Senator Cullimore updates committee on Salt Lake County justice‑court dissolution resolution and fiscal‑note work

Senator Cullimore presented a joint resolution related to Salt Lake County’s effort to dissolve its justice court and told the Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee staff and members that county and court officials are working on the fiscal‑note details.

What the senator told the committee

Cullimore said Salt Lake County has been considering dissolving its justice court and asked the committee to receive the resolution so the fiscal implications could be considered in the appropriations process. He said he had spoken with court staff and county representatives about timing and logistics and that the county judge is under contract through 2028, which may affect the timing of any actual dissolution.

Fiscal questions and court handling

Cullimore said a bill passed last year would dissolve some unincorporated parts of Salt Lake County and that change could shift small claims and justice‑court caseloads into city justice courts or district courts. He asked the committee to be patient while staff work with the courts to refine the fiscal note, suggesting a possible one‑year delay in an effective dissolution date to reduce immediate financing pressure.

Legislative questions

Representative Miller asked why the county wants to dissolve its justice court and what would happen to cases arising in unincorporated areas. Cullimore replied that cases in unincorporated areas could be absorbed by district courts if cities do not have justice courts, and that the fiscal note needs further refinement to reflect those variations.

Next steps

Committee staff will continue to work with Salt Lake County and the courts to adjust the fiscal note and determine appropriate timing. No action was taken at the hearing.