SB 1003 Utah Senate · 2025 First Special Session

Judiciary Amendments

SB 1003 modifies Utah's Supreme Court leadership structure. It requires the governor to appoint a chief justice from among the justices (with Senate approval), replaces the justices' election of the chief justice, and limits chief justices to one term after the bill's effective date. The bill also creates a new associate chief justice position, elected by the justices for a two-year term, who assumes chief justice duties when needed. These changes affect the Utah Supreme Court's internal management and leadership succession, with no new funding required.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Senate Passage

Oct 2025

House Passage

Oct 2025

Signed into Law

Oct 2025

Introduced Oct 6, 2025 Signed Oct 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Oct 14, 2025

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally changes how Utah's Supreme Court selects and manages its leadership by shifting from an internally elected chief justice system to one where the governor appoints the chief justice with Senate approval. It also creates a new associate chief justice position and establishes clearer procedures for interim leadership when vacancies occur.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of judicial leadership by adding a new associate chief justice position and changing the appointment process from internal election to gubernatorial appointment with Senate confirmation.

REQUIREMENT

Changed chief justice selection from election by Supreme Court justices to gubernatorial appointment requiring Senate advice and consent.

Added provisions for interim chief justice when the office is vacant, specifying the associate chief justice or most senior justice shall act as interim leader.

Removed the provision allowing justices to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified after their term expires.

DEFINITION

Created a new office of associate chief justice elected by Supreme Court justices to serve as deputy leadership.

TIMELINE

Modified chief justice term lengths, with specific provisions for those whose terms began on April 1, 2024, and a one-term limit for future chief justices.

FISCAL

Added compensation for leadership roles: $2,000 per year for chief justice and $1,000 per year for associate chief justice.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Oct 14, 2025

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Oct 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

upper

Oct 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

upper

Oct 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Oct 6, 2025

Amended

House/ floor amendment failed

lower

Oct 6, 2025

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Oct 6, 2025

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor