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Committee backs HB 196 to clarify traction law, expand canyon enforcement
Summary
The committee unanimously recommended first substitute House Bill 196, which clarifies the state's traction (chain-up) law and aligns statute with UDOT practice for canyon roads. UDOT and the Utah Highway Patrol voiced support; the record shows prior legislative funding and public outreach.
The Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Standing Committee voted unanimously to pass first substitute House Bill 196, a measure to clarify Utah’s traction (chain-up) law and make explicit that failure to comply with traction requirements is an enforceable traffic infraction in specified conditions and zones.
Representative Bennion told the committee the bill "gives law enforcement and drivers greater clarity that traction laws can be enforced" and noted that UDOT classifies roads by condition and can tailor requirements for different canyons. The sponsor referenced a UDOT map distributed on a flyer and said counties and canyon rules can vary.
Peter Asplund, policy and legislative affairs for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), told the committee UDOT supports the clarification and emphasized much of the current practice is already carried out in rule. He said UDOT and ski-resort partners have been involved in drafting the language and noted prior legislative support for enforcement in the Cottonwood Canyons.
Major Jeff of the Utah Highway Patrol testified that chain-up enforcement was active at Parleys Canyon at the time of the hearing and said troopers were stationed "at the mouth of the canyon working that right now, making sure people have chains and that their tires are in good good condition." He called the statutory clarification helpful for enforcement.
Sponsor and committee members cited last year’s $400,000 legislative appropriation for additional enforcement in the Cottonwood Canyons and told the committee UDOT had distributed roughly 16,000 stickers to inform motorists about traction requirements. The committee accepted Representative Bennion’s request to send the bill out with a favorable recommendation.
The committee recorded no opposing public testimony on the bill during the hearing. With committee approval, first substitute HB 196 advances to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation.
Votes at a glance: Committee voted to pass first substitute House Bill 196 to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation; the motion passed unanimously.
