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First Substitute S.B. 130

Senator Lyle W. Hillyard proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
JUDICIARY AMENDMENTS

             2     
2010 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard

             5     
House Sponsor: Kay L. McIff

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill makes conforming and correction changes throughout the code regarding the
             10      judiciary and courts.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    changes the filing fee for a temporary separation to conform with the filing fees in
             14      the judicial administration title;
             15          .    eliminates the requirement that a second notice be sent to a taxpayer when an
             16      overpayment of taxes will be applied to the bail on an arrest warrant;
             17          .    allows the cancellation of a grand jury hearing when no person has been scheduled
             18      to testify;
             19          .    clarifies that references to petition, complaint, or other documents filed with the
             20      courts include the cover sheet filed with them;
             21          .    makes changes to the court reporter chapter, including:
             22              .    requiring that the Judicial Council shall provide for the methods of maintaining
             23      court proceedings by rule; and
             24              .    eliminating substitute reporters, traveling expenses, and the Court Reporting
             25      Technology Account;


             26          .    gives justice courts explicit authority to issue writs necessary to carry out its orders;
             27      and
             28          .    clarifies notice and hearing provisions for ex parte orders.
             29      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             30          None
             31      Other Special Clauses:
             32          None
             33      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             34      AMENDS:
             35          30-3-4.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 301
             36          59-10-529, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 212
             37          77-10a-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1994, Chapter 218
             38          78A-2-402, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             39          78A-2-405, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             40          78A-2-408, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             41          78A-2-409, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             42          78A-5-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 93, 115 and renumbered
             43      and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             44          78A-6-115, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapters 146 and 161
             45          78A-7-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapters 115, 327 and renumbered
             46      and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             47          78A-8-105, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             48          78B-7-107, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 163 and renumbered and
             49      amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             50          78B-7-203, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             51      ENACTS:
             52          78A-2-229, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             53      REPEALS:
             54          78A-2-406, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             55          78A-2-407, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
             56     


             57      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             58          Section 1. Section 30-3-4.5 is amended to read:
             59           30-3-4.5. Motion for temporary separation order.
             60          (1) A petitioner may file an action for a temporary separation order without filing a
             61      petition for divorce by filing a petition for temporary separation and motion for temporary
             62      orders if:
             63          (a) the petitioner is lawfully married to the respondent; and
             64          (b) both parties are residents of the state for at least 90 days prior to the date of filing.
             65          (2) The temporary orders are valid for one year from the date of the hearing, or until
             66      one of the following occurs:
             67          (a) a petition for divorce is filed and consolidated with the petition for temporary
             68      separation; or
             69          (b) the case is dismissed.
             70          (3) If a petition for divorce is filed and consolidated with the petition for temporary
             71      separation, orders entered in the temporary separation shall continue in the consolidated case.
             72          (4) Both parties shall attend the divorce orientation course described in Section
             73      30-3-11.4 within 60 days of the filing of the petition, for petitioner, and within 45 days of being
             74      served, for respondent.
             75          (5) Service shall be made upon respondent, together with a 20-day summons, in
             76      accordance with the rules of civil procedure.
             77          (6) The fee for filing the petition for temporary separation orders [shall be $25] is $35.
             78      If either party files a petition for divorce within one year from the date of filing the petition for
             79      temporary separation, the [$25] separation filing fee shall be credited towards the filing fee for
             80      the divorce.
             81          Section 2. Section 59-10-529 is amended to read:
             82           59-10-529. Overpayment of tax -- Credits -- Refunds.
             83          (1) If there has been an overpayment of any tax imposed by this chapter, the amount of
             84      overpayment is credited as follows:
             85          (a) against any income tax then due from the taxpayer;
             86          (b) against:
             87          (i) the amount of any judgment against the taxpayer, including one ordering the


             88      payment of a fine or of restitution to a victim under Title 77, Chapter 38a, Crime Victims
             89      Restitution Act, obtained through due process of law by any entity of state government; or
             90          (ii) subject to Subsection [(3)] (4)(a)(i), any child support obligation that is due or past
             91      due, as determined by the Office of Recovery Services in the Department of Human Services
             92      and after notice and an opportunity for an adjudicative proceeding, as provided in Subsection
             93      (2); or
             94          (c) subject to Subsection (3), (5), (6), or (7), as bail, to ensure the appearance of the
             95      taxpayer before the appropriate authority to resolve an outstanding warrant against the taxpayer
             96      for which bail is due, if a court of competent jurisdiction has not approved an alternative form
             97      of payment.
             98          (2) If a balance remains after an overpayment is credited in accordance with Subsection
             99      (1), the balance shall be refunded to the taxpayer.
             100          (3) Bail described in Subsection (1)(c) may be applied to any fine or forfeiture:
             101          (a) that is due and related to a warrant that is outstanding on or after February 16, 1984;
             102      and
             103          (b) in accordance with Subsections (5) and (6).
             104          (4) (a) The amount of an overpayment may be credited against an obligation described
             105      in Subsection (1)(b)(ii) if the Office of Recovery Services has sent written notice to the
             106      taxpayer's last-known address or the address on file under Section 62A-11-304.4 , stating:
             107          (i) the amount of child support that is due or past due as of the date of the notice or
             108      other specified date;
             109          (ii) that any overpayment shall be applied to reduce the amount of due or past-due child
             110      support specified in the notice; and
             111          (iii) that the taxpayer may contest the amount of past-due child support specified in the
             112      notice by filing a written request for an adjudicative proceeding with the office within 15 days
             113      of the notice being sent.
             114          (b) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             115      Office of Recovery Services shall establish rules to implement this Subsection (4), including
             116      procedures, in accordance with the other provisions of this section, to ensure:
             117          (i) prompt reimbursement to the taxpayer of any amount of an overpayment that was
             118      credited against a child support obligation in error; and


             119          (ii) prompt distribution of properly credited funds to the obligee parent.
             120          (5) The amount of an overpayment may be credited against bail described in
             121      Subsection (1)(c) if:
             122          (a) a court has issued a warrant for the arrest of the taxpayer for failure to post bail,
             123      appear, or otherwise satisfy the terms of a citation, summons, or court order; and
             124          (b) a notice of intent to apply the overpayment as bail on the issued warrant has been
             125      sent to the person's current address on file with the commission.
             126          (6) (a) (i) The commission shall deliver an overpayment applied as bail to the court that
             127      issued the warrant of arrest.
             128          (ii) The clerk of the court is authorized to endorse the check or commission warrant of
             129      payment on behalf of the payees and deposit the monies in the court treasury.
             130          (b) (i) The court receiving an overpayment applied as bail shall order withdrawal of the
             131      warrant for arrest of the taxpayer if:
             132          (A) the case is a case for which a personal appearance of the taxpayer is not required;
             133      and
             134          (B) the dollar amount of the overpayment represents the full dollar amount of bail.
             135          (ii) In a case except for a case described in Subsection (6)(b)(i):
             136          (A) the court receiving the overpayment applied as bail is not required to order the
             137      withdrawal of the warrant of arrest of the taxpayer during the 40-day period; and
             138          (B) the taxpayer may be arrested on the warrant.
             139          (c) (i) If a taxpayer fails to respond to the notice required by Subsection (5)(b), or to
             140      resolve the warrant within 40 days after the notice is sent under Subsection (5)(b)[: (A)], the
             141      overpayment applied as bail is forfeited[; and].
             142          [(B) notice of the forfeiture shall be mailed to the taxpayer at the current address on file
             143      with the commission.]
             144          (ii) A court may issue another warrant or allow the original warrant to remain in force
             145      if:
             146          (A) the taxpayer has not complied with an order of the court;
             147          (B) the taxpayer has failed to appear and respond to a criminal charge for which a
             148      personal appearance is required; or
             149          (C) the taxpayer has paid partial but not full bail in a case for which a personal


             150      appearance is not required.
             151          (d) If the alleged violations named in a warrant are later resolved in favor of the
             152      taxpayer, the bail amount shall be remitted to the taxpayer.
             153          (7) The fine and bail forfeiture provisions of this section apply to all warrants and fines
             154      issued in cases charging a taxpayer with a felony, a misdemeanor, or an infraction described in
             155      this section which are outstanding on or after February 16, 1984.
             156          (8) If the amount allowable as a credit for tax withheld from a taxpayer exceeds the tax
             157      to which the credit relates, the excess is considered an overpayment.
             158          (9) (a) Subject to Subsection (9)(b), a claim for credit or refund of an overpayment that
             159      is attributable to a net operating loss carry back or carry forward shall be filed within three
             160      years from the due date of the return for the taxable year of the net operating loss.
             161          (b) The three-year period described in Subsection (9)(a) shall be extended by any
             162      extension of time provided in statute for filing the return described in Subsection (9)(a).
             163          (10) If there has been an overpayment of a tax that is required to be deducted and
             164      withheld under Section 59-10-402 , a refund shall be made to the employer only to the extent
             165      that the amount of overpayment is not deducted and withheld by the employer.
             166          (11) If there is no tax liability for a period in which an amount is paid under this
             167      chapter, the amount is an overpayment.
             168          (12) If a tax under this chapter is assessed or collected after the expiration of the
             169      applicable period of limitation, that amount is an overpayment.
             170          (13) (a) A taxpayer may file a claim for a credit or refund of an overpayment within
             171      two years from the date a notice of change, notice of correction, or amended return is required
             172      to be filed with the commission if the taxpayer is required to:
             173          (i) report a change or correction in income reported on the taxpayer's federal income
             174      tax return;
             175          (ii) report a change or correction that is treated in the same manner as if the change or
             176      correction were an overpayment for federal income tax purposes; or
             177          (iii) file an amended return with the commission.
             178          (b) If a report or amended return is not filed within 90 days, interest on any resulting
             179      refund or credit ceases to accrue after the 90-day period.
             180          (c) The amount of the credit or refund may not exceed the amount of the reduction in


             181      tax attributable to the federal change, correction, or items amended on the taxpayer's amended
             182      federal income tax return.
             183          (d) Except as provided in Subsection (13)(a), this Subsection (13) does not affect the
             184      amount or the time within which a claim for credit or refund may be filed.
             185          (14) A credit or refund may not be allowed or made if an overpayment is less than $1.
             186          (15) The amount of a credit or refund may not exceed the tax paid during the three
             187      years immediately preceding the filing of the claim, or if no claim is filed, then during the three
             188      years immediately preceding the allowance of the credit or refund.
             189          (16) In the case of an overpayment of tax by an employer under Part 4, Withholding of
             190      Tax, a refund or credit shall be made to the employer only to the extent that the amount of the
             191      overpayment is not deducted and withheld from wages under this chapter.
             192          (17) (a) If a taxpayer that is allowed a refund under this chapter dies, the commission
             193      may make payment to the personal representative of the taxpayer's estate.
             194          (b) If there is no personal representative of the taxpayer's estate, payment may be made
             195      to those persons who establish entitlement to inherit the property of the decedent in the
             196      proportions established in Title 75, Utah Uniform Probate Code.
             197          (18) If an overpayment relates to a change in net income described in Subsection
             198      59-10-536 (2)(a), a credit may be allowed or a refund paid any time before the expiration of the
             199      period within which a deficiency may be assessed.
             200          (19) An overpayment of a tax imposed by this chapter shall accrue interest at the rate
             201      and in the manner prescribed in Section 59-1-402 .
             202          Section 3. Section 77-10a-2 is amended to read:
             203           77-10a-2. Panel of judges -- Appointment -- Membership -- Ordering of grand
             204      jury.
             205          (1) (a) The presiding officer of the Judicial Council shall appoint a panel of five judges
             206      from the district courts of the state to hear in secret all persons claiming information that would
             207      justify the calling of a grand jury. The presiding officer may appoint senior status district court
             208      judges to the panel. The presiding officer shall designate one member of the panel as
             209      supervising judge to serve at the pleasure of the presiding officer. The panel has the authority
             210      of the district court.
             211          (b) To ensure geographical diversity on the panel one judge shall be appointed from the


             212      first or second district for a five-year term, one judge shall be appointed from the third district
             213      for a four-year term, one judge shall be appointed from the fourth district for a three-year term,
             214      one judge shall be appointed from the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth districts for a two-year
             215      term, and one judge shall be appointed from the third district for a one-year term. Following
             216      the first term, all terms on the panel are for five years.
             217          (c) The panel shall [hold] schedule hearings in each judicial district at least once every
             218      three years and may meet at any location within the state. Three members of the panel
             219      constitute a quorum for the transaction of panel business. The panel shall act by the
             220      concurrence of a majority of members present and may act through the supervising judge or
             221      managing judge. The schedule for the hearings shall be set by the panel and published by the
             222      Office of the Court Administrator. Persons who desire to appear before the panel shall
             223      schedule an appointment with the Office of the Court Administrator at least 10 days in
             224      advance. If no appointments are scheduled, the hearing may be canceled. Persons appearing
             225      before the panel shall be placed under oath and examined by the judges conducting the
             226      hearings. Hearsay evidence may be presented at the hearings only under the same provisions
             227      and limitations that apply to preliminary hearings.
             228          (2) (a) If the panel finds good cause to believe a grand jury is necessary, the panel shall
             229      make its findings in writing and may order a grand jury to be summoned.
             230          (b) The panel may refer a matter to the attorney general, county attorney, district
             231      attorney, or city attorney for investigation and prosecution. The referral shall contain as much
             232      of the information presented to the panel as the panel determines relevant. The attorney
             233      general, county attorney, district attorney, or city attorney shall report to the panel the results of
             234      any investigation and whether the matter will be prosecuted by a prosecutor's information. The
             235      report shall be filed with the panel within 120 days after the referral unless the panel provides
             236      for a different amount of time. If the panel is not satisfied with the action of the attorney
             237      general, county attorney, district attorney, or city attorney, the panel may order a grand jury to
             238      be summoned.
             239          (3) When the attorney general, a county attorney, a district attorney, or a special
             240      prosecutor appointed under Section 77-10a-12 certifies in writing to the supervising judge that
             241      in his judgment a grand jury is necessary because of criminal activity in the state, the panel,
             242      upon a determination of good cause, shall order a grand jury to be summoned.


             243          (4) The supervising judge may at the time the grand jury is summoned:
             244          (a) order that it be drawn from the state at large as provided in this chapter or from any
             245      district within the state; and
             246          (b) retain authority to supervise the grand jury or delegate the supervision of the grand
             247      jury to any judge of any district court within the state.
             248          Section 4. Section 78A-2-229 is enacted to read:
             249          78A-2-229. References to court pleadings and other papers.
             250          Any reference in this code to a petition, complaint, or other court record shall be
             251      considered to include any cover sheet or accompanying document required by statute or court
             252      rule to be filed with the petition, complaint, or other record.
             253          Section 5. Section 78A-2-402 is amended to read:
             254           78A-2-402. Definitions.
             255          As used in this part:
             256          (1) "Certified court reporter" has the same meaning as in Title 58, Chapter 74, Certified
             257      Court Reporters Licensing Act.
             258          (2) "Folio" means 100 words. A number expressed as a numeral counts as one word;
             259      however, any portion of the last folio is not counted.
             260          [(3) "Official court reporter" means a certified court reporter employed by the courts.]
             261          [(4)] (3) "Official court transcriber" means a person certified in accordance with rules
             262      of the Judicial Council as competent to transcribe into written form an audio or video recording
             263      of court proceedings.
             264          Section 6. Section 78A-2-405 is amended to read:
             265           78A-2-405. Record of court proceedings.
             266          [(1)] The Judicial Council shall by rule provide for the means of maintaining the record
             267      of proceedings in the courts of record by official court reporters or by electronic recording
             268      devices.
             269          [(2) The official court reporter assigned to a session of court shall take full verbatim
             270      stenographic notes of the session, except when the judge dispenses with the verbatim record.]
             271          [(3) The official court reporter shall immediately file with the clerk of the court the
             272      original stenographic notes of the court session and the computer disk on which the notes are
             273      stored. If not already on file with the clerk of the court, the official court reporter shall file a


             274      computer disk containing the reporter's most current dictionary showing the meaning of the
             275      reporter's stenographic notes.]
             276          [(4) Upon request and the payment of fees established by Section 78A-2-408 , the
             277      official court reporter shall transcribe the stenographic notes or video or audio recording of the
             278      court session and furnish the transcript to the requesting party.]
             279          Section 7. Section 78A-2-408 is amended to read:
             280           78A-2-408. Transcripts and copies -- Fees.
             281          (1) The Judicial Council shall by rule provide for a standard page format for transcripts
             282      of court hearings.
             283          (2) (a) The fee for a transcript of a court session, or any part of a court session, shall be
             284      $3.50 per page, which includes the initial preparation of the transcript and one certified copy.
             285      The preparer shall deposit the original text file and printed transcript with the clerk of the court
             286      and provide the person requesting the transcript with the certified copy. The cost of additional
             287      copies shall be as provided in Subsection 78A-2-301 (1). The transcript for an appeal shall be
             288      prepared within the time period permitted by the rules of Appellate Procedure. The fee for a
             289      transcript prepared within three business days of the request shall be 1-1/2 times the base rate.
             290      The fee for a transcript prepared within one business day of the request shall be double the base
             291      rate.
             292          (b) When a transcript is ordered by the court, the fees shall be paid by the parties to the
             293      action in equal proportion or as ordered by the court. The fee for a transcript in a criminal case
             294      in which the defendant is found to be impecunious shall be paid pursuant to Section 77-32-305 .
             295          (c) There is established within the General Fund a restricted account known as the
             296      Court Reporting Technology Account. The clerk of the court shall transfer to the state
             297      treasurer for deposit into this account all fees received under this section. The state court
             298      administrator may draw upon this account for the purchase, development, and maintenance of
             299      court reporting technologies and for other expenses necessary for maintaining a verbatim
             300      record of court sessions.
             301          (3) The fee for the preparation of a transcript of a court hearing by an official court
             302      transcriber [other than an official court reporter] and the fee for the preparation of the transcript
             303      by a certified [shorthand] court reporter of a hearing before any court, referee, master, board, or
             304      commission of this state shall be as provided in Subsection (2)(a), and shall be payable to the


             305      person preparing the transcript.
             306          Section 8. Section 78A-2-409 is amended to read:
             307           78A-2-409. Certified transcripts prima facie correct.
             308          A transcript of [an official] a certified court reporter's notes, written in longhand or
             309      typewritten, certified by the court reporter as being a correct transcript of evidence and
             310      proceedings, is prima facie a correct statement of the evidence and proceedings.
             311          Section 9. Section 78A-5-102 is amended to read:
             312           78A-5-102. Jurisdiction -- Appeals.
             313          (1) The district court has original jurisdiction in all matters civil and criminal, not
             314      excepted in the Utah Constitution and not prohibited by law.
             315          (2) The district court judges may issue all extraordinary writs and other writs necessary
             316      to carry into effect their orders, judgments, and decrees.
             317          (3) The district court has jurisdiction over matters of lawyer discipline consistent with
             318      the rules of the Supreme Court.
             319          (4) The district court has jurisdiction over all matters properly filed in the circuit court
             320      prior to July 1, 1996.
             321          (5) The district court has appellate jurisdiction over judgments and orders of the justice
             322      court as outlined in Section 78A-7-118 and small claims appeals filed pursuant to Section
             323      78A-8-106 .
             324          (6) Appeals from the final orders, judgments, and decrees of the district court are under
             325      Sections 78A-3-102 and 78A-4-103 .
             326          (7) The district court has jurisdiction to review:
             327          (a) agency adjudicative proceedings as set forth in Title 63G, Chapter 4,
             328      Administrative Procedures Act, and shall comply with the requirements of that chapter, in its
             329      review of agency adjudicative proceedings; and
             330          (b) municipal administrative proceedings in accordance with Section 10-3-703.7 .
             331          (8) Notwithstanding Subsection (1), the district court has subject matter jurisdiction in
             332      class B misdemeanors, class C misdemeanors, infractions, and violations of ordinances only if:
             333          (a) there is no justice court with territorial jurisdiction;
             334          (b) the offense occurred within the boundaries of the municipality in which the district
             335      courthouse is located and that municipality has not formed, or has not formed and then


             336      dissolved, a justice court; or
             337          (c) they are included in an indictment or information covering a single criminal episode
             338      alleging the commission of a felony or a class A misdemeanor.
             339          (9) If the district court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Subsection (5) or (8),
             340      it also has jurisdiction over offenses listed in Section 78A-7-106 even if those offenses are
             341      committed by a person 16 years of age or older.
             342          (10) The district court has jurisdiction of actions under Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 2,
             343      Child Protective Orders, if the juvenile court transfers the case to the district court.
             344          Section 10. Section 78A-6-115 is amended to read:
             345           78A-6-115. Hearings -- Record -- County attorney or district attorney
             346      responsibilities -- Attorney general responsibilities -- Disclosure -- Admissibility of
             347      evidence.
             348          (1) (a) A verbatim record of the proceedings shall be taken [by an official court
             349      reporter or by means of a mechanical recording device] in all cases that might result in
             350      deprivation of custody as defined in this chapter. In all other cases a verbatim record shall also
             351      be made unless dispensed with by the court.
             352          (b) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision, including Title 63G, Chapter 2,
             353      Government Records Access and Management Act, a record of a proceeding made under
             354      Subsection (1)(a) shall be released by the court to any person upon a finding on the record for
             355      good cause.
             356          (ii) Following a petition for a record of a proceeding made under Subsection (1)(a), the
             357      court shall:
             358          (A) provide notice to all subjects of the record that a request for release of the record
             359      has been made; and
             360          (B) allow sufficient time for the subjects of the record to respond before making a
             361      finding on the petition.
             362          (iii) A record of a proceeding may not be released under this Subsection (1)(b) if the
             363      court's jurisdiction over the subjects of the proceeding ended more than 12 months prior to the
             364      request.
             365          (iv) For purposes of this Subsection (1)(b):
             366          (A) "record of a proceeding" does not include documentary materials of any type


             367      submitted to the court as part of the proceeding, including items submitted under Subsection
             368      (4)(a); and
             369          (B) "subjects of the record" includes the child's guardian ad litem, the child's legal
             370      guardian, the Division of Child and Family Services, and any other party to the proceeding.
             371          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the county attorney or, if within a
             372      prosecution district, the district attorney shall represent the state in any proceeding in a minor's
             373      case.
             374          (b) The attorney general shall enforce all provisions of Title 62A, Chapter 4a, Child
             375      and Family Services, and this chapter, relating to:
             376          (i) protection or custody of an abused, neglected, or dependent child; and
             377          (ii) petitions for termination of parental rights.
             378          (c) The attorney general shall represent the Division of Child and Family Services in
             379      actions involving a minor who is not adjudicated as abused or neglected, but who is otherwise
             380      committed to the custody of that division by the juvenile court, and who is classified in the
             381      division's management information system as having been placed in custody primarily on the
             382      basis of delinquent behavior or a status offense. Nothing in this Subsection (2)(c) may be
             383      construed to affect the responsibility of the county attorney or district attorney to represent the
             384      state in those matters, in accordance with the provisions of Subsection (2)(a).
             385          (3) The board may adopt special rules of procedure to govern proceedings involving
             386      violations of traffic laws or ordinances, wildlife laws, and boating laws. However, proceedings
             387      involving offenses under Section 78A-6-606 are governed by that section regarding suspension
             388      of driving privileges.
             389          (4) (a) For the purposes of determining proper disposition of the minor in dispositional
             390      hearings and establishing the fact of abuse, neglect, or dependency in adjudication hearings and
             391      in hearings upon petitions for termination of parental rights, written reports and other material
             392      relating to the minor's mental, physical, and social history and condition may be received in
             393      evidence and may be considered by the court along with other evidence. The court may require
             394      that the person who wrote the report or prepared the material appear as a witness if the person
             395      is reasonably available.
             396          (b) For the purpose of determining proper disposition of a minor alleged to be or
             397      adjudicated as abused, neglected, or dependent, dispositional reports prepared by the division


             398      under Section 78A-6-315 may be received in evidence and may be considered by the court
             399      along with other evidence. The court may require any person who participated in preparing the
             400      dispositional report to appear as a witness, if the person is reasonably available.
             401          (5) (a) In an abuse, neglect, or dependency proceeding occurring after the
             402      commencement of a shelter hearing under Section 78A-6-306 or the filing of a petition under
             403      Section 78A-6-304 , each party to the proceeding shall provide in writing to the other parties or
             404      their counsel any information which the party:
             405          (i) plans to report to the court at the proceeding; or
             406          (ii) could reasonably expect would be requested of the party by the court at the
             407      proceeding.
             408          (b) The disclosure required under Subsection (5)(a) shall be made:
             409          (i) for dispositional hearings under Sections 78A-6-311 and 78A-6-312 , no less than
             410      five days before the proceeding;
             411          (ii) for proceedings under Title 78A, Chapter 6, Part 5, Termination of Parental Rights
             412      Act, in accordance with Utah Rules of Civil Procedure; and
             413          (iii) for all other proceedings, no less than five days before the proceeding.
             414          (c) If a party to a proceeding obtains information after the deadline in Subsection
             415      (5)(b), the information is exempt from the disclosure required under Subsection (5)(a) if the
             416      party certifies to the court that the information was obtained after the deadline.
             417          (d) Subsection (5)(a) does not apply to:
             418          (i) pretrial hearings; and
             419          (ii) the frequent, periodic review hearings held in a dependency drug court case to
             420      assess and promote the parent's progress in substance abuse treatment.
             421          (6) For the purpose of establishing the fact of abuse, neglect, or dependency, the court
             422      may, in its discretion, consider evidence of statements made by a child under eight years of age
             423      to a person in a trust relationship.
             424          Section 11. Section 78A-7-106 is amended to read:
             425           78A-7-106. Jurisdiction.
             426          (1) Justice courts have jurisdiction over class B and C misdemeanors, violation of
             427      ordinances, and infractions committed within their territorial jurisdiction by a person 18 years
             428      of age or older.


             429          (2) Except those offenses over which the juvenile court has exclusive jurisdiction,
             430      justice courts have jurisdiction over the following class B and C misdemeanors, violation of
             431      ordinances, and infractions committed within their territorial jurisdiction by a person 16 years
             432      of age or older:
             433          (a) Title 23, Wildlife Resources Code of Utah;
             434          (b) Title 41, Chapter 1a, Motor Vehicle Act;
             435          (c) Title 41, Chapter 6a, Traffic Code;
             436          (d) Title 41, Chapter 12a, [Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility] Financial
             437      Responsibility of Owners and Operators Act;
             438          (e) Title 41, Chapter 22, Off-Highway Vehicles;
             439          (f) Title 73, Chapter 18, Safe Boating Act;
             440          (g) Title 73, Chapter 18a, Boating - Litter and Pollution Control;
             441          (h) Title 73, Chapter 18b, Water Safety; and
             442          (i) Title 73, Chapter 18c, Financial Responsibility of Motorboat Owners and Operators
             443      Act.
             444          (3) Justice Courts have jurisdiction over class C misdemeanor violations of Title 53,
             445      Chapter 3, Part 2, Driver Licensing Act.
             446          (4) As used in this section, "the court's jurisdiction" means the territorial jurisdiction of
             447      a justice court.
             448          (5) An offense is committed within the territorial jurisdiction of a justice court if:
             449          (a) conduct constituting an element of the offense or a result constituting an element of
             450      the offense occurs within the court's jurisdiction, regardless of whether the conduct or result is
             451      itself unlawful;
             452          (b) either a person committing an offense or a victim of an offense is located within the
             453      court's jurisdiction at the time the offense is committed;
             454          (c) either a cause of injury occurs within the court's jurisdiction or the injury occurs
             455      within the court's jurisdiction;
             456          (d) a person commits any act constituting an element of an inchoate offense within the
             457      court's jurisdiction, including an agreement in a conspiracy;
             458          (e) a person solicits, aids, or abets, or attempts to solicit, aid, or abet another person in
             459      the planning or commission of an offense within the court's jurisdiction;


             460          (f) the investigation of the offense does not readily indicate in which court's
             461      jurisdiction the offense occurred, and:
             462          (i) the offense is committed upon or in any railroad car, vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft
             463      passing within the court's jurisdiction;
             464          (ii) (A) the offense is committed on or in any body of water bordering on or within this
             465      state if the territorial limits of the justice court are adjacent to the body of water; and
             466          (B) as used in Subsection (3)(f)(ii)(A), "body of water" includes any stream, river, lake,
             467      or reservoir, whether natural or man-made;
             468          (iii) a person who commits theft exercises control over the affected property within the
             469      court's jurisdiction; or
             470          (iv) the offense is committed on or near the boundary of the court's jurisdiction;
             471          (g) the offense consists of an unlawful communication that was initiated or received
             472      within the court's jurisdiction; or
             473          (h) jurisdiction is otherwise specifically provided by law.
             474          (6) Justice courts have jurisdiction of small claims cases under Title 78A, Chapter 8,
             475      Small Claims Courts, if a defendant resides in or the debt arose within the territorial
             476      jurisdiction of the justice court.
             477          (7) A justice court judge may transfer a matter in which the defendant is a child to the
             478      juvenile court for further proceedings after judgment in the justice court.
             479          (8) The court may issue all extraordinary writs and other writs necessary to carry into
             480      effect its orders, judgments, and decrees.
             481          Section 12. Section 78A-8-105 is amended to read:
             482           78A-8-105. Civil filing fees.
             483          (1) Except as provided in this section, the fees for a small claims action in justice court
             484      shall be the same as provided in Section 78A-2-301 .
             485          (2) Fees collected in small claims actions filed in municipal justice court are remitted
             486      to the municipal treasurer. Fees collected in small claims actions filed in a county justice court
             487      are remitted to the county treasurer.
             488          [(3) (a) Seven dollars and 50 cents shall be withheld from the fee for the small claims
             489      affidavit and allocated to the Judges' Retirement Trust Fund. Five dollars shall be withheld
             490      from the fee for a small claims counter affidavit and allocated to the Judges' Retirement Trust


             491      Fund.]
             492          [(b) Four dollars withheld from the civil filing fee in a court of record as provided in
             493      Subsection 51-9-408 (4)(b) may not apply to the fees collected for small claims actions in
             494      justice court.]
             495          [(4)] (3) The fee in the justice court for filing a notice of appeal for trial de novo in a
             496      court of record is $10. The fee covers all services of the justice court on appeal but does not
             497      satisfy the trial de novo filing fee in the court of record.
             498          Section 13. Section 78B-7-107 is amended to read:
             499           78B-7-107. Hearings on ex parte orders.
             500          (1) (a) When a court issues an ex parte protective order the court shall set a date for a
             501      hearing on the petition within 20 days after the ex parte order is issued.
             502          (b) If at that hearing the court does not issue a protective order, the ex parte protective
             503      order shall expire, unless it is otherwise extended by the court. Extensions beyond the 20-day
             504      period may not by granted unless:
             505          (i) the petitioner is unable to be present at the hearing;
             506          (ii) the respondent has not been served;
             507          (iii) the respondent has had the opportunity to present a defense at the hearing;
             508          (iv) the respondent requests that the ex parte order be extended; or
             509          (v) exigent circumstances exist.
             510          (c) Under no circumstances may an ex parte order be extended beyond 180 days from
             511      the date of initial issuance.
             512          (d) If at that hearing the court issues a protective order, the ex parte protective order
             513      remains in effect until service of process of the protective order is completed.
             514          (e) A protective order issued after notice and a hearing is effective until further order of
             515      the court.
             516          (f) If the hearing on the petition is heard by a commissioner, either the petitioner or
             517      respondent may file an objection within 10 days of the entry of the recommended order and the
             518      assigned judge shall hold a hearing within 20 days of the filing of the objection.
             519          (2) Upon a hearing under this section, the court may grant any of the relief described in
             520      Section 78B-7-106 .
             521          (3) When a court denies a petition for an ex parte protective order or a petition to


             522      modify an order for protection ex parte, upon the request of the petitioner, the court shall set
             523      the matter for hearing [upon notice to the respondent] and notify the petitioner and serve the
             524      respondent .
             525          (4) A respondent who has been served with an ex parte protective order may seek to
             526      vacate the ex parte protective order prior to the hearing scheduled pursuant to Subsection (1)(a)
             527      by filing a verified motion to vacate. The respondent's verified motion to vacate and a notice
             528      of hearing on that motion shall be personally served on the petitioner at least two days prior to
             529      the hearing on the motion to vacate.
             530          Section 14. Section 78B-7-203 is amended to read:
             531           78B-7-203. Hearing.
             532          (1) [The] If an ex parte order is granted, the court shall schedule a hearing within 20
             533      days after the ex parte determination. If an ex parte order is denied, the court, upon the request
             534      of the petitioner, shall schedule a hearing within 20 days after the ex parte determination.
             535          (2) The petition, ex parte child protective order, and notice of hearing shall be served
             536      on the respondent, the minor's parent or guardian, and, if appointed, the guardian ad litem. The
             537      notice shall contain:
             538          (a) the name and address of the person to whom it is directed;
             539          (b) the date, time, and place of the hearing;
             540          (c) the name of the minor on whose behalf a petition is being brought; and
             541          (d) a statement that a person is entitled to have an attorney present at the hearing.
             542          (3) The court shall provide an opportunity for any person having relevant knowledge to
             543      present evidence or information. The court may hear statements by counsel.
             544          (4) An agent of the division served with a subpoena in compliance with the Utah Rules
             545      of Civil Procedure shall testify in accordance with the Utah Rules of Evidence.
             546          (5) If the court determines, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that the minor is
             547      being abused or is in imminent danger of being abused, the court shall enter a child protective
             548      order. With the exception of the provisions of Section 78A-6-323 , a child protective order
             549      does not constitute an adjudication of abuse, neglect, or dependency under Title 78A, Chapter
             550      6, Part 3, Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings.
             551          Section 15. Repealer.
             552          This bill repeals:


             553          Section 78A-2-406, Substitute reporters.
             554          Section 78A-2-407, Compensation -- Traveling expenses -- Frequency of payment.


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