Committee unanimously backs bill to centralize eviction and collection cases for efficiency

Senator Cullimore presented the committee with Senate Bill 270, a proposal to consolidate high‑volume civil filings — chiefly eviction and debt‑collection cases — into a centralized division of the district courts. He said the change would create efficiencies, allow defendants to appear remotely, expand access to mediators and pro bono counsel, and reduce default judgments among pro se litigants.

Michael Drexel, assistant state court administrator, told the committee the caseloads are large: the pool that could be centralized includes roughly 70,000–80,000 debt‑collection filings and about 78,000 eviction cases annually. He said centralization could standardize front‑end processing and connect defendants with services and counsel.

Zoe Newman of the Utah Housing Coalition said the bill expands access to mediation and legal help for tenants facing eviction and welcomed the proposal.

Representative Loubey moved to favorably recommend the first substitute to the House; the committee voted by roll call and passed the motion unanimously. The committee record shows the bill will move to the floor with a unanimous committee recommendation.