H.J.R. 15
FailedJoint Resolution Amending Court Rules to Address Sanctions and Dismissals
HJR015S01 (Substitute)
Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules to Address Sanctions and Dismissals
Introduction
Jan 22
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 12
House Floor Vote
Feb 20
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 26
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 26
Senate 3rd Reading
What This Bill Does
This resolution amends court rules to address sanctions and dismissals.
Key Provisions
This resolution:
- amends Rule 11 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure to allow a court to order a sanction of a charitable contribution;
- amends Rule 41 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure to allow:
- a defendant to seek a dismissal of an action or claim when the defendant is named solely for representing another party in the action or a related action; and
- the award of attorney fees to the defendant in certain circumstances; and
- makes technical and conforming changes.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
This resolution amends two Utah Rules of Civil Procedure to change how courts handle sanctions and dismissals in civil lawsuits. Under the updated Rule 11, when a party files frivolous or improper court documents, a judge can now order that person to make a charitable contribution to a court-approved nonprofit organization that provides free or low-cost legal assistance — adding this as a new option alongside existing penalties. Under the updated Rule 41, an attorney who is sued solely because they represent someone else in the same or a related lawsuit can ask the court to dismiss that case, and if the court finds the claim was frivolous and brought to harass or abuse the legal process, the plaintiff or their attorney must pay the dismissed defendant's legal fees.
H.J.R. 15
FailedJoint Resolution Amending Court Rules to Address Sanctions and Dismissals
Current version: HJR015S01 (Substitute)
Introduction
Jan 22
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 12
House Floor Vote
Feb 20
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 26
Senate 2nd Reading
Feb 26
Senate 3rd Reading
IntroductionJan 22
House Rules
House CommitteeFeb 12
House Floor VoteFeb 20
Senate RulesMar 4
Senate CommitteeFeb 26
Senate 2nd ReadingFeb 26
Senate 3rd Reading
What This Bill Does
This resolution amends court rules to address sanctions and dismissals.
Key Provisions
This resolution:
- amends Rule 11 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure to allow a court to order a sanction of a charitable contribution;
- amends Rule 41 of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure to allow:
- a defendant to seek a dismissal of an action or claim when the defendant is named solely for representing another party in the action or a related action; and
- the award of attorney fees to the defendant in certain circumstances; and
- makes technical and conforming changes.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
This resolution amends two Utah Rules of Civil Procedure to change how courts handle sanctions and dismissals in civil lawsuits. Under the updated Rule 11, when a party files frivolous or improper court documents, a judge can now order that person to make a charitable contribution to a court-approved nonprofit organization that provides free or low-cost legal assistance — adding this as a new option alongside existing penalties. Under the updated Rule 41, an attorney who is sued solely because they represent someone else in the same or a related lawsuit can ask the court to dismiss that case, and if the court finds the claim was frivolous and brought to harass or abuse the legal process, the plaintiff or their attorney must pay the dismissed defendant's legal fees.
Votes
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Documents
Floor Debates
Committee Hearings
Other Versions
Original
Subjects
Action History31
House/ filed
House file for bills not passed
House/ received from Senate
Clerk of the House
Senate/ to House
Clerk of the House
Senate/ strike enacting clause
Senate Secretary
Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules
Senate Rules Committee
Last updated Mar 26, 2026, 9:43 PM