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House narrows vehicle-concealment bill to require 'knowing' possession of compartments for criminal penalty
Summary
Lawmakers amended House Bill 30 to make it a Class A misdemeanor only when a person knowingly possesses, uses or controls a vehicle with a compartment intended to conceal contraband; the bill passed and was referred to the Senate.
On Jan. 22 the Utah House debated House Bill 30, a criminal statute aimed at vehicles outfitted with concealed compartments used to hide drugs, weapons or illicit proceeds. Sponsor Representative Paul Ray said the bill targets manufacturers and users exploiting secret compartments to conceal contraband. Several members raised concerns about legitimate businesses — including firms that build armored vehicles for export — and about criminalizing innocent purchasers who later find compartments in a used vehicle.
Representative Ron Bigelow moved a floor amendment to insert the word 'knowingly' into the statute to ensure the provision applies only when a person intentionally possessed the compartment to conceal contraband; the amendment passed and the sponsor described it as friendly. Lawmakers sought assurances that legal weapons carried pursuant to a concealed-weapons permit would not be considered contraband for purposes of the statute.
In summation, Representative Ray said the bill is designed to give law enforcement an additional tool against organized criminal activity while including safeguards for unwitting or legitimate purchasers. The House passed the bill as amended, 68–0 with 7 absent, and referred it to the Senate.
