House passes revised public‑surveillance bill restricting license‑plate readers to active investigations

The Utah House on March 3 passed a revised, consensus public‑surveillance bill that restricts the use and access of license‑plate‑reader data and sets permitting, retention and security standards.

Representative Wilcox presented the second substitute to Senate Bill 250 as a negotiated, consensus package that balances law‑enforcement needs with privacy protections. The bill limits LPR usage to several narrowly defined public‑safety situations — active crimes, missing children, Amber Alerts and stolen vehicles — and creates a permitting process through UDOT, retention and security protocols for captured data, and restrictions on unfettered searches. It also requires a warrant to obtain certain private data.

Several members recounted the bill’s earlier defeat in the Senate and said the current substitute reflects substantial revision and stakeholder input. Representative Gwen and other supporters described it as a needed regulatory framework for technology that is already being deployed in both private and institutional settings. Representative Albrecht and Representative Hawkins asked technical and implementation questions; sponsors said the current version is the product of compromise with privacy advocates, law enforcement and state agencies.

The House approved the second substitute by a recorded vote of 68 yes and 3 no. The bill will be signed by the Speaker and returned to the Senate for the President’s signature.

What happens next: the bill will return to the Senate; UDOT and participating agencies will need to develop permitting and retention protocols required by the statute.