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S.B. 201 Enrolled
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 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[
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:
(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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