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Senate approves expansion of Utah courts, adds justices and judges amid debate over cost and politicization
Summary
The Utah Senate passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 134 on Jan. 26, 2026, voting 21–8 to add Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals judges and district court judges plus staff; proponents cited record appellate caseloads, opponents warned of cost and politicization.
The Utah Senate on Monday approved Second Substitute Senate Bill 134, a package of judiciary staffing and structural changes that will add justices, appellate and district judges and additional court staff to address rising appellate caseloads. Sponsor Senator Wilson said the expansion responds to “record setting caseload growth” reported by the Utah judiciary.
Supporters framed the measure as a response to rising demand and multi-year delays in some appeals, while opponents warned the expansion could politicize the courts and strain a tight state budget.
Wilson told…
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