Electronic Information Privacy Act Amendments
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HB 261 — Electronic Information Privacy Act Amendments
Last action — Governor Signed
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 14, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 24, 2026.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
359 added · 349 removedPlain-language change summary
The updated version of Bill HB 261 includes clearer rules for law enforcement on how they can obtain and use electronic information. It specifies that law enforcement must follow procedures outlined in the Electronic Information Privacy Act, and prohibits them from using third parties to get information in ways they're not allowed to do directly. Additionally, any electronic information obtained improperly will be treated the same as evidence that violates constitutional protections, meaning it will be excluded in court. These changes are important because they aim to better protect individuals' privacy rights while still allowing law enforcement to do their jobs.
HB0261S02Enrolled comparedCopy withH.B. HB0261 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0261 but was omitted in HB0261S02 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0261 but was inserted into HB0261S02 DISCLAIMER:
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Electronic Information Privacy Act Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Todd Weiler 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
H ▸ prohibits a law enforcement agency from contracting with or otherwise using a third party to B obtain, use, copy, disclose, or otherwise access certain electronic information or records2inrecords in a manner that the law enforcement agency would be prohibited from doing directly, with certain exceptions;
HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 ▸ provides that electronic information or records obtained in violation of the {applicable procedures and requirements of the } act, as well as any evidence derived from the electronic information or records, are subject to the same rules governing exclusion of evidence obtained in violation of constitutional requirements;
None OtherH.B. Special Clauses:
261 Enrolled Copy Other Special Clauses:
77-23c-101.277-23c-101.2, , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 382 77-23c-10277-23c-102, , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 382, 514 77-23c-10377-23c-103, , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 382 77-23c-10477-23c-104, , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 382 77-23c-10577-23c-105, , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 362 ENACTS:
77-23c-104.177-23c-104.1, , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
77-23c-101.2.77-23c-101.2 .
(3)(3)(a) (a) "Electronic information" means information or data including a sign, signal, writing, image, sound, or intelligence of any nature transmitted or stored in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photooptical system.
- 2 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 (b) "Electronic information" includes the location information, stored data, or transmitted data of an electronic device.
or (b) an individual or entity acting for or on behalf of an entity described in Subsection (4)(a).- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
(5)261 (a)(4)(a). "Location information" means information concerning the geographical location of an electronic device that, in whole or in part, is generated or derived from or obtained by the operation of an electronic device or the operation of a software application on an electronic device.
(5)(a) "Location information" means information concerning the geographical location of an electronic device that, in whole or in part, is generated or derived from or obtained by the operation of an electronic device or the operation of a software application on an electronic device.
(a)(a)(i) (i) is in the possession of a provider of an electronic communication service or a remote computing service;
- 3 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 (i) name;
or (b) from an electronic device to a nearby antenna or from a nearby antenna to an electronic- device.3 - H.B.
261 Enrolled Copy electronic device.
77-23c-102.77-23c-102 .
Electronic information privacy -- Warrant required for disclosuredisclosure. {-- Exceptions} .
(1)(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)[ or] , (4), or Section 77-23c-104.1, and subject to Section 77-23c-105, for a criminal investigation or prosecution, a law enforcement agency may not obtain, [without] copy, or use the following information or data except through the use of a search warrant issued by a court upon probable cause:
(b)(b)(i) (i) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b)(ii) and subject to Subsection (1)(c), [a] if a law enforcement agency, in response to a warrant obtained under Subsection (1)(a), obtains information or data described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) or (ii), the law enforcement agency may not use, copy, or disclose, for any purpose, [the location information, stored data, or transmitted data of an electronic device, - 4 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 or electronic information provided by a provider of a remote computing service or an electronic communication service, ] any information or data described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) or (ii) that:
[(d)] (c) The electronic information described in Subsection (1)(b) shall be destroyed in an unrecoverable manner by the law enforcement agency as soon as reasonably possible- after4 the- electronicEnrolled informationCopy isH.B. collected.
(2)261 (a)possible [Aafter ]the Exceptelectronic as provided in Subsection (2)(c) or Section 77-23c-104.1 and subject to Section 77-23c-105, a law enforcement agency may obtain location information withoutis acollected. warrant for an electronic device only:
(2)(a) [A ] Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c) or Section 77-23c-104.1 and subject to Section 77-23c-105, a law enforcement agency may obtain location information without a warrant for an electronic device only:
or - 5 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 (B) that is inadvertently discovered by the provider and appears to pertain to the commission of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving physical violence, sexual abuse, or dishonesty.
(3)- A5 provider- ofH.B. an electronic communication service or a remote computing service, the provider's officers, employees, or agents, or other specified persons may not be held liable for [providing ]information, facilities, or assistance provided in good faith reliance [on the terms of {[} the{] a} warrant issued under this section or without a warrant in accordance with Subsection (2)] under this section.
261 Enrolled Copy (3) A provider of an electronic communication service or a remote computing service, the provider's officers, employees, or agents, or other specified persons may not be held liable for [providing ]information, facilities, or assistance provided in good faith reliance [ on the terms of the warrant issued under this section or without a warrant in accordance with Subsection (2)] under this section.
77-23c-103.77-23c-103 .
(1)(1)(a) - 6 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b) or (2), a law enforcement agency that executes a warrant under [Subsection 77-23c-102(1) or 77-23c-104(3)] Section 77-23c-102 or 77-23c-104 shall serve the owner of the electronic device or electronic information specified in the warrant with a notice described in Subsection (3):
(2)(2)(a)(i) (a) (i) A law enforcement agency seeking a warrant in accordance with [Subsection 77-23c-102(1)77-23c-102(1)(a) (a) or 77-23c-104(3)] Section 77-23c-102 or 77-23c-104 may submit a request, and the court may grant permission, to delay service of the notice required under Subsection (1) for a period not to exceed 30 days, if the court determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that the notification may:
(A)- endanger6 the- lifeEnrolled orCopy physicalH.B. safety of an individual;
Show all 73 changed lines (33 more)
261 (A) endanger the life or physical safety of an individual;
(b)(b)(i) (i) A law enforcement agency that seeks a warrant for an electronic device or electronic information in accordance with [Subsection 77-23c-102(1)(a) or 77-23c-104(3)] Section 77-23c-102 or 77-23c-104 may submit a request to the court, and the court may grant permission, to delay service of the - 7 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 notice required under Subsection (1), if the purpose of delaying the notification is to apprehend an individual:
(ii)(ii)(A) (A) The court may grant the request under Subsection (2)(b)(i) to delay notification until the individual who is a fugitive from justice under Section 77-30-13 is apprehended by the law enforcement agency.
(4)- A7 law- enforcementH.B. agency shall serve the notice required under Subsection (1) to the owner of the electronic device or electronic information by:
261 Enrolled Copy (4) A law enforcement agency shall serve the notice required under Subsection (1) to the owner of the electronic device or electronic information by:
77-23c-104.77-23c-104 .
[(1) As used in this section, "subscriber record" means a record or information of a provider of an electronic communication service or remote computing service that reveals the subscriber's or customer's:] - 8 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 [(a) name;] [(b) address;] [(c) local and long distance telephone connection record, or record of session time and duration;] [(d) length of service, including the start date;] [(e) type of service used;] [(f) telephone number, instrument number, or other subscriber or customer number or identification, including a temporarily assigned network address;
and] [(g) means and source of payment for the service, including a credit card or bank account number.] [(2)] (1) Except as provided in [Chapter 22, Subpoena Powers for Aid of Criminal Investigation and Grants of Immunity or Section 77-23f-105,] Subsection (2) or Section 77-22-2.5 or {Subsection (2)} 77-23c-104.1, and subject to Section 77-23c-105, a law enforcement agency may not, except through the use of a search warrant issued by a court upon probable cause, obtain, use, copy, or disclose[ ] :
or (iii) received from, or derived from, a record or information originally possessed, created,- or8 maintained- byEnrolled aCopy providerH.B. of an electronic communication service or a remote computing service.
[(4)]261 (2)created, [Notwithstanding Subsections (2) and (3), a ] {Subject } Except as provided in Section 77-23c-104.1 and subject to Section 77-23c-105, a law enforcement agency may obtain, use, copy, or disclosemaintained aby subscriber record, or other record or information related to a subscriberprovider orof customer described in Subsection (1)(b), without an investigativeelectronic subpoenacommunication service or a warrant,remote only:computing service.
[(4)] (2) [Notwithstanding Subsections (2) and (3), a ] Except as provided in Section 77-23c-104.1 and subject to Section 77-23c-105, a law enforcement agency may obtain, use, copy, or disclose a subscriber record, or other record or information related to a subscriber or customer described in Subsection (1)(b), without an investigative subpoena or a warrant, only:
or - 9 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 (d) if the provider of an electronic communication service or remote computing service voluntarily discloses the record:
[(5)] (3) A provider of an electronic communication service or remote computing service, or the provider's officers, employees, agents, or other specified persons may not be held liable for [providing ]information, facilities, or assistance provided in good faith reliance [on][ [theon the terms of a warrant issued under this section, or without a warrant in accordance with Subsection {[} (3)] {(2)} under this section.
Section 577-23c-104.1 is enacted to read:
77-23c-104.1.77-23c-104.1 .
(1)- A9 law- enforcementH.B. agency may obtain, use, copy, disclose, or otherwise access electronic information or a record described in this chapter without complying with the requirements and procedures described in this chapter if the law enforcement agency obtains the electronic information or record:
(a)261 (i)Enrolled fromCopy a(1) federalA law enforcement agency,agency amay lawobtain, enforcementuse, agencycopy, indisclose, aor differentotherwise state,access electronic information or a record described in this chapter without complying with the requirements and procedures described in this chapter if the law enforcement agency inobtains athe differentelectronic country;information or record:
(a)(i) from a federal law enforcement agency, a law enforcement agency in a different state, or a law enforcement agency in a different country;
- 10 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 (A) in a legal manner under the constitutional requirements and any applicable laws, rules, and procedures of that jurisdiction;
or (c) limits the ability of a law enforcement agency to receive or use information, without a warrant or subpoena, fromfrom: the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children under 18 U.S.C.
(i) the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children under 18 U.S.C.
2258A.2258A;
or (ii) information publicly or otherwise legally accessible to a law enforcement agency - 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
261 without a warrant, subpoena, or court order, either for free or for a fee, from a third-party data aggregator.
77-23c-105.77-23c-105 .
[ All electronic ] (1) A law enforcement agency may only obtain, use, copy, disclose, or otherwise access electronic information or a record described in this chapter if the law enforcement agency hashas: {complied with the applicable procedures and requirements provided under this chapter.} :
or - 11 - HB0261 compared with HB0261S02 (b) obtained the electronic information or record under an exception described in Section 77-23c-104.1.
(2) {A } Except as provided in Section 77-23c-104.1, a law enforcement agency may not approach, solicit, direct, or contract with or otherwise use a third party, including a federal agency, an agency in a different state, or an agency in a different country, to obtain, use, copy, disclose, or otherwise access electronic information or a record described in this chapterchapter: {in a manner that the law enforcement agency would be prohibited from doing directly under this chapter.} :
(3)(3)(a) (a) Electronic information [or data and records of a provider of an electronic communications service or remote computing service pertaining to a subscriber or customer] or records described in this chapter that are obtained, used, copied, disclosed, or otherwise accessed in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the rules governing exclusion as if the electronic information or records were obtained, used, copied, disclosed, or otherwise accessed in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Utah Constitution, Article I, Section 14.
(b) Evidence derived from electronic information or records described in Subsection (3)(a) shall be subject to the rules governing exclusion as if the evidence were obtained, used, copied, disclosed, or otherwise accessed in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Utah Constitution, Article I, Section- 14.11 - H.B.
261 Enrolled Copy Section 14.
Effective date.
2-11-26 1:57 PM - 12 -
Show all 73 changed rows (33 more)
View plain text versions (8)
- Enrolled View text Current pdf
- Comparison to Original Bill View text pdf
- Comparison to Sub #1 View text pdf
- Amended Amended 2/19/2026 14:02:932 pdf
- Amended Amended Excerpts 2/19/2026 14:02:932 pdf
- Substitute Substitute #1 pdf
- Substitute Substitute #2 pdf
- Introduced View text pdf
Compared against the Utah Code as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.
The bill amends the Electronic Information Privacy Act to clarify definitions and procedures for law enforcement regarding electronic communication and introduces new restrictions on third-party access to electronic information.
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77-23c-101.2
[9] "Transmitted data" means electronic information that is transmitted wirelessly:→ [(9)] (10) "Transmitted data" means electronic information that is transmitted wirelessly:This change renumbers the definition of 'Transmitted data' in the statute.
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77-23c-102
obtain, [without] copy, or use the following information or data except through the use of a search warrant issued by a court upon probable cause:→ obtain, copy, or use the following information or data except through the use of a search warrant issued by a court upon probable cause:This change clarifies the wording, ensuring that 'obtain' and 'copy' are clearly included as actions requiring a warrant.
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77-23c-102
[location information, stored data, or transmitted data of an electronic device, or electronic information provided by a provider of a remote computing service or an electronic communication service, ]→ information or data described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) or (ii) that:This change simplifies the language for clarity about the types of information covered under the warrant requirement.
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77-23c-102
[(c)] (ii)→ (c) The electronic information described in Subsection (1)(b) shall be destroyed in an unrecoverable manner by the law enforcement agency as soon as reasonably possible after the electronic information is collected.This change modifies the subsections related to the destruction of electronic information for improved clarity.
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77-23c-102
[A ]→ Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c) or Section 77-23c-104.1 and subject to Section 77-23c-105, a law enforcement agency mayThis change refines the introductory clause for better legislative clarity regarding warrantless access to location information.
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77-23c-104
provided in good faith reliance [on the terms of the warrant issued under this section or without a warrant in accordance with Subsection (2)] under this section.→ provided in good faith reliance under this section.This change removes specific references to warrant reliance, simplifying the liability protections for service providers.
Amendments
1 amendmentClick Show changes on an amendment above to see how it modifies the bill.
Action History
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Governor Signed
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House/ to Governor
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House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
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House/ enrolled bill to Printing
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Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
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Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
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Bill Received from House for Enrolling
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House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
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House/ received from Senate
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Senate/ to House
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Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
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Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
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Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
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Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
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Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]
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Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
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Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]
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Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]
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Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]
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Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
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Senate/ received from House
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House/ to Senate
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House/ passed 3rd reading
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House/ floor amendment
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House/ 3rd reading
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LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0261S02
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LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0261S02
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House/ 2nd reading
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House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Judiciary Committee]
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House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]
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House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]
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LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0261S02
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LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0261S02
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LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0261S01
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LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0261S01
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LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0261S01
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LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0261S01
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House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]
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House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
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House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
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House/ received bill from Legislative Research
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LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0261
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LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0261
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LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0261
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LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0261
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Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
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Bill Numbered but not Distributed
Sponsors
- Todd Weiler · Cosponsor
- Jason B. Kyle · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Jason B. Kyle Republican
Co-sponsors (1)
- Todd Weiler Republican
Not signed on (102)
102 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 102 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HB 261?
- HB 261 is sponsored by Todd Weiler (Republican) and Jason B. Kyle (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 261?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 14, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 261?
- Track HB 261 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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