This bill addresses issues related to the judiciary.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's court system would see several changes to how cases are handled and how the courts operate. The bill updates the ballot language voters see when deciding whether to retain a judge in office, changes how and when the Business and Chancery Court publishes its decisions and issues tentative rulings, requires district courts to transfer certain cases to the Business and Chancery Court when appropriate, and sets rules for assigning district court judges to handle criminal cases that municipalities file or appeal. It also clarifies that an appeal challenging a court's injunction against a state law goes directly to the Supreme Court rather than the Court of Appeals. Separately, and only if a court strikes down or blocks the state's current three-judge panel process for constitutional challenges, the bill would create a new "Constitutional Court" — a three-judge, statewide trial court dedicated to hearing civil constitutional challenges against the state — complete with its own nominating commission for selecting judges, salary structure, retention election rules, staff, and administrative framework within the broader court system.
Current version: HB0366S03 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 26
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 11
House Floor Vote
Feb 19
Senate Rules
Feb 20
Senate Committee
Feb 25
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 25
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 5
House Concurrence
Mar 5
Governor Signed
Mar 13
IntroductionJan 26
House Rules
House CommitteeFeb 11
House Floor VoteFeb 19
Senate RulesFeb 20
Senate CommitteeFeb 25
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 25
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 5
House ConcurrenceMar 5
Governor SignedMar 13
This bill addresses issues related to the judiciary.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's court system would see several changes to how cases are handled and how the courts operate. The bill updates the ballot language voters see when deciding whether to retain a judge in office, changes how and when the Business and Chancery Court publishes its decisions and issues tentative rulings, requires district courts to transfer certain cases to the Business and Chancery Court when appropriate, and sets rules for assigning district court judges to handle criminal cases that municipalities file or appeal. It also clarifies that an appeal challenging a court's injunction against a state law goes directly to the Supreme Court rather than the Court of Appeals. Separately, and only if a court strikes down or blocks the state's current three-judge panel process for constitutional challenges, the bill would create a new "Constitutional Court" — a three-judge, statewide trial court dedicated to hearing civil constitutional challenges against the state — complete with its own nominating commission for selecting judges, salary structure, retention election rules, staff, and administrative framework within the broader court system.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
House/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Clerk of the House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Clerk of the House
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM