Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah SB227: Punitive Damages Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 18, 2026
This bill enacts provisions relating to punitive damages.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 12, 2026:
0 Punitive Damages Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Ronald M. Winterton House Sponsor: Colin W. Jack LONG TITLE General Description: This bill enacts provisions relating to punitive damages. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - provides that an insurer may not rely on the existence, likelihood, possibility, or exposure to punitive damages when taking actions under Title 31A, Insurance Code; - provides the circumstances in which a court may award punitive damages against an employer, managing agent, or principal for the conduct of the employer's, managing agent's, or principal's employee or agent; - provides that the provisions this bill enacts apply only to a claim arising after the effective date of the bill; and - makes technical changes. Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: None Utah Code Sections Affected: AMENDS: 31A-20-101 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 1986, Chapter 204 ENACTS: 78B-8-204 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah: Section 1. Section 31A-20-101 is amended to read: 31A-20-101 . Underwriting limitations. (1) No insurer may insure or attempt to insure against: (1) (a) a wager or gaming risk; (2) (b) loss of an election; (3) (c) the penal consequences of a crime; or (4) (d) punitive damages. (2) An insurer may not consider, use, …
Sponsors
- Ronald Winterton (R, 20) · primary sponsor
- Colin Jack (R, 73)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : Senate/ to Governor
- : Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
- : Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
- : House/ to Senate
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
Votes
- Senate/ concurs with House amendment (March 6, 2026): 28 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (March 5, 2026): 56 yea, 12 nay, passed
- House Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 27, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 3rd reading (February 24, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate/ passed 2nd reading (February 23, 2026): 24 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (February 4, 2026): 4 yea, 2 nay, passed
Subjects: Business, Judicial Operations, Transportation, Motor Vehicles, Insurance, Civil Litigation, Motor Vehicle Insurance
Common questions
- What is SB227?
- SB227 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Punitive Damages Amendments.
- What does SB227 do?
- This bill enacts provisions relating to punitive damages.
- What is the status of SB227?
- Signed into law as of March 18, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB227?
- Ronald Winterton (R, 20), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB227?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0227.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.