All Roll Calls
Yes: 192 • No: 3
UtahH.B. 5132026 General SessionHouse
Attorney General Funding Amendments
Sponsored By: Val L. Peterson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Public Funds and AccountsPublic BudgetingLegislative OrganizationGovernment Operations (State Issues)Attorney GeneralConstitutional OfficersCivil LitigationElected Official
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Utah creates dedicated state lawsuit funding
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Attorney General’s office has a Legal Services and Litigation Program funded by legislative appropriations. The Attorney General decides whether civil cases qualify: constitutional challenges to laws, statewide matters, or costs outside the Risk Management Fund. Expected costs over $100,000 but under $500,000 require notice to the Senate president and House speaker. Costs over $500,000 require notice to the Legislative Management Committee; both tiers also require governor notice for affected agencies under the governor. Unspent program money carries forward after year-end, with no appropriation amount stated. The law partially repeals the statutory carryover listing on July 1, 2029.
State agencies must prepay legal bills
The law requires Utah agencies needing Attorney General services to agree on annual retainers before October 1. Written service agreements must be ready before the fiscal year starts, with retainer funds transferred on the following July 1. One agency’s retainer cannot pay another agency’s bills. Beginning July 1, 2027, monthly itemized bills use actual work time recorded in increments of 15 minutes or less. Hourly rates cover staff compensation plus reasonable overhead; agencies must pay overages from the source named in their agreement. Bills show charges by matter, year-to-date charges, and remaining balances. Beginning July 1, 2027, legal charges covered by this framework are exempt from internal service fund rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Val L. Peterson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Michael K. McKell
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ motion to reconsider
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 27 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
Yes: 23 • No: 0
House vote • 3/6/2026
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
Yes: 60 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ uncircled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 64 • No: 2
House vote • 2/24/2026
House/ circled
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 2/18/2026
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/19/2026House/ to Governor
3/17/2026HouseHouse/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/17/2026HouseHouse/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/12/2026HouseEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/12/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/11/2026Bill Received from House for Enrolling
3/11/2026House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
3/11/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/11/2026HouseSenate/ to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/10/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/10/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ concurs with Senate amendment
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
3/6/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
3/6/2026HouseSenate/ to House with amendments
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ motion to reconsider
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ signed by President/ returned to House
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026SenateSenate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension
3/6/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/12/2026
Amended 3/6/2026 20:03:196
3/6/2026
Substitute #1
2/26/2026
Amended 2/18/2026 11:02:829
2/18/2026
Introduced
2/9/2026