All Roll Calls
Yes: 109 • No: 34
UtahS.B. 2332026 General SessionSenate
Judicial Performance Evaluation Amendments
Sponsored By: Brady Brammer (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Government RecordsJudicial OperationsGovernment Operations (State Issues)Judges
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Timing standards for Utah appeals judges
Beginning May 6, 2026, the commission must set certification standards for how quickly appellate judges issue opinions. The standards apply only to matters submitted on or after that date. For Utah Supreme Court justices, no more than 25% of opinions may take over 150 days after submission. No more than 10% may take over 210 days, and all must be issued within one year. For Court of Appeals judges on panels, the limits are 25% over 120 days, 10% over 180 days, and all within 270 days.
Broader judge surveys with response limits
When practical, surveys must include case parties and reach them within 90 days after closure, not counting appeal time. Jurors must receive surveys within 30 days after the verdict; attorneys and court staff may be surveyed throughout the survey period. Surveys must cover legal skill, fairness, communication, courtroom behavior, and management of workloads, technology, timely rulings, and case expectations. The commission may allow ratings, yes-or-no answers, open written responses, and comments alongside other answers. Its executive director cannot pass along responses that federal or state law bars in employment actions.
Judge reviews limit evidence, add safeguards
The commission may evaluate judges using only information listed in state law. Reviews must emphasize performance since the last retention election, or the applicable first-election period for judges without one. Judges who fail one or more certification standards must get time to speak when the commission considers their evaluation. Report changes made after reconsideration must be posted on the commission’s website. The commission may share those changes in other ways as its budget allows.
Prosecutor privacy limits public investigation records
Prosecutor Conduct Commission investigation records are protected from public disclosure to the extent they contain a prosecutor’s personal identifying information. This includes covered complaints and commission findings. This protection does not cover other parts of those records.
Public judge votes, protected member records
Commission members must disclose conflicts before discussing and voting on a judge. Appearing before that judge as an attorney or witness alone does not bar voting, unless the member is a party in a pending case. Votes on whether judges meet performance standards must occur in public meetings. Discussions may be closed when Utah’s public meeting law allows, and the commission may disclose only its final vote. Members’ conflict disclosures and individual voting records are protected from public access.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Brady Brammer
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Karianne Lisonbee
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/4/2026
House/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 51 • No: 18
House vote • 2/26/2026
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 8 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ floor amendment
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2026
Senate/ passed 3rd reading
Yes: 18 • No: 7
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
Senate/ passed 2nd reading
Yes: 20 • No: 5
Senate vote • 2/9/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/9/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
3/23/2026Senate/ to Governor
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ received enrolled bill from Printing
3/13/2026SenateSenate/ enrolled bill to Printing
3/11/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
3/11/2026Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
3/6/2026Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling
3/6/2026Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling
3/4/2026SenateSenate/ received from House
3/4/2026SenateHouse/ to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ passed 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 3rd reading
3/4/2026HouseHouse/ 2nd reading
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ Rules to 3rd Reading Calendar
3/3/2026HouseHouse/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact
2/26/2026HouseHouse/ committee report favorable
2/26/2026HouseHouse Comm - Favorable Recommendation
2/26/2026House/ to standing committee
2/25/2026HouseHouse/ 1st reading (Introduced)
2/24/2026HouseHouse/ received from Senate
2/24/2026HouseSenate/ to House
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ passed 3rd reading
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ floor amendment
2/24/2026SenateSenate/ 3rd reading
2/24/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
3/11/2026
Amended 2/24/2026 11:02:772
2/24/2026
Substitute #1
2/9/2026
Introduced
2/2/2026