Committee adopts amendment to speed handling of lost property at airports

Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy and Technology Committee — Jan. 22, 2026

Senator Harper introduced SB 172 as a technical clean-up bill that clarifies aircraft registration thresholds and updates the statutory definition of "airport." A principal policy component is a new, expedited process for airports to find owners of lost or mislaid property and dispose of property that remains unclaimed after diligent outreach.

Harper said the change shortens the time items may remain at airports and requires operators to pursue owners actively. "It creates a much shorter process," Harper said when explaining the bill's intent to avoid items remaining at airports for a year or more.

The committee adopted an amendment Harper offered to reinstate a definition that had been inadvertently removed and to clarify that a section of the code applies only to nonfederally funded airports. The amendment was adopted unanimously.

Bridal Frederickson, Director of Planning & Environmental for the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, described the airport's existing practice: items are held 30 days, then an additional 8 days, for 38 days total, officials post photos on the airport website, and staff attempt to contact owners. "We hold it for 30 days. Then there's an additional 8 days... So we'll hold it for 38 days," Frederickson said.

Paul Nielsen from the Salt Lake City Attorney's Office explained cities typically adopt ordinances specifying how to dispose of lost or mislaid property and how proceeds should be used; options include donation, retention by the city or sale with proceeds applied to lawful public uses as the local legislative body determines.

Senator Milner moved to recommend the bill to the full Senate, and the committee reported SB 172 favorably by voice vote.

What happens next

SB 172, as amended, will be considered by the full Senate; the committee recommended the bill unanimously.