53-8-105. Duties of Highway Patrol.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

(1)In addition to the duties in this chapter, the Highway Patrol shall:

(a)enforce the state laws and rules governing use of the state highways;

(b)regulate traffic on all highways and roads of the state;

(c)assist the governor in an emergency or at other times at his discretion;

(d)in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies, enforce and assist in the enforcement of all state and federal laws related to the operation of a motor carrier on a highway, including all state and federal rules and regulations;

(e)inspect certain vehicles to determine road worthiness and safe condition as provided in Section 41-6a-1630 ;

(f)upon request, assist with any condition of unrest existing or developing on a campus or related facility of an institution of higher education or private postsecondary educational institution;

(g)assist the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission in an emergency to enforce the state liquor laws;

(h)provide security and protection for both houses of the Legislature while in session as the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate find necessary;

(i)enforce the state laws and rules governing use of capitol hill; and

(j)carry out the following for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals:

(i)provide security and protection to those courts when in session in the capital city of the state;

(ii)execute orders issued by the courts; and

(iii)carry out duties as directed by the courts.

(a)The division and the department shall annually:

(i)evaluate the inventory of new and existing state highways, in coordination with relevant local law enforcement agencies, to determine which law enforcement agency is best suited to patrol and enforce state laws and regulate traffic on each state highway; and

(ii)before October 1 of each year, report to the Transportation Interim Committee and the Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee regarding:

(A)significant changes to the patrol and enforcement responsibilities resulting from the evaluation described in Subsection (2)(a)(i) ; and

(B)any budget request necessary to accommodate additional patrol and enforcement responsibilities.

(b)The division and the department shall, before July 1 of each year, coordinate with the Department of Transportation created in Section 72-1-201 regarding patrol and enforcement responsibilities described in Subsection (2)(a) and incident management services on state highways.

(a)A district court and a justice court shall collect and maintain data regarding violations in Sections 41-6a-1712 , 41-6a-1713 , and 72-7-409 .

(b)Each court shall transmit dispositions described in Subsection (3)(a) electronically to the department.

Amended by Chapter 183 , 2026 General Session