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Senate advances bill to expand Utah Supreme Court and add appellate, district judges to third reading after extended debate
Summary
After an extended floor debate over timing, optics and priorities, the Utah Senate ordered the second substitute of Senate Bill 134 — which would add two Supreme Court justices, two Court of Appeals justices and three district judges in high‑need districts — to be read a third time. The motion passed on a roll call recorded as 22–7.
Senator Daniel Wilson, sponsor of the second substitute to Senate Bill 134, told the Senate that rising appellate filings and sustained caseload growth prompted the measure to add judicial capacity across Utah’s courts. The bill would expand the Utah Supreme Court from five to seven justices, add two Court of Appeals justices, and create three new district court judgeships in Districts 3 (Salt Lake County), 4 (Utah County) and 5 (Washington County), along with supporting law clerks and staff.
Why it matters: Wilson cited the Utah judiciary annual report showing record appellate filings in 2024–25 and said the changes would…
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