HB 423: Hit and Run and DUI Offense Amendments - Utah

Substitute #5 → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 24, 2026

MODERATE

This bill strengthens penalties for hit-and-run accidents and modifies administrative procedures for DUI license hearings. It increases fines and potential felony charges for repeat offenders who leave accident scenes, extends the deadline for requesting a hearing after a DUI arrest from 29 to 45 days, and adds a new fee for reinstating licenses after alcohol-related offenses. The changes aim to deter dangerous driving behaviors and ensure drivers have adequate time to contest license suspensions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of penalties for hit-and-run offenses by explicitly linking prior DUI convictions to enhanced sentencing and adds new requirements for vendors providing electronic DUI reporting systems.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for requesting a hearing after a DUI arrest from 29 days to 45 days to give drivers more time to contest license suspensions.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased penalties for hit-and-run offenses, making them third-degree felonies for repeat offenders who have prior DUI convictions or hit-and-run convictions within the last 10 years.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for vendors providing electronic DUI reporting systems to update their software within 24 hours of statutory changes.

Changed the start date for license suspension periods from the 45th day after arrest to the 60th day after arrest for first-time offenders.

FISCAL

Established a specific $262 administrative fee for license reinstatement after alcohol-related offenses, with $7 of that fee going to the General Fund.

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly strengthens penalties for hit-and-run accidents, particularly when combined with prior DUI convictions, and tightens administrative hearing procedures for DUI cases. It introduces new sentencing requirements for accident violations, expands the list of offenses requiring DNA collection, and adjusts suspension timelines for under-21 drivers. The changes aim to increase accountability for dangerous driving behaviors and ensure faster, more robust administrative reviews.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enhanced penalties to include hit-and-run offenses committed by individuals with prior DUI or hit-and-run convictions. It also broadens the applicability of DNA collection requirements to include specific violent felonies and failures to stop at fatal accidents.

ENFORCEMENT

Hit-and-run penalties are increased to Class A misdemeanor or third-degree felony if the operator has a prior conviction for hit-and-run or DUI within the last 10 years.

Drivers disqualified for CDL violations must now serve a minimum of 10 days in jail before being eligible for 24-7 sobriety programs.

REQUIREMENT

New sentencing rules mandate minimum jail time, fines, and impound fees for hit-and-run convictions, with options for 24-7 sobriety programs.

Under-21 drivers found with detectable alcohol must now complete a substance abuse assessment or program to have their license reinstated.

TIMELINE

Suspension start dates for under-21 drivers with detectable alcohol are accelerated from the 45th day to the 60th day after arrest.

Deadlines for requesting administrative hearings are shortened from 105 days to 10 days, and hearing response times are reduced from 29 days to 5 days.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of offenses requiring mandatory DNA specimen analysis was expanded to include specific violent felonies and failure to stop at fatal accidents.

TECHNICAL

Administrative hearing procedures were updated to prevent dismissal solely due to a peace officer's failure to appear, requiring specific conditions before a hearing can be voided.

Substitute #4 → Substitute #5 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill strengthens penalties for hit-and-run accidents and modifies administrative procedures for DUI license hearings. It increases jail time and fines for leaving the scene of an accident if the driver has prior convictions, adds a sentencing mitigation for those who pass a chemical test, and extends the deadline for requesting a license hearing from 29 to 45 days.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of vehicle seizure to include accidents where the operator failed to remain at the scene and clarifies that peace officers must now appear at DUI license hearings.

TIMELINE

Extended the deadline for an individual to request a driver license hearing after a DUI arrest from 29 days to 45 days.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a requirement that the Driver License Division must request the presence of a peace officer at license suspension hearings and cannot dismiss a hearing solely because the officer failed to appear.

Updated vehicle seizure rules to explicitly include vehicles involved in accidents where the operator did not remain at the scene until fulfilling legal duties.

REQUIREMENT

Increased penalties for hit-and-run offenses by adding enhanced jail sentences and fines for drivers with prior convictions of the same offense or DUI.

Created a sentencing mitigation factor that allows for reduced penalties if the operator obtains a negative chemical test result.

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill strengthens penalties for hit-and-run accidents and modifies administrative hearing deadlines for DUI arrests. It increases jail time and fines for leaving accident scenes if the driver has a prior DUI or hit-and-run conviction, adds a mitigation option for those who pass a chemical test, and extends the window to request a license suspension hearing from 5 to 45 days. The bill also clarifies that hearings cannot be dismissed solely because a police officer failed to appear.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enhanced penalties for hit-and-run offenses to include prior DUI convictions and adds a new section requiring vendors to update their electronic DUI reporting systems to match statutory changes.

REQUIREMENT

Extended the deadline for requesting a driver license suspension hearing after a DUI arrest from 5 days to 45 days.

Created a new sentencing mitigation for hit-and-run offenders who obtain a negative chemical test result.

Increased penalties for hit-and-run offenses when the operator has a prior conviction for the same offense or for driving under the influence.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a provision stating that a DUI administrative hearing cannot be dismissed solely because the arresting peace officer failed to appear.

TECHNICAL

Added a requirement for vendors providing electronic DUI reporting systems to update their software to conform with statutory changes by the effective date.

DEFINITION

Updated the list of Utah Code sections affected to include 53-3-105 and 53-10-403, and repealed the reference to 41-6a-401.5.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill strengthens penalties for hit-and-run accidents and modifies administrative procedures for driving under the influence (DUI) cases. It increases jail time and fines for leaving accident scenes, especially for repeat offenders, and tightens rules for when drivers can request license hearings after a DUI arrest.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of penalties for hit-and-run offenses to include prior DUI convictions and modifies the timeline for administrative license hearings in DUI cases.

REQUIREMENT

Hit-and-run penalties are increased to include higher jail sentences and fines if the driver has a prior conviction for leaving an accident scene or for driving under the influence.

Drivers who leave the scene of an accident involving injury or death must now remain at the scene until they have fulfilled all legal duties, such as exchanging information and rendering assistance.

TIMELINE

The deadline for requesting an administrative hearing after a DUI arrest is shortened from 45 days to 10 days.

The time limit for the Driver License Division to hold a hearing after a DUI arrest is reduced from 45 days to 5 days.

ENFORCEMENT

Drivers can no longer dismiss a DUI license suspension hearing solely because the arresting officer failed to appear; the hearing must proceed.

The Division of Driver Licensing is now authorized to request that a peace officer attend a license suspension hearing to provide testimony.

SCOPE

The definition of 'Criminal offense' in vehicle seizure laws was updated to explicitly include specific local ordinances.

TECHNICAL

Various sections were updated to correct typos, fix inconsistent numbering, and improve clarity in legal language.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill increases penalties for hit-and-run accidents if the driver has prior DUI or similar convictions, tightens deadlines for requesting administrative license hearings after a DUI arrest, and adds new sentencing requirements including mandatory jail time or work programs. It also updates the list of offenses requiring DNA collection to include specific DUI-related crimes and modifies CDL disqualification rules for alcohol violations.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enhanced penalties for hit-and-run offenses to explicitly include drivers with prior DUI convictions and adds new categories of offenses subject to DNA collection requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Extended the deadline for requesting a driver license hearing after a DUI arrest from 105 days to 294 days.

Increased penalties for leaving the scene of an accident if the operator has a prior conviction for the same offense or for driving under the influence.

Added new sentencing requirements for hit-and-run offenses, including mandatory minimum jail time or compensatory service work.

Added new sentencing requirements for hit-and-run offenses involving serious bodily injury or death, including longer jail terms and electronic monitoring.

Modified CDL disqualification periods for alcohol-related offenses, changing suspension durations and reinstatement conditions.

Added specific DUI-related offenses to the list of crimes requiring DNA specimen analysis.

TECHNICAL

Made technical changes to section numbering and formatting throughout the bill.

Hit and Run and DUI Offense Amendments

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors