Bill of the Week

The Elephant Club’s Session Newsletter is a weekly explainer published during the legislative session. It focuses on complex bills that benefit from plain-English explanations. Each issue highlights 1 bill, explains what it does, why it was introduced, and provides updates as the bill moves through the process. Content is prepared independently, with sponsor review for accuracy, and is intended to improve understanding for the public.

Bill number: HB 392

Sponsor: Rep. Matt MacPherson

• Short Name: District Court Amendments
• Where it is: Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee
• Why it’s complex: It works through court procedure and shared constitutional authority rather than a simple policy change.

Why the Bill Exists

“I’ve seen growing distrust from the public toward the judicial branch. People watch their elected officials debate, vote, and pass laws, only to see those laws immediately challenged, put on hold, and sit in limbo for years with no resolution. That creates confusion and feeds the public’s perception that policy decisions are being stalled without accountability. This bill is meant to create a faster and more predictable process for handling constitutional challenges that impact the entire state, while still respecting judicial independence.”

What the Bill Does

What Supporters Say

• Limits the process to cases where the state is already in court.
• Keeps judge selection and administration with the judiciary.
• Reduces delay and conflicting rulings on statewide issues.

What Critics May Worry About

Why I Support the Bill

As President of the Utah Elephant Club, I support this bill because it responds to public frustration without expanding power or politicizing the courts. It applies only when the state is already a party to a case, and it leaves judge selection, administration, and procedure firmly with the judiciary through random assignment and court rules. This creates a clearer and faster path for resolving major legal questions that affect the whole state, while respecting separation of powers and judicial independence.

Take Action This Week

This bill will soon be heard in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
You can participate in two ways:

• Email committee members to share your perspective before the hearing.

• Testify in committee, either in person at the Capitol or virtually.
  

How to Testify

(it’s simpler than it sounds)

To testify before a legislative committee you don't need to be an expert and it’s not as intimidating as it may sound.

You can testify two ways

• In person: Attend the committee hearing at the Capitol.
• Virtually: Sign up online and testify by video.

Before the hearing

• Sign up using the committee’s public sign-up link if doing it virtually.
• Decide on one point you want to make.
• Plan to speak for 1–2 minutes.

When you testify

• State your name, you’ll also write this down if you’re testifying in-person
• Share a personal experience or local example.
• Stay focused on the bill at hand.

Good to know

• Committee members may ask a question.
• Written comments can also be submitted as an email if you prefer not to speak.

When testifying, clear and respectful comments are the most effective.

Updates on Prior Bills

HB 209 (Voting Amendments) is currently in Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee awaiting presentation.

Note from the Elephant Club President 

Thank you for staying engaged this legislative session. If you know colleagues or community members who follow complex policy issues, please forward this along so we can help the public stay more informed.

Best,
Leslie Carpenter
President, the Utah Elephant Club