All Roll Calls
Yes: 217 • No: 8
UtahH.B. 2742026 General SessionHouse
Sentencing Amendments
Sponsored By: Mike Schultz (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Judicial OperationsLaw Enforcement and Criminal JusticeSentencing CommissionCommission on Criminal and Juvenile JusticeSentencing
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Tougher sentencing guidance for serious offenders
Beginning May 6, 2026, courts must consider the offense, harm, the person's history and accountability, and victims' interests when sentencing. They must also consider the sentence's purposes and effects, sentencing guidelines, any presentence report, and factors supporting harsher or lighter punishment. For violent felonies and sexual offenses, courts must put harm, offense seriousness, punishment, deterrence, and public protection ahead of defendants' interests. The Utah Sentencing Commission must recommend longer prison terms for habitual offenders defined in Utah Code Section 77-18-102. Courts and the Board of Pardons and Parole retain sentencing decisions; the law sets no required sentence or added prison term.
Public safety leads Utah sentencing guidelines
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Utah Sentencing Commission must put public protection first when recommending adult sentences and supervision lengths. Next, in order, come rehabilitation, preventing future harm, deterrence, punishment, and effects on victims. Guidelines and criminal-history scores must change to reduce repeat crimes, assess reoffending risk, and use state money efficiently. Before November 1, 2026, the commission must revise guidelines and scoring for specified assault, homicide, kidnapping, trafficking, and smuggling felonies against victims age 18 or older. The review also covers specified sexual offenses, sexual exploitation, pornographic and harmful materials, prostitution, and Utah Code Section 76-7-102 offenses. The commission can include other offenses; the law sets no sentence amounts or scoring formula. Adult and juvenile guidelines must go to legislative committees by October 31 each year for annual approval by concurrent resolution. The Legislature can also approve late submissions, and approved guidelines take effect on the date stated in the resolution.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Schultz
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/24/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 69 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 23 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 25 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • No: 0
House vote • 2/6/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/28/2026
House Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 1/28/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/24/2026House/ to Governor
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/10/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/10/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
2/26/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
2/26/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
2/25/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/25/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
2/24/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
2/23/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/23/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ placed back on 3rd Reading Calendar
2/23/2026SenateSenate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ uncircled
2/19/2026SenateSenate/ circled
2/18/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/10/2026
Substitute #3
2/18/2026
Substitute #2
2/12/2026
Amended 2/6/2026 16:02:968
2/6/2026
Substitute #1
1/28/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026