UtahJudges may allow service or courses to reduce some court debt
Starting May 6, 2026, judges may let defendants facing serious hardship reduce some court debt through service or a paid, completed treatment or course ordered in their case.
What it does
A judge may let a defendant facing serious hardship work off unpaid fines, fees, surcharges, and interest, with at least $12 in credit for each hour of service.
A judge may reduce some court debt by the cost of treatment or a course ordered in the case when a defendant facing serious hardship completes the requirements and pays for it.
Argument forDefendants facing serious hardship could reduce some court debt through service or a paid, completed course ordered in their case.
Argument againstA defendant could still owe eligible debt if the prosecutor objects and the judge decides the credit is not in the interests of justice.
More detail
A sentencing judge may let a defendant satisfy eligible debt with compensatory service, at a credit rate of at least $12 per hour. This applies to unpaid fines, fees, surcharges, and interest in a defendant’s criminal court debt. The judge must find that payment would cause serious hardship to the defendant or the defendant’s family. The credit applies to unpaid fines, fees, surcharges, and interest, but not restitution principal or interest. If the prosecutor objects that the credit is not in the interests of justice, the judge may deny it. This provision takes effect May 6, 2026.
A sentencing judge may reduce eligible debt by the cost of treatment or a course ordered as part of the case. This applies to eligible criminal court debt owed by a defendant facing serious hardship. The defendant must complete the court’s requirements and provide proof of completion and payment. The reduction applies to unpaid fines, fees, surcharges, and interest, but not restitution principal or interest. If the prosecutor objects that the reduction is not in the interests of justice, the judge may deny it. This provision takes effect May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 26Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 12House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 11House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 11Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 7Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 7Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 6House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House
- Mar 6Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 6Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 6Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Mar 2Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 2Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 27Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 23Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 20Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 19Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19House/ to Senate
- Feb 19House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 19House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 12House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 12House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Judiciary Committee]
- Feb 11House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Feb 11House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]Major
- Feb 4LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0094S03
- Feb 4LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0094S03
- Feb 3LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0094S03
- Feb 3LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0094S03
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0094S02
- Jan 29LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0094S02
- Jan 27LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0094S02
- Jan 27LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0094S02
- Jan 23LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0094S01
- Jan 23LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0094S01
- Jan 22LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0094S01
- Jan 22LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0094S01
- Jan 20House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 20House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 16LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0094
- Jan 16LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0094
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- 2025
- Dec 29LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0094
- Dec 29LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0094
- Dec 29Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 29Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Criminal Justice