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House approves consumer-notification bill clarifying gift certificate expiration rules
Summary
House Bill 261 passed after floor amendments allowing expiration and fee information to appear on packaging or an accompanying record; proponents said the change eases compliance costs for businesses while protecting consumers.
The Utah House on Feb. 7 passed House Bill 261, which clarifies when gift certificates and gift cards expire and how expiration and fee information must be displayed. Sponsor Representative Wayne Harper described the measure as consumer-friendly and said it brings state law into alignment with federal requirements used by banks and other institutions.
The bill as amended requires that an expiration date or related information be provided on the instrument, packaging, or an accompanying record. Representative Steve Clark initially moved to insert the word "package" and later supported an amendment to insert the term "packaging" (after a brief substitute amendment). Proponents said allowing information on packaging or a paper record will reduce costs for companies that distribute cards across multiple states.
Representative Harper said the bill preserves access: if a gift card lacks an expiration printed on the card itself, it does not automatically expire if the packaging contained the expiration information. The sponsor framed the change as both consumer protection and small-business relief.
The House roll-call showed the bill passed with 72 yes votes and 0 no votes; it will be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
