Representative Karianne Lisonbee proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION MODIFICATIONS

2     
2024 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Karianne Lisonbee

5     
Senate Sponsor: Daniel McCay

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill amends provisions relating to window tinting.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     enacts a provision allowing a peace officer to stop a vehicle for improper side
13     window tinting only if the peace officer has stopped the vehicle for a violation of
14     another offense; and
15          ▸     prohibits the revocation or suspension of an individual's vehicle registration or
16     driver license for a window tinting violation.
17     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18          None
19     Other Special Clauses:
20          None
21     Utah Code Sections Affected:
22     AMENDS:
23          41-6a-1635, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 183
24     

25     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

26          Section 1. Section 41-6a-1635 is amended to read:
27          41-6a-1635. Windshields and windows -- Tinting -- Obstructions reducing
28     visibility -- Wipers -- Prohibitions.
29          (1) Except as provided in Subsections (2), (3), and (4) a person may not operate a
30     motor vehicle with:
31          (a) a windshield that allows less than 70% light transmittance;
32          (b) a front side window that allows less than 35% light transmittance, with no more
33     than a 5% variance observed by a peace officer metering the light transmittance;
34          (c) any windshield or window that is composed of, covered by, or treated with any
35     material or component that presents a metallic or mirrored appearance;
36          (d) any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material on the windshield or side
37     windows of the motor vehicle except:
38          (i) a certificate or other paper required to be so displayed by law; or
39          (ii) the vehicle's identification number displayed or etched in accordance with rules
40     made by the department under Section 41-6a-1601; or
41          (e) any debris, frost, or other substance that materially obstructs the operator's view.
42          (2) (a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle with an object or device hanging or
43     mounted in a manner that materially obstructs the operator's view.
44          (b) A person shall ensure that an object or device hanging or mounted in compliance
45     with Subsection (2)(a) is used in accordance with this chapter.
46          (3) Nontransparent materials may be used:
47          (a) along the top edge of the windshield if the materials do not extend downward more
48     than four inches from the top edge of the windshield or beyond the AS-1 line whichever is
49     lowest;
50          (b) in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield provided they do not extend more
51     than three inches to the right of the left edge or more than four inches above the bottom edge of
52     the windshield; or
53          (c) on the rear windows including rear side windows located behind the vehicle
54     operator.
55          (4) A windshield or other window is considered to comply with the requirements of
56     Subsection (1) if the windshield or other window meets the federal statutes and regulations for

57     motor vehicle window composition, covering, light transmittance, and treatment.
58          (5) Except for material used on the windshield in compliance with Subsections (3)(a)
59     and (b), a motor vehicle with tinting or nontransparent material on any window shall be
60     equipped with rear-view mirrors mounted on the left side and on the right side of the motor
61     vehicle to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear of the motor vehicle.
62          (6) (a) (i) The windshield on a motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for
63     cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield.
64          (ii) The device shall be constructed to be operated by the operator of the motor vehicle.
65          (b) A windshield wiper on a motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working order.
66          (7) A person may not have for sale, sell, offer for sale, install, cover, or treat a
67     windshield or window in violation of this section.
68          (8) Notwithstanding this section, any person subject to the federal Motor Vehicle
69     Safety Standards, including motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, dealers, importers, and
70     repair businesses, shall comply with the federal standards on motor vehicle window tinting.
71          (9) A violation of this section is an infraction.
72          (10) A peace officer may only enforce Subsection (1)(b) when the peace officer has
73     detained the operator of a motor vehicle for a suspected violation of another section in Title 41,
74     Motor Vehicles, or for another offense.
75          (11) The Motor Vehicle Division or Driver License Division may not revoke or
76     suspend an individual's vehicle registration or driver license for a violation or multiple
77     violations of Subsection (1)(a) or (b).
78          Section 2. Effective date.
79          This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.