SB 270 Utah Senate · 2026 General Session

State Court Amendments

SB 270 creates specialized court divisions within Utah district courts to handle debt collection and housing cases starting January 1, 2027. It requires courts to transfer eligible cases to these divisions for centralized processing and mandates the Judicial Council to allocate resources (like staff) for them. The bill also modifies judicial nomination procedures, adjusting how many candidates appellate court commissions submit to the governor (e.g., seven per vacancy, with adjustments for multiple vacancies). These changes affect district courts managing debt/housing cases and judicial nomination commissions handling higher court appointments.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Introduced → Substitute #1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill creates a new statewide 'Collections and Housing Court' to handle debt collection and housing eviction cases, separating them from the general district court to improve efficiency. It establishes a new seven-member commission to nominate judges for this court and sets their terms and salaries. The bill also adds this new court to the list of public officials regarding gift restrictions and updates rules on judgment liens and mileage allowances to include the new court.

Scope change

The bill significantly expands the judicial system by creating a new specialized court with statewide jurisdiction for specific civil matters, while simultaneously amending the district court to allow for the creation of internal divisions to manage similar cases if the new court is not fully operational.

SCOPE

Created a new 'Collections and Housing Court' with statewide jurisdiction to handle forcible entry and detainer (eviction) cases and debt collection actions.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new 'Collections and Housing Court Nominating Commission' consisting of seven commissioners appointed by the governor to select judges for the new court.

Authorized the Judicial Council to create internal divisions within the existing district court to manage debt collection and housing cases if the new specialized court is not yet fully staffed.

DEFINITION

Added the new court to the legal definition of 'public official' for purposes of restricting gifts and added it to the list of courts whose judges receive salaries set by the Legislature.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated laws regarding judgment liens and mileage allowances to explicitly include the new Collections and Housing Court alongside the district court and Business and Chancery Court.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for the new court and related changes to January 1, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

27–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 29

Feb 27, 2026

D Democratic6

6 Yea

100% Yea

N Forward1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

20 Yea 2

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 24, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed

executive

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrolling

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to Senate

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ concurs with House amendment

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

House/ passed 3rd reading

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ return to Rules due to fiscal impact [House Rules Committee]

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House/ committee report favorable [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

House/ to standing committee [House Judiciary Committee]

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Introduced

House/ 1st reading (Introduced)

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Introduced

Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor