Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

SJR 5 — Joint Resolution Amending the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure

Last action — Senate/ to Lieutenant Governor

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 12, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on February 13, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

468 added · 486 removed

Plain-language change summary

The new version of S.J.R. 5 makes amendments to Utah's Rules of Civil Procedure, specifically Rule 42, to clarify how cases can be transferred, particularly focusing on the use of a three-judge panel in district courts. The amendment removes references to a Business and Chancery Court, making it more straightforward. Additionally, it introduces a coordination clause to align with related changes in another resolution regarding medical malpractice cases. These adjustments aim to simplify legal processes and ensure consistency across different court rules, which can lead to more efficient case management.

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SJR005S02 compared with SJR005 {Omitted text} shows text that was in SJR005 but was omitted in SJR005S02 inserted text shows text that was not in SJR005 but was inserted into SJR005S02 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy S.J.R.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
5 Joint Resolution Amending the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
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Joint Resolution Amending the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure {Regarding Business and Chancery Court} GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
3 LONG TITLE General Description:
Jordan D.
This resolution amends the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure {regarding the Business and Chancery Court} .
Teuscher 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
This resolution amends the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
▸ amends {Rule 42 of the } Utah Rules of Civil Procedure , Rule 42, to address the transfer of an action {to the Business and Chancery Court;
▸ amends Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 42, to address the transfer of an action;
and} ;
▸ amends Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 63A, to address the change of judge as a J matter of right with regard to a three-judge panel in the district court;
▸ amends Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 63A, to address the change of judge as a matter of right with regard to a three-judge panel in the district court;
R ▸ makes technical and conforming changes{.} ;
▸ makes technical and conforming changes;
and 0 ▸ 5 SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 includes a coordination clause to ensure that the changes for Rule 42 in this resolution merge with the changes for Rule 42 in S.J.R.
and ▸ includes a coordination clause to ensure that the changes for Rule 42 in this resolution merge with the changes for Rule 42 in S.J.R.
Rule 1 , Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 42 , Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 63 , Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 63A , Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Utah Code Sections affected by Coordination Clause:
Rule 1, Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 42, Utah Rules of Civil Procedure S.J.R.
Rule 42 , as Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, two-thirds of all members elected to each of the two houses voting in favor thereof:
5 Enrolled Copy Rule 63, Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 63A, Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Utah Code Sections affected by Coordination Clause:
Rule 42, as Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, two-thirds of all members elected to each of the two houses voting in favor thereof:
Rule 1.
Rule 1 .
These rules govern all actions brought after they take effect and all further proceedings in actions then - 2 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 pending.
These rules govern all actions brought after they take effect and all further proceedings in actions then pending.
The following section is affected by a cooordination clause at the end of this bill.
Rule 42.
Rule 42 .
{Consolidation;
Consolidation;
venue transfer.} (1) When actions involving a common question of law or fact or arising from the same transaction or occurrence are pending before the court in one or more judicial districts, the court may, on motion of any party or on the court's own initiative:
venue transfer.
(a) Consolidation.
(1) When actions involving a common question of law or fact or arising from the same transaction or occurrence are pending before the court in one or more judicial districts, the court may, on motion of any party or on the court's own initiative:
(C) transfer any or all further proceedings in the actions to a location in which any transferee court;
(C) transfer any or all further proceedings in the actions to a location in which any of the actions is pending after consulting with the presiding judge of the receiving court;
and (D) make other such orders concerning proceedings therein as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delay.
and - 2 - Enrolled Copy S.J.R.
[(1)](2) In determining whether to order consolidation and the appropriate location for the consolidated proceedings, the court may consider, among other factors:
5 (D) make other such orders concerning proceedings therein as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delay.
[(1)] (2) In determining whether to order consolidation and the appropriate location for the consolidated proceedings, the court may consider, among other factors:
{ (B) the importance of any common question of fact or law to the determination } (B) of the actions;
(B) the importance of any common question of fact or law to the determination of the actions;
{ (D) case and records classification of each case as described in Rule 4-202.02 (E) the risk that consolidation may unreasonably delay the progress, increase } (D) relative procedural postures of the actions;
(D) the case and records classification of each case as described in Rule 4-202.02 of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration;
of the Utah Code of Judicial Administration;
(E) the relative procedural postures of the actions;
(E) expense, or complicate the processing of any action;
- 3 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 consolidation;
(H) the convenience of the parties, witnesses, and counsel;
(H) efficient utilization of judicial resources and the facilities and personnel {the of and and (H) convenience of the parties, witnesses, and counsel;
and (I) the efficient utilization of judicial resources and the facilities and personnel of the court.
and } (I) the efficient utilization of judicial resources and the facilities and personnel of the court.
[(2)] (3) A motion to consolidate may be filed or opposed by any party to either action to be consolidated, without seeking permission to intervene.
{[(2)](3) } [(2)](3)A motion to consolidate may be filed or opposed by any partyto either action to be consolidated, without seeking permission to intervene.
The motion must be filed in and heard by the judge assigned to the first action filed and must be served on all parties in each action pursuant to Rule 5.
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The motion must be filed in and heard by the judge assigned to the first action filed and must be served on all parties in each parties in each action pursuant to Rule 5.
The movant must file in each action notice of the motion and notice of the order denying or granting the motion.
A notice of the motion must be filed in each action.
[(3)] (4) If the court orders consolidation, the consolidated case will be heard by the judge assigned to the first action filed, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge or agreed upon by the originally assigned judges.
action pursuant to Rule 5.
The movant mustfile in each action notice of the motion and notice of the order denying or granting the motion.
{[(3)](4) } [(3)](4)If the court orders consolidation, the consolidated case will be heard by the judge assigned to the first action filed, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge or agreed upon by the originally assigned judges.
expenses, if any, of consolidation.
(b) Consolidation or severance in whole or in part.
The presiding judge of the transferee court may assign the consolidated case to another judge for good cause.
For convenience or to avoid prejudice, the court may:
For convenience or to avoid prejudice , the court may:
If the consolidation of actions would be otherwise appropriate but is not administratively possible, the judge assigned to the first action may order the court clerk to reassign the other actions to the judge assigned to the first action.
(c) Reassignment.
If the consolidation of actions would be otherwise appropriate but is not - 3 - S.J.R.
5 Enrolled Copy administratively possible, the judge assigned to the first action may order the court clerk to reassign the other actions to the judge assigned to the first action.
- 4 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 (A) On timely motion of any party, where transfer to a proper venue is available, the court must transfer any action filed in an improper venue.
(d) [Venue Transfer] Transfer of an action to proper venue or the business and chancery court.
{[(2)](B) } [(2) ](B) The court must give substantial deference to a plaintiff's choice of a proper venue.
(1) Transfer to proper venue.
(A) On timely motion of any party, where transfer to a proper venue is available, the court must transfer any action filed in an improper venue.
[(2) ] (B) The court must give substantial deference to a plaintiff's choice of a proper venue.
{[In } [In determining whether to transfer venue and the appropriate venue for the transferred proceedings, the court may consider, among other factors, whether transfer will:
[In determining whether to transfer venue and the appropriate venue for the transferred proceedings, the court may consider, among other factors, whether transfer will:
(3) The court may direct that specified parties pay the expenses, if any, of transfer.] (A) If a plaintiff filed the complaint in the district court and the action meets the jurisdictional requirements of the business and chancery court, a party may file a separate notice requesting transfer of the action to the business and chancery court.
(3) The court may direct that specified parties pay the expenses, if any, of transfer.] (2) Transfer to business and chancery court.
(A) If a plaintiff filed the complaint in the district court and the action meets the jurisdictional requirements of the business and chancery court, a party may file a separate notice requesting transfer of the action to the business and chancery court.
(C) If a party makes a request to transfer an action to the business and chancery court more than 21 days after the appearance of the party, the district court may:
(C) If a party makes a request to transfer an action to the business and chancery court - 4 - Enrolled Copy S.J.R.
5 more than 21 days after the appearance of the party, the district court may:
or (ii) transfer the action to the business and chancery court if the factors described in - 5 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 paragraph (d)(3) weigh in favor of transfer.
or (ii) transfer the action to the business and chancery court if the factors described in paragraph (d)(3) weigh in favor of transfer.
(3) Factors in determining whether to transfer an action.
(4) Expenses.
(e) Transfer of an action to district court panel.
or (C) the effective date of this resolution if the action is pending in the district court on the effective date of this resolution.
or (C) February 13, 2026, if the action is pending in the district court on February 13, 2026.
(A) notify the presiding officer of the Judicial Council that the action must be transferred to a district court panel;
(A) notify the presiding officer of the Judicial Council that the action must be - 5 - S.J.R.
and (B) transfer the action to the district court panel convened to hear and decide the - 6 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 action.
5 Enrolled Copy transferred to a district court panel;
and (B) transfer the action to the district court panel convened to hear and decide the action.
Rule 63.
Rule 63 .
(2) The motion must be accompanied by a certificate that the motion is filed in good faith and must be supported by an affidavit or unsworn declaration as described in Title 78B, Chapter 18a, Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act stating facts sufficient to show bias, prejudice or conflict of interest.
(2) The motion must be accompanied by a certificate that the motion is filed in good faith and must be supported by an affidavit or unsworn declaration as described in Title 78B, Chapter 18a, Uniform Unsworn Declarations Act, stating facts sufficient to show bias, prejudice or conflict of interest.
- 7 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 [(b)(5)] (6) If timeliness of the motion is determined under paragraph [(b)(2)(C)] (b)(3)(C) or paragraph [(b)(4)] (b)(5), the affidavit or declaration supporting the motion must state when and how the party came to know of the reason for disqualification.
- 6 - Enrolled Copy S.J.R.
5 [(b)(5)] (6) If timeliness of the motion is determined under paragraph [(b)(2)(C)] (b)(3)(C) or paragraph [(b)(4)] (b)(5), the affidavit or declaration supporting the motion must state when and how the party came to know of the reason for disqualification.
- 8 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 Rule 63A.
Rule 63A .
[(a)(1)](A) In a civil action pending in a court in a county with seven or more district court judges, each side is entitled to one change of judge as a matter of right under this paragraph (a).
- 7 - S.J.R.
5 Enrolled Copy [(a)(1)](A) In a civil action pending in a court in a county with seven or more district court judges, each side is entitled to one change of judge as a matter of right under this paragraph (a).
or [(a)(2)(D)](ii) on the side of a defendant or respondent, within seven days after the - 9 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 day on which the defendant or respondent is served the complaint or petition, or at the time of the first filing by the defendant or respondent with the court, whichever occurs first.
or [(a)(2)(D)](ii) on the side of a defendant or respondent, within seven days after the day on which the defendant or respondent is served the complaint or petition, or at the time of the first filing by the defendant or respondent with the court, whichever occurs first.
[(a)](3) Assignment of action.
- 8 - Enrolled Copy S.J.R.
5 [(a)](3) Assignment of action.
- 10 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 (b) Right to change a judge by agreement of the parties.
(b) Right to change a judge by agreement of the parties.
[(b)(1)(B) The parties shall send a copy of the notice to the assigned judge and the presiding judge.] (C) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(D), the parties must file a copy of the notice with the assigned judge and send a copy of the notice to the presiding judge.
[(b)(1)(B) The parties shall send a copy of the notice to the assigned judge and the - 9 - S.J.R.
5 Enrolled Copy presiding judge.] (C) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(D), the parties must file a copy of the notice with the assigned judge and send a copy of the notice to the presiding judge.
(i) commencement of the action or prior to the notice of trial setting, whichever occurs first[.];
(i) commencement of the action or prior to the notice of trial setting, whichever occurs first[.] ;
- 11 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 [(b)(2)](B) Failure to file a timely notice precludes any change of judge under this paragraph (b).
[(b)(2)](B) Failure to file a timely notice precludes any change of judge under this paragraph (b).
(D) If a notice is filed for a change of judge on a district court panel:
- 10 - Enrolled Copy S.J.R.
5 (D) If a notice is filed for a change of judge on a district court panel:
Effective date.
- 12 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 (1) delete the phrase "the effective date of this resolution" where the phrase appears in Sections 2 and 7 of this resolution;
(1) delete the phrase "the effective date of this resolution" where the phrase appears in Sections 2 and 7 of this resolution;
(C) transfer any or all further proceedings in the actions to a location in which any of the actions is pending after consulting with the presiding judge of the receiving court;
(C) transfer any or all further proceedings in the actions to a location in which any of - 11 - S.J.R.
5 Enrolled Copy the actions is pending after consulting with the presiding judge of the receiving court;
- 13 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 (G) prejudice to any party that far outweighs the overall benefits of consolidations;
(G) prejudice to any party that far outweighs the overall benefits of consolidations;
(c) Separate trials in a medical malpractice action.
- 12 - Enrolled Copy S.J.R.
5 (c) Separate trials in a medical malpractice action.
Such actions will be treated for all purposes as if they were consolidated except that the actions will retain their - 14 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 separate case numbers, which must be included on all filings.
Such actions will be treated for all purposes as if they were consolidated except that the actions will retain their separate case numbers, which must be included on all filings.
(A) If a plaintiff filed the complaint in the district court and the action meets the jurisdictional requirements of the business and chancery court, a party may file a separate notice requesting transfer of the action to the business and chancery court.
(A) If a plaintiff filed the complaint in the district court and the action meets the jurisdictional requirements of the business and chancery court, a party may file a separate - 13 - S.J.R.
5 Enrolled Copy notice requesting transfer of the action to the business and chancery court.
(C) If a party makes a request to transfer an action to the business and chancery court - 15 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 more than 21 days after the appearance of the party, the district court may:
(C) If a party makes a request to transfer an action to the business and chancery court more than 21 days after the appearance of the party, the district court may:
(B) the day on which the amended complaint is filed if the complaint is amended in the action;
- 14 - Enrolled Copy S.J.R.
or (C) the effective date of this resolution if the action is pending in the district court on the effective date of this resolution.
5 (B) the day on which the amended complaint is filed if the complaint is amended in the action;
(2) If the Attorney General, the Governor, or the Legislature files a notice to convene a - 16 - SJR005 compared with SJR005S02 district court panel, the district court judge assigned to the action at the time the notice is filed must:
or (C) February 13, 2026, if the action is pending in the district court on February 13, 2026.
(2) If the Attorney General, the Governor, or the Legislature files a notice to convene a district court panel, the district court judge assigned to the action at the time the notice is filed must:
2-10-26 2:04 PM - 17 -
- 15 -
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Action History

  1. Senate/ to Lieutenant Governor

  2. Senate/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  3. Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing

  4. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  5. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  6. Bill Received from Senate for Enrolling

  7. Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

  8. Senate/ received from House

  9. House/ to Senate

  10. House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

  11. House/ passed 3rd reading

  12. House/ 3rd reading

  13. House/ 2nd reading

  14. House/ committee report favorable [House Rules Committee]

  15. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Rules Committee]

  16. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  17. House/ received from Senate

  18. Senate/ to House

  19. Senate/ passed 3rd reading

  20. Senate/ 3rd reading

  21. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SJR005S02

  22. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SJR005S02

  23. Senate/ passed 2nd reading

  24. Senate/ uncircled

  25. Senate/ circled

  26. Senate/ substituted

  27. Senate/ 2nd reading

  28. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SJR005S02

  29. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SJR005S02

  30. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

  31. Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

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

  33. Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  34. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SJR005S01

  35. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SJR005S01

  36. Senate Comm - Not Considered [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

  37. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SJR005S01

  38. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SJR005S01

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

  40. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  41. Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  42. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SJR005

  43. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SJR005

  44. Senate/ received bill from Legislative Research

  45. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SJR005

  46. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SJR005

  47. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  48. Bill Numbered but not Distributed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 102 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (102)

102 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SJR 5?
SJR 5 is sponsored by Jordan D. Teuscher (Republican) and Brady Brammer (Republican).
What is the current status of SJR 5?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 12, 2026. Enacted.
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