Utah § 53-1-106 - Department duties -- Powers.

Full text of Utah Utah Code § 53-1-106 — Department duties -- Powers., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 53-1-106. Department duties -- Powers.

Effective 7/1/2026
53-1-106.  Department duties -- Powers.
(1)In addition to the responsibilities contained in this title, the department shall:
(a)make rules and perform the functions specified in Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code, including:
(i)setting performance standards for towing companies to be used by the department, as required by Section 41-6a-1406; and
(ii)advising the Department of Transportation regarding the safe design and operation of school buses, as required by Section 41-6a-1304;
(b)make rules to establish and clarify standards pertaining to the curriculum and teaching methods of a motor vehicle accident prevention course under Section 31A-19a-211;
(c)aid in enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking;
(d)meet with the Division of Technology Services to formulate contracts, establish priorities, and develop funding mechanisms for dispatch and telecommunications operations;
(e)provide assistance to the Department of Criminal Justice and the Office for Victims of Crime in conducting research or monitoring victims' programs, as required by Subsection 75E-5-203(2);
(f)develop sexual assault exam protocol standards in conjunction with the Utah Hospital Association;
(g)engage in emergency planning activities, including preparation of policy and procedure and rulemaking necessary for implementation of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, as required by Section 53-2a-702;
(h)implement the provisions of Section 53-2a-402, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact;
(i)ensure that any training or certification required of a public official, as defined in Section 53-1-102, or a public employee, as defined in Section 63G-22-102, complies with Title 63G, Chapter 22, State Training and Certification Requirements, if the training or certification is required:
(i)under this title;
(ii)by the department; or
(iii)by an agency or division within the department;
(j)employ a law enforcement officer as a public safety liaison to be housed at the State Board of Education who shall work with the State Board of Education to:
(i)support training with relevant state agencies for school resource officers as described in Section 53G-8-702;
(ii)coordinate the creation of model policies and memorandums of understanding for a local education agency and a local law enforcement agency; and
(iii)ensure cooperation between relevant state agencies, a local education agency, and a local law enforcement agency to foster compliance with disciplinary related statutory provisions, including Sections 53E-3-516 and 53G-8-211;
(k)provide for the security and protection of public officials, public officials' staff, and the capitol hill complex in accordance with the provisions of this part;
(l)fulfill the duties described in Sections 77-36-2.1 and 78B-7-120 related to lethality assessments; and
(m)fulfill the duties described in Section 63L-13-201 related to restricted foreign entities.
(2)
(a)The department shall establish a schedule of fees as required or allowed in this title for services provided by the department.
(b)All fees not established in statute shall be established in accordance with Section 63J-1-504.
(3)The department may establish or contract for the establishment of an organ procurement donor registry in accordance with Section 26B-8-319.
(4)
(a)The department and the State Tax Commission shall jointly study the feasibility of combining the motor vehicle-related divisions under a single umbrella agency, including the Driver License Division, the Motor Vehicle Division, and the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division.
(b)The study described in Subsection (4)(a) shall include an evaluation of:
(i)potential cost savings, including administrative, operational, and technology-related savings;
(ii)potential efficiency gains in governance, staffing, data sharing, and service delivery;
(iii)potential improvements to customer experience, including service accessibility, processing times, and coordination of services; and
(iv)legal, operational, and fiscal barriers to consolidation.
(c)In conducting the study, the department may:
(i)consult with employees and leadership of each motor vehicle-related division;
(ii)review consolidation and organization models from other states;
(iii)consult with relevant stakeholders;
(iv)conduct surveys or studies with users and customers; and
(v)identify statutory changes that would be required to implement consolidation.
(d)On or before November 30, 2026, the department shall submit a written report of the study described in this section to the Transportation Interim Committee.
(e)The report required under Subsection (4)(d) shall include:
(i)findings and conclusions from the study; and
(ii)recommendations, including whether consolidation should be pursued and, if so, an implementation framework.


Amended by Chapter 291, 2026 General Session

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Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 53-1-106

What does Utah Code § 53-1-106 cover?

Section 53-1-106 ("Department duties -- Powers.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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