UtahUtah law limits lawsuits over firearm misuse and local liability rules
Courts must dismiss certain claims against firearm makers, sellers, and trade groups unless they meet specific rules, while Utah local governments face limits on related liability rules.
What it does
Claims over unlawful misuse of a firearm or related product must fit a listed exception and spell out supporting facts. A defendant who wins dismissal gets reasonable legal fees and court costs.
Utah local governments may not impose civil liability on firearm makers, sellers, or trade groups for criminal misuse, alteration, or modification of a covered product.
Argument forMakers, sellers, and trade groups could avoid claims that do not meet the rules, and defendants who win dismissal may recover reasonable legal fees and court costs.
Argument againstPeople harmed by unlawful firearm use may find it harder to sue because claims must fit a listed exception and spell out supporting facts; local governments also face limits on liability rules.
More detail
Courts must dismiss covered claims unless they fit a listed exception and spell out supporting facts. These rules cover claims against makers, sellers, and trade groups involving covered firearms and related products, including ammunition and accessories. A claim must rely on an exception in the chapter and plead facts supporting the defendant's state of mind and direct role in causing the harm. A defendant who wins a motion to dismiss is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and court costs, and may appeal an order denying the motion. A foreign nation may not use an exception listed in the chapter. The law took effect May 6, 2026.
Utah local governments may not adopt rules imposing certain civil liability. This applies to political subdivisions in Utah and liability involving covered product makers, sellers, and trade groups. The restriction covers liability imposed on makers, sellers, or trade groups for criminal misuse, alteration, or modification of a covered product, under any legal theory. Local rules covered by this restriction are superseded by the chapter. The law took effect May 6, 2026.
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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 3House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 3House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Feb 26House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Feb 26Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Feb 24Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Feb 24Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Feb 20House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 20House/ received from SenateMinor
- Feb 20Senate/ to House
- Feb 20Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Feb 20Senate/ passed 3rd readingPassed Senate
- Feb 20Senate/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 19Senate/ passed 2nd readingMinor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Senate/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 17Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 17Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 17Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 9Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 5Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 5House/ to Senate
- Feb 5House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 5House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Jan 28LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0214S01
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0214S01
- Jan 27House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Jan 27House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]
- Jan 26House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 26House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Major
- Jan 26LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0214S01
- Jan 26LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0214S01
- Jan 23House/ to standing committee [House Public Utilities and Energy Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 20House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 17LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0214
- Jan 17LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0214
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 9LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0214
- Jan 9LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0214
- Jan 9Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 9Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Gun Policy