All Roll Calls
Yes: 133 • No: 36
UtahS.B. 1342026 General SessionSenate
Court Amendments
Sponsored By: Chris H. Wilson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Judicial AdministrationCourtsJudicial OperationsJudges
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More judges statewide to cut delays
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Utah Supreme Court has seven justices (up from five). The Court of Appeals has nine judges (up from seven). District courts add one judge each in the Third (33), Fourth (14), and Fifth (8) districts. These added seats expand capacity and aim to shorten wait times. The law does not list new funding amounts.
Appeals court panels and leadership rules
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Court of Appeals hears cases only in three-judge panels and cannot sit en banc. Judges are assigned to panels by random rotation, and the court sets rules to pick each panel’s chair. Judges elect a presiding judge for a two-year term, up to two terms, to handle administrative and liaison work. The presiding judge gets $2,000 per year, and the associate presiding judge gets $1,000 per year while serving.
Faster timelines to recruit judges
The law sets fixed clocks for recruiting judicial nominees. With enough advance notice, recruitment starts 235 days before the vacancy date. Without it, recruitment starts within 10 days after notice. Recruitment runs 30 to 90 days, and the governor may add up to 30 days if fewer than nine apply. The nominating chair must meet within 10 days after recruitment closes. If Supreme Court and Appeals vacancies are noticed within 10 days, Appeals recruitment may wait until within 10 days after the Supreme Court appointment. If a hiring freeze is in place, these clocks start when the freeze ends. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.
Appeals filing fees match Supreme Court
Beginning May 6, 2026, the Court of Appeals charges the same filing fees as the Utah Supreme Court. Your cost to file an appeal may go up or down, depending on past fees. This change only affects people who file appeals.
New rules for Supreme Court leadership
Beginning May 6, 2026, when the chief justice seat is vacant, the governor appoints a chief from the current justices with Senate consent. The chief justice normally serves an eight-year term. A chief who began on April 1, 2024 serves four years, and any chief elected before October 14, 2025 ends on April 1, 2028. After October 14, 2025, no justice may serve more than one term as chief. The law creates an associate chief justice, elected for two years, who can act for the chief. The chief justice gets $2,000 per year extra while serving, and the associate chief justice gets $1,000 per year. If a chief vacancy is not filled within 30 days, the associate chief acts as interim chief; if not available, the most senior justice acts.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chris H. Wilson
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Casey Snider
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 1/30/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 57 • No: 18
House vote • 1/28/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 7 • No: 2
Senate vote • 1/26/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 21 • No: 8
Senate vote • 1/23/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 22 • No: 7
Senate vote • 1/23/2026
Senate/ substituted
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 1/22/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 1/22/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 1
House vote • 1/22/2026
Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
1/31/2026Senate/ to Governor
1/30/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
1/30/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
1/30/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
1/30/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
1/30/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
1/30/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
1/30/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
1/30/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
1/30/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
1/30/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
1/30/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
1/30/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
1/29/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
1/29/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
1/28/2026House/ lifted from standing committee
1/27/2026HouseHouse/ lifted from Rules
1/26/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
1/26/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
1/26/2026HouseSenate/ to House
1/26/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
1/26/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
1/26/2026SenateSenate/ passed 2nd reading
1/23/2026SenateSenate/ substituted
1/23/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
1/30/2026
Substitute #3
1/30/2026
Amended 1/23/2026 13:01:953
1/23/2026
Substitute #2
1/23/2026
Substitute #1
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/14/2026