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
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Judge feedback, midterm reports, reconsideration
Beginning May 6, 2026, a judge who fails any certification standard has the right to appear and speak at the commission meeting on their evaluation. The commission sends private midterm reports to the judge, the presiding judge, and the Judicial Council (or the board chair if the judge is the presiding judge); it may issue a partial report when full midterm data are not available and must tell the judge. If a midterm shows failed standards or other concerns, the commission must identify the judge and invite them to appear. If the Utah Supreme Court issues a public sanction after the commission acts but before the voter pamphlet, the commission may reconsider; the judge may add a 100-word statement, and any changes must reach the lieutenant governor by August 31 of a regular general election year and be posted online.
New commission rules for judge reviews
Beginning May 6, 2026, a 13-member commission reviews judges, with appointments by the governor, Legislature leaders, and the Utah Supreme Court, plus the state criminal justice director. Sitting legislators and sitting judges cannot serve, and the Senate president and House speaker must ensure at least one of their four appointees is a Utah State Bar member. Members serve staggered four-year terms, may serve up to three in a row, get no salary, and may receive per diem and travel; the commission elects a chair, may hire staff, and is housed in the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. Eight members make a quorum; most actions need a majority, but any decision on whether a judge meets minimum standards needs at least six votes, and ties mean no decision. Members must disclose conflicts; a member who is a litigant before a judge cannot vote; meetings follow the Open and Public Meetings Act, deliberations on evaluations may be closed, and the final vote must be public while individual votes stay confidential.
New surveys of judge performance
Beginning May 6, 2026, a contractor runs ongoing judge surveys. Surveys reach attorneys, jurors, court staff, and, when practical, parties; jurors are surveyed within 30 days of a verdict, and parties within 90 days after the case closes, excluding appeal time. Only Utah attorneys in good standing may rate legal skill. Surveys can use number ratings, yes/no with "unable to respond," open questions, and comments; all responses are confidential and shared to protect who answered. The commission compiles results and publishes each judge’s survey results with the judge’s evaluation.
When and how judges are rated
Beginning May 6, 2026, the commission rates judges on a set schedule: year 3 and year 5 of a term; for Supreme Court justices, years 3, 7, and 9. Evaluations focus on recent performance and may use only listed sources, like survey results, certification-standard compliance, courtroom observation, discipline, public comment, prior evaluations, and rule-based factors. The commission must set courtroom-observation rules, including who may observe, in-person or electronic observation, and the standards used. To decide results, at least six votes are required; meeting certification standards creates a presumption the judge meets minimum standards, and failing them creates the opposite presumption; the commission must explain any departure.
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
House vote • 2/9/2026
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 2
House vote • 2/9/2026
Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation
Yes: 6 • No: 0
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