Utah 2026 General Session Status: Enacted 2 R cosponsors

HB 274 — Sentencing 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 16, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Spencer Cox (Republican) on March 24, 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

260 added · 248 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised version of Bill HB 274 updates the provisions related to sentencing laws. It now includes changes to the composition of the Sentencing Commission and clarifies the guidelines for adult sentencing and supervision for specific offenses. These adjustments aim to improve the structure and consistency of sentencing practices, which can affect how individuals are sentenced and supervised after their convictions. Such changes are significant as they can lead to fairer and more standardized outcomes in the justice system.

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HB0274S03 compared with HB0274 {Omitted text} shows text that was in HB0274 but was omitted in HB0274S03 inserted text shows text that was not in HB0274 but was inserted into HB0274S03 DISCLAIMER:
Enrolled Copy H.B.
This document is provided to assist you in your comparison of the two bills.
274 Sentencing Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Sometimes this automated comparison will NOT be completely accurate.
Mike Schultz Senate Sponsor:
Therefore, you need to read the actual bills.
Michael K.
This automatically generated document could contain inaccuracies caused by:
limitations of the compare program;
bad input data;
or other causes.
Sentencing {Commission } Amendments GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor:
Mike Schultz Senate Sponsor:Michael K.
This bill {modifies the Sentencing Commission} amends statutory provisions related to sentencing.
This bill amends statutory provisions related to sentencing.
{and} ▸ requires the Sentencing Commission to give consideration to certain objectives when determining a recommended sentence or supervision length for the adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines;
▸ requires the Sentencing Commission to give consideration to certain objectives when determining a recommended sentence or supervision length for the adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines;
H ▸ addresses the factors and information that a sentencing court is required to consider when B sentencing an individual;
▸ addresses the factors and information that a sentencing court is required to consider when sentencing an individual;
and 2 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
and ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
7 HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
63M-7-401.1 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 208 63M-7-401.2 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 173 63M-7-404.3 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 214 63M-7-406 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 208 76-3-201 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 17 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
63M-7-401.1, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 208 63M-7-401.2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 173 63M-7-404.3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, Chapter 214 H.B.
274 Enrolled Copy 63M-7-406, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapter 208 76-3-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2025, First Special Session, Chapter 17 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
63M-7-401.1.
63M-7-401.1 .
(7) "Discretionary disqualification" means a penalty, a civil disability, or a disadvantage that a court in a civil proceeding, or a federal, state, or local government agency or official, may impose on - 2 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 an individual as a result of the individual's adjudication or conviction for an offense regardless of whether the penalty, the civil disability, or the disadvantage is specifically designated as a penalty, a civil disability, or a disadvantage.
(7) "Discretionary disqualification" means a penalty, a civil disability, or a disadvantage that a court in a civil proceeding, or a federal, state, or local government agency or official, may impose on an individual as a result of the individual's adjudication or conviction for an offense regardless of whether the penalty, the civil disability, or the disadvantage is specifically designated as a penalty, a civil disability, or a disadvantage.
and (b) is not included in the judgment for the adjudication or conviction.
and - 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
274 (b) is not included in the judgment for the adjudication or conviction.
63M-7-401.2.
63M-7-401.2 .
(1) There is created the sentencing commission, within the commission, that is composed of [15] 17 voting members.
(1) There is created the sentencing commission, within the commission, that is composed of [ 15] 17 voting members.
- 3 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 (c) the executive director of the commission or the executive director's designee;
(c) the executive director of the commission or the executive director's designee;
[(h)] (f){(g)} the attorney general or the attorney general's designee;
[(h)] (g) the attorney general or the attorney general's designee;
(h) three criminal prosecutors, appointed by the Statewide Association of Public Attorneys and Prosecutors, with at least one being a criminal prosecutor in a rural county;
- 3 - H.B.
[(i){] {(g)} } {[} a criminal prosecutor{] three criminal prosecutors}, appointed by the Statewide Association of Public Attorneys and Prosecutors;] [(j){] {(h)} } {[} a representative {] three representatives }of the Utah Sheriff's Association appointed by the governor] (i) two representatives of the Utah Sheriffs Association, appointed by the Utah Sheriffs Association, with at least one being a representative of a sheriff from a rural county;
274 Enrolled Copy (h) three criminal prosecutors, appointed by the Statewide Association of Public Attorneys and Prosecutors, with at least one being a criminal prosecutor in a rural county;
[(i) a criminal prosecutor, appointed by the Statewide Association of Public Attorneys and Prosecutors;] [(j) a representative of the Utah Sheriff's Association appointed by the governor] (i) two representatives of the Utah Sheriffs Association, appointed by the Utah Sheriffs Association, with at least one being a representative of a sheriff from a rural county;
{[(k){]} {(i)} } [a licensed professional] an individual, appointed by the governor, who assists in the rehabilitation of individuals convicted of an offense;
(k) [a licensed professional] an individual, appointed by the governor, who assists in the rehabilitation of individuals convicted of an offense;
{[(l)] (j)} and (l) the chair of the Utah Victim Services Commission or a member of the Utah Victim Services Commission designated by the chair[;] .
and (l) the chair of the Utah Victim Services Commission or a member of the Utah Victim Services Commission designated by the chair[;] .
[(m){] {(k)} } the chair of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee or a member of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee designated by the chair;] [(n) { and {[(n)] (l)} [} a juvenile prosecuting attorney{] three juvenile prosecutors}, appointed by the Statewide Association of Public Attorneys and Prosecutors{[} ;
[(m) the chair of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee or a member of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee designated by the chair;] [(n) a juvenile prosecuting attorney, appointed by the Statewide Association of Public Attorneys and Prosecutors;
and] [(o) {.
and] [(o) a juvenile defense attorney, appointed by the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.] (4) In addition to the members described in Subsection (3), the following may serve as non-voting members:
{[(o)} a juvenile defense attorney, appointed by the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.] - 4 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 (4) In addition to the members described in Subsection (3), the following may serve as non-voting members:
63M-7-404.3.
63M-7-404.3 .
(ii) relate sentencing practices and correctional resources;
- 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
274 (ii) relate sentencing practices and correctional resources;
- 5 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 (i) treatment and intervention completion determinations based on individualized case action plans;
(i) treatment and intervention completion determinations based on individualized case action plans;
[(2) (a) Before July 1, 2024, the sentencing commission shall revise and review the adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines to reflect appropriate penalties for the following offenses:] [(i) an interlock restricted driver operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock system, Section 41-6a-518.2;] [(ii) negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury, Section 76-5-102.1;
[(2)(a) Before July 1, 2024, the sentencing commission shall revise and review the adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines to reflect appropriate penalties for the following offenses:] [(i) an interlock restricted driver operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock system, Section 41-6a-518.2;] [(ii) negligently operating a vehicle resulting in injury, Section 76-5-102.1;
and] [(iii) negligently operating a vehicle resulting in death, Section 76-5-207.] [(b) The guidelines under Subsection (2)(a) shall consider the following:] [(i) the current sentencing requirements for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both as identified in Section 41-6a-505 when injury or death do not result;] [(ii) the degree of injury and the number of victims suffering injury or death as a result of the offense;] [(iii) the offender's number of previous convictions for driving under the influence related offenses as defined in Subsection 41-6a-501(2)(a);
and] [(iii) negligently operating a vehicle resulting in death, Section 76-5-207.] - 5 - H.B.
274 Enrolled Copy [(b) The guidelines under Subsection (2)(a) shall consider the following:] [(i) the current sentencing requirements for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both as identified in Section 41-6a-505 when injury or death do not result;] [(ii) the degree of injury and the number of victims suffering injury or death as a result of the offense;] [(iii) the offender's number of previous convictions for driving under the influence related offenses as defined in Subsection 41-6a-501(2)(a);
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and] [(b) recommend appropriate incentives for an individual on probation or parole that:] - 6 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 [(i) completes all conditions of probation or parole;
and] [(b) recommend appropriate incentives for an individual on probation or parole that:] [(i) completes all conditions of probation or parole;
(3) Before November 1, 2026, the sentencing commission shall review and revise the adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines, including the scoring factors, to reflect the appropriate penalties for:
- 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
274 (3) Before November 1, 2026, the sentencing commission shall review and revise the adult sentencing and supervision length guidelines, including the scoring factors, to reflect the appropriate penalties for:
- 7 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 Section 4.
Section 4.
63M-7-406.
63M-7-406 .
(1) (a) On or before October 31 of each year, the sentencing commission shall submit the sentencing and supervision length guidelines and juvenile disposition guidelines created in accordance with Sections 63M-7-404.3 and 63M-7-404.5 to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee and the Judiciary Interim Committee for review, including any legislative recommendations.
(1)(a) On or before October 31 of each year, the sentencing commission shall submit the sentencing and supervision length guidelines and juvenile disposition guidelines created in accordance with Sections 63M-7-404.3 and 63M-7-404.5 to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee and the Judiciary Interim Committee for review, including any legislative recommendations.
(c) The Legislature may, by passing a concurrent resolution, authorize sentencing and supervision length guidelines and juvenile disposition guidelines that the sentencing commission submits after the deadline described in Subsection (1)(a).
(c) The Legislature may, by passing a concurrent resolution, authorize sentencing and - 7 - H.B.
274 Enrolled Copy supervision length guidelines and juvenile disposition guidelines that the sentencing commission submits after the deadline described in Subsection (1)(a).
76-3-201.
76-3-201 .
(a) (i) "Convicted" means:
(a)(i) "Convicted" means:
- 8 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 (ii) "Convicted" does not include an adjudication of an offense under Section 80-6-701.
(ii) "Convicted" does not include an adjudication of an offense under Section 80-6-701.
(2) (a) Within the limits provided by this chapter, a court may sentence an individual convicted of an offense to any one of the following sentences, or combination of the following sentences:
(2)(a) Within the limits provided by this chapter, a court may sentence an individual convicted of an offense to any one of the following sentences, or combination of the following sentences:
or [(f)] (vi) to death.
or - 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B.
274 [(f)] (vi) to death.
(c) In determining the appropriate sentence for an individual convicted of a violent felony, as defined in Section 76-3-203.5, or a sexual offense, as defined in Section 76-3-407, the sentencing court shall - 9 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 prioritize the factors described in Subsections (2)(b)(i), (2)(b)(iii)(A), (2)(b)(iii)(B), and (2)(b)(iii) (C) over any interest of the defendant.
(c) In determining the appropriate sentence for an individual convicted of a violent felony, as defined in Section 76-3-203.5, or a sexual offense, as defined in Section 76-3-407, the sentencing court shall prioritize the factors described in Subsections (2)(b)(i), (2)(b)(iii)(A), (2)(b)(iii)(B), and (2)(b)(iii)(C) over any interest of the defendant.
(3) (a) This chapter does not deprive a court of authority conferred by law:
(3)(a) This chapter does not deprive a court of authority conferred by law:
(4) In addition to any other sentence that a sentencing court may impose, the court shall order an individual to:
- 9 - H.B.
274 Enrolled Copy (4) In addition to any other sentence that a sentencing court may impose, the court shall order an individual to:
and (ii) (A) the individual is not a state prisoner housed in the county correctional facility through a contract with the Department of Corrections;
and (ii)(A) the individual is not a state prisoner housed in the county correctional facility through a contract with the Department of Corrections;
- 10 - HB0274 compared with HB0274S03 (5) The cost of medical care under Subsection (4)(c) does not include expenses incurred by the county correctional facility in providing reasonable accommodation for an inmate qualifying as an individual with a disability as defined and covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.
(5) The cost of medical care under Subsection (4)(c) does not include expenses incurred by the county correctional facility in providing reasonable accommodation for an inmate qualifying as an individual with a disability as defined and covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.
Effective date.
2-18-26 10:29 AM - 11 -
- 10 -
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Amendments

1 amendment

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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/ received from House

  13. House/ to Senate

  14. House/ concurs with Senate amendment

  15. House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar

  16. House/ received from Senate

  17. Senate/ to House with amendments

  18. Senate/ passed 3rd reading

  19. Senate/ placed back on 3rd Reading Calendar

  20. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0274S03

  21. Senate/ placed on 3rd Reading Calendar table

  22. Senate/ 3rd reading

  23. Senate/ passed 2nd reading

  24. Senate/ substituted

  25. Senate/ uncircled

  26. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0274S03

  27. Senate/ circled

  28. Senate/ 2nd reading

  29. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0274S03

  30. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0274S03

  31. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0274S02

  32. Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar

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

  34. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0274S02

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

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

  37. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0274S02

  38. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0274S02

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

  40. Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  41. Senate/ received from House

  42. House/ to Senate

  43. House/ passed 3rd reading

  44. House/ floor amendment

  45. House/ 3rd reading

  46. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0274S01

  47. House/ 2nd reading

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

  49. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0274S01

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

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

  52. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0274S01

  53. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0274S01

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

  55. House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst

  56. LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0274

  57. House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

  58. House/ received bill from Legislative Research

  59. LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0274

  60. LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0274

  61. LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0274

  62. Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed

  63. 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

public-safety
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 274?
HB 274 is sponsored by Michael K. McKell (Republican) and Mike Schultz (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 274?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 16, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 274?
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