Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

HB 186 — Judicial Conduct Commission Amendments

Last action — Governor Signed

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

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 23, 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

583 added · 547 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill HB 186 now require the Judicial Conduct Commission to provide an annual report with specific information, which aims to increase transparency regarding judicial accountability. Additionally, the revisions clarified how legislative audit requests are treated, stating that they are typically public documents unless a legislator requests anonymity. These modifications are important because they promote openness in government operations and enhance public trust in both the judicial and legislative processes.

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HB0186S01 compared with HB0186 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0186 but was omitted in HB0186S01 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0186 but was inserted into HB0186S01 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy H.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
186 Judicial Conduct Commission Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
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This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
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Judicial Conduct Commission Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
3 LONG TITLE General Description:
Brady Brammer 3 LONG TITLE General Description:
H Money Appropriated in this Bill:
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
B None 1 Other Special Clauses:
None Other Special Clauses:
8 HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 None Utah Code Sections Affected:
None Utah Code Sections Affected:
63G-2-305 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 17 78A-11-106 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 394 ENACTS:
63G-2-305, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 17 78A-11-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 394 ENACTS:
77-2-10 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 78A-11-114 , Utah Code Annotated 1953 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
77-2-10, Utah Code Annotated 1953 78A-11-114, Utah Code Annotated 1953 H.B.
186 Enrolled Copy Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
63G-2-305.
63G-2-305 .
- 2 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (5) test questions and answers to be used in future license, certification, registration, employment, or academic examinations;
(5) test questions and answers to be used in future license, certification, registration, employment, or academic examinations;
(iv) a grant;
- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
186 (iv) a grant;
or (b) (i) a final determination is made not to enter into a contract that relates to the subject of the request for information;
or (b)(i) a final determination is made not to enter into a contract that relates to the subject of the request for information;
- 3 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (c) in the case of records that would identify property, potential sellers of the described property have already learned of the governmental entity's plans to acquire the property;
(c) in the case of records that would identify property, potential sellers of the described property have already learned of the governmental entity's plans to acquire the property;
(a) the public interest in access is greater than or equal to the interests in restricting access, including the governmental entity's interest in maximizing the financial benefit of the transaction;
(a) the public interest in access is greater than or equal to the interests in restricting access, including the governmental entity's interest in maximizing the financial - 3 - H.B.
186 Enrolled Copy benefit of the transaction;
- 4 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (12) records the disclosure of which would jeopardize the security of governmental property, governmental programs, or governmental recordkeeping systems from damage, theft, or other appropriation or use contrary to law or public policy;
(12) records the disclosure of which would jeopardize the security of governmental property, governmental programs, or governmental recordkeeping systems from damage, theft, or other appropriation or use contrary to law or public policy;
(15) records and audit workpapers that identify audit, collection, and operational procedures and methods used by the State Tax Commission, if disclosure would interfere with audits or collections;
(15) records and audit workpapers that identify audit, collection, and operational procedures - 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
186 and methods used by the State Tax Commission, if disclosure would interfere with audits or collections;
(19) (a) (i) personal files of a state legislator, including personal correspondence to or from a member of the Legislature;
(19)(a)(i) personal files of a state legislator, including personal correspondence to or from a member of the Legislature;
and (b) (i) an internal communication that is part of the deliberative process in connection with the preparation of legislation between:
and (b)(i) an internal communication that is part of the deliberative process in connection with the preparation of legislation between:
and - 5 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (ii) notwithstanding Subsection (19)(b)(i), a communication that gives notice of legislative action or policy may not be classified as protected under this section;
and (ii) notwithstanding Subsection (19)(b)(i), a communication that gives notice of legislative action or policy may not be classified as protected under this section;
(20) (a) records in the custody or control of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, that, if disclosed, would reveal a particular legislator's contemplated legislation or contemplated course of action before the legislator has elected to support the legislation or course of action, or made the legislation or course of action public;
(20)(a) records in the custody or control of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, that, if disclosed, would reveal a particular legislator's contemplated legislation or contemplated course of action before the legislator has elected to support the legislation or course of action, or made the legislation or course of action public;
(a) collective bargaining;
- 5 - H.B.
186 Enrolled Copy (a) collective bargaining;
(28) records of an institution of higher education defined in Section 53H-1-101 regarding tenure evaluations, appointments, applications for admissions, retention decisions, and promotions, which could be properly discussed in a meeting closed in accordance with Title 52, Chapter 4, Open - 6 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 and Public Meetings Act, provided that records of the final decisions about tenure, appointments, retention, promotions, or those students admitted, may not be classified as protected under this section;
(28) records of an institution of higher education defined in Section 53H-1-101 regarding tenure evaluations, appointments, applications for admissions, retention decisions, and promotions, which could be properly discussed in a meeting closed in accordance with Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act, provided that records of the final decisions about tenure, appointments, retention, promotions, or those students admitted, may not be classified as protected under this section;
(33) records that would reveal the contents of settlement negotiations but not including final settlements or empirical data to the extent that they are not otherwise exempt from disclosure;
(33) records that would reveal the contents of settlement negotiations but not including final settlements or empirical data to the extent that they are not otherwise exempt from - 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
186 disclosure;
- 7 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (a) the donor requests anonymity in writing;
(a) the donor requests anonymity in writing;
and (ii) of:
and - 7 - H.B.
186 Enrolled Copy (ii) of:
(g) this Subsection (40) may not be construed to prohibit disclosure of public information required [pursuant to] {under} in accordance with Subsection 53H-14-202(2)(a) or (b);
(g) this Subsection (40) may not be construed to prohibit disclosure of public information required [pursuant to] in accordance with Subsection 53H-14-202(2)(a) or (b);
Show all 83 changed rows (43 more)
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(41) (a) records in the custody or control of the Office of the Legislative Auditor General that would reveal the name of a particular legislator who requests a legislative audit prior to the date that audit is completed and made public;
(41)(a) records in the custody or control of the Office of the Legislative Auditor General that would reveal the name of a particular legislator who requests a legislative audit prior to the date that audit is completed and made public;
and (b) notwithstanding Subsection (41)(a), a request for a legislative audit submitted to the Office of the Legislative Auditor General is a public document unless the legislator asks that the records in the - 8 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 custody or control of the Office of the Legislative Auditor General that would reveal the name of a particular legislator who requests a legislative audit be maintained as protected records until the audit is completed and made public;
and (b) notwithstanding Subsection (41)(a), a request for a legislative audit submitted to the Office of the Legislative Auditor General is a public document unless the legislator asks that the records in the custody or control of the Office of the Legislative Auditor General that would reveal the name of a particular legislator who requests a legislative audit be maintained as protected records until the audit is completed and made public;
(47) information regarding food security, risk, and vulnerability assessments performed by the Department of Agriculture and Food;
(47) information regarding food security, risk, and vulnerability assessments performed by - 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
186 the Department of Agriculture and Food;
- 9 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (50) as provided in Section 26B-2-709:
(50) as provided in Section 26B-2-709:
(a) a declaration of candidacy, a nomination petition, or a certificate of nomination, described in Section 20A-9-201, 20A-9-202, 20A-9-203, 20A-9-404, 20A-9-405, 20A-9-408, 20A-9-408.5, 20A-9-502, or 20A-9-601;
- 9 - H.B.
186 Enrolled Copy (a) a declaration of candidacy, a nomination petition, or a certificate of nomination, described in Section 20A-9-201, 20A-9-202, 20A-9-203, 20A-9-404, 20A-9-405, 20A-9-408, 20A-9-408.5, 20A-9-502, or 20A-9-601;
- 10 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (55) information collected and a report prepared by the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission concerning a judge, unless Section 20A-7-702 or Title 78A, Chapter 12, Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission Act, requires disclosure of, or makes public, the information or report;
(55) information collected and a report prepared by the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission concerning a judge, unless Section 20A-7-702 or Title 78A, Chapter 12, Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission Act, requires disclosure of, or makes public, the information or report;
(a) records that would disclose information relating to allegations of personal misconduct, gross mismanagement, or illegal activity of a person if the information or allegation cannot be corroborated by the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services through other documents or evidence, and the records relating to the allegation are not relied upon by the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services in preparing a final investigation report or final audit report;
(a) records that would disclose information relating to allegations of personal misconduct, gross mismanagement, or illegal activity of a person if the information or allegation cannot be corroborated by the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services through other documents or evidence, and the records relating to the allegation are not relied upon by the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid - 10 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
186 Services in preparing a final investigation report or final audit report;
- 11 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (60) records that reveal methods used by the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services, the fraud unit, or the Department of Health and Human Services, to discover Medicaid fraud, waste, or abuse;
(60) records that reveal methods used by the Office of Inspector General of Medicaid Services, the fraud unit, or the Department of Health and Human Services, to discover Medicaid fraud, waste, or abuse;
(d) contain an officer involved critical incident as defined in Subsection 76-2-408(1)(f);
- 11 - H.B.
186 Enrolled Copy (d) contain an officer involved critical incident as defined in Subsection 76-2-408(1)(f);
and - 12 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (ii) uses a device or piece of equipment designed or intended for resuscitating an individual or for treating an individual with a life-threatening condition;
and (ii) uses a device or piece of equipment designed or intended for resuscitating an individual or for treating an individual with a life-threatening condition;
(74) except as provided in Subsection 63G-2-305.5(1), the signature of an individual on a political petition, or on a request to withdraw a signature from a political petition, including a petition or request described in the following titles:
(74) except as provided in Subsection 63G-2-305.5(1), the signature of an individual on a - 12 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
186 political petition, or on a request to withdraw a signature from a political petition, including a petition or request described in the following titles:
- 13 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (78) a record submitted to the Insurance Department under Section 31A-48-103;
(78) a record submitted to the Insurance Department under Section 31A-48-103;
(a) concerning an interstate claim to the use of waters in the Colorado River system;
- 13 - H.B.
186 Enrolled Copy (a) concerning an interstate claim to the use of waters in the Colorado River system;
- 14 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (83) the following records of a drinking water or wastewater facility:
(83) the following records of a drinking water or wastewater facility:
(86) a record:
- 14 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
186 (86) a record:
- 15 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (i) reveal a legal strategy relating to the state's claim to the use of the water;
(i) reveal a legal strategy relating to the state's claim to the use of the water;
Section 2.
- 15 - H.B.
Section 2 is enacted to read:
186 Enrolled Copy Section 2.
77-2-10.
Section 77-2-10 is enacted to read:
77-2-10 .
78A-11-106.
78A-11-106 .
(1) (a) [(i) If] Except as provided in Subsection (5), if the commission, during the course of [its] the commission's investigation into an allegation of judicial misconduct, receives information upon which a reasonable [person] individual might conclude that a misdemeanor or felony under state or federal law has been committed by a judge other than the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the commission shall immediately refer the allegation and any information relevant to the potential criminal violation to the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
(1)(a)[(i) If] Except as provided in Subsection (5), if the commission, during the course of [its] the commission's investigation into an allegation of judicial misconduct, receives information upon which a reasonable [person] individual might conclude that a misdemeanor or felony under state or federal law has been committed by a judge other than the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the commission shall immediately refer the allegation and any information relevant to the potential criminal violation to the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
- 16 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (b) [(ii)] (i) [(A) Unless] Except as provided in Subsection (5) and unless the allegation is plainly frivolous, the commission shall also immediately refer the allegation of criminal misconduct and any information relevant to the potential criminal violation to the local prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the crime.
(b)[(ii)] (i)[(A) Unless] Except as provided in Subsection (5) and unless the allegation is plainly frivolous, the commission shall also immediately refer the allegation of criminal misconduct and any information relevant to the potential criminal violation to the local prosecuting attorney having jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the crime.
[(b)] (c) The chief justice of the Supreme Court may place a judge on administrative leave with or without pay if the chief justice has a reasonable basis to believe that the alleged crime occurred, that the judge committed the crime, and that the crime was either a felony or a misdemeanor which conduct may be prejudicial to the administration of justice or which brings a judicial office into disrepute.
[(b)] (c) The chief justice of the Supreme Court may place a judge on administrative leave with or without pay if the chief justice has a reasonable basis to believe that the alleged crime occurred, that the judge committed the crime, and that the crime was either a felony or a misdemeanor which conduct may be prejudicial to the - 16 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
186 administration of justice or which brings a judicial office into disrepute.
(2) (a) [If] Except as provided in Subsection (5), if the commission, during the course of [its] the commission's investigation into an allegation of judicial misconduct, receives information upon which a reasonable [person] individual might conclude that a misdemeanor or felony under state or federal law has been committed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the commission shall immediately refer the allegation and any information relevant to the potential criminal violation to two justices of the Supreme Court and the local prosecuting attorney in accordance with Subsection [(1)(a)(ii)] (1)(b)(i).
(2)(a) [If] Except as provided in Subsection (5), if the commission, during the course of [ its] the commission's investigation into an allegation of judicial misconduct, receives information upon which a reasonable [person] individual might conclude that a misdemeanor or felony under state or federal law has been committed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, the commission shall immediately refer the allegation and any information relevant to the potential criminal violation to two justices of the Supreme Court and the local prosecuting attorney in accordance with Subsection [ (1)(a)(ii)] (1)(b)(i).
- 17 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (b) Two justices of the Supreme Court may place the chief justice of the Supreme Court on administrative leave with or without pay if the two justices have a reasonable basis to believe that the alleged crime occurred, that the chief justice committed the crime, and that the crime was either a felony or a misdemeanor which conduct may be prejudicial to the administration of justice or which brings a judicial office into disrepute.
(b) Two justices of the Supreme Court may place the chief justice of the Supreme Court on administrative leave with or without pay if the two justices have a reasonable basis to believe that the alleged crime occurred, that the chief justice committed the crime, and that the crime was either a felony or a misdemeanor which conduct may be prejudicial to the administration of justice or which brings a judicial office into disrepute.
(3) (a) If a judge is or has been criminally charged or indicted for a class A misdemeanor or any felony under state or federal law and if the Supreme Court has not already acted under Subsection (1) or (2), the appropriate member or members of the Supreme Court as provided in Subsection (1) or (2), shall place the judge on administrative leave with or without pay pending the outcome of the criminal proceeding.
(3)(a) If a judge is or has been criminally charged or indicted for a class A misdemeanor or any felony under state or federal law and if the Supreme Court has not already acted under Subsection (1) or (2), the appropriate member or members of the Supreme Court as provided in Subsection (1) or (2), shall place the judge on administrative leave with or without pay pending the outcome of the criminal proceeding.
(c) If the judge is not convicted of the criminal charge, and if after an investigation and final disposition of the case by the Judicial Conduct Commission, the judge is reinstated by the Supreme Court as provided in Subsection (4), then the judge shall be paid the salary or compensation for the period of administrative leave, and all contributions withheld under Subsection (3)(b) shall be deposited in accordance with Sections 49-17-301 and 49-18-301.
(c) If the judge is not convicted of the criminal charge, and if after an investigation and - 17 - H.B.
186 Enrolled Copy final disposition of the case by the Judicial Conduct Commission, the judge is reinstated by the Supreme Court as provided in Subsection (4), then the judge shall be paid the salary or compensation for the period of administrative leave, and all contributions withheld under Subsection (3)(b) shall be deposited in accordance with Sections 49-17-301 and 49-18-301.
- 18 - HB0186 compared with HB0186S01 (b) two justices of the Supreme Court as described in Subsection (2)(a) if the Administrative Office of the Courts filed the complaint giving rise to the allegation as described in Subsection (2)(c);
(b) two justices of the Supreme Court as described in Subsection (2)(a) if the Administrative Office of the Courts filed the complaint giving rise to the allegation as described in Subsection (2)(c);
Section 4 is enacted to read:
Section 78A-11-114 is enacted to read:
78A-11-114.
78A-11-114 .
Section 5.
- 18 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
Effective date.
186 Section 5.
1-23-26 11:02 AM - 19 -
- 19 -
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Action History

  1. Governor Signed

  2. House/ to Governor

  3. House/ received enrolled bill from Printing

  4. House/ enrolled bill to Printing

  5. Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate

  6. Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared

  7. Bill Received from House for Enrolling

  8. House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling

  9. House/ received from Senate

  10. Senate/ to House

  11. Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House

  12. Senate/ passed 3rd reading

  13. Senate/ 3rd reading

  14. Senate/ passed 2nd reading

  15. Senate/ 2nd reading

  16. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

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

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

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

  20. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  21. Senate/ received from House

  22. House/ to Senate

  23. House/ passed 3rd reading

  24. House/ 3rd reading

  25. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0186S01

  26. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0186S01

  27. House/ 2nd reading

  28. House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Judiciary Committee]

  29. House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

  30. House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

  31. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0186S01

  32. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0186S01

  33. House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]

  34. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  35. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  36. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0186

  37. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0186

  38. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  39. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0186

  40. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0186

  41. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  42. 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.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 186?
HB 186 is sponsored by Brady Brammer (Republican) and Jordan D. Teuscher (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 186?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 07, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 186?
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