Punitive Damages Amendments
HB 154 modifies Utah's punitive damages rules for DUI cases, requiring the state's share of certain punitive damages to fund victim services. Specifically, it directs that after May 7, 2025, the state's portion (50% of punitive damages exceeding $50,000) from DUI-related judgments must be deposited into the Victims Services Restricted Account. This applies only to cases involving driving under the influence, not general punitive damages. Funds will support victim services like domestic violence programs and Children's Justice Centers. The bill does not change punitive damages standards but redirects existing state funds to victim assistance.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Jan 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 21, 2025
Signed Mar 26, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Substitute #1
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Mar 26, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates the funding source for the Victims Services Restricted Account to ensure money from DUI-related punitive damages goes to victims after a specific date. It also clarifies that punitive damages rules do not apply to cases involving drunk driving or illegal drug administration and sets a new deadline for when state-collected funds must be deposited into the victim services account.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of the Victims Services Restricted Account by designating it as the mandatory destination for state shares of punitive damages in DUI cases occurring after May 11, 2025, whereas previously these funds went to the General Fund.
FISCAL
The destination for state funds collected from punitive damages in DUI cases changed from the General Fund to the Victims Services Restricted Fund for payments received after May 11, 2025.
TIMELINE
A new effective date of May 7, 2025, was set for the bill, and a specific cutoff date of May 11, 2025, was established to determine which funds go to the new victim services account.
ELIGIBILITY
The bill explicitly states that standard punitive damages requirements (like proving willful malice) do not apply to cases involving driving under the influence or providing illegal controlled substances.
TECHNICAL
Minor formatting corrections were made to the long title and section headers to align the text properly.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
45
Key actions
8
Committee
5
Amendments
2
Mar 26, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Mar 8, 2025
Legislature · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
legislature
Mar 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate/ signed by President/ returned to House
lower
Mar 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
House/ concurs with Senate amendment
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Introduced
Senate/ to House with amendments
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
Senate/ to standing committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House/ committee report favorable
lower
Jan 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Committee
House/ to standing committee
lower
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 154
Scope: UT
Hi! I can help you understand HB 154. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline