In one paragraph
Utah's H.B. 606 (Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox), Surveillance and Investigatory Technology Amendments, would have limited a law enforcement agency's use of surveillance or investigatory technology, defined to include facial recognition systems, biometric surveillance information, and location tracking, with "technology" defined to include AI technology. The limits would start July 1, 2027. The enacting clause was struck and the bill filed as not passed on March 6, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None: the bill did not pass. Had it passed, Utah law enforcement agencies would have faced limits on surveillance and investigatory technology, including AI, plus annual reporting and private lawsuits for prohibited use.
Key provisions
- Would retitle Chapter 23e "Limitations on Government Use of Technology", make the existing facial recognition rules Part 1, and add Part 2 (Secs. 77-23e-201 to 205) on law enforcement use of technology for surveillance or investigatory purposes
- "Technology" would include artificial intelligence technology; covered tools include biometric surveillance information, facial recognition systems, imaging surveillance devices, location tracking, open-source data gathering, and reverse-keyword and reverse-location data
- On or after July 1, 2027, an agency could not use such technology unless statutory conditions are met (the captured text ends before the conditions)
- Information obtained in violation would be excluded in certain circumstances, and a private right of action against the agency would be created with governmental immunity waived
- Agencies would report annually to the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, which would report to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee; the reporting would be repealed July 1, 2033
- Status: introduced February 27, 2026; House struck the enacting clause and filed it March 6, 2026
Latest legislative action
Mar 6, 2026. House/ filed (House file for bills not passed)
Sponsors
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Wilcox, Ryan D. | Primary |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error