SB 263

 02-06 10:27  S.B. 263
1Vehicle Loads Amendments
                                          2026 GENERAL SESSION
                                              STATE OF UTAH
                                   Chief Sponsor: Michael K. McKell
                                               House Sponsor:
2
3   LONG TITLE
4   General Description:
5This bill removes a provision that allows a chemical substance to be used as a bonding
6   agent to secure a load in a vehicle.
7   Highlighted Provisions:
8This bill:
9▸ removes a provision that allows a chemical substance to be used as a bonding agent to
10   secure a load in a vehicle.
11   Money Appropriated in this Bill:
12None
13   Other Special Clauses:
14None
15   Utah Code Sections Affected:
16   AMENDS:
1772-7-409, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 393
18
19   Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
20Section 1. Section 72-7-409 is amended to read:
2172-7-409 . Loads on vehicles -- Limitations -- Confining, securing, and fastening
22   load required -- Penalty.
23   (1) As used in this section:
                                                                                                           S.B. 263
24(a) "Agricultural product" means any raw product which is derived from agriculture,
25including silage, hay, straw, grain, manure, and other similar product.
26(b)(i) "Unsecured load" means the contents of a vehicle, operated on a highway, not
27sufficiently covered, confined, fastened, or otherwise secured in a way to prevent
28the contents from escaping the vehicle.
29(ii) "Unsecured load" includes materials such as dirt, sand, gravel, rock fragments,
30pebbles, crushed base, aggregate, any other similar material, or scrap metal or
 S.B. 263  02-06 10:27
31other loose material on any portion of the vehicle not designed to carry the
32material.
33      (c) "Vehicle" means the same as that term is defined in Section 41-1a-102.
34  (2) Except as provided in Subsections (3) through (5), a person may not:
35      (a) operate a vehicle with an unsecured load on any highway; or
36      (b) operate a vehicle carrying trash or garbage without a covering over the entire load.
37  (3)(a) A vehicle carrying dirt, sand, gravel, rock fragments, pebbles, crushed base,
38      aggregate, any other similar material, or scrap metal shall have a covering over the
39      entire load unless:
40(i) the highest point of the load does not extend above the top of any exterior wall or
41sideboard of the cargo compartment of the vehicle; and
42(ii) the outer edges of the load are at least six inches below the top inside edges of the
43exterior walls or sideboards of the cargo compartment of the vehicle.
44      (b) The following material is exempt from the provisions of Subsection (3)(a):
45(i) hot mix asphalt;
46(ii) construction debris or scrap metal if the debris or scrap metal is a size and in a
47form not susceptible to being blown out of the vehicle;
48(iii) material being transported across a highway between two parcels of property that
49would be contiguous but for the highway that is being crossed; and
50(iv) material listed under Subsection (3)(a) that is enclosed on all sides by containers,
51bags, or packaging.
52      [(c) A chemical substance capable of coating or bonding a load so that the load is
53confined on a vehicle, may be considered a covering for purposes of Subsection (3)(a)
54so long as the chemical substance remains effective at confining the load.]
55  (4) Subsection (2) does not apply to a vehicle or implement of husbandry carrying an
56      agricultural product, if the agricultural product is:
57      (a) being transported in a manner which is not a hazard or a potential hazard to the safe
58operation of the vehicle or to other highway users; and
59      (b) loaded in a manner that only allows minimal spillage.
60  (5)(a) An authorized vehicle performing snow removal services on a highway is exempt
61      from the requirements of this section.
62      (b) This section does not prohibit the necessary spreading of any substance connected
63with highway maintenance, construction, securing traction, or snow removal.
64  (6)(a) Any person suspected of operating a vehicle with an unsecured load on a highway
                                                   -2-
 02-06 10:27  S.B. 263
65may be issued a warning.
66(b) Any person who violates this section is guilty of:
67(i) an infraction, if the violation creates a hazard but does not lead to a motor vehicle
68accident;
69(ii) a class B misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard that leads to a motor
70vehicle accident; or
71(iii) a class A misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard that leads to a motor
72vehicle accident that results in the serious bodily injury or death of a person.
73(c) A person who violates a provision of this section shall be fined not less than:
74(i) $200 for a violation; or
75(ii) $500 for a second or subsequent violation within six years of a previous violation
76of this section.
77(d) A person who violates a provision of this section while operating a commercial
78vehicle as defined in Section 72-9-102 shall be fined:
79(i) not less than $500 for a violation; or
80(ii) $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation within six years of a previous
81violation of this section.
82   (7) As resources and opportunities allow, the department shall implement programs or
83activities that increase public awareness on the importance of properly securing loads.
84Section 2. Effective Date.
85   This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.
                                                  -3-