UtahH.B. 1862026 General SessionHouse

Judicial Conduct Commission Amendments

Sponsored By: Jordan D. Teuscher (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Government RecordsJudicial AdministrationJudicial OperationsEthicsGovernment Operations (State Issues)Judges

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Annual report on judge complaints

Beginning May 6, 2026, by November 1 each year the Judicial Conduct Commission reports to the Judiciary Interim Committee. The report lists how many complaints it received and resolved, and brief summaries of informal resolutions and final orders. The report cannot include a judge’s personal identifying information, except what appears in a final order.

Privacy for judge and prosecutor investigations

Beginning May 6, 2026, records made for a Judicial Conduct Commission investigation are protected from public release. Records for a Prosecutor Conduct Commission investigation that identify a prosecuting attorney are also protected. The public cannot get these investigation files.

Administrative leave and pay rules for judges

Beginning May 6, 2026, the chief justice may place a judge on administrative leave, with or without pay, when there is a reasonable basis to believe a felony or certain misdemeanors occurred. If a judge is charged with a class A misdemeanor or any felony, the justice(s) must place the judge on leave until the case ends. While on leave, both employer and employee retirement contributions stop. If the judge is not convicted and is reinstated, the judge gets back pay and all withheld retirement contributions are restored. Reinstatement is also required if prosecutors decline to file charges or if the case ends with no conviction and no removal order.

Faster referrals of judge crime claims

Beginning May 6, 2026, a prosecutor who files charges against a judge must also file a complaint with the Judicial Conduct Commission right away. The Commission must quickly send credible crime allegations about a judge to the chief justice (or two justices if the chief justice is accused) and to the local prosecutor; conflicts go to another prosecutor. The Commission does not have to refer again if the courts’ Administrative Office or a prosecutor already filed the complaint. If justices place a judge on leave without a Commission referral, the Administrative Office must file a complaint with the Commission right away.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jordan D. Teuscher
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Brady Brammer
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 3

Senate vote • 2/13/2026

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 25 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd reading

Yes: 23 • No: 2

House vote • 2/9/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 70 • No: 0

House vote • 1/23/2026

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 10 • No: 0