This bill amends a provision of law relating to the recovery of reasonable attorney fees and court costs incurred by an officer or employee of a public entity, under certain circumstances, to defend against criminal charges brought against the officer or employee in relation to the officer's or employee's public employment.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Under existing Utah law, public employees charged with crimes related to their job duties can recover attorney fees and court costs from their government employer if the charges are dismissed or they are acquitted, but not if the prosecutor voluntarily drops the charges. This bill reorganizes and clarifies that law, and it narrows the prosecutor-dismissal exception specifically for charges filed as an "information" (charges filed directly by a prosecutor, rather than through a grand jury indictment): if a prosecutor voluntarily dismisses such charges within 45 days after the case is bound over for trial following a preliminary hearing, the employee still cannot recover fees, but if the dismissal happens more than 45 days after that point, the employee becomes eligible to recover their legal costs. The bill also clarifies which government entity—the local political subdivision or the state—is responsible for paying these fees in certain cases where the attorney general takes over a case after a local prosecutor declined to pursue it, and confirms that employees can also recover the costs of pursuing the fee reimbursement itself, including on appeal.
Introduction
Feb 23
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Mar 2
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 2
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 3
House Rules
Mar 6
House Committee
Skipped
House Floor Vote
Mar 6
Governor
IntroductionFeb 23
Senate Rules
Senate CommitteeMar 2
Senate 2nd ReadingMar 2
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 3
House RulesMar 6
House CommitteeSkipped
House Floor VoteMar 6
Governor
This bill amends a provision of law relating to the recovery of reasonable attorney fees and court costs incurred by an officer or employee of a public entity, under certain circumstances, to defend against criminal charges brought against the officer or employee in relation to the officer's or employee's public employment.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Under existing Utah law, public employees charged with crimes related to their job duties can recover attorney fees and court costs from their government employer if the charges are dismissed or they are acquitted, but not if the prosecutor voluntarily drops the charges. This bill reorganizes and clarifies that law, and it narrows the prosecutor-dismissal exception specifically for charges filed as an "information" (charges filed directly by a prosecutor, rather than through a grand jury indictment): if a prosecutor voluntarily dismisses such charges within 45 days after the case is bound over for trial following a preliminary hearing, the employee still cannot recover fees, but if the dismissal happens more than 45 days after that point, the employee becomes eligible to recover their legal costs. The bill also clarifies which government entity—the local political subdivision or the state—is responsible for paying these fees in certain cases where the attorney general takes over a case after a local prosecutor declined to pursue it, and confirms that employees can also recover the costs of pursuing the fee reimbursement itself, including on appeal.
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Senate/ filed
Senate file for bills not passed
Senate/ received from House
Senate Secretary
House/ to Senate
Senate Secretary
House/ strike enacting clause
Clerk of the House
House/ 3rd Reading Calendar to Rules
House Rules Committee
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM