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S.B. 201 Enrolled

                 

PUNITIVE DAMAGES AMENDMENTS

                 
2004 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

                 
                  LONG TITLE
                  General Description:
                      This bill makes changes concerning the division of punitive damage awards with the
                  state.
                  Highlighted Provisions:
                      This bill:
                      .    requires that the state's portion of a punitive damage award be paid directly to the
                  state by the judgment debtor;
                      .    puts the state on the same footing as another judgment creditor when collecting
                  punitive damages; and
                      .    prescribes a priority and order for the payment of punitive damages.
                  Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
                      None
                  Other Special Clauses:
                      None
                  Utah Code Sections Affected:
                  AMENDS:
                      78-18-1, as last amended by Chapters 200 and 314, Laws of Utah 2002
                 
                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 78-18-1 is amended to read:
                       78-18-1. Basis for punitive damages awards -- Section inapplicable to DUI cases
                  -- Division of award with state.
                      (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided by statute, punitive damages may be awarded only


                  if compensatory or general damages are awarded and it is established by clear and convincing
                  evidence that the acts or omissions of the tortfeasor are the result of willful and malicious or
                  intentionally fraudulent conduct, or conduct that manifests a knowing and reckless indifference
                  toward, and a disregard of, the rights of others.
                      (b) The limitations, standards of evidence, and standards of conduct of Subsection (1)(a)
                  do not apply to any claim for punitive damages arising out of the tortfeasor's operation of a motor
                  vehicle or motorboat while voluntarily intoxicated or under the influence of any drug or
                  combination of alcohol and drugs as prohibited by Section 41-6-44 .
                      (c) The award of a penalty under Section 78-11-15 or 78-11-16 regarding shoplifting is
                  not subject to the prior award of compensatory or general damages under Subsection (1)(a)
                  whether or not restitution has been paid to the merchant prior to or as a part of a civil action
                  under Section 78-11-15 or 78-11-16 .
                      (2) Evidence of a party's wealth or financial condition shall be admissible only after a
                  finding of liability for punitive damages has been made.
                      (3) (a) In any [judgment] case where punitive damages are awarded [and paid], the
                  judgment shall provide that 50% of the amount of the punitive damages in excess of $20,000
                  shall, after an allowable deduction for the payment of attorneys' fees and costs, be remitted by the
                  judgment debtor to the state treasurer for deposit into the General Fund.
                      (b) For the purposes of this Subsection (3), an "allowable deduction for the payment of
                  attorneys' fees and costs" shall equal the amount of actual and reasonable attorneys' fees and costs
                  incurred by the judgment creditor[,] minus the amount of any separate judgment awarding
                  attorneys' fees and costs to the judgment creditor.
                      (c) The state shall have all rights due a judgment creditor until the judgment is satisfied,
                  and stand on equal footing with the judgment creditor of the original case in securing a recovery.
                      (d) Unless all affected parties, including the state, expressly agree otherwise or the
                  application is contrary to the terms of the judgment, any payment on the judgment by or on behalf
                  of any judgment debtor, whether voluntary or by execution or otherwise, shall be applied in the
                  following order:

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                      (i) compensatory damages, and any applicable attorneys fees and costs;
                      (ii) the initial $20,000 punitive damages; and finally
                      (iii) the balance of the punitive damages.

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