HJR 15 Utah House · 2026 General Session

Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules to Address Sanctions and Dismissals

This joint resolution amends Utah's civil procedure rules to change how courts handle sanctions and dismissals. It adds a new penalty option allowing courts to order charitable donations (instead of cash fines) for certain misconduct under Rule 11. It also updates Rule 41 to let defendants seek dismissal if named solely for representing another party in a related case, and permits awarding attorney fees to defendants in those situations. These changes directly affect lawyers, defendants, and courts handling civil lawsuits in Utah.

Bill status passed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah court rules to give judges new options for punishing bad-faith litigation and to protect attorneys from being sued by clients they represent. Specifically, it allows courts to order violators to make charitable donations to legal aid organizations instead of just paying fines, and it creates a specific rule allowing attorneys to dismiss frivolous lawsuits filed against them by their own clients.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of sanctions available to courts and adds a new category of defendants (attorneys representing a party) eligible to seek dismissal of claims against them.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new sanction option allowing courts to order violators to make a charitable contribution to a nonprofit legal aid organization, provided the organization is approved by the court and not controlled by the Judiciary.

Changed the standard of proof for awarding attorney fees in frivolous lawsuits against attorneys from 'clear and convincing evidence' to the lower 'preponderance of the evidence' standard.

Relaxed the criteria for awarding attorney fees in frivolous lawsuits by removing the requirement that the plaintiff must have 'lacked an honest belief' the claim was proper, instead focusing on whether the suit was brought to harass, delay, or abuse the process.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a specific provision allowing a defendant to move to dismiss a case if they were named solely because they are an attorney of record for another party in the same or a related action.

TECHNICAL

Updated the timestamp of the bill's version from January 21, 2026, to February 11, 2026.

Floor votes · House Feb 20, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Rules Committee]

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Rules Committee]

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor