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
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Stronger, risk-based sentencing rules and oversight
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Sentencing Commission sets and maintains adult sentencing and supervision‑length guidelines and evidence‑based probation and parole policies. The law puts public safety first and also weighs rehabilitation, deterrence, prevention, punishment, and victim impact. The guidelines must include recommended enhancements for habitual offenders and adjust criminal‑history scoring to better reflect reoffense risk. The commission must update guidelines and scoring for targeted violent and sexual offenses by November 1, 2026. Each year by October 31, the commission submits guidelines to two legislative committees, and the Legislature authorizes them by concurrent resolution with an effective date named in that resolution.
More voices and new sentencing leadership
The law reshapes the Utah Sentencing Commission starting May 6, 2026. Voting seats rise to 17, with three defense attorneys, three prosecutors, and two sheriffs, and at least one in each group must be from a rural county. The governor’s appointee must support rehabilitation, and the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee chair joins as a non‑voting member. A “rural county” means any county except Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties. The commission’s executive director must also hire a director to manage day‑to‑day work.
Clearer definitions for convictions and penalties
Beginning May 6, 2026, the law clarifies key terms used in sentencing and post‑conviction rules. It defines adjudication and changes what counts as “convicted,” stating some juvenile adjudications are not convictions for these purposes. It defines “disadvantage” and “discretionary disqualification” for post‑conviction limits that courts or agencies may impose. It also creates a master offense list that shows every offense and its penalty.
Judges must weigh new sentencing factors
Starting May 6, 2026, judges must consider the adult sentencing and supervision‑length guidelines when they sentence someone. For violent felonies and sexual offenses, judges must focus on seriousness, punishment, deterrence, and public protection over the defendant’s interest. This aims for more consistent and safety‑focused sentences in those cases.
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/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
Senate/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/6/2026
House/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/6/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 69 • 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