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Bill Summary · HR 8

Overview

  • Bill: HR 8
  • Session/Jurisdiction: 2026 Utah General Session
  • Title: Resolution Admonishing and Censuring Judge Don M. Torgerson
  • Principal sponsor: Rep. Matt MacPherson (co-sponsor listed as well)
  • Purpose: A nonbinding resolution that admonishes and censures Judge Don M. Torgerson for comments made during a sentencing hearing in a case involving child sexual exploitation, and expresses disappointment in how the Utah State Courts characterized or defended his remarks.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution aims to condemn Judge Torgerson’s statements minimizing the severity of child rape and to censure him for conduct considered prejudicial to the administration of justice and bringing his judicial office into disrepute.
  • It also expresses dissatisfaction with what the House perceives as an inaccurate statement from the Utah State Courts defending or misrepresenting Judge Torgerson’s statements.
  • The document emphasizes the importance of protecting children from sexual exploitation and acknowledges the lifelong impact on victims and families.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Admonition and Censure:
    • The Utah House of Representatives strongly condemns Judge Torgerson’s remarks that minimized the severity of child rape.
    • The House finds his conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice and bringing his judicial office into disrepute.
    • The House censures Judge Torgerson for his conduct.
  • Public Trust and Judicial Conduct References:
    • The resolution references the Utah Code of Judicial Conduct (UCJC), including:
    • Preamble: Judges must respect public trust and maintain confidence in the legal system.
    • UCJC Rule 1.2: Judges should act to promote public confidence in the judiciary’s independence, integrity, and impartiality; avoid impropriety or the appearance of it.
    • UCJC Rule 2.3: Judges shall not display bias, prejudice, or engage in harassment in the performance of duties.
  • Public Communication:
    • Calls out that a news outlet reported the decision and remarks, and asserts that the Utah State Courts did not denounce the comments, instead issuing a statement on May 28, 2025, that allegedly suggested the prosecutor agreed to probation rather than prison time.
    • The resolution asserts the plea agreement showed the prosecutor did not agree to an amount of incarceration and actually requested prison time.
  • Specific Statements Mentioned:
    • Judge Torgerson’s comment: “I've seen worse” after reviewing two illicit videos involving sexual assault of children.
    • Remarks suggesting the defendant’s privilege or background could justify a lighter sentence.
  • Communications to Authorities:
    • A copy of the resolution would be sent to Judge Torgerson, the Judicial Conduct Commission, and the Judicial Council, and recorded in the House Journal.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: Judge Don M. Torgerson (Seventh District Court of Utah), whose conduct is the subject of the censure.
  • Institutions:
    • Utah State Courts (acknowledged in the resolution as having provided a statement that the bill critiques).
    • Utah Judicial Conduct Commission and Judicial Council (receives copies of the resolution).
  • Public/Legal Community:
    • Signals legislative-level disapproval of judicial remarks regarding sensitive cases involving child exploitation.
    • May influence public perception of judicial conduct standards and accountability.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative Action:
    • The Rules Committee reported a favorable recommendation with amendments; the amendments primarily address the precise wording of certain statements in the bill.
    • The bill passed through house readings and was enrolled for signing and sending for the enrolling process in March 2026.
  • Amendments:
    • Amendment 1, approved by the Rules Committee, clarifies and adjusts several lines detailing the factual context of the sentencing and the discussions about the defendant’s privilege and the sentence.
  • Fiscal Impact:
    • The accompanying fiscal note indicates zero net fiscal impact: no new appropriations, no anticipated expenditures, and no change in state revenues or regulatory burden as a result of enacting this resolution.
  • Effective/Enactment:
    • As a resolution, it is a formal expression of the Utah House of Representatives, not a law creating new obligations or penalties. It serves as a formal admonition and censure.

Summary

HR 8 is a nonbinding House resolution in Utah that admonishes and censures Judge Don M. Torgerson for remarks made during a sentencing hearing in a case involving child sexual exploitation. It argues that his statements minimized the severity of the crime, questions the accuracy of a state court’s public statement about the case, and cites standards from the Utah Code of Judicial Conduct regarding public trust, integrity, and impartiality. The resolution conveys the House’s disapproval, orders that a copy be sent to relevant judicial bodies, and notes no fiscal impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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