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House approves overhaul of pawn‑shop rules, maintains fingerprinting and restitution provisions
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Summary
Lawmakers passed a third substitute to update pawnshop regulations, including a $750 fee for out‑of‑state access to the pawnshop database, flexibility on hold times, and explicit restitution procedures; the bill preserves fingerprinting/ID requirements and passed 68‑0.
The Utah House approved a comprehensive update to pawnshop and secondhand‑dealer law Wednesday, passing the third substitute of House Bill 133 by a voice vote that recorded 68 ayes and no nays.
Representative Lockhart, the bill sponsor, told the chamber the measure requires out‑of‑state law enforcement wishing to access the pawnshop database to pay a $750 fee and authorizes pawn brokers to set different hold periods with customers rather than a fixed 30‑day hold. He also said the third substitute retains fingerprint and identification procedures for pawned items.
Lockhart framed part of the bill as redressing an inconsistency between pawnshops and other secondhand dealers and described the change as an "equal protection" concern: "This is an equal protection issue," he said, arguing that similar businesses should be treated the same under law.
Members raised questions about deleted language and restitution for victims. Representative Lawrence asked whether deleted lines had been reinserted elsewhere; Lockhart said the language was moved later in the bill and reaffirmed that a victim who requests restitution must generally participate in the prosecution to receive restitution from the court. Representative Harper said quicker return of stolen property to rightful owners should remain a priority.
Supporters said the third substitute resolves many earlier problems and keeps strong investigative tools in place. Representative Dunnegan commended the retention of fingerprinting language and urged attention to raising compliance among secondhand dealers in future work.
The House voted to pass the third substitute, and the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further action.
