Judicial Officer Amendments

5
78A-1-103
78A-1-104
78A-4-102
0
Judicial Officer Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Todd Weiler
House Sponsor:
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill increases the number of judges.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
increases the number of judges for the district court, the juvenile court, and the Court of
Appeals.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
78A-1-103
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 148
78A-1-104
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 148
78A-4-102
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 276
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section
78A-1-103
is amended to read:
78A-1-103
. Number of district court judges.
The number of district court judges is:
(1)
four district court judges in the First Judicial District;
(2)
14
15
district court judges in the Second Judicial District;
(3)
32
35
district court judges in the Third Judicial District;
(4)
13
14
district court judges in the Fourth Judicial District;
(5)
seven
eight
district court judges in the Fifth Judicial District;
(6)
two
three
district court judges in the Sixth Judicial District;
(7)
three district court judges in the Seventh Judicial District; and
(8)
three district court judges in the Eighth Judicial District.
Section 2. Section
78A-1-104
is amended to read:
78A-1-104
. Number of juvenile court judges.
The number of juvenile court judges is:
(1)
two juvenile court judges in the First Judicial District;
(2)
six juvenile court judges in the Second Judicial District;
(3)
nine juvenile court judges in the Third Judicial District;
(4)
seven
eight
juvenile court judges in the Fourth Judicial District;
(5)
three juvenile court judges in the Fifth Judicial District;
(6)
two juvenile court judges in the Sixth Judicial District;
(7)
two juvenile court judges in the Seventh Judicial District; and
(8)
two juvenile court judges in the Eighth Judicial District.
Section 3. Section
78A-4-102
is amended to read:
78A-4-102
. Number of judges -- Terms -- Presiding judge -- Associate presiding
judge -- Filing fees.
(1)
(a)
The Court of Appeals consists of
seven
eight
judges.
(b)
The term of appointment to office as a judge of the Court of Appeals is until the first
general election held more than three years after the effective date of the appointment.
(c)
After the first term of appointment under Subsection
(1)(b)
, the term of office of a
judge of the Court of Appeals is six years and commences on the first Monday in
January, next following the date of election.
(d)
A judge whose term expires may serve, upon request of the Judicial Council, until a
successor is appointed and qualified.
(2)
(a)
The Court of Appeals shall sit and render judgment in panels of three judges.
(b)
Assignment to panels shall be by random rotation of all judges of the Court of
Appeals.
(c)
The Court of Appeals by rule shall provide for the selection of a chair for each panel.
(d)
The Court of Appeals may not sit en banc.
(3)
(a)
The judges of the Court of Appeals shall elect a presiding judge from among the
members of the court by majority vote of all judges.
(b)
The term of office of the presiding judge is two years and until a successor is elected.
(c)
A presiding judge of the Court of Appeals may serve in that office no more than two
successive terms.
(d)
The Court of Appeals may by rule provide for an acting presiding judge to serve in
the absence or incapacity of the presiding judge.
(e)
The presiding judge of the Court of Appeals shall receive $2,000 per annum of
additional compensation for the period served as presiding judge.
(4)
(a)
The presiding judge may be removed from the office of presiding judge by
majority vote of all judges of the Court of Appeals.
(b)
In addition to the duties of a judge of the Court of Appeals, the presiding judge shall:
(i)
administer the rotation and scheduling of panels;
(ii)
act as liaison with the Supreme Court;
(iii)
call and preside over the meetings of the Court of Appeals; and
(iv)
carry out duties prescribed by the Supreme Court and the Judicial Council.
(5)
(a)
The judges of the Court of Appeals shall elect an associate presiding judge from
among the members of the court by majority vote of all judges.
(b)
The associate presiding judge of the Court of Appeals shall receive $1,000 per
annum as additional compensation for the period served as associate presiding judge.
(6)
Filing fees for the Court of Appeals are the same as for the Supreme Court.
Section 4.
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on
May 6, 2026
.
12-29-25 3:14 PM