H.B. 52 Tribal Endorsement of Utah Driver License Amendments

What this bill does

The bill would let enrolled members of federally recognized tribes voluntarily request a generic Native American notation on their Utah driver license or ID. Applicants would prove eligibility with existing tribal or federal documents, and the notation would not name a specific tribe or collect new personal data.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the sponsor’s presentation in committee and on the floor. Check the official text below.

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Every vote

• 73 yes, 0 no, 2 absentFinal House vote · Jan 22, 2026Who voted how
• 6 yes, 0 no, 2 absentSenate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee: vote to approve it · Jan 27, 2026Who voted how
• 24 yes, 0 no, 5 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 4, 2026Who voted how
• 27 yes, 0 no, 2 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 18, 2026Who voted how
• 71 yes, 0 no, 4 absentHouse vote to accept the other chamber's changes · Feb 20, 2026Who voted how

Hearings and debates

• Jan 22, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (16 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)15:13

     Representative Maloy.

  2. Rep. A. Cory Maloy15:15

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'm real proud to be here today and to, uh, present this bill. HB 52 uh, gives enrolled members the Fed federally recognized Native American tribes here in Utah. The option to have a simple Native American notation on their Utah driver's license or ID using existing tribal documentation without collecting new data or revealing tribal affiliation. This policy was requested by the leaders of our various tribal leaders. Uh, so just to kinda walk you through it a little bit, the, uh, the bill is optional and respectful. This bill does not require anything. It simply allows an individual to request a notation if they choose. It uses, uh, existing trusted documentation. The driver's license division relies on well-established tribal and federal documents that already exist. It also protects privacy. The notation does not identify a specific tribe or disclose sensitive personal information. And the, uh, the bill also acknowledges that enrolled tribal members in a limited it, it acknowledges enrolled tribal members in a limited, neutral way while treating all Utahans fairly under the law. And that's basically the bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

  3. Speaker (presiding)16:39

     Thank you Representative Malloy discussion

  4. Rep. Angela Romero16:41

     to the bill Representative Romero. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, question, um, How ask Representative Malloy, will you yield to a question? Yeah. Does this include tribal members that are not enrolled in a Utah tribe? It, it, uh, the bill indicates that federally recognized tribal tribes. Okay. That's all I wanted to know. Thank you.

  5. Speaker (presiding)17:05

     Thank you Representative Romero. Further discussion to the bill.

  6. Speaker (presiding)17:08

     Representative Christofferson.

  7. Rep. Kay J. Christofferson17:12

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, would the sponsor yield to a series of questions? Representative Malloy, will you yield to a series of questions? I will, yes. Thank you. Uh, so what is the purpose of that designation?

  8. Rep. A. Cory Maloy17:24

     I think the purpose is there's, there's probably many different purposes and I think, uh, the number one purpose is for any reason that, uh, the tribal members feel like they need. So it could be as simple as, uh, making sure they have a good driver's license when they're off their tribal lands and driving throughout the rest of the state of Utah. It could have, uh, implications in making it easier for them, easier for them to register to vote in Utah elections. And, uh, also, uh, to avoid any kind of confusion regarding their US citizenship status as it relates to what's going on with, uh, our, our ICE officers in the state of Utah. So there's no confusion. So there could be, I think it would, the best way to say it would be for any legal reason where, uh, a Utah Identif, Utah ID with that designation will help them out.

  9. Rep. Kay J. Christofferson18:20

     Okay. So does, uh, does this open up the possibility that other groups are gonna want to have designations on their licenses? I'm sorry, could you, Does this open up, uh, the possibility that other groups are gonna have, uh, you know, a request to change the license for their purposes as well?

  10. Rep. A. Cory Maloy18:43

      I can't, I don't have an answer to that question. I suppose that there could be groups that would, uh, feel like they would like to or consider it. Um, but the, the unique aspect of our tribal citizens is, uh, that they, when you really look at, uh, who they are, they're, they're citizens of a tribe. They're citizens of the us, they're citizens of a state. And so it can get very complex when they have to rely on any of the IDs that go along with that. So this is, I think will help them clarify in a lot more situations.

  11. Rep. Kay J. Christofferson19:18

      Exactly. Uh, you know, where they, uh, reside and, and that they're US citizens and so on. Well, I think that, um, when you get a driver's license, just a standard one, it, you have to sh prove that you are a legal citizen to get that. I'm just trying to understand why we need a separate one.

  12. Rep. A. Cory Maloy19:43

      The, uh, you're absolutely right. When you're, uh, trying to, uh, register to vote or get your driver's license, you have to show that you are a US citizen. And for our, our, our tribal members, the same documentation that they would use for this designation to receive it is what they use to receive their driver's license. So basically what it does, it's just going to, uh, I think streamline or smooth out the process for our tribal members in these situations.

  13. Rep. Kay J. Christofferson20:14

      Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate Mr. Speaker. Thank you Representative Christofferson. Further discussion to the bill C none.

  14. Speaker (presiding)20:23

      Back to your Representative Maloy per summation.

  15. Rep. A. Cory Maloy20:25

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a simple optional no-cost bill that respects tribal identity, protects privacy, and gives clarity to both applicants and the state. And I appreciate the, uh, body support on this bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

  16. Speaker (presiding)20:40

      Thank you. Representative Maloy voting will now be open on Representative Pucci. Would you like to vote? Seeing all present, having voted voting is now closed. HB 52 passes this body with 73 yes votes at zero, no votes will be sent to the Senate for its consideration. Madam Reading Clerk

• Jan 27, 2026 Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (14 turns)

  1. Chair Harper (presiding)1:04:20

     It's great. Oh, we'll call up, uh, house Bill 52. Tribal endorsement of Utah Driver's licenses Representative Malloy. There you are. Welcome.

  2. Chair Harper (presiding)1:04:29

     You're our first house bill of the session, So Awesome. It'll be the first house bill you pass to. Um, watch it.

  3. Rep. Cory A. Maloy1:04:43

     Um, I'd like to, uh, make sure we have, uh, delegate Parish on the phone. Is she, is she there? Yeah. Okay. She's gonna join me in my presentation. Okay. She's, she's on, Yes. She's just rejoining as a panelist. She, I'm sorry, what? It'll Just take one second. Okay. Okay. I'll go ahead and get started while she comes in and I'll turn some time over to her.

  4. Rep. Cory A. Maloy1:05:17

     Uh, HB 52 gives enrolled members of federally recognized tribes the option if they choose to include a simple Native American notation on a Utah driver's license or ID while protecting privacy, respecting tribal sovereignty, and changing nothing else in Utah law. This, uh, is a narrow, optional and respectful bill. Nothing is mandated, nothing is expanded. It simply provides an option that doesn't exist today. For many Native American Utahans identity is very, very important. But so is privacy today. There's no way to reflect that identity on a state issued ID without carrying separate tribal documents, which can be more detailed or sensitive than necessary for everyday use. HP 52 gives people a choice, not an obligation. What the bill does is it allows an applicant to voluntarily request a generic Native American notation, requires verification using existing tribal or federal documents, and uses the standard driver's license or ID application process. The notation is intentionally generic. There's no tribal name, there's no affiliation disclosed, no additional data collected. Privacy, and, uh, the state does not name tribes. The state does not define or manage tribal membership. The state verifies eligibility and then stays in that, in that lane. This respects individual privacy, tribal sovereignty, and limited government principles. What it does not do is, uh, HB 52 does not change any voting laws. Uh, Utah already accepts Utah driver's license and state IDs, tribal identification cards, and Bureau of Indian Affairs cards. The notation does not establish vote Voter eligibility does not replace tribal IDs and does not affect tribal elections. Tribal elections remain governed entirely by tribal laws as they should. Um, the bill does not create new benefits, does not expand or access, uh, eligibility, and does not alter voter ID requirements, as we've already talked about, does not collect new personal data and does not appropriate funds. This is not an expansion of state authority.

  5. Rep. Cory A. Maloy1:07:46

     So, with that, I'm gonna turn it over to, uh, delegate Parish, who's, uh, delegate Parish. Uh, I'll let you introduce yourself and tell Hi everybody. Afternoon Everyone. Welcome. Go ahead.

  6. Delegate Shaandiin Parrish, Navajo Nation Council1:07:59

     Thank you, chairman. I thank you Chairman and thank you members of the Committee of the Legislature this session. Uh, thank you Representative Maloy for sponsoring the legislation today before the committee. Uh, my name is Sine Parrish and I serve on the Navajo Nation Council. I was elected by the communities of Keta, Deso and Chi Beto and DESO is located in San Juan County, um, in the state of Utah. I'm a proud, uh, also member of the State of Utah. So, um, today I want to further elaborate on the presentation given by representative today. The, uh, HB 52 was inspired by the law, uh, signed by Governor Cox last year regarding elections and, uh, the requirement to have identification for election verification. And, uh, working with my colleagues on the Navajo Nation and, uh, other tribes throughout the state of Utah. Uh, we felt that it would be an encouragement to Utah Native American people to, um, sign up and register for Utah Identification for Elections. And the identification of the tribe, or the, uh, notation of Native American on the driver's license would help, uh, many of our tribal members be encouraged to apply for or, or to register for Utah driver's licenses and identifications. Additionally, uh, I did have discussions with the Utah Tax Commission Office and several of the agencies, and they felt it would be helpful in, um, that identification on the driver's license or identification so that they are able to, um, align their services better to that, uh, group of people. So today I wanna thank again, Representative Maloy for sponsoring this legislation. Um, we did have a lengthy discussion, uh, during the interim with, um, at the time Representative Clancy and the Interim Judiciary Committee. Uh, so we're really excited to have this before the committee today. Thank you so much.

  7. Chair Harper (presiding)1:10:26

     Thank you for that. Second to conclude your presentation. Yep. Okay. Very well done to both of you. Thank you.

  8. Chair Harper (presiding)1:10:33

     Thank you to the committee. Is there any questions? Seeing none. Who in the public would like to address this bill? Seeing none will bring it back to the Committee. Committee.

  9. Sen. Kwan1:10:45

     Senator Kwan. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I move that we, uh, passed out favorably Senate Bill 52, uh, to the full, sorry, house Bill 52 with, uh, favorable re uh, recommendation. Thank you. Discussion to that motion.

  10. Rep. Cory A. Maloy1:11:04

      Seeing none represent mall for summation. Thank you. I'd just like to say that HB 52 is about choice, respect, and restraint. It allows people to be recognized if they want, without changing how Utah Law works anywhere else. I believe this is a thoughtful, a very conservative and balanced bill, and I respectfully ask for the committee's support. Thank you. Thank You Senator Kwan for submission.

  11. Sen. Kwan1:11:30speaker not certain

      Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I thank the good sponsor for working with the indigenous populations on this and the, um, and for bringing this bill forward. Thank you. All in favor.

  12. Chair Harper (presiding)1:11:41

      Passing out favorably house Bill 52 to the floor of the Senate. Say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? I'll rule that in passage unanimously. Thank you very much. Congratulations.

  13. Rep. Cory A. Maloy1:11:51speaker not certain

      Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Appreciate it.

  14. Sen. Ipson1:11:54

      Senator Ripon for final motion. Motion to adjourn. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? We stand adjourned.

• Feb 4, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (15 turns)

  1. President Adams (presiding)24:47

     House Bill 52. Tribal endorsement of Utah Driver License Amendments. Senator Brammer. Senator Brammer,

  2. Sen. Brady Brammer24:57

     Thank you very much. Uh, this bill allows an applicant for a driver's license to request a notation on the driver's license, uh, stating that the individual is an enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. That's the substance of the bill.

  3. President Adams (presiding)25:13

     We go. Thank you. Thank you for that presentation.

  4. President Adams (presiding)25:19

     I, I noticed that there's an a what amendment in your name online. Do you wanna move that

  5. Sen. Brady Brammer25:24

     Amendment? Oh yeah, let me move that amendment. Uh, this was an amendment that, uh, there's some specific language and what was preferred is that they used the name federally recognized tribal member. And so with that, I would move the First Amendment or the amendment one to HB 52. Thank you. That motion in order. Thank you so much.

  6. President Adams (presiding)25:45

     All in favor say aye. Motion to amend. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Will let motion passes as the bill is amended. Any further presentation, Senator? No. No. Okay. Looking for discussion on the bill saying none. I'll place, uh, go ahead and,

  7. President Adams (presiding)26:01

     and go back to you for a motion.

  8. Sen. Brady Brammer26:02

     Yeah, I would move that, uh, HB 52. Pass the second reading calendar

  9. President Adams (presiding)26:06

     As amen. Thank you. And the question is, shall House bill 52 be read a third time? Roll call vote.

  10. President Adams (presiding)26:11

      Senator Ipson Baldry Lewin Brammer Aye. Bus Comore Esia Fillmore Grover Harper Kins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson k Juab McKay Macl Aye. Milner Musselman Owens pitcher Plum Rebi Sandal Aye. Stevenson Stratton Vickers. Weiler Aye. Wilson Winterton Aye.

  11. President Adams (presiding)27:00

      President Adams Aye.

  12. President Adams (presiding)27:04

      House bill 52 As amended passes with a vote of 24 yay votes. Zero nay votes. Five being absent. Let me restate. That will be read for a third time with a vote of 24 yay votes. Zero nay votes. Five being absent.

  13. President Adams (presiding)27:18

      Senator Sandall.

  14. Sen. Scott D. Sandall27:22

      Thank you. Motion to table on third for fiscal impact. Motion is to table House Bill 52 on third for fiscal and impact Discussion.

  15. President Adams (presiding)27:31

      That motion Say none. All in favor say aye. Any polls that Bill is tabled on Third. Thank you.

• Feb 18, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (10 turns)

  1. President Adams (presiding)1:48

     Uh, that motion's in order. So go ahead and explain the sub, if you would.

  2. Sen. Brady Brammer1:54

     Yeah. So what this bill does overall is it allows for a tribal endorsement to be placed on, uh, on a driver's license or an identification card. Uh, that requires summary reprogramming of the systems to be able to do that. Um, and what the sub does is it, i, it cleans up the fiscal note so that now it will not be a fiscal bill, uh, by identifying different sources to, uh, to do that reprogramming so that it, uh, removes the fiscal note on it. And so, uh, with that I'll an, I'll answer any questions as to the sub.

  3. President Adams (presiding)2:29

     Okay. Looking for questions to the motion to substitute saying none. I'm gonna go ahead and place the motion. Motion is to delete entitled Embody House bill 52 and replace it with first substitute House bill 52. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? We'll let Motion passes. The bill is substituted, which, uh, fix the fi fiscal note. Senator, do you want to now address the bill?

  4. Sen. Brady Brammer2:53

     Yeah. Uh, so like I said, this just allows, uh, the tribal, uh, identification to be placed on the, uh, driver's license or other state identification. And, uh, with that, I'll, uh, take any questions on the bill.

  5. President Adams (presiding)3:09

     Looking for questions. Senator Brammer, there's no questions. I'm gonna go to you for a motion. I'll Call the question Thank you. Question Is shall first substitute House Bill 52 pass. Roll call

  6. Unknown speaker3:18speaker not certain

     Vote. Senator Vickers. Baldy. Lewin Aye. Brammer Aye. Bus Colmore Escamia Fillmore A. Grover Harper Hankins Aye. Ipson a Johnson k Juab McKay Mikel Aye. Milner Musman Owens Pitcher Plum Rebe Aye. Sandal Aye. Stevenson Stratton. Aye. Vickers. Weiler Aye. Wilson Aye. Winterton Aye. President Adams Aye.

  7. President Adams (presiding)4:10

     Aye. First substitute house bill 52. Having received 27 yay votes, zero nay votes. Two being absent passes, this body will be returned to the house for further consideration. First substitute House bill. 16. First substitute House bill 16, solar Power Plant Amendments. Senator Hinkins.

  8. Sen. Michael K. Hinkins4:35

     Senator Hinkins. Uh, thank you Mr. President. Uh, I would like to ask that we delete title and Body House bill 16 first substitute and replace it with second substitute house bill. 16

  9. President Adams (presiding)4:49

     Motions in order. Do you want to talk about the changes, Senator?

  10. Sen. David P. Hinkins4:52

      It was just, uh, some verbiage, uh, some language changes.

• Feb 18, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (6 turns)

  1. President Adams (presiding)3:09

     Looking for questions. Senator Brammer, there's no questions. I'm gonna go to you for a motion. I'll Call the question Thank you. Question Is shall first substitute House Bill 52 pass. Roll call

  2. Unknown speaker3:18speaker not certain

     Vote. Senator Vickers. Baldy. Lewin Aye. Brammer Aye. Bus Colmore Escamia Fillmore A. Grover Harper Hankins Aye. Ipson a Johnson k Juab McKay Mikel Aye. Milner Musman Owens Pitcher Plum Rebe Aye. Sandal Aye. Stevenson Stratton. Aye. Vickers. Weiler Aye. Wilson Aye. Winterton Aye. President Adams Aye. Aye. First substitute house bill 52.

  3. President Adams (presiding)4:13

     Having received 27 yay votes, zero nay votes. Two being absent passes, this body will be returned to the house for further consideration. First substitute House bill. 16. First substitute House bill 16, solar Power Plant Amendments. Senator Hinkins. Senator Hinkins.

  4. Sen. David P. Hinkins4:37

     Uh, thank you Mr. President. Uh, I would like to ask that we delete title and Body House bill 16 first substitute and replace it with second substitute house bill. 16

  5. President Adams (presiding)4:49

     Motions in order. Do you want to talk about the changes, Senator?

  6. Sen. David P. Hinkins4:52

     It was just, uh, some verbiage, uh, some language changes.

• Feb 20, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (6 turns)

  1. Speaker (presiding)21:41

     First substitute House bill 52. Tribal endorsement of Utah Driver License Amendments by Representative Malloy. Representative Maloy.

  2. Rep. A. Cory Maloy21:50

     Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'd like to make a motion to concur with the Senate.

  3. Speaker (presiding)21:56

     Thank you representative. Uh, would you like to speak to that motion?

  4. Rep. A. Cory Maloy22:00

     Yes. We, uh, uh, were able to, uh, do a substitute that eliminated the fiscal note. And so that's what that is.

  5. Speaker (presiding)22:11

     Thank you Representative, uh, Malloy. Discussion to the motion to concur with the Senate amendments on first substitute HB 52. See none will go ahead and place the motion. The motion before is the House concur with the Senate amendments on first substitute HB 52. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Will that motion passes?

  6. Speaker (presiding)22:31

     Voting will now be open for final passage on first substitute HB 52 Shelley representative vote. Thank you. Representatives voting will now be closed on first substitute HB 52. Uh, first substitute HB 52 passed this body with 71 yes votes zero no votes will be sent to the Senate for its cons or, sorry, return to the Senate for the signature of the President. Madam Reading Clerk