SB 191 — Tow Yard Amendments
Last action — Governor Signed
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 23, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 23, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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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).
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
255 added · 254 removedPlain-language change summary
The updates to Bill SB 191 include establishing clear procedures for how individuals can retrieve items from an impounded vehicle and introducing a waiting period before someone who was removed from a towing rotation can be reinstated. Additionally, the bill clarifies that its changes to towing regulations will take precedence over earlier modifications made in another bill, S.B. 120. These changes are important because they aim to create more organized and fair towing practices, which can help vehicle owners understand their rights and the towing process better.
SB0191S02Enrolled comparedCopy withS.B. SB0191 {Omitted text} shows text that was in SB0191 but was omitted in SB0191S02 inserted text shows text that was not in SB0191 but was inserted into SB0191S02 DISCLAIMER:
This191 documentTow isYard providedAmendments toGENERAL assistSESSION youSTATE inOF yourUTAH comparisonChief ofSponsor: the two bills.
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Tow Yard Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Ipson House Sponsor:ThomasSponsor: W.
Thomas W.
{and} ▸ includes a coordination clause providing that substantive changes to Section 41-1a-1101 in B this bill supersede the changes to that section in S.B.
and 1 ▸ makes technical changes.
9 SB0191 compared with SB0191S02 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
41-1a-110141-1a-1101, , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 220 72-9-60772-9-607, , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 373 UtahS.B. Code Sections affected by Coordination Clause:
41-1a-1101191 ,Enrolled asCopy last amended by Laws of Utah 2025,Code ChapterSections 220affected Be it enacted by theCoordination LegislatureClause: of the state of Utah:
41-1a-1101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 220 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
The following section is affected by a coordination clause at the end of this bill.
41-1a-1101.41-1a-1101 .
(a)(a)(i) (i) "Criminal offense" means a class B misdemeanor offense, a class A misdemeanor offense, or a felony offense.
(b) "Impound lot" means a state impound lot or impound yard designated by the division for the storage of a seized vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor as described in Subsection (2).
(c) "Life essential item" means the same as that term is defined in Section 72-9-603.
[(b)] (d) "Operator" means the same as that term is defined in Section 41-6a-102.
and - 2 - SB0191 compared with SB0191S02 (iii) with the intent to endanger or intimidate an individual in another vehicle.
(2) The division or [any ]a] a peace officer, without a warrant, may seize and take possession of [any ]a] a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor:
(a) that the division or [the ]a] a peace officer has probable cause to believe has been stolen;
(d)- for2 which- theEnrolled applicantCopy hasS.B. written a check for registration or title fees that has not been honored by the applicant's bank and that is not paid within 30 days;
191 (d) for which the applicant has written a check for registration or title fees that has not been honored by the applicant's bank and that is not paid within 30 days;
(g)(g)(i) (i) that the division or the peace officer has probable cause to believe has been involved in an accident described in Section 41-6a-401, 41-6a-401.3, or 41-6a-401.5;
(3)(3)(a) (a) The division or a peace officer shall seize and take possession of a vehicle, without a warrant, when:
- 3 - SB0191 compared with SB0191S02 (b) A peace officer may release a vehicle seized and possessed under Subsection (3)(a) to the registered owner of the vehicle if the registered owner is not the individual subject to arrest under Subsection (3)(a) and is immediately available, at the location of the arrest, to take possession of the vehicle.
(4)(4)(a) (a) Subject to the restriction in Subsection (4)(b), the division or [any ]a] a peace officer, without a warrant:
(i) shall seize and take possession of [any ]a] a vehicle that is being operated on a highway without owner's or operator's security in effect for the vehicle as required under Section 41-12a-301 and the vehicle was involved in an accident;
or (ii) may seize and take possession of [any ]a] a vehicle that is being operated on a highway- without3 owner's- orS.B. operator's security in effect for the vehicle as required under Section 41-12a-301 after the division or [any ]a peace officer makes a reasonable determination whether the vehicle would:
191 Enrolled Copy highway without owner's or operator's security in effect for the vehicle as required under Section 41-12a-301 after the division or [any ] a peace officer makes a reasonable determination whether the vehicle would:
(b) The division or [any ]a] a peace officer may not seize and take possession of a vehicle under Subsection (4)(a):
(6) The division or a peace officer who seizes a vehicle shall record the mileage shown on the vehicle's odometer at the time of seizure, if:
(a) the vehicle is equipped with an odometer;
and -(b) 4 - SB0191 compared with SB0191S02 the odometer reading is accessible to the division or the peace officer.
[(6)] (7) [Any ]A] A peace officer seizing or taking possession of a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor under this section shall comply with [the provisions of ]Section 41-6a-1406.
Show all 96 changed lines (56 more)
(8)(a) An operator of an impound lot shall ensure the impound lot has a conspicuously placed, well-well-maintained maintained sign that:
(i) is at least 24 square feet in size;
(ii) includes the business name, address, phone number, and hours of business for the impound lot;
(iii) displays the impound lot identification number issued by the division in characters- at4 least- fourEnrolled inchesCopy high;andS.B. is visible from the nearest highway{;
and}191 .characters at least four inches high;
{isand adequately(iv) lit so the sign is alwaysvisible readable from the center of the nearest highway.}highway. An operator of an impound lot shall maintain a hard-surfaced storage area of concrete, black top, gravel, road base, or other {similar } aggregate material in the impound lot.
{An(b) An operator of an impound lot shall ensuremaintain the impound lot is illuminated so that objects and surface conditions are clearly visible, as determined from a pointhard-surfaced withinstorage thearea impound lot that is the farthest distance from the nearest source of light.}concrete, Anblack operatortop, ofgravel, anroad impoundbase, lotor shallother fenceaggregate thematerial perimeterin of the impound lot:lot.
separately(c) fromAn anyoperator otherof personalan orimpound businesslot activityshall thatfence isthe notperimeter directlyof relatedthe toimpound statelot: impounds;
and(i) withseparately six-footfrom highany chain link or other similarpersonal fence or wallbusiness toppedactivity with three strands of barbed wire or razor security wire that areis properlynot affixeddirectly related to thestate fenceimpounds; or wall.
Anand operator(ii) ofwith ansix-foot impoundhigh lotchain shalllink maintainor opaqueother fencing,similar whichfence mayor bewall opaquetopped chainwith linkthree fencing,strands onof anybarbed sidewire thator hasrazor frontagesecurity withwire athat {highway.}are pavedproperly roadaffixed thatto isthe a:fence or wall.
class(d) AAn roadoperator asof describedan inimpound Sectionlot 72-3-102;shall maintain opaque fencing, which may be opaque chain link fencing, on any side that has frontage with a paved road that is a:
(i) class BA road as described in Section 72-3-103;72-3-102;
or(ii) class CB road as described in Section 72-3-104.72-3-103;
Anor operator(iii) ofclass anC impoundroad lotas shalldescribed maintainin spacingSection between72-3-104. vehicles that is adequate to allow opening of vehicle doors without interfering with other vehicles or objects.
Except(e) asAn provided in Subsection (9), an operator of an impound lot shall havemaintain anspacing officebetween onvehicles thethat premises.is adequate to allow opening of vehicle doors without interfering with other vehicles or objects.
-(f) 5Except -as SB0191provided comparedin withSubsection SB0191S02(9), Anan operator of an impound lot shall ensurehave thean impound lot office ison staffedthe andpremises. open for public business during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, except for designated state and federal holidays.
(g) An operator of an impound lot shall provideensure compressedthe airimpound lot office is staffed and batteryopen boostingfor capabilitiespublic atbusiness theduring impoundnormal lotbusiness athours, noMonday additionalthrough cost.Friday, except for designated state and federal holidays.
{An(h) An operator of an impound lot mayshall notprovide havecompressed anyair weedsand inbattery theboosting impoundcapabilities lotat that exceed six inches in height.} Upon request, the division may authorize an impound lot toat maintainno multipleadditional storagecost. areas managed by a central office facility if each storage area is within a 10 mile radius of the central office facility.
An(9)(a) operatorUpon ofrequest, the division may authorize an impound lot withto amaintain centralmultiple officestorage facilityareas authorizedmanaged underby thisa Subsectioncentral (9)office shallfacility appearif ateach an appropriate storage area is within 60a minutes10 ofmile notificationradius toof releasethe acentral vehicleoffice heldfacility. at that storage area.
If(b) anAn operator of an impound lot failswith toa appearcentral asoffice describedfacility inauthorized Subsectionunder (9)(b),this theSubsection division(9) mayshall revokeappear theat impoundan lot'sappropriate authorizationstorage toarea operatewithin as60 anminutes impoundof lotnotification forto release a minimumvehicle ofheld sixat months.that storage area.
In(c) additionIf toan theoperator requirements of thisan Subsectionimpound (9),lot eachfails signto atappear aas storagedescribed areain affiliatedSubsection with(9)(b), athe centraldivision officemay facilityrevoke shallthe provideimpound thelot's locationauthorization andto phoneoperate numberas ofan theimpound centrallot officefor facility.a minimum of six months.
A- crusher,5 dismantler,- orS.B. salvage dealer may not operate as an impound lot unless the crusher, dismantler, or salvage dealer meets all of the requirements for an impound lot described in this section.
The191 divisionEnrolled shallCopy enforce(d) anIn impoundaddition lot'sto compliancethe requirements of this Subsection (9), each sign at a storage area affiliated with a central office facility shall provide the standardslocation describedand inphone thisnumber section.of the central office facility.
The(10) divisionA shallcrusher, providedismantler, written notice, in person or bysalvage certifieddealer mail,may tonot anoperate operatoras of an impound lot notunless inthe compliancecrusher, withdismantler, theor standardssalvage describeddealer inmeets thisall sectionof andthe giverequirements 30for daysan fromimpound thatlot noticedescribed toin rectifythis anysection. noncompliance.
(11) The division mayshall suspendenforce thean impound lot's authorizationcompliance towith operate as an impound lot if no action or insufficient action is taken by the operatorstandards ofdescribed thein impoundthis lot.section.
An(12)(a) impoundThe lotdivision contestingshall suspension,provide orwritten annotice, impoundin lotperson directlyor and adversely affected by thecertified division'smail, refusal to designatean operator of an impound lot asnot anin impoundcompliance lot,with maythe appealstandards thatdescribed suspensionin orthis designationsection refusaland give 30 days from that notice to therectify commission.any noncompliance.
-(b) 6The -division SB0191may comparedsuspend with SB0191S02 In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commissionimpound shalllot's makeauthorization rulesto settingoperate standardsas foran public garages and impound lotslot thatif mayno beaction usedor byinsufficient peaceaction officersis andtaken theby division for the storageoperator of athe seizedimpound vehicle,lot. vessel, or outboard motor.
The(13) divisionAn mayimpound notlot makecontesting rulessuspension, or an impound lot directly and adversely affected by the division's refusal to designate an impound lot as an impound lot, may appeal that conflictsuspension withor Subsectiondesignation (8).refusal to the commission.
The(14)(a) divisionIn shallaccordance ensurewith thatTitle the63G, standardsChapter do3, notUtah restrictAdministrative Rulemaking Act, the numbercommission ofshall make rules setting standards for public garages orand impound lots perthat geographicalmay area.be used by peace officers and the division for the storage of a seized vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor.
An(b) operatorThe ofdivision anmay impoundnot lotmake shall:rules that conflict with Subsection (8).
{allow(c) }The givedivision anshall individualensure authorizedthat bythe Subsectionstandards 41-6a-1406(6)(a)do {tonot accessrestrict athe vehicle,number vessel, or outboard motor in an impound lot during normal business hours to take } possession of apublic lifegarages essential item or otherimpound itemlots ofper personalgeographical propertyarea. if the individual:
arrives(15)(a) atAn theoperator of an impound lot duringshall: normal business hours;
presents(i) thegive individual'san driverindividual licenseauthorized by Subsection 41-6a-1406(6)(a) possession of a life essential item or other government-issueditem identification;of personal property if the individual:
shows(A) evidencearrives thatat the individualimpound islot authorizedduring undernormal Subsectionbusiness 41-6a-1406(6)(a)hours; to take possession of the life essential item or other personal property;
and(B) signspresents athe receiptindividual's fordriver anylicense personal property removed from a vehicle, vessel, or outboardother motor;government-issued identification;
and(C) maintainshows aevidence recordthat ofthe individualsindividual whois haveauthorized beenunder givenSubsection access41-6a-1406(6)(a) to vehiclestake topossession removeof the life essential item or other personal property.property;
Ifand an(D) individualsigns isa unablereceipt tofor presentany thepersonal individual'sproperty driverremoved licensefrom ora other government-issued identification as required in Subsection {(15)(a)(i)(A) } (15)(a)(i)(B) because the individual's driver license or other government-issued identification is inside the impounded vehicle, the owner of the impound lot shall {allow the individual to access the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motormotor; to } retrieve the driver license or government-issued identification, to show that the individual is authorized to take possession of a life essential item or other personal property under Subsection 41-6a-1406(6) (a).
Anand operator- of6 an- impoundEnrolled lotCopy shall:S.B.
remove191 the(ii) licensemaintain platea orrecord platesof fromindividuals anwho impoundedhave vehiclebeen beforegiven theaccess timeto ofvehicles saleto asremove describedpersonal inproperty. Section 41-1a-1103;
and(b) giveIf an individual is unable to present the individual's driver license platesor toother government-issued identification as required in Subsection (15)(a)(i)(B) because the divisionindividual's whendriver license or other government-issued identification is inside the vehicleimpounded vehicle, the owner of the impound lot shall retrieve the driver license or government-issued identification, to show that the individual is sold.authorized to take possession of a life essential item or other personal property under Subsection 41-6a-1406(6)(a).
The(16) divisionAn may require an operator of an impound lot holdingshall: five or fewer vehicles in a month to tow those vehicles to another impound lot to centralize vehicle sales.
- 7 - SB0191 compared with SB0191S02 [(7) (a) Inremove accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commissionlicense shallplate makeor rulesplates settingfrom standardsan forimpounded publicvehicle garages,before impound lots, and impound yards that may be used by peace officers and the division.]time [(b) The standards shall be equitable, reasonable, and unrestrictive as to the number of publicsale garages, impound lots, or impound yards per geographical area.] [(c) A crusher, dismantler, or salvage dealer may not operate as a state impound yard unless the crusher, dismantler, or salvage dealer meets all of the requirements for a state impound yard set forth in this section and rules made in accordance with Subsection (7)(a).] [(d) (i) Rules made by the commission shall include a requirement that a state impound yard have opaque fencing on any side of the state impound yard that has frontage with a highway.] [(ii) The opaque fencing described in SubsectionSection (7)(d)(i)41-1a-1103; may be opaque chain link fencing.] [(8)] (18) (a) Except as provided under [Subsection (8)(b)]Subsection (18)(b), [a person ]an individual may not operate or allow [to be operated ]another individual to operate {a vehicle stored in} [a public garage, impound lot, or impound yard ]an impound lot regulated under this part without [prior ]written permission of the owner of the vehicle.
(b) Incidental and necessary(b) operationgive ofthe alicense vehicleplates to move the vehicledivision fromwhen one parking space to another within [the facility ]an impound lot and that is necessary for the normalvehicle management of [the facility ]an impound lot is notsold. prohibited under [Subsection (8)(a)]Subsection (18)(a).
[(9)](17) (19)The [Adivision personmay ]Anrequire individualan whooperator violatesof [thean provisionsimpound oflot Subsectionholding (8)]Subsectionfive (18)or isfewer guiltyvehicles ofin a classmonth Cto misdemeanor.tow those vehicles to another impound lot to centralize vehicle sales.
[(7)(a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the commission shall make rules setting standards for public garages, impound lots, and impound yards that may be used by peace officers and the division.] [(b) The standards shall be equitable, reasonable, and unrestrictive as to the number of public garages, impound lots, or impound yards per geographical area.] [(c) A crusher, dismantler, or salvage dealer may not operate as a state impound yard unless the crusher, dismantler, or salvage dealer meets all of the requirements for a state impound yard set forth in this section and rules made in accordance with Subsection (7)(a).] [(d)(i) Rules made by the commission shall include a requirement that a state impound yard have opaque fencing on any side of the state impound yard that has frontage with a highway.] [(ii) The opaque fencing described in Subsection (7)(d)(i) may be opaque chain link fencing.] [(8)] (18)(a) Except as provided under [Subsection (8)(b)] Subsection (18)(b), [a person ] an individual may not operate or allow [to be operated ] another individual to operate a vehicle stored in [a public garage, impound lot, or impound yard ] an impound lot regulated under this part without [prior ]written permission of the owner of the vehicle.
- 7 - S.B.
191 Enrolled Copy (b) Incidental and necessary operation of a vehicle to move the vehicle from one parking space to another within [the facility ] an impound lot and that is necessary for the normal management of [the facility ] an impound lot is not prohibited under [ Subsection (8)(a)] Subsection (18)(a).
[(9)] (19) [A person ] An individual who violates [the provisions of Subsection (8)] Subsection (18) is guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
72-9-607.72-9-607 .
- 8 - SB0191 compared with SB0191S02 (2) Each [political subdivision] towing entity or state agency that establishes a towing rotation to facilitate tows initiated by the political subdivision or state agency shall establish a policy for an appeals process to hear and decide appeals from a decision to suspend or remove a tow truck motor carrier or tow truck operator from a towing rotation.
(4) A person with ownership in a tow truck motor carrier that is removed from a towing rotation in a first or second class county may not be added to a towing rotation in a first or second class county for {five } three years after the day on which the tow truck motor carrier is removed from a towing rotation.
Effective date.
This bill takes effect on {May 6, } June 1, 2026.
If- 8 - Enrolled Copy S.B.
191 If S.B.
2-18-26 9:03 AM - 9 -
Show all 96 changed rows (56 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 2/12/2026 10:02:918 pdf
- Amended Amended Excerpts 2/12/2026 10:02:918 pdf
- Substitute Substitute #1 pdf
- Substitute Substitute #2 pdf
- Introduced View text pdf
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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Senate/ to Governor
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Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
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Senate/ 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 Senate for Enrolling
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Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
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Senate/ received from House
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House/ to Senate
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House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
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House/ received from Senate
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Senate/ to House
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Senate/ concurs with House amendment
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Senate/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
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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/ uncircled
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LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0191S02
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LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0191S02
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House/ circled
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House/ substituted
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House/ 3rd reading
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LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0191S02
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LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0191S02
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House/ 2nd reading
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House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Transportation Committee]
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House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]
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House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Transportation Committee]
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House/ to standing committee [House Transportation Committee]
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House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
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House/ received from Senate
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Senate/ to House
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Senate/ passed 3rd reading
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Senate/ 3rd reading
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LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0191S01
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LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0191S01
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Senate/ 2nd reading
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Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted/ Consent Calendar [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
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Senate Comm - Consent Calendar Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
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Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
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Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
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LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0191S01
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LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0191S01
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Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
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LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0191
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LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0191
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Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Business and Labor Committee]
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Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
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Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research
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LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0191
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LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0191
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Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
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Bill Numbered but not Distributed
Sponsors
- Karen M. Peterson · Cosponsor
- Don L. Ipson · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Don L. Ipson Republican
Co-sponsors (1)
- Karen M. Peterson 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 SB 191?
- SB 191 is sponsored by Karen M. Peterson (Republican) and Don L. Ipson (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 191?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 23, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 191?
- Track SB 191 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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