House approves 75¢ dealer fee to fund motor-vehicle enforcement prosecutor

The Utah House approved legislation that raises a dealer-paid temporary permit fee from $6 to $6.75 to fund additional enforcement in the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division.

"By doing that, that creates enough money in order for the motor vehicle enforcement division to hire 2 investigators, a prosecutor, and a staff person," said Representative Paul Ray, the bill sponsor, describing the bill’s revenue model and intent to pursue auto-theft and curbing operations. Ray told the chamber the change is targeted at dealer-paid permit books and would generate about $246,000 in revenue to support enforcement staff.

Opponents questioned whether the solution required creating prosecutorial capacity inside the division. "Why every time we find that there's something that's not working do we have to create another government appendage?" Representative Christensen said, arguing existing offices might handle prosecutions and criticizing expanding fees rather than retooling current agencies.

Supporters said the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division currently has no prosecutors and that the fee would allow the state to pursue “chop shops” and illegal dealer operations while recovering tax revenue lost to unregistered sales. Representative Ray said the cost would fall on dealers, and "they may bump that up to $6.75, as a cost to doing business." He emphasized dealers and the Auto Dealers Association backed the measure as a way to police bad actors in the industry.

The House recorded a 39-28 vote in favor; the bill will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.

Next steps: the bill was referred to the Senate calendar for consideration.