Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 265: Non-nicotine Inhalation Product Amendments

HB 265 requires businesses to register non-nicotine inhalation products and substances (primarily cannabinoid-based products like CBD vaporizers) and imposes civil penalties for selling unregistered items. It creates a new criminal offense for illegally distributing cannabinoid inhalation products while clarifying that cannabinoid products do not include electronic cigarettes. The bill defines key terms like "cannabinoid product" and "artificially derived cannabinoid" to distinguish legal products from restricted substances. This applies directly to manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of these products in Utah, aiming to regulate the market under updated definitions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for illegal distribution of cannabinoid products, expanding criminalization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 125: Theft Amendments

SB 125 amends Utah's theft of service law to clarify when prior convictions for theft, robbery, burglary, or fraud can increase penalties for stealing services like utilities, transportation, or accommodations. It specifically changes the rules for elevating theft of service to a third-degree felony (instead of a lesser charge) if the offender has two prior qualifying convictions within 10 years, or if the theft occurs on property where they were previously banned. The bill directly affects individuals committing service theft who have prior criminal records for specified offenses. It makes technical updates to the law without adding new funding or changing the core definition of theft of service. The changes take effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for theft of service by elevating to third-degree felony with prior convictions, expanding criminalization and harshening sentencing, opposing reform efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 30: Human Trafficking, Exploitation, and Smuggling Amendments

SB 30 updates Utah's laws against human trafficking and smuggling by redefining key terms and strengthening criminal penalties. It creates new offenses targeting individuals who "patronize" victims of labor trafficking, child trafficking, or trafficking involving vulnerable adults, while removing certain legal defenses for traffickers. The bill also splits aggravated trafficking into separate labor and sexual exploitation offenses and incorporates updated definitions into relevant statutes. These changes directly affect victims of trafficking (by expanding protections) and individuals who exploit or profit from trafficking (by increasing criminal liability). The law makes no changes to funding or administrative procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal penalties for trafficking, creates new offenses against 'patronizers', and removes defenses for traffickers, directly advancing criminal justice enforcement against human trafficking.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HR 8: Resolution Admonishing and Censuring Judge Don M. Torgerson

This bill is a resolution from the Utah House of Representatives that formally censures Judge Don M. Torgerson for comments made during a sentencing hearing involving child sexual exploitation. The resolution condemns the judge for minimizing the severity of the crimes and suggesting that a defendant's socioeconomic privilege could justify a lighter sentence. It also expresses disappointment that the Utah State Courts issued inaccurate information defending the judge's conduct. The measure does not change laws or allocate funds but serves as an official statement of disapproval from the legislature.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill holds judge accountable for minimizing crimes and suggesting privilege justifies lighter sentences, promoting judicial integrity and fair sentencing in criminal justice.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HJR 28: Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules Related to Capital Felony Cases

HJR 28 amends Utah court rules to create a new procedure for remanding non-capital felony appeals (cases without a death sentence) to trial courts. It allows defendants to request the appellate court send their case back for factual findings about claims of ineffective legal counsel, requiring specific evidence and limiting the process to 90 days. The bill explicitly excludes capital felony cases (with death sentences) from this remand process. This affects defendants in non-capital felony appeals challenging their attorneys' performance, providing a structured way to address incomplete records without changing the death penalty process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows defendants to seek factual findings on ineffective counsel claims in non-capital appeals, enhancing due process protections within criminal procedure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 188: Juvenile Justice Amendments

HB 188 amends Utah's juvenile justice laws to clarify procedures for handling student offenses on school grounds. It directly affects students (minors), schools, law enforcement, and juvenile courts by requiring schools to refer minors to law enforcement for drug offenses and updating eligibility for alternative resolutions (nonjudicial adjustments) in specific cases. Key provisions include defining terms like "school property" and "school-sponsored activity," changing notification requirements for school-based incidents, and repealing outdated reporting statutes. These changes standardize how schools and authorities respond to student misconduct while focusing on concrete policy updates to existing laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates law enforcement referral for juvenile drug offenses, expanding criminalization. Updates alternative resolutions but referral requirement increases justice system involvement.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates school referrals to law enforcement for drug offenses, restricting school-based disciplinary alternatives and increasing juvenile justice involvement in K-12 settings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed both · Utah · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SJR 1: Joint Resolution Amending Rules of Evidence Concerning Crimes or Other Acts

SJR 1 amends Utah's Rules of Evidence to allow courts to admit evidence of prior similar child molestation or sexual assault acts in criminal cases involving those specific offenses. It permits prosecutors to present evidence of past child molestation (including sexual exploitation of minors) or prior sexual assaults to show a defendant's propensity, provided they give the defendant reasonable notice before trial. This change directly affects defendants in criminal cases accused of child molestation (involving children under 14) or sexual assault. The amendment does not alter other evidence rules but specifies new procedures for disclosure and admissibility in these limited cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows prior similar acts evidence in child molestation cases, aiding prosecution of repeat offenders while requiring defendant notice - strengthens case handling in sexual assault trials.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 593: Bail Amendments

HB 593 amends Utah's bail procedures to improve pretrial release decisions. It requires jail staff to collect detailed information - including residential address, financial circumstances, community ties, and lethality assessments - when individuals are arrested without a warrant and booked. The bill also establishes new criteria for jail officials to release people on their own recognizance (without bail), prohibiting release for certain offenses like violent felonies, domestic violence, or recent bookings. These changes apply directly to arrested individuals, courts, and jail staff, aiming to inform release decisions with more comprehensive data while maintaining court oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAmends bail procedures to require detailed assessments for pretrial release, aiming to reduce unnecessary detention and improve public safety through evidence-based decisions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 341: Animal Fighting Penalties

HB 341 amends Utah's animal fighting laws to strengthen penalties for dog fighting, game fowl fighting, and attending such events. It clarifies that owning dog fighting equipment (like breaking sticks or treadmills) is evidence of intent to commit a crime, and creates new offenses for promoting or attending game fowl fights. The bill directly affects individuals who organize, participate in, or spectate dog or game fowl fights, including those allowing minors to attend. Penalties range from class B misdemeanors for first-time attendance or minor offenses to third-degree felonies for repeat dog fighting violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new offenses for animal fighting events, aligning with 'oppose' indicators like increased penalties and expanded criminalization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 114: Adult-oriented Performance and Material Amendments

HB 114 reorganizes Utah's laws on adult performances and materials by creating new standalone criminal offenses. It moves conduct like presenting pornographic performances in public places, aiding minors in such performances, and harmful performances near minors into separate charges, rather than grouping them under existing "distributing material" offenses. Penalties now vary by the actor's age (third-degree felony for adults, misdemeanors for minors), with specific fines and jail terms. The bill clarifies existing prohibitions - such as on school property or harmful material - without introducing new restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses for adult performances/material, increasing penalties (3rd-degree felony for adults), aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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