HB 383: Court Fine Amendments - Utah

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/13/2025 09:02:913 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amendment modifies how Utah courts credit compensatory service toward criminal fines and accounts receivable. The most significant change is increasing the credit rate for compensatory service from $10 per hour to $15 per hour. The amendment also clarifies language regarding court-ordered treatment costs that can be credited toward unpaid fines, and updates references to interest amounts in several sections. These changes make it more financially beneficial for defendants to complete court-ordered community service and treatment programs instead of paying fines directly.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on Utah state courts handling criminal fines and accounts receivable, but the financial thresholds for credit have been increased, expanding the monetary benefit available to defendants.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the credit rate for compensatory service from $10 per hour to $15 per hour, making community service more valuable for defendants trying to offset criminal fines.

Updated references to clarify that court-ordered treatment or course costs can be credited toward unpaid criminal accounts receivable amounts that are not principal or interest owed for restitution.

TECHNICAL

Added clarifying language about interest amounts in multiple sections to ensure proper distinction between principal fines and interest when calculating credits.

DEFINITION

Revised the bill's general description to more accurately reflect that the amendment modifies the credit rate for compensatory service rather than just adding new provisions.

Amended Excerpts 2/13/2025 09:02:913 → Amended 2/13/2025 09:02:913 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's compensatory service and fine credit provisions, increasing the credit rate for community service from $10 to $15 per hour and allowing judges to credit the cost of court-ordered treatment or courses toward criminal fines. The changes also clarify eligibility requirements for organizations that can accept compensatory service and establish conditions under which courts may remit unpaid fines due to financial hardship.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of compensatory service by allowing treatment or course costs to be credited toward fines, in addition to standard community service hours.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the compensatory service credit rate from $10 to $15 per hour for defendants completing community service in lieu of fines.

Established specific requirements for reporting compensatory service, including organization letterhead, contact information, service description, and authorized signature.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions allowing judges to credit the cost of court-ordered treatment or courses toward criminal fines when completed.

Expanded eligible organizations to accept compensatory service to include state/local agencies, approved nonprofits, and other entities with court approval.

ADDED

Added conditions requiring courts to find manifest financial hardship before allowing credit for treatment/course costs toward unpaid fines.

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's court fine system by increasing the credit rate for compensatory service from $10 to $15 per hour and clarifying that court-ordered treatment costs can be applied toward unpaid fines. The changes make it easier for defendants to reduce their financial burden through unpaid work and completed treatment programs.

Scope change

The bill applies to defendants sentenced for infractions, class C, or class B misdemeanors and expands the ability to use treatment costs toward fine reduction.

REQUIREMENT

Increased the credit rate for compensatory service from $10 per hour to $15 per hour, meaning defendants now earn more credit for each hour of unpaid work they complete.

Updated language to specify that treatment course costs can be credited toward unpaid criminal accounts receivable when the court finds it would cause manifest hardship.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that unpaid amounts owed for restitution (principal and interest) cannot be reduced through compensatory service or treatment credits, only other fine amounts.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and sponsorship changes, including updating the Senate Sponsor name from 'LONG TITLE' to 'Todd Weiler'.

Court Fine Amendments

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