Resolution Admonishing and Censuring Judge Don M. Torgerson
This bill is a resolution from the Utah House of Representatives that formally censures Judge Don M. Torgerson for comments made during a sentencing hearing involving child sexual exploitation. The resolution condemns the judge for minimizing the severity of the crimes and suggesting that a defendant's socioeconomic privilege could justify a lighter sentence. It also expresses disappointment that the Utah State Courts issued inaccurate information defending the judge's conduct. The measure does not change laws or allocate funds but serves as an official statement of disapproval from the legislature.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 2, 2026
Last action Mar 17, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Amended Excerpts 3/2/2026 14:03:986
→
Amended 3/2/2026 14:03:986
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill text was reformatted and expanded with new paragraphs. The most significant substantive change is the addition of two new 'BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED' clauses at the end, which formally order the House to censures Judge Torgerson and express disappointment in the Utah State Courts' inaccurate defense of him. Other changes include clarifying the timeline of events and adding specific quotes from the Utah Code of Judicial Conduct to justify the censure.
Scope change
The scope of the resolution was expanded to include a formal censure and a specific rebuke of the Utah State Courts' response, whereas the original text only contained a condemnation of the judge's statements.
ENFORCEMENT
Added a formal order to censure Judge Torgerson and express disappointment in the Utah State Courts.
REQUIREMENT
Included specific quotes from the Utah Code of Judicial Conduct to establish the ethical standards the judge allegedly violated.
TECHNICAL
Reformatted the document header and line numbering to reflect a new amendment version.
TIMELINE
Added specific dates regarding the sentencing hearing (May 20, 2025) and the courts' response (May 28, 2025).
Floor votes · House Mar 3, 2026
How they voted
67–3
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 75
Mar 3, 2026
D
Democratic14
78% Yea
R
Republican61
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
22
Key actions
4
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ passed 3rd reading
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Rules Committee]
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Rules Committee]
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced
House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Rules Committee]
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced
House/ 1st reading (Introduced)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Matt MacPherson
RRepublican
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