Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 26Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26Senate/ uncircled
- Feb 19Senate/ circled
- Feb 19Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 17Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 17Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Major
- Feb 12Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 12Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 6Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee]Minor
- Feb 5Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 4Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4House/ to Senate
- Feb 4House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 4House/ substituted
- Feb 4House/ uncircled
- Feb 4House/ circled
- Feb 4House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 30LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0178S02
- Jan 30LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0178S02
- Jan 28LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0178S02
- Jan 28LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0178S02
- Jan 26House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 26House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Transportation Committee]Major
- Jan 23House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]Minor
- Jan 23House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]Minor
- Jan 22House/ to standing committee [House Transportation Committee]Minor
- Jan 22Bill Substituted by Sponsor in House Rules Comm [House Rules Committee]Major
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 20House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 17LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0178S01
- Jan 17LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0178S01
- Jan 16LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0178
- Jan 16LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0178
- Jan 15LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0178S01
- Jan 15LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0178S01
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 7LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0178
- Jan 7LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0178
- Jan 7Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 7Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Public Safety