Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

HB 536 — Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments

Last action — Governor Signed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 10, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 25, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based 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

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • 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

177 added · 186 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of HB 536 expands the definition of graffiti offenses to include damage to not just public structures but also natural and archaeological features on state lands. Additionally, it allows courts to order that restitution payments for these violations be directed to a designated fund for restoration efforts. These changes aim to enhance the protection of valuable natural and historical sites, ensuring that offenders contribute to the recovery of the damage they cause.

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HB0536S02 compared with HB0536 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0536 but was omitted in HB0536S02 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0536 but was inserted into HB0536S02 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy H.B.
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536 Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
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This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
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Criminal Conduct on Public Lands Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
3 LONG TITLE General Description:
Don L.
Ipson 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
▸ amends the criminal offense of defacing by graffiti on public lands {to include additional } , including to add conduct involving natural and archaeological features;
▸ amends the criminal offense of defacing by graffiti on public lands, including to add conduct involving natural and archaeological features;
▸ provides {for } that a {fine or restitution order } court may order criminal restituHion to {restore } be deposited into the {damage caused by } fund for a {defendant;
▸ provides that a court may order criminal restitution to be deposited into the fund for a violation of:
and} violation of:
● defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands;
B ● defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands;
or ● antiquities alteration, removal, injury, or destruction, if the violation is on state lands;
or 5 ● 3 HB0536 compared with HB0536S02 antiquities alteration, removal, injury, or destruction, if the violation is on state lands;
9-8a-203 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 536 76-6-107.5 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 111, 411 76-6-902 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 111 ENACTS:
9-8a-203, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 536 H.B.
9-8a-207 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
536 Enrolled Copy 76-6-107.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapters 111, 411 76-6-902, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 111 ENACTS:
9-8a-207, Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
9-8a-203.
9-8a-203 .
- 2 - HB0536 compared with HB0536S02 (9) advise and assist, as appropriate, state agencies, federal agencies, and local governments in carrying out the state agency's, federal agency's, and local government's historic preservation responsibilities;
(9) advise and assist, as appropriate, state agencies, federal agencies, and local governments in carrying out the state agency's, federal agency's, and local government's historic preservation responsibilities;
and (c) educate the public on how to report criminal acts;
and - 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
536 (c) educate the public on how to report criminal acts;
(15) (a) create and maintain an inventory of all active and inactive cemeteries throughout the state;
(15)(a) create and maintain an inventory of all active and inactive cemeteries throughout the state;
and - 3 - HB0536 compared with HB0536S02 (g) make the inventory described in Subsection (15)(a) available to any person upon request;
and (g) make the inventory described in Subsection (15)(a) available to any person upon request;
(16) (a) create and maintain a public electronic record of each cemetery location and each burial location;
(16)(a) create and maintain a public electronic record of each cemetery location and each burial location;
(iii) endowment care cemeteries;
- 3 - H.B.
536 Enrolled Copy (iii) endowment care cemeteries;
Section 2 is enacted to read:
Section 9-8a-207 is enacted to read:
9-8a-207.
9-8a-207 .
(2) There is created an expendable special revenue fund known as the "Public Lands Restoration and Protection Fund." (3) (a) The fund shall consist of:
(2) There is created an expendable special revenue fund known as the "Public Lands Restoration and Protection Fund." (3)(a) The fund shall consist of:
- 4 - HB0536 compared with HB0536S02 (4) (a) The office may use the fund for the restoration of, and prevention of, harm to public lands and cultural sites, including:
(4)(a) The office may use the fund for the restoration of, and prevention of, harm to public lands and cultural sites, including:
(iii) providing educational seminars and training to state agencies, local agencies, private organizations, and individuals regarding the preservation and protection of public lands and cultural sites;
- 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
536 (iii) providing educational seminars and training to state agencies, local agencies, private organizations, and individuals regarding the preservation and protection of public lands and cultural sites;
76-6-107.5.
76-6-107.5 .
{Damage, destruction} Defacing by graffiti, damage, or {defacing by graffiti of } destruction on public lands.
Defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands.
(1) (a) As used in this section[, "public] :
(1)(a) As used in this section[, "public] :
{(i) {"Natural feature" means a rock formation or feature, geological formation or feature, or another naturally occurring formation or feature, such as a hoodoo, cave, stalactite, or stalagmite.} } (ii)(i) - 5 - HB0536 compared with HB0536S02 (A) "Archaeological feature" means a non-portable element created or used by humans that provides insights into past human activities or organization at a site.
(i)(A) "Archaeological feature" means a non-portable element created or used by humans that provides insights into past human activities or organization at a site.
(iii){(ii)} {"Public} "Natural feature" means a rock formation or feature, geological formation or feature, or another naturally occurring formation or feature, such as a hoodoo, cave, stalactite, or stalagmite.
(ii) "Natural feature" means a unique rock formation or feature, geological formation or feature, or another naturally occurring formation or feature, such as a hoodoo, cave, stalactite, or stalagmite.
(2) An actor commits {damage, destruction, or }defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands if the actor:
(2) An actor commits defacing by graffiti, damage, or destruction on public lands if the actor:
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{(a) damages or destroys:} {(i) a natural feature on public lands;} {(ii) an archaeological feature on public lands;
(a) [ ]creates, or assists in creating, graffiti on any public lands or state-owned object permanently located on public lands[.] ;
or} {(iii) a state-owned object permanently located on public lands;
or} (b){(a)} creates, or assists in creating, graffiti on any public lands or state-owned object permanently located on public lands[.] ;
(i) a natural feature on public lands;
- 5 - H.B.
536 Enrolled Copy (i) a natural feature on public lands;
(4) If an actor is convicted of [defacing by graffiti on public lands, the] { } a violation of this section, in addition to any other sentence imposed by the court, the court shall sentence the actor to a term of community service as follows:
(4) If an actor is convicted of [defacing by graffiti on public lands, the] a violation of this section, in addition to any other sentence imposed by the court, the court shall sentence the actor to a term of community service as follows:
- 6 - HB0536 compared with HB0536S02 (a) for a first conviction, the court shall sentence the actor to 100 hours of community service, to be completed within 90 days after the day on which the court issues the order;
(a) for a first conviction, the court shall sentence the actor to 100 hours of community service, to be completed within 90 days after the day on which the court issues the order;
(7) (a) If an actor is convicted of [defacing by graffiti on public lands] a violation of this section, the court may:
(7)(a) If an actor is convicted of [defacing by graffiti on public lands] a violation of this section, the court may:
(a){(i)} [ ]impose a fine up to the full amount of the estimated cost to restore the [damaged land,] damage caused by the [actor{] actor's violation of this section}, to the land's original state]actor's violation of this section;
(i) [ ]impose a fine up to the full amount of the estimated cost to restore the [damaged land,] damage caused by the [actor, to the land's original state] actor's violation of this section;
or (b){(ii)} order the actor to {provide } pay restitution {to an authorized government agency that provides, or hires an outside agency to provide, restoration services } for the damage caused by the actor's violation of this section.
or (ii) order the actor to pay restitution for the damage caused by the actor's violation of this section.
(8) An actor who voluntarily, at the actor's own expense, and with the consent of the property owner, removes graffiti for which the actor is responsible shall be credited for [costs] the fees or restitution ordered by the court under Subsection (7).
(8) An actor who voluntarily, at the actor's own expense, and with the consent of the - 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
536 property owner, removes graffiti for which the actor is responsible shall be credited for [ costs] the fees or restitution ordered by the court under Subsection (7).
76-6-902.
76-6-902 .
or - 7 - HB0536 compared with HB0536S02 (b) counsels, procures, solicits, or employs another person to violate Subsection (2)(a).
or (b) counsels, procures, solicits, or employs another person to violate Subsection (2)(a).
(3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor.
(3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor.
(4) (a) For a violation of Subsection (2) on state lands, the court may:
(4)(a) For a violation of Subsection (2) on state lands, the court may:
Effective date.
2-24-26 9:54 AM - 8 -
- 7 -
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Amendments

1 amendment

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Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. House/ to Governor

  3. House/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. House/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from House for Enrolling

  8. House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

  9. House/ received from Senate

  10. Senate/ to House

  11. Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

  12. Senate/ received from House

  13. House/ to Senate

  14. House/ concurs with Senate amendment

  15. House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar

  16. House/ received from Senate

  17. Senate/ to House with amendments

  18. Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  19. Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension

  20. Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar

  21. Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]

  22. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  23. Senate/ comm rpt/ amended [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  24. Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  25. Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  26. Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  27. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  28. Senate/ received from House

  29. House/ to Senate

  30. House/ passed 3rd reading

  31. House/ substituted

  32. House/ 3rd reading

  33. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0536S02

  34. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0536S01

  35. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0536S02

  36. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0536S01

  37. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0536S02

  38. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0536S02

  39. House/ 2nd reading

  40. House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  41. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  42. House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  43. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0536S01

  44. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0536S01

  45. House/ to standing committee [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]

  46. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  47. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0536

  48. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0536

  49. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  50. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  51. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0536

  52. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0536

  53. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  54. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"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.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety environment
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 536?
HB 536 is sponsored by Don L. Ipson (Republican) and Stewart E. Barlow (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 536?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 10, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 536?
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