All Roll Calls
Yes: 157 • No: 27
UtahH.B. 3662026 General SessionHouseWALLET
Judicial Modifications
Sponsored By: Jordan D. Teuscher (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Election LawJudicial AdministrationCourtsJudicial OperationsMunicipalitiesPolitical Subdivisions (Local Issues)JudgesCivil Litigation
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Judgment interest rules and payday caps
The law sets interest on final Utah judgments at the federal postjudgment rate on January 1 plus 2%. For judgments under $10,000 from buying goods or services, interest is 10% plus the federal rate, starting on the judgment date. If a payday (deferred deposit) loan goes to judgment, only up to 10 weeks of contract interest may be included, and then interest follows this statute with only allowed costs and fees. If a judgment is based on a lawful contract, the court uses the contract’s interest rate and lists it in the judgment.
Judicial pay levels and stipends
The Legislature sets judge pay each year. Pay levels tie to the district judge salary: juvenile and Business & Chancery 100%; Court of Appeals and the Constitutional Court (if created) 105%; Supreme Court 110%. Court of Appeals leaders receive extra pay ($2,000 for the presiding judge; $1,000 for the associate presiding). A judge generally cannot collect salary from more than one court, with narrow 5% exceptions in statute.
Judicial hiring freeze during deficits
When the General Fund has a deficit (appropriations exceed estimated revenues), the governor, Senate president, House speaker, and chief justice may unanimously freeze judicial hiring. The freeze must last at least 90 days and cannot go past the last day of the general session. It can cover vacancies in listed juvenile and district courts, all Business & Chancery judges, all Constitutional Court judges (if created), and all appellate judges. The four officials set the exact length within those limits.
Backup judges cover when others recuse
The state court administrator may temporarily assign judges to cover other courts and set reasonable pay, with the Judicial Council presiding officer’s consent. A Court of Appeals judge or a district judge may be designated to hear Business & Chancery matters or sit on a Constitutional Court panel when the regular judge recuses or is disqualified. The Constitutional Court provisions apply only if that court is created.
Ballots point voters to judge reviews
General election ballots include a note to visit judges.utah.gov for performance recommendations. Each judge’s question reads, “Shall [name] be retained... Yes ( ) or No ( ).” This makes the retention section clear and easier to use.
Business and Constitutional Court setup
The law lists the Business & Chancery Court, and, if created, the Constitutional Court, among state courts. All courts are courts of record except justice courts. The Business & Chancery Court has no geographic divisions; the Constitutional Court, if created, also has no divisions and has three judges. The Judicial Council adds a member elected by Business & Chancery judges and, if created, one by Constitutional Court judges. District courts must transfer cases that fit Business & Chancery jurisdiction under Rule 42. If the Constitutional Court is created, the state court administrator sets up a constitutional court administrator position and salary with approval. Judges of the Business & Chancery Court are public officials, and Constitutional Court judges are too if that court takes effect.
Judges pay small retention fees
In a retention year, judges of courts of record must file July 1–15 and pay $50. A justice court judge files in the same window and pays $25 for each office sought.
Judge terms, retention, and vacancies
After a judge’s first retention vote, Supreme Court justices face voters every 10 years, other judges every 6 years. If a judge is not retained, the office is vacant the first Monday in January after the election, and that judge cannot be appointed to the same office until the term ends. Nominating commissions must send candidate lists to the governor within 45 days (7 names for appellate and Business & Chancery, 5 for district and juvenile, 7 for a Constitutional Court). The governor has 30 days to appoint; if not, the chief justice picks from the list within 20 days. Commissions cannot re‑list a non‑retained judge for that office until the term ends and cannot list someone who served on a commission within the last 6 months.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jordan D. Teuscher
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brady Brammer
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 55 • No: 18
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 23 • No: 6
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/25/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 66 • No: 2
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/11/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/13/2026House/ to Governor
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/12/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/6/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/6/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/5/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/5/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ circled
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
2/25/2026SenateSenate/ committee report favorable
2/25/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Substitute #3
3/5/2026
Substitute #2
3/4/2026
Substitute #1
3/2/2026
Introduced
1/26/2026
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