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S.J.R. 6 Enrolled

             1     

LEGISLATOR COMMUNICATIONS WITH
             2      JUDICIARY JOINT RULES RESOLUTION
             3      2009 GENERAL SESSION
             4      STATE OF UTAH
             5      Chief Sponsor: John L. Valentine
             6      House Sponsor: John Dougall
             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill creates a chapter in the legislative rules relating to communications with the
             11      judiciary.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This resolution:
             14          .    provides guidelines and restrictions for legislators when communicating with
             15      judges;
             16          .    prohibits legislators from communicating with a judge in reference to a particular
             17      judicial case or proceeding until a final order has been made;
             18          .    provides guidelines for communicating with the Administrative Office of the
             19      Courts or the clerk of the court in other circumstances; and
             20          .    provides an exception for communications made in the ordinary course of a
             21      legislator's private employment, except where a legislator attempts to use his or her
             22      status as legislator to exert undue influence.
             23      Special Clauses:
             24          None
             25      Legislative Rules Affected:
             26      ENACTS:
             27          JR6-6-101
             28          JR6-6-102
             29     

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             30      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             31          Section 1. JR6-6-101 is enacted to read:
             32      CHAPTER 6. COMMUNICATIONS WITH OTHER BRANCHES OF
             33      GOVERNMENT
             34          JR6-6-101. Communications with the Judiciary.
             35          (1) As used in this section, "final decision or order" means a decision or order that
             36      determines the rights of the parties and concerning which appellate remedies have been
             37      exhausted or the time for appeal has expired.
             38          (2) (a) A legislator may not communicate, either verbally or in writing, with a judge in
             39      reference to a particular judicial case or proceeding until a final decision or order has been
             40      made on the matter.
             41          (b) Inquiries to the judiciary that are merely technical or logistical in nature should be
             42      made with the Administrative Office of the Courts or a clerk of the court.
             43          Section 2. JR6-6-102 is enacted to read:
             44          JR6-6-102. Exceptions -- Acting in Normal Course of Private Employment.
             45          The restrictions in this chapter shall not apply to a communication that a legislator
             46      makes with the judiciary in the normal course of the legislator's private employment, provided
             47      that the legislator does not use his or her status as a legislator in an attempt to unduly influence
             48      the judiciary.

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