2026 Utah Legislative Session

Utah lawmakers are considering a bill with a provision to let judges transfer certain juvenile offenders to adult prisons. The proposal has sparked sharp debate among attorneys, advocates, and those who’ve witnessed the dangers young people face behind bars.

It’s been four years since Utah's “Year of Water” at the Legislature, and now the state has its worst snowpack on record. We check in on what lawmakers have done since and what it means for Great Salt Lake.

Public defenders in Weber and Utah counties hope to recreate the success of a youth violence prevention program in Salt Lake County that saw particular results in the city of Magna.

After months of investigating, Ray Ormond was finally able to enter a home where he suspected a toddler was being abused. He had to chase down a drug case to solve a child abuse case. A new bill in the Legislature hopes to change that.

“The merit-based process of judicial selection, of wanting the very best and the most competent judges on the bench, is something that needs to be fought for, and it needs to be protected,” said Bar President Kim Cordova.

In addition to adding two justices to the state’s highest court, the law also adds judges to the Utah Court of Appeals and three of the state’s eight district courts.

A future constitutional court would be where cases challenging the constitutionality of state laws go first, instead of a district court as they do now.

Utah's self perception was fundamentally changed by gun violence in 2025 between a protest shooting and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Does that shift also apply to the laws the Legislature debates?

Republican Sen. Brady Brammer said Utah has a problem with its supply of attorneys. To fix it, he’s proposing a feasibility study for Utah Valley University to have a law school.

After high-profile instances of gun violence in Utah — including the shooting of Charlie Kirk — some lawmakers hope to have constructive conversations on firearms this legislative session.

Utah has seen a steady rise in kratom-related addiction and overdoses since 2014. This year, lawmakers are trying to curb the rise before it gets out of hand — including a ban on kratom altogether.

The House Judiciary Committee advanced the reforms on a unanimous vote. Nonprofits are relieved, and advocacy groups say it’s about time Utah caught up to the rest of the nation.