Judicial Amendments

SB 296 changes how Utah's Supreme Court selects its leadership. It replaces the justices' vote to choose a chief justice with a process where the governor appoints the chief justice (subject to Senate confirmation), and creates a new two-year "associate chief justice" position elected by the justices. The bill also clarifies that the associate chief justice assumes the chief justice's duties when needed and specifies annual compensation ($2,000 for chief justice, $1,000 for associate). These changes directly affect the governor, Senate, and Supreme Court justices by altering leadership appointments and responsibilities. The bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.