Utah’s 2026 Judicial Reforms: More Transparency, More Resources, and Greater Accountability

Expanding the Bench to Handle a Growing State

Utah has over 3.5 million residents. But it has the same number of Supreme Court justices it had when the state had 300,000 people. And in the meantime, legal cases have only become more complex.

The Legislature passed SB 134, adding significant judicial capacity to address a backlog that has left major cases — including decisions on the state’s abortion law and education spending — unresolved for years. The bill, carried by Sen. Chris Wilson and Rep. Casey Snider, includes:

• 2 new Utah Supreme Court justices
• 2 new Court of Appeals judges
• 3 new district court judge
• 9 law clerks and 7 judicial assistants

The total investment is $6.5 million, a commitment to making sure Utah’s courts can keep pace with one of the fastest-growing states in the nation.

Utahns broadly supported the expansion. A Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted by Morning Consult found that a majority of registered Utah voters – 58% – supported adding two justices to the Supreme Court.

Making Court Records Public and Free

HB 540 establishes a single public website where Utahns can access court records free of charge, up to 50 searches per month.

For voters who want to research a judge’s record before an election, this is a game-changer. For the first time, public court records will be genuinely public: searchable, accessible, and free.

The bill, carried by Rep. Logan Monson and Sen. Brady Brammer, also requires judges and court commissioners to file annual financial and conflict-of-interest disclosures, the same standard already applied to every other public official in Utah. And it prompted the Utah Supreme Court to adopt a new rule prohibiting appellate judges and justices from appearing before the court they served on for two years after retirement, closing a long-standing conflict-of-interest loophole.

Ending Forum Shopping with Three-Judge Panels

Under the old system, plaintiffs filing controversial constitutional challenges could strategically file their case in the 3rd District – hoping to draw a favorable judge. One judge, in one district, could effectively make statewide law.

HB 392, subsequently amended by HB 366, fixes this. The legislation, carried by Rep. Matt MacPherson and Sen. McKell, ensures that when a case involves a constitutional challenge to state law, a panel of three district court judges – randomly selected from different judicial districts – hears the case together. No more single-judge statewide rulings. No more forum shopping.

Voters support the change. A March 2026 Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll of 800 registered Utah voters found that 50% support the new three-judge constitutional court – with opposition in the single digits among those who strongly oppose it.

Strengthening the Sentencing Commission

HB 274 increases the number of prosecutors and law enforcement officers serving on Utah’s Sentencing Commission. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Mike Schultz and Sen. Mike McKell, gives the criminal justice community a stronger voice in how sentencing guidelines are shaped and also prompted the commission to revise its jail-as-probation recommendations for serious criminal offenses.

A New Housing and Debt Collections Division

SB 270 allows the Judicial Council to establish a specialized district court division for housing and debt collection cases. The bill, carried by Sen. Kirk Cullimore and Rep. Jordan Teuscher, moves these cases to virtual hearings to improve efficiency and expand access to justice for low-income Utahns facing eviction or debt proceedings.

Timeliness Standards for Appellate Courts

SB 233 establishes statutory timeliness standards for appellate judges and Supreme Court justices – a direct response to cases that have sat unresolved for years. The bill, carried by Sen. Brady Brammer and Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, also directs the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (JPEC) to study whether the number of times a judge is overturned on appeal for abuse of discretion should factor into performance evaluations.

Holding a Judge Accountable

HR 8 censured District Court Judge Don Torgerson for comments made from the bench that minimized child sexual abuse and repeatedly referenced a defendant’s privilege during sentencing. The resolution, brought by Rep. Matt MacPherson, represents a rare but necessary exercise of legislative accountability over the judicial branch.