All Roll Calls
Yes: 126 • No: 13
UtahS.B. 3072026 General SessionSenateWALLET
Garnishment Fee Amendments
Sponsored By: Todd Weiler (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Judicial AdministrationJudicial OperationsDivision of Finance
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Up to $1,000 for wrong person
Beginning May 6, 2026, if your property was garnished but you are not the debtor, you can ask a court for up to $1,000 from the plaintiff. You must show the plaintiff failed to use reasonable steps to confirm the right person. The court may look at name or address similarities, prior contacts, how identity was checked, and other available information.
How property is handled in garnishments
Beginning May 6, 2026, a person who owes the debtor can pay the office directly, and that payment reduces the debtor’s balance for that amount. A garnishee can subtract any liquidated claim that is due at service before turning over money. A person is not liable as a garnishee for a check or other negotiable instrument they did not control when served. For secured debts, the office can ask a court to let it buy the debt and require delivery of the secured property, or have a third party perform the obligation if it does not require the debtor’s personal performance.
State can garnish without a court
Beginning May 6, 2026, the state office can issue an administrative garnishment with the same effect as a court writ. The order must be signed by the director or a designee and used only for listed civil debts, restitution, or court-filed administrative awards. Orders must clearly state what property is targeted, amounts due, who holds it, and your right to reply and request a hearing. Rule 64D due process protections apply. The office can include identifying info and ask employers or other holders detailed questions about property and wages.
Wage garnishment limits and employer rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, the most that can be taken from pay each period is the smaller of 25% of disposable pay or the amount above 30× the federal minimum wage. The office can run a continuing garnishment on nonexempt regular payments until the debt is paid or the order is released. If a court writ already takes the maximum, the office order pauses. The office can set a flat withholding amount using state earnings data or consistent past garnishments. Employers using automated systems do not need to send new calculations if wages stay within 5% of the first amount, and must verify employment within 10 days when sent a written request with the judgment.
Standard fees for garnishees and employers
Beginning May 6, 2026, a garnishee gets $10 for a single (noncontinuing) order and a one-time $25 fee for a continuing order. This applies to both administrative orders and court writs. You may deduct the fee from money you send if the remittance is more than the fee. If the amount does not exceed the fee, you must notify and follow the statute’s return or delay steps; if you have no property and return the order, the office must pay you the fee.
Compliance and penalties for garnishees
Beginning May 6, 2026, a garnishee who follows an administrative garnishment is released from liability, unless their answer is later successfully challenged. If a garnishee does not comply, a court can order them to pay up to the judgment value, plus reasonable costs and attorney fees, though the court can excuse liability if their steps were reasonable. The state office can ask a court to order a noncompliant garnishee to show cause, but only after trying in good faith to resolve the issue first.
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Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Todd Weiler
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Andrew Stoddard
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 58 • No: 13
House vote • 3/4/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/11/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/11/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/10/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/10/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/5/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/5/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
3/4/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
3/4/2026House/ to standing committee
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/3/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
3/3/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
3/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/10/2026
Introduced
2/18/2026
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