1     
GOVERNMENT RECORDS ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT ACT

2     
AMENDMENTS

3     
2023 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

6     
House Sponsor: Anthony E. Loubet

7     

8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This bill makes changes related to the Government Records Access and Management
11     Act (act).
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This bill:
14          ▸     provides that a governmental entity is not required to create a document indicating
15     that a requested record does not exist;
16          ▸     requires a governmental entity to conduct a reasonable search for a record;
17          ▸     enacts a provision establishing a process for a governmental entity to petition for
18     relief against a vexatious requester;
19          ▸     provides for a hearing before the State Records Committee;
20          ▸     allows for judicial review of the State Records Committee's decision;
21          ▸     allows the court to award reasonable attorney fees to a responder for a vexatious
22     requester petition found to be without merit and waives governmental immunity for
23     a claim of attorney fees;
24          ▸     requires a person outside of a governmental entity who makes a claim of business
25     confidentiality for a record the person provided to a governmental entity to
26     indemnify the governmental entity in an action arising from the governmental
27     entity's denial of access to the record;
28          ▸     limits judicial review of an appeal to the issues raised in the underlying appeal and

29     order, except in exceptional circumstances;
30          ▸     authorizes the legislative branch, the judicial branch, and the governor and
31     lieutenant governor to establish a process for obtaining relief against a vexatious
32     requester;
33          ▸     amends the act's applicability to the governor and lieutenant governor;
34          ▸     clarifies the Utah Supreme Court's jurisdiction over appeals under the act;
35          ▸     defines terms; and
36          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
37     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
38          None
39     Other Special Clauses:
40          None
41     Utah Code Sections Affected:
42     AMENDS:
43          63G-2-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapters 211, 283
44          63G-2-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 334
45          63G-2-309, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 254
46          63G-2-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 325
47          63G-2-604, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 254
48          63G-2-702, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 369
49          63G-2-703, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 258
50          63G-7-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapters 388, 428
51          78A-4-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 388
52     ENACTS:
53          63G-2-209, Utah Code Annotated 1953
54          63G-2-704, Utah Code Annotated 1953
55     


56     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
57          Section 1. Section 63G-2-103 is amended to read:
58          63G-2-103. Definitions.
59          As used in this chapter:
60          (1) "Audit" means:
61          (a) a systematic examination of financial, management, program, and related records
62     for the purpose of determining the fair presentation of financial statements, adequacy of
63     internal controls, or compliance with laws and regulations; or
64          (b) a systematic examination of program procedures and operations for the purpose of
65     determining their effectiveness, economy, efficiency, and compliance with statutes and
66     regulations.
67          (2) "Chronological logs" mean the regular and customary summary records of law
68     enforcement agencies and other public safety agencies that show:
69          (a) the time and general nature of police, fire, and paramedic calls made to the agency;
70     and
71          (b) any arrests or jail bookings made by the agency.
72          (3) "Classification," "classify," and their derivative forms mean determining whether a
73     record series, record, or information within a record is public, private, controlled, protected, or
74     exempt from disclosure under Subsection 63G-2-201(3)(b).
75          (4) (a) "Computer program" means:
76          (i) a series of instructions or statements that permit the functioning of a computer
77     system in a manner designed to provide storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data from the
78     computer system; and
79          (ii) any associated documentation and source material that explain how to operate the
80     computer program.
81          (b) "Computer program" does not mean:
82          (i) the original data, including numbers, text, voice, graphics, and images;

83          (ii) analysis, compilation, and other manipulated forms of the original data produced by
84     use of the program; or
85          (iii) the mathematical or statistical formulas, excluding the underlying mathematical
86     algorithms contained in the program, that would be used if the manipulated forms of the
87     original data were to be produced manually.
88          (5) (a) "Contractor" means:
89          (i) any person who contracts with a governmental entity to provide goods or services
90     directly to a governmental entity; or
91          (ii) any private, nonprofit organization that receives funds from a governmental entity.
92          (b) "Contractor" does not mean a private provider.
93          (6) "Controlled record" means a record containing data on individuals that is controlled
94     as provided by Section 63G-2-304.
95          (7) "Designation," "designate," and their derivative forms mean indicating, based on a
96     governmental entity's familiarity with a record series or based on a governmental entity's
97     review of a reasonable sample of a record series, the primary classification that a majority of
98     records in a record series would be given if classified and the classification that other records
99     typically present in the record series would be given if classified.
100          (8) "Elected official" means each person elected to a state office, county office,
101     municipal office, school board or school district office, local district office, or special service
102     district office, but does not include judges.
103          (9) "Explosive" means a chemical compound, device, or mixture:
104          (a) commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion; and
105          (b) that contains oxidizing or combustive units or other ingredients in proportions,
106     quantities, or packing so that:
107          (i) an ignition by fire, friction, concussion, percussion, or detonator of any part of the
108     compound or mixture may cause a sudden generation of highly heated gases; and
109          (ii) the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of:

110          (A) producing destructive effects on contiguous objects; or
111          (B) causing death or serious bodily injury.
112          (10) "Government audit agency" means any governmental entity that conducts an audit.
113          (11) (a) "Governmental entity" means:
114          (i) executive department agencies of the state, the offices of the governor, lieutenant
115     governor, state auditor, attorney general, and state treasurer, the Board of Pardons and Parole,
116     the Board of Examiners, the National Guard, the Career Service Review Office, the State
117     Board of Education, the Utah Board of Higher Education, and the State Archives;
118          (ii) the Office of the Legislative Auditor General, Office of the Legislative Fiscal
119     Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, the Legislature, and legislative
120     committees, except any political party, group, caucus, or rules or sifting committee of the
121     Legislature;
122          (iii) courts, the Judicial Council, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and similar
123     administrative units in the judicial branch;
124          (iv) any state-funded institution of higher education or public education; or
125          (v) any political subdivision of the state, but, if a political subdivision has adopted an
126     ordinance or a policy relating to information practices pursuant to Section 63G-2-701, this
127     chapter shall apply to the political subdivision to the extent specified in Section 63G-2-701 or
128     as specified in any other section of this chapter that specifically refers to political subdivisions.
129          (b) "Governmental entity" also means:
130          (i) every office, agency, board, bureau, committee, department, advisory board, or
131     commission of an entity listed in Subsection (11)(a) that is funded or established by the
132     government to carry out the public's business;
133          (ii) as defined in Section 11-13-103, an interlocal entity or joint or cooperative
134     undertaking;
135          (iii) as defined in Section 11-13a-102, a governmental nonprofit corporation;
136          (iv) an association as defined in Section 53G-7-1101;

137          (v) the Utah Independent Redistricting Commission; and
138          (vi) a law enforcement agency, as defined in Section 53-1-102, that employs one or
139     more law enforcement officers, as defined in Section 53-13-103.
140          (c) "Governmental entity" does not include the Utah Educational Savings Plan created
141     in Section 53B-8a-103.
142          (12) "Gross compensation" means every form of remuneration payable for a given
143     period to an individual for services provided including salaries, commissions, vacation pay,
144     severance pay, bonuses, and any board, rent, housing, lodging, payments in kind, and any
145     similar benefit received from the individual's employer.
146          (13) "Individual" means a human being.
147          (14) (a) "Initial contact report" means an initial written or recorded report, however
148     titled, prepared by peace officers engaged in public patrol or response duties describing official
149     actions initially taken in response to either a public complaint about or the discovery of an
150     apparent violation of law, which report may describe:
151          (i) the date, time, location, and nature of the complaint, the incident, or offense;
152          (ii) names of victims;
153          (iii) the nature or general scope of the agency's initial actions taken in response to the
154     incident;
155          (iv) the general nature of any injuries or estimate of damages sustained in the incident;
156          (v) the name, address, and other identifying information about any person arrested or
157     charged in connection with the incident; or
158          (vi) the identity of the public safety personnel, except undercover personnel, or
159     prosecuting attorney involved in responding to the initial incident.
160          (b) Initial contact reports do not include follow-up or investigative reports prepared
161     after the initial contact report. However, if the information specified in Subsection (14)(a)
162     appears in follow-up or investigative reports, it may only be treated confidentially if it is
163     private, controlled, protected, or exempt from disclosure under Subsection 63G-2-201(3)(b).

164          (c) Initial contact reports do not include accident reports, as that term is described in
165     Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 4, Accident Responsibilities.
166          (15) "Legislative body" means the Legislature.
167          (16) "Notice of compliance" means a statement confirming that a governmental entity
168     has complied with an order of the State Records Committee.
169          (17) "Person" means:
170          (a) an individual;
171          (b) a nonprofit or profit corporation;
172          (c) a partnership;
173          (d) a sole proprietorship;
174          (e) other type of business organization; or
175          (f) any combination acting in concert with one another.
176          (18) "Private provider" means any person who contracts with a governmental entity to
177     provide services directly to the public.
178          (19) "Private record" means a record containing data on individuals that is private as
179     provided by Section 63G-2-302.
180          (20) "Protected record" means a record that is classified protected as provided by
181     Section 63G-2-305.
182          (21) "Public record" means a record that is not private, controlled, or protected and that
183     is not exempt from disclosure as provided in Subsection 63G-2-201(3)(b).
184          (22) "Reasonable search" means a search that is:
185          (a) reasonable in scope and intensity; and
186          (b) not unreasonably burdensome for the government entity.
187          [(22)] (23) (a) "Record" means a book, letter, document, paper, map, plan, photograph,
188     film, card, tape, recording, electronic data, or other documentary material regardless of physical
189     form or characteristics:
190          (i) that is prepared, owned, received, or retained by a governmental entity or political

191     subdivision; and
192          (ii) where all of the information in the original is reproducible by photocopy or other
193     mechanical or electronic means.
194          (b) "Record" does not mean:
195          (i) a personal note or personal communication prepared or received by an employee or
196     officer of a governmental entity:
197          (A) in a capacity other than the employee's or officer's governmental capacity; or
198          (B) that is unrelated to the conduct of the public's business;
199          (ii) a temporary draft or similar material prepared for the originator's personal use or
200     prepared by the originator for the personal use of an individual for whom the originator is
201     working;
202          (iii) material that is legally owned by an individual in the individual's private capacity;
203          (iv) material to which access is limited by the laws of copyright or patent unless the
204     copyright or patent is owned by a governmental entity or political subdivision;
205          (v) proprietary software;
206          (vi) junk mail or a commercial publication received by a governmental entity or an
207     official or employee of a governmental entity;
208          (vii) a book that is cataloged, indexed, or inventoried and contained in the collections
209     of a library open to the public;
210          (viii) material that is cataloged, indexed, or inventoried and contained in the collections
211     of a library open to the public, regardless of physical form or characteristics of the material;
212          (ix) a daily calendar or other personal note prepared by the originator for the
213     originator's personal use or for the personal use of an individual for whom the originator is
214     working;
215          (x) a computer program that is developed or purchased by or for any governmental
216     entity for its own use;
217          (xi) a note or internal memorandum prepared as part of the deliberative process by:

218          (A) a member of the judiciary;
219          (B) an administrative law judge;
220          (C) a member of the Board of Pardons and Parole; or
221          (D) a member of any other body, other than an association or appeals panel as defined
222     in Section 53G-7-1101, charged by law with performing a quasi-judicial function;
223          (xii) a telephone number or similar code used to access a mobile communication
224     device that is used by an employee or officer of a governmental entity, provided that the
225     employee or officer of the governmental entity has designated at least one business telephone
226     number that is a public record as provided in Section 63G-2-301;
227          (xiii) information provided by the Public Employees' Benefit and Insurance Program,
228     created in Section 49-20-103, to a county to enable the county to calculate the amount to be
229     paid to a health care provider under Subsection 17-50-319(2)(e)(ii);
230          (xiv) information that an owner of unimproved property provides to a local entity as
231     provided in Section 11-42-205;
232          (xv) a video or audio recording of an interview, or a transcript of the video or audio
233     recording, that is conducted at a Children's Justice Center established under Section 67-5b-102;
234          (xvi) child pornography, as defined by Section 76-5b-103;
235          (xvii) before final disposition of an ethics complaint occurs, a video or audio recording
236     of the closed portion of a meeting or hearing of:
237          (A) a Senate or House Ethics Committee;
238          (B) the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission;
239          (C) the Independent Executive Branch Ethics Commission, created in Section
240     63A-14-202; or
241          (D) the Political Subdivisions Ethics Review Commission established in Section
242     63A-15-201; or
243          (xviii) confidential communication described in Section 58-60-102, 58-61-102, or
244     58-61-702.

245          [(23)] (24) "Record series" means a group of records that may be treated as a unit for
246     purposes of designation, description, management, or disposition.
247          [(24)] (25) "Records officer" means the individual appointed by the chief
248     administrative officer of each governmental entity, or the political subdivision to work with
249     state archives in the care, maintenance, scheduling, designation, classification, disposal, and
250     preservation of records.
251          [(25)] (26) "Schedule," "scheduling," and their derivative forms mean the process of
252     specifying the length of time each record series should be retained by a governmental entity for
253     administrative, legal, fiscal, or historical purposes and when each record series should be
254     transferred to the state archives or destroyed.
255          [(26)] (27) "Sponsored research" means research, training, and other sponsored
256     activities as defined by the federal Executive Office of the President, Office of Management
257     and Budget:
258          (a) conducted:
259          (i) by an institution within the state system of higher education defined in Section
260     53B-1-102; and
261          (ii) through an office responsible for sponsored projects or programs; and
262          (b) funded or otherwise supported by an external:
263          (i) person that is not created or controlled by the institution within the state system of
264     higher education; or
265          (ii) federal, state, or local governmental entity.
266          [(27)] (28) "State archives" means the Division of Archives and Records Service
267     created in Section 63A-12-101.
268          [(28)] (29) "State archivist" means the director of the state archives.
269          [(29)] (30) "State Records Committee" means the State Records Committee created in
270     Section 63G-2-501.
271          [(30)] (31) "Summary data" means statistical records and compilations that contain

272     data derived from private, controlled, or protected information but that do not disclose private,
273     controlled, or protected information.
274          Section 2. Section 63G-2-201 is amended to read:
275          63G-2-201. Provisions relating to records -- Public records -- Private, controlled,
276     protected, and other restricted records -- Disclosure and nondisclosure of records --
277     Certified copy of record -- Limits on obligation to respond to record request.
278          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a person has the right to inspect a
279     public record free of charge, and the right to take a copy of a public record during normal
280     working hours, subject to Sections 63G-2-203 and 63G-2-204.
281          (b) A right under Subsection (1)(a) does not apply with respect to a record:
282          (i) a copy of which the governmental entity has already provided to the person;
283          (ii) that is the subject of a records request that the governmental entity is not required
284     to fill under Subsection [(8)(e)] (8)(a)(v); or
285          (iii) (A) that is accessible only by a computer or other electronic device owned or
286     controlled by the governmental entity;
287          (B) that is part of an electronic file that also contains a record that is private,
288     controlled, or protected; and
289          (C) that the governmental entity cannot readily segregate from the part of the electronic
290     file that contains a private, controlled, or protected record.
291          (2) A record is public unless otherwise expressly provided by statute.
292          (3) The following records are not public:
293          (a) a record that is private, controlled, or protected under Sections 63G-2-302,
294     63G-2-303, 63G-2-304, and 63G-2-305; and
295          (b) a record to which access is restricted pursuant to court rule, another state statute,
296     federal statute, or federal regulation, including records for which access is governed or
297     restricted as a condition of participation in a state or federal program or for receiving state or
298     federal funds.

299          (4) Only a record specified in Section 63G-2-302, 63G-2-303, 63G-2-304, or
300     63G-2-305 may be classified private, controlled, or protected.
301          (5) (a) A governmental entity may not disclose a record that is private, controlled, or
302     protected to any person except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), Subsection (5)(c), Section
303     63G-2-202, 63G-2-206, or 63G-2-303.
304          (b) A governmental entity may disclose a record that is private under Subsection
305     63G-2-302(2) or protected under Section 63G-2-305 to persons other than those specified in
306     Section 63G-2-202 or 63G-2-206 if the head of a governmental entity, or a designee,
307     determines that:
308          (i) there is no interest in restricting access to the record; or
309          (ii) the interests favoring access are greater than or equal to the interest favoring
310     restriction of access.
311          (c) In addition to the disclosure under Subsection (5)(b), a governmental entity may
312     disclose a record that is protected under Subsection 63G-2-305(51) if:
313          (i) the head of the governmental entity, or a designee, determines that the disclosure:
314          (A) is mutually beneficial to:
315          (I) the subject of the record;
316          (II) the governmental entity; and
317          (III) the public; and
318          (B) serves a public purpose related to:
319          (I) public safety; or
320          (II) consumer protection; and
321          (ii) the person who receives the record from the governmental entity agrees not to use
322     or allow the use of the record for advertising or solicitation purposes.
323          (6) (a) The disclosure of a record to which access is governed or limited pursuant to
324     court rule, another state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation, including a record for
325     which access is governed or limited as a condition of participation in a state or federal program

326     or for receiving state or federal funds, is governed by the specific provisions of that statute,
327     rule, or regulation.
328          (b) This chapter applies to records described in Subsection (6)(a) insofar as this chapter
329     is not inconsistent with the statute, rule, or regulation.
330          (7) A governmental entity shall provide a person with a certified copy of a record if:
331          (a) the person requesting the record has a right to inspect it;
332          (b) the person identifies the record with reasonable specificity; and
333          (c) the person pays the lawful fees.
334          (8) (a) In response to a request, a governmental entity is not required to:
335          [(a)] (i) create a record;
336          [(b)] (ii) compile, format, manipulate, package, summarize, or tailor information;
337          [(c)] (iii) provide a record in a particular format, medium, or program not currently
338     maintained by the governmental entity;
339          [(d)] (iv) fulfill a person's records request if the request unreasonably duplicates prior
340     records requests from that person; [or]
341          [(e)] (v) fill a person's records request if:
342          [(i)] (A) the record requested is:
343          [(A)] (I) publicly accessible online; or
344          [(B)] (II) included in a public publication or product produced by the governmental
345     entity receiving the request; and
346          [(ii)] (B) the governmental entity:
347          [(A)] (I) specifies to the person requesting the record where the record is accessible
348     online; or
349          [(B)] (II) provides the person requesting the record with the public publication or
350     product and specifies where the record can be found in the public publication or product[.]; or
351          (vi) fulfill a person's records request if:
352          (A) the person has been determined under Section 63G-2-209 to be a vexatious

353     requester;
354          (B) the State Records Committee order determining the person to be a vexatious
355     requester provides that the governmental entity is not required to fulfill a request from the
356     person for a period of time; and
357          (C) the period of time described in Subsection (8)(a)(vi)(B) has not expired.
358          (b) A governmental entity shall conduct a reasonable search for a requested record.
359          (9) (a) Although not required to do so, a governmental entity may, upon request from
360     the person who submitted the records request, compile, format, manipulate, package,
361     summarize, or tailor information or provide a record in a format, medium, or program not
362     currently maintained by the governmental entity.
363          (b) In determining whether to fulfill a request described in Subsection (9)(a), a
364     governmental entity may consider whether the governmental entity is able to fulfill the request
365     without unreasonably interfering with the governmental entity's duties and responsibilities.
366          (c) A governmental entity may require a person who makes a request under Subsection
367     (9)(a) to pay the governmental entity, in accordance with Section 63G-2-203, for providing the
368     information or record as requested.
369          (10) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and subject to Subsection
370     (10)(b), a governmental entity is not required to respond to, or provide a record in response to,
371     a record request if the request is submitted by or in behalf of an individual who is confined in a
372     jail or other correctional facility following the individual's conviction.
373          (b) Subsection (10)(a) does not apply to:
374          (i) the first five record requests submitted to the governmental entity by or in behalf of
375     an individual described in Subsection (10)(a) during any calendar year requesting only a record
376     that contains a specific reference to the individual; or
377          (ii) a record request that is submitted by an attorney of an individual described in
378     Subsection (10)(a).
379          (11) (a) A governmental entity may allow a person requesting more than 50 pages of

380     records to copy the records if:
381          (i) the records are contained in files that do not contain records that are exempt from
382     disclosure, or the records may be segregated to remove private, protected, or controlled
383     information from disclosure; and
384          (ii) the governmental entity provides reasonable safeguards to protect the public from
385     the potential for loss of a public record.
386          (b) If the requirements of Subsection (11)(a) are met, the governmental entity may:
387          (i) provide the requester with the facilities for copying the requested records and
388     require that the requester make the copies; or
389          (ii) allow the requester to provide the requester's own copying facilities and personnel
390     to make the copies at the governmental entity's offices and waive the fees for copying the
391     records.
392          (12) (a) A governmental entity that owns an intellectual property right and that offers
393     the intellectual property right for sale or license may control by ordinance or policy the
394     duplication and distribution of the material based on terms the governmental entity considers to
395     be in the public interest.
396          (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or impair the rights or protections
397     granted to the governmental entity under federal copyright or patent law as a result of its
398     ownership of the intellectual property right.
399          (13) A governmental entity may not use the physical form, electronic or otherwise, in
400     which a record is stored to deny, or unreasonably hinder the rights of a person to inspect and
401     receive a copy of a record under this chapter.
402          (14) Subject to the requirements of Subsection (8), a governmental entity shall provide
403     access to an electronic copy of a record in lieu of providing access to its paper equivalent if:
404          (a) the person making the request requests or states a preference for an electronic copy;
405          (b) the governmental entity currently maintains the record in an electronic format that
406     is reproducible and may be provided without reformatting or conversion; and

407          (c) the electronic copy of the record:
408          (i) does not disclose other records that are exempt from disclosure; or
409          (ii) may be segregated to protect private, protected, or controlled information from
410     disclosure without the undue expenditure of public resources or funds.
411          (15) In determining whether a record is properly classified as private under Subsection
412     63G-2-302(2)(d), the governmental entity, State Records Committee, local appeals board, or
413     court shall consider and weigh:
414          (a) any personal privacy interests, including those in images, that would be affected by
415     disclosure of the records in question; and
416          (b) any public interests served by disclosure.
417          Section 3. Section 63G-2-209 is enacted to read:
418          63G-2-209. Vexatious requester.
419          (1) As used in this section:
420          (a) "Committee" means the State Records Committee created in Section 63G-2-501.
421          (b) "Executive secretary" means an individual appointed as executive secretary under
422     Subsection 63G-2-502(3).
423          (c) "Respondent" means a person that a governmental entity claims is a vexatious
424     requester under this section.
425          (2) (a) A governmental entity may file a petition with the committee to request relief
426     from a person that the governmental entity claims is a vexatious requester.
427          (b) A petition under Subsection (2)(a) shall:
428          (i) be filed with the committee by submitting the petition to the executive secretary;
429     and
430          (ii) contain:
431          (A) the name, phone number, mailing address, and email address that the respondent
432     submitted to the governmental entity;
433          (B) a description of the conduct that the governmental entity claims demonstrates that

434     the respondent is a vexatious requester;
435          (C) a statement of the relief the governmental entity seeks; and
436          (D) a sworn declaration or an unsworn declaration, as those terms are defined in
437     Section 78B-18a-102.
438          (c) On the day the governmental entity files a petition under Subsection (2)(a), the
439     governmental entity shall send a copy of the petition to the respondent.
440          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), no later than seven business days after
441     receiving the petition the executive secretary shall schedule a hearing for the committee to
442     consider the petition, to be held:
443          (i) (A) at the next regularly scheduled committee meeting falling at least 16 calendar
444     days after the date the petition is filed but no later than 64 calendar days after the date the
445     petition is filed; or
446          (B) at a regularly scheduled committee meeting that is later than the period described
447     in Subsection (3)(a)(i)(A) if the later committee meeting is the first regularly scheduled
448     committee meeting at which there are fewer than 10 appeals scheduled to be heard; or
449          (ii) at a date sooner than a period described in Subsection (3)(a)(i) if the governmental
450     entity:
451          (A) requests an expedited hearing; and
452          (B) shows good cause for the expedited hearing.
453          (b) If the executive secretary schedules a hearing under Subsection (3)(a), the executive
454     secretary shall:
455          (i) send a copy of the petition to each member of the committee;
456          (ii) send a copy of the notice of hearing to the governmental entity, the respondent, and
457     each member of the committee; and
458          (iii) if applicable, send a copy of the respondent's statement under Subsection (3)(c)(ii)
459     to the governmental entity and each member of the committee.
460          (c) (i) The executive secretary may decline to schedule a hearing if:

461          (A) the executive secretary recommends that the committee deny the petition without a
462     hearing because the petition does not warrant a hearing;
463          (B) the executive secretary consults with the chair of the committee and at least one
464     other member of the committee; and
465          (C) the chair of the committee and all committee members with whom the executive
466     secretary consults under this Subsection (3)(c)(i) agree with the executive secretary's
467     recommendation to deny the petition without a hearing.
468          (ii) The executive secretary may, in making the determination described in Subsection
469     (3)(c)(i)(A), request that the respondent submit a written response to the petition.
470          (d) If the executive secretary declines to schedule a hearing in accordance with
471     Subsection (3)(c):
472          (i) the executive secretary shall send a notice to the governmental entity and the
473     respondent indicating that the request for a hearing has been denied and the reasons for the
474     denial; and
475          (ii) the committee shall:
476          (A) vote at the committee's next regular meeting to accept or reject the
477     recommendation to deny the petition without a hearing;
478          (B) issue an order that includes the reasons for the committee's decision to accept or
479     reject the recommendation; and
480          (C) if the committee rejects the recommendation to deny the petition without a hearing,
481     direct the executive secretary to schedule a hearing as provided in Subsection (3)(a).
482          (4) (a) No later than five business days before the hearing, the respondent may submit
483     to the executive secretary and the governmental entity a written statement in response to the
484     governmental entity's petition.
485          (b) The written statement described in Subsection (4)(a) may be the same document as
486     the respondent's written response described in Subsection (3)(c)(ii).
487          (5) No later than 10 business days before a hearing under this section, a person whose

488     legal interests may be substantially affected by the proceeding may file a request for
489     intervention with the committee as provided in Subsection 63G-2-403(6).
490          (6) If a respondent fails to submit a written statement under Subsection (4) or fails to
491     appear at the hearing, the committee shall:
492          (a) cancel the hearing; or
493          (b) hold the hearing in accordance with Subsection (7).
494          (7) (a) If the committee holds a hearing scheduled under Subsection (3), the committee
495     shall:
496          (i) allow the governmental entity to testify, present evidence, and comment on the
497     issues; and
498          (ii) allow the respondent to testify, present evidence, and comment on the issues if the
499     respondent appears at the hearing.
500          (b) At the hearing, the committee may allow another interested person to comment on
501     the issues.
502          (c) (i) Discovery is prohibited, but the committee may issue subpoenas or other orders
503     to compel production of necessary testimony or evidence.
504          (ii) If the subject of a committee subpoena disobeys or fails to comply with the
505     subpoena, the committee may file a motion with the district court for an order to compel
506     obedience to the subpoena.
507          (8) (a) No later than seven business days after a hearing is held as scheduled under
508     Subsection (3) or the date on which a hearing cancelled under Subsection (6) was scheduled to
509     be held, the committee shall:
510          (i) determine, in accordance with Subsection (9), whether the governmental entity has
511     demonstrated that the respondent is a vexatious requester; and
512          (ii) issue a signed order that grants or denies the petition in whole or in part.
513          (b) Upon granting the petition in whole or in part, the committee may order that the
514     governmental entity is not required to fulfill requests from the respondent or a person that

515     submits a request on the respondent's behalf for a period of time that may not exceed one year.
516          (c) The committee's order shall contain:
517          (i) a statement of the reasons for the committee's decision;
518          (ii) if the petition is granted in whole or in part, a specific description of the conduct
519     the committee determines demonstrates that the respondent is a vexatious requester, including
520     any conduct the committee finds to constitute an abuse of the right of access to information
521     under this chapter or a substantial interference with the operations of the governmental entity;
522          (iii) a statement that the respondent or governmental entity may seek judicial review of
523     the committee's decision in district court as provided in Section 63G-2-404; and
524          (iv) a brief summary of the judicial review process, the time limits for seeking judicial
525     review, and a notice that, in order to protect applicable rights in connection with the judicial
526     review, the person seeking judicial review of the committee's decision may wish to seek advice
527     from an attorney.
528          (9) In determining whether a governmental entity has demonstrated that the respondent
529     is a vexatious requester, the committee shall consider:
530          (a) the interests described in Section 63G-2-102;
531          (b) as applicable:
532          (i) the number of requests the respondent has submitted to the governmental entity,
533     including the number of pending record requests;
534          (ii) the scope, nature, content, language, and subject matter of record requests the
535     respondent has submitted to the governmental entity;
536          (iii) the nature, content, language, and subject matter of any communications to the
537     governmental entity related to a record request of the respondent; and
538          (iv) any pattern of conduct that the committee determines to constitute:
539          (A) an abuse of the right of access to information under this chapter; or
540          (B) substantial interference with the operations of the governmental entity; and
541          (c) any other factor the committee considers relevant.

542          (10) (a) A governmental entity or respondent aggrieved by the committee's decision
543     under this section may seek judicial review of the decision as provided in Section 63G-2-404.
544          (b) In a judicial review under Subsection (10)(a), the court may award reasonable
545     attorney fees to a respondent if:
546          (i) the respondent substantially prevails; and
547          (ii) the court determines that:
548          (A) the petition filed by the governmental entity under Subsection (2) is without merit;
549     and
550          (B) the governmental entity's actions in filing the petition lack a reasonable basis in
551     fact or law.
552          (c) Except for the waiver of immunity in Subsection 63G-7-301(2)(e), a claim for
553     attorney fees under this Subsection (10) is not subject to Chapter 7, Governmental Immunity
554     Act of Utah.
555          (11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a records request that a
556     governmental entity is not required to fulfill in accordance with an order issued under this
557     section may not be the subject of an appeal under Part 4, Appeals.
558          (12) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
559     the committee shall make rules to implement this section.
560          Section 4. Section 63G-2-309 is amended to read:
561          63G-2-309. Confidentiality claims.
562          (1) (a) (i) Any person who provides to a governmental entity a record that the person
563     believes should be protected under Subsection 63G-2-305(1) or (2) or both Subsections
564     63G-2-305(1) and (2) shall provide with the record:
565          (A) a written claim of business confidentiality; and
566          (B) a concise statement of reasons supporting the claim of business confidentiality.
567          (ii) Any of the following who provides to an institution within the state system of
568     higher education defined in Section 53B-1-102 a record that the person or governmental entity

569     believes should be protected under Subsection 63G-2-305(40)(a)(ii) or (vi) or both Subsections
570     63G-2-305(40)(a)(ii) and (vi) shall provide the institution within the state system of higher
571     education a written claim of business confidentiality in accordance with Section 53B-16-304:
572          (A) a person;
573          (B) a federal governmental entity;
574          (C) a state governmental entity; or
575          (D) a local governmental entity.
576          (b) A person or governmental entity who complies with this Subsection (1) shall be
577     notified by the governmental entity to whom the request for a record is made if:
578          (i) a record claimed to be protected under one of the following is classified public:
579          (A) Subsection 63G-2-305(1);
580          (B) Subsection 63G-2-305(2);
581          (C) Subsection 63G-2-305(40)(a)(ii);
582          (D) Subsection 63G-2-305(40)(a)(vi); or
583          (E) a combination of the provisions described in Subsections (1)(b)(i)(A) through (D);
584     or
585          (ii) the governmental entity to whom the request for a record is made determines that
586     the record claimed to be protected under a provision listed in Subsection (1)(b)(i) should be
587     released after balancing interests under Subsection 63G-2-201(5)(b) or 63G-2-401(6).
588          (c) A person who makes a claim of business confidentiality under this Subsection (1)
589     shall protect, defend, and indemnify the governmental entity that retains the record, and all staff
590     and employees of the governmental entity from and against any claims, liability, or damages
591     resulting from or arising from a denial of access to the record as a protected record based on the
592     claim of business confidentiality.
593          (2) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b) or by court order, the governmental
594     entity to whom the request for a record is made may not disclose a record claimed to be
595     protected under a provision listed in Subsection (1)(b)(i) but which the governmental entity or

596     State Records Committee determines should be disclosed until the period in which to bring an
597     appeal expires or the end of the appeals process, including judicial appeal.
598          (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply where the claimant, after notice, has waived the
599     claim by not appealing or intervening before the State Records Committee.
600          (3) Disclosure or acquisition of information under this chapter does not constitute
601     misappropriation under Subsection 13-24-2(2).
602          Section 5. Section 63G-2-404 is amended to read:
603          63G-2-404. Judicial review.
604          (1) (a) A petition for judicial review of an order or decision, as allowed under this part,
605     in Section 63G-2-209, or in Subsection 63G-2-701(6)(a)(ii), shall be filed no later than 30 days
606     after the date of the order or decision.
607          (b) The State Records Committee is a necessary party to a petition for judicial review
608     of a State Records Committee order.
609          (c) The executive secretary of the State Records Committee shall be served with notice
610     of a petition for judicial review of a State Records Committee order, in accordance with the
611     Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
612          (2) (a) A petition for judicial review is a complaint governed by the Utah Rules of Civil
613     Procedure and shall contain:
614          [(a)] (i) the petitioner's name and mailing address;
615          [(b)] (ii) a copy of the State Records Committee order from which the appeal is taken,
616     if the petitioner is seeking judicial review of an order of the State Records Committee;
617          [(c)] (iii) the name and mailing address of the governmental entity that issued the
618     initial determination with a copy of that determination;
619          [(d)] (iv) a request for relief specifying the type and extent of relief requested; and
620          [(e)] (v) a statement of the reasons why the petitioner is entitled to relief.
621          (b) Except in exceptional circumstances, a petition for judicial review may not raise an
622     issue that was not raised in the underlying appeal and order.

623          (3) If the appeal is based on the denial of access to a protected record based on a claim
624     of business confidentiality, the court shall allow the claimant of business confidentiality to
625     provide to the court the reasons for the claim of business confidentiality.
626          (4) All additional pleadings and proceedings in the district court are governed by the
627     Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
628          (5) The district court may review the disputed records. The review shall be in camera.
629          (6) (a) The court shall:
630          (i) make the court's decision de novo, but, for a petition seeking judicial review of a
631     State Records Committee order, allow introduction of evidence presented to the State Records
632     Committee;
633          (ii) determine all questions of fact and law without a jury; and
634          (iii) decide the issue at the earliest practical opportunity.
635          (b) A court may remand a petition for judicial review to the State Records Committee
636     if:
637          (i) the remand is to allow the State Records Committee to decide an issue that:
638          (A) involves access to a record; and
639          (B) the State Records Committee has not previously addressed in the proceeding that
640     led to the petition for judicial review; and
641          (ii) the court determines that remanding to the State Records Committee is in the best
642     interests of justice.
643          (7) (a) Except as provided in Section 63G-2-406, the court may, upon consideration
644     and weighing of the various interests and public policies pertinent to the classification and
645     disclosure or nondisclosure, order the disclosure of information properly classified as private,
646     controlled, or protected if the interest favoring access is greater than or equal to the interest
647     favoring restriction of access.
648          (b) The court shall consider and, where appropriate, limit the requester's use and
649     further disclosure of the record in order to protect privacy interests in the case of private or

650     controlled records, business confidentiality interests in the case of records protected under
651     Subsections 63G-2-305(1) and (2), and privacy interests or the public interest in the case of
652     other protected records.
653          Section 6. Section 63G-2-604 is amended to read:
654          63G-2-604. Retention and disposition of records.
655          (1) (a) Except for a governmental entity that is permitted to maintain the governmental
656     entity's own retention schedules under [Part 7, Applicability to Political Subdivisions, the
657     Judiciary, and the Legislature] Part 7, Applicability to Political Subdivisions, the Judiciary, the
658     Legislature, and the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, each governmental entity shall file
659     with the Records Management Committee created in Section 63A-12-112 a proposed schedule
660     for the retention and disposition of each type of material that is defined as a record under this
661     chapter.
662          (b) After a retention schedule is reviewed and approved by the Records Management
663     Committee under Subsection 63A-12-113(1)(b), the governmental entity shall maintain and
664     destroy records in accordance with the retention schedule.
665          (c) If a governmental entity subject to the provisions of this section has not received an
666     approved retention schedule from the Records Management Committee for a specific type of
667     material that is classified as a record under this chapter, the model retention schedule
668     maintained by the state archivist shall govern the retention and destruction of that type of
669     material.
670          (2) A retention schedule that is filed with or approved by the Records Management
671     Committee under the requirements of this section is a public record.
672          Section 7. Section 63G-2-702 is amended to read:
673     
Part 7. Applicability to Political Subdivisions, the Judiciary, the Legislature, and the

674     
Governor and Lieutenant Governor

675          63G-2-702. Applicability to the judiciary.
676          (1) The judiciary is subject to the provisions of this chapter except as provided in this

677     section.
678          (2) (a) The judiciary is not subject to:
679          (i) Section 63G-2-209; or
680          (ii) Part 4, Appeals, except as provided in Subsection [(5)] (6).
681          (b) The judiciary is not subject to Part 5, State Records Committee, and Part 6,
682     Collection of Information and Accuracy of Records.
683          (c) The judiciary is subject to only the following sections in Part 9, Public
684     Associations: Sections 63A-12-105 and 63A-12-106.
685          (3) The Judicial Council, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the courts, and other
686     administrative units in the judicial branch shall designate and classify their records in
687     accordance with Sections 63G-2-301 through 63G-2-305.
688          (4) Substantially consistent with the provisions of this chapter, the Judicial Council
689     shall:
690          (a) make rules governing requests for access, fees, classification, designation,
691     segregation, management, retention, denials and appeals of requests for access and retention,
692     and amendment of judicial records;
693          (b) establish an appellate board to handle appeals from denials of requests for access
694     and provide that a requester who is denied access by the appellate board may file a lawsuit in
695     district court; and
696          (c) provide standards for the management and retention of judicial records substantially
697     consistent with Section 63A-12-103.
698          (5) The Judicial Council may:
699          (a) establish a process for an administrative unit of the judicial branch to petition for
700     relief from a person that the administrative unit claims is a vexatious requester; and
701          (b) establish an appellate board to hear a petition for relief from a person that an
702     administrative unit of the judicial branch claims is a vexatious requester.
703          [(5)] (6) Rules governing appeals from denials of requests for access shall substantially

704     comply with the time limits provided in Section 63G-2-204 and Part 4, Appeals.
705          [(6)] (7) Upon request, the state archivist shall:
706          (a) assist with and advise concerning the establishment of a records management
707     program in the judicial branch; and
708          (b) as required by the judiciary, provide program services similar to those available to
709     the executive and legislative branches of government as provided in this chapter and Title 63A,
710     Chapter 12, Division of Archives and Records Service.
711          Section 8. Section 63G-2-703 is amended to read:
712          63G-2-703. Applicability to the Legislature.
713          (1) The Legislature and its staff offices shall designate and classify records in
714     accordance with Sections 63G-2-301 through 63G-2-305 as public, private, controlled, or
715     protected.
716          (2) (a) The Legislature and its staff offices are not subject to [Section 63G-2-203 or to]:
717          (i) Section 63G-2-203 or 63G-2-209; or
718          (ii) Part 4, Appeals, Part 5, State Records Committee, or Part 6, Collection of
719     Information and Accuracy of Records.
720          (b) The Legislature is subject to only the following sections in Title 63A, Chapter 12,
721     Division of Archives and Records Service: Sections 63A-12-102 and 63A-12-106.
722          (3) The Legislature, through the Legislative Management Committee:
723          (a) (i) shall establish policies to handle requests for classification, designation, fees,
724     access, denials, segregation, appeals, management, retention, and amendment of records; and
725          [(b)] (ii) may establish an appellate board to hear appeals from denials of access[.]; and
726          (b) may establish:
727          (i) a process for determining that a person is a vexatious requester, including a process
728     for an appeal from a determination that a person is a vexatious requester; and
729          (ii) appropriate limitations on a person determined to be a vexatious requester.
730          (4) Policies shall include reasonable times for responding to access requests consistent

731     with the provisions of Part 2, Access to Records, fees, and reasonable time limits for appeals.
732          (5) Upon request, the state archivist shall:
733          (a) assist with and advise concerning the establishment of a records management
734     program in the Legislature; and
735          (b) as required by the Legislature, provide program services similar to those available
736     to the executive branch of government, as provided in this chapter and Title 63A, Chapter 12,
737     Division of Archives and Records Service.
738          Section 9. Section 63G-2-704 is enacted to read:
739          63G-2-704. Applicability to the governor and lieutenant governor.
740          (1) The governor, the office of the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the office of
741     the lieutenant governor shall designate and classify records in accordance with Sections
742     63G-2-301 through 63G-2-305 as public, private, controlled, or protected.
743          (2) (a) The governor, the office of the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the office
744     of the lieutenant governor are not subject to:
745          (i) Section 63G-2-203;
746          (ii) Section 63G-2-209;
747          (iii) Section 63G-2-401; or
748          (iv) Part 6, Collection of Information and Accuracy of Records.
749          (b) The governor, the office of the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the office of
750     the lieutenant governor are subject to only the following sections in Title 63A, Chapter 12,
751     Division of Archives and Records Service:
752          (i) Section 63A-12-102; and
753          (ii) Section 63A-12-106.
754          (3) The governor and lieutenant governor:
755          (a) (i) shall establish policies to handle requests for classification, designation, fees,
756     access, denials, segregation, appeals to the chief administrative officer, management, retention,
757     and amendment of records; and

758          (ii) may establish an appellate board to hear appeals from denials of access; and
759          (b) may establish:
760          (i) a process for determining that a person is a vexatious requester, including a process
761     for an appeal from a determination that a person is a vexatious requester; and
762          (ii) appropriate limitations on a person determined to be a vexatious requester.
763          (4) Policies described in Subsection (3) shall include reasonable times for responding
764     to access requests consistent with the provisions of Part 2, Access to Records, fees, and
765     reasonable time limits for appeals.
766          (5) Upon request, the state archivist shall:
767          (a) assist with and advise concerning the establishment of a records management
768     program for the governor, the office of the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the office of
769     the lieutenant governor; and
770          (b) as required by the governor or lieutenant governor, provide program services as
771     provided in this chapter and Title 63A, Chapter 12, Division of Archives and Records Service.
772          Section 10. Section 63G-7-301 is amended to read:
773          63G-7-301. Waivers of immunity.
774          (1) (a) Immunity from suit of each governmental entity is waived as to any contractual
775     obligation.
776          (b) Actions arising out of contractual rights or obligations are not subject to the
777     requirements of Section 63G-7-401, 63G-7-402, 63G-7-403, or 63G-7-601.
778          (c) The Division of Water Resources is not liable for failure to deliver water from a
779     reservoir or associated facility authorized by Title 73, Chapter 26, Bear River Development
780     Act, if the failure to deliver the contractual amount of water is due to drought, other natural
781     condition, or safety condition that causes a deficiency in the amount of available water.
782          (2) Immunity from suit of each governmental entity is waived:
783          (a) as to any action brought to recover, obtain possession of, or quiet title to real or
784     personal property;

785          (b) as to any action brought to foreclose mortgages or other liens on real or personal
786     property, to determine any adverse claim on real or personal property, or to obtain an
787     adjudication about any mortgage or other lien that the governmental entity may have or claim
788     on real or personal property;
789          (c) as to any action based on the negligent destruction, damage, or loss of goods,
790     merchandise, or other property while it is in the possession of any governmental entity or
791     employee, if the property was seized for the purpose of forfeiture under any provision of state
792     law;
793          (d) subject to Section 63G-7-302, as to any action brought under the authority of Utah
794     Constitution, Article I, Section 22, for the recovery of compensation from the governmental
795     entity when the governmental entity has taken or damaged private property for public uses
796     without just compensation;
797          (e) as to any claim for attorney fees or costs under [Sections] Section 63G-2-209,
798     63G-2-405 [and], or 63G-2-802;
799          (f) for actual damages under Title 67, Chapter 21, Utah Protection of Public Employees
800     Act;
801          (g) as to any action brought to obtain relief from a land use regulation that imposes a
802     substantial burden on the free exercise of religion under Title 63L, Chapter 5, Utah Religious
803     Land Use Act;
804          (h) except as provided in Subsection 63G-7-201(3), as to any injury caused by:
805          (i) a defective, unsafe, or dangerous condition of any highway, road, street, alley,
806     crosswalk, sidewalk, culvert, tunnel, bridge, viaduct, or other structure located on them; or
807          (ii) any defective or dangerous condition of a public building, structure, dam, reservoir,
808     or other public improvement;
809          (i) subject to Subsections 63G-7-101(4) and 63G-7-201(4), as to any injury
810     proximately caused by a negligent act or omission of an employee committed within the scope
811     of employment;

812          (j) notwithstanding Subsection 63G-7-101(4), as to a claim for an injury resulting from
813     a sexual battery, as provided in Section 76-9-702.1, committed:
814          (i) against a student of a public elementary or secondary school, including a charter
815     school; and
816          (ii) by an employee of a public elementary or secondary school or charter school who:
817          (A) at the time of the sexual battery, held a position of special trust, as defined in
818     Section 76-5-404.1, with respect to the student;
819          (B) is criminally charged in connection with the sexual battery; and
820          (C) the public elementary or secondary school or charter school knew or in the exercise
821     of reasonable care should have known, at the time of the employee's hiring, to be a sex
822     offender, as defined in Section 77-41-102, required to register under Title 77, Chapter 41, Sex
823     and Kidnap Offender Registry, whose status as a sex offender would have been revealed in a
824     background check under Section 53G-11-402; and
825          (k) as to any action brought under Section 78B-6-2303.
826          (3) (a) As used in this Subsection (3):
827          (i) "Code of conduct" means a code of conduct that:
828          (A) is not less stringent than a model code of conduct, created by the State Board of
829     Education, establishing a professional standard of care for preventing the conduct described in
830     Subsection (3)(a)(i)(D);
831          (B) is adopted by the applicable local education governing body;
832          (C) regulates behavior of a school employee toward a student; and
833          (D) includes a prohibition against any sexual conduct between an employee and a
834     student and against the employee and student sharing any sexually explicit or lewd
835     communication, image, or photograph.
836          (ii) "Local education agency" means:
837          (A) a school district;
838          (B) a charter school; or

839          (C) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
840          (iii) "Local education governing board" means:
841          (A) for a school district, the local school board;
842          (B) for a charter school, the charter school governing board; or
843          (C) for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, the state board.
844          (iv) "Public school" means a public elementary or secondary school.
845          (v) "Sexual abuse" means the offense described in Subsection 76-5-404.1(2).
846          (vi) "Sexual battery" means the offense described in Section 76-9-702.1, considering
847     the term "child" in that section to include an individual under age 18.
848          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection 63G-7-101(4), immunity from suit is waived as to a
849     claim against a local education agency for an injury resulting from a sexual battery or sexual
850     abuse committed against a student of a public school by a paid employee of the public school
851     who is criminally charged in connection with the sexual battery or sexual abuse, unless:
852          (i) at the time of the sexual battery or sexual abuse, the public school was subject to a
853     code of conduct; and
854          (ii) before the sexual battery or sexual abuse occurred, the public school had:
855          (A) provided training on the code of conduct to the employee; and
856          (B) required the employee to sign a statement acknowledging that the employee has
857     read and understands the code of conduct.
858          (4) (a) As used in this Subsection (4):
859          (i) "Higher education institution" means an institution included within the state system
860     of higher education under Section 53B-1-102.
861          (ii) "Policy governing behavior" means a policy adopted by a higher education
862     institution or the Utah Board of Higher Education that:
863          (A) establishes a professional standard of care for preventing the conduct described in
864     Subsections (4)(a)(ii)(C) and (D);
865          (B) regulates behavior of a special trust employee toward a subordinate student;

866          (C) includes a prohibition against any sexual conduct between a special trust employee
867     and a subordinate student; and
868          (D) includes a prohibition against a special trust employee and subordinate student
869     sharing any sexually explicit or lewd communication, image, or photograph.
870          (iii) "Sexual battery" means the offense described in Section 76-9-702.1.
871          (iv) "Special trust employee" means an employee of a higher education institution who
872     is in a position of special trust, as defined in Section 76-5-404.1, with a higher education
873     student.
874          (v) "Subordinate student" means a student:
875          (A) of a higher education institution; and
876          (B) whose educational opportunities could be adversely impacted by a special trust
877     employee.
878          (b) Notwithstanding Subsection 63G-7-101(4), immunity from suit is waived as to a
879     claim for an injury resulting from a sexual battery committed against a subordinate student by a
880     special trust employee, unless:
881          (i) the institution proves that the special trust employee's behavior that otherwise would
882     constitute a sexual battery was:
883          (A) with a subordinate student who was at least 18 years old at the time of the
884     behavior; and
885          (B) with the student's consent; or
886          (ii) (A) at the time of the sexual battery, the higher education institution was subject to
887     a policy governing behavior; and
888          (B) before the sexual battery occurred, the higher education institution had taken steps
889     to implement and enforce the policy governing behavior.
890          Section 11. Section 78A-4-103 is amended to read:
891          78A-4-103. Court of Appeals jurisdiction.
892          (1) As used in this section, ["informal] "adjudicative proceeding" does not include a

893     proceeding under Title 63G, Chapter 2, Part 4, Appeals, that precedes judicial review under
894     Section 63G-2-404.
895          (2) The Court of Appeals has jurisdiction to issue all extraordinary writs and to issue
896     all writs and process necessary:
897          (a) to carry into effect its judgments, orders, and decrees; or
898          (b) in aid of its jurisdiction.
899          (3) The Court of Appeals has appellate jurisdiction, including jurisdiction of
900     interlocutory appeals, over:
901          (a) (i) a final order or decree resulting from:
902          (A) a formal adjudicative proceeding of a state agency;
903          (B) a special adjudicative proceeding, as described in Section 19-1-301.5; or
904          (C) a hearing before a local school board or the State Board of Education as described
905     in Section 53G-11-515; or
906          (ii) an appeal from the district court review of an informal adjudicative proceeding of
907     an agency other than the following:
908          (A) the Public Service Commission;
909          (B) the State Tax Commission;
910          (C) the School and Institutional Trust Lands Board of Trustees;
911          (D) the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, for an action reviewed by the
912     executive director of the Department of Natural Resources;
913          (E) the Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining; or
914          (F) the state engineer;
915          (b) appeals from the district court review of:
916          (i) adjudicative proceedings of agencies of political subdivisions of the state or other
917     local agencies; and
918          (ii) a challenge to agency action under Section 63G-3-602;
919          (c) appeals from the juvenile courts;

920          (d) interlocutory appeals from any court of record in criminal cases, except those
921     involving a charge of a first degree or capital felony;
922          (e) appeals from a court of record in criminal cases, except those involving a
923     conviction or charge of a first degree felony or capital felony;
924          (f) appeals from orders on petitions for extraordinary writs sought by persons who are
925     incarcerated or serving any other criminal sentence, except petitions constituting a challenge to
926     a conviction of or the sentence for a first degree or capital felony;
927          (g) appeals from the orders on petitions for extraordinary writs challenging the
928     decisions of the Board of Pardons and Parole except in cases involving a first degree or capital
929     felony;
930          (h) appeals from district court involving domestic relations cases, including, but not
931     limited to, divorce, annulment, property division, child custody, support, parent-time,
932     visitation, adoption, and paternity;
933          (i) appeals from the Utah Military Court; and
934          (j) cases transferred to the Court of Appeals from the Supreme Court.
935          (4) The Court of Appeals upon its own motion only and by the vote of four judges of
936     the court may certify to the Supreme Court for original appellate review and determination any
937     matter over which the Court of Appeals has original appellate jurisdiction.
938          (5) The Court of Appeals shall comply with the requirements of Title 63G, Chapter 4,
939     Administrative Procedures Act, in its review of agency adjudicative proceedings.