Utah legislation · 2026 General Session
Utah HB495: Capital Felony Case Amendments
Status: Signed into law, March 24, 2026
This bill amends statutes related to capital felony cases.
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 12, 2026:
0 Capital Felony Case Amendments 2026 GENERAL SESSION STATE OF UTAH Chief Sponsor: Candice B. Pierucci Senate Sponsor: Daniel McCay Cosponsor: Stephanie Gricius Jake Sawyer Carl R. Albrecht Matthew H. Gwynn Mike Schultz Tiara Auxier Katy Hall Troy Shelley Jefferson S. Burton Jon Hawkins Rex P. Shipp Kristen Chevrier Ken Ivory Casey Snider Kay J. Christofferson Karianne Lisonbee Mark A. Strong Tyler Clancy Matt MacPherson Christine F. Watkins Ariel Defay Nicholeen P. Peck Stephen L. Whyte James A. Dunnigan Michael J. Petersen Ryan D. Wilcox Joseph Elison Thomas W. Peterson Doug Fiefia Calvin Roberts LONG TITLE General Description: This bill amends statutes related to capital felony cases. Highlighted Provisions: This bill: - defines and modifies terms related to capital felony cases; - clarifies the statutory provisions regarding a sentencing proceeding in a capital felony case; - requires the sentencing court to advise a defendant in a capital felony case of the right to a direct appeal and of the statutory provisions for postconviction relief; - requires the sentencing court to appoint appellate counsel for a defendant who is sentenced to death; - modifies the automatic review process by the Utah Supreme Court in a capital felony case in which the defendant is sentenced to death; - addresses the priority of capital felony cases; - addresses the extension of a report …
Sponsors
- Pierucci, Candice B. (R, 49) · primary sponsor
- Daniel McCay (R, 18)
- Carl Albrecht (R, 70)
- Tiara Auxier (R, 4)
- Burton, Jefferson S. (R, 64)
- Chevrier, Kristen (R, 54)
- Christofferson, Kay J. (R, 53)
- Tyler Clancy (R, 60)
- Defay, Ariel (R, 15)
- Dunnigan, James A. (R, 36)
- Elison, Joseph (R, 72)
- Fiefia, Doug (R, 48)
Latest actions
- : Governor Signed
- : House/ to Governor
- : House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
- : House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- : Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
- : Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- : Bill Received from House for Enrolling
- : House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrolling
- : House/ received from Senate
- : Senate/ to House
Votes
- Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension (March 6, 2026): 20 yea, 6 nay, passed
- House/ concurs with Senate amendment (March 6, 2026): 55 yea, 12 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation (March 3, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation (March 3, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House/ passed 3rd reading (February 25, 2026): 56 yea, 13 nay, passed
- House Comm - Substitute Recommendation (February 19, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Criminal Procedure, Courts, Judicial Operations, Indigent Counsel, Sentencing, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Death Penalty, Insanity Defense/Competency
Common questions
- What is HB495?
- HB495 is a bill in the Utah Legislature (2026 General Session): Capital Felony Case Amendments.
- What does HB495 do?
- This bill amends statutes related to capital felony cases.
- What is the status of HB495?
- Signed into law as of March 24, 2026. Latest action: Governor Signed (March 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB495?
- Pierucci, Candice B. (R, 49), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB495?
- On the Utah Legislature website: https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0495.html
Source: official Utah record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.