HB 501: Law Enforcement Salary Amendments - Utah

Amended Excerpts 2/28/2025 12:02:603 → Amended 2/28/2025 12:02:603 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's state pay plan requirements to create specialized salary structures for DNR peace law enforcement officers and wildland firefighters. The changes include updating definitions, requiring salary surveys that include all comparable state law enforcement agencies, and establishing specific requirements for minimum qualifications and training standards for these positions.

Scope change

The bill's scope now specifically targets DNR peace law enforcement officers and wildland firefighters, requiring them to have their own specialized pay plans distinct from general state employee compensation.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions to clarify what constitutes a DNR peace law enforcement officer and wildland firefighter, including specific training and duty requirements for wildland firefighters.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that salary surveys must include all state law enforcement agencies employing comparable positions.

Added specific requirements for minimum qualifications and training standards for both DNR peace law enforcement officers and wildland firefighters.

Modified pay plan requirements to distinguish salary ranges and pay progression for each DNR peace law enforcement officer classification.

Amended 2/28/2025 12:02:603 → Substitute #1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's law enforcement salary regulations to create specialized pay plans for DNR peace officers and wildland firefighters, requiring salary surveys to include all comparable state law enforcement agencies. The changes clarify definitions, establish specific pay plan requirements, and expand salary survey scope to ensure fair compensation across state agencies.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of salary surveys to include all state law enforcement agencies employing comparable positions, and creates specialized pay plans specifically for DNR peace officers and wildland firefighters.

DEFINITION

Changed terminology from 'DNR peacelaw enforcement officer' to 'DNR peace officer' for clarity and consistency.

REQUIREMENT

Requires specialized state pay plans specifically for DNR peace officers and wildland firefighters that distinguish salary ranges and include minimum qualifications, training requirements, performance evaluation standards, and promotion standards.

Expanded salary survey requirements for law enforcement officers to include all state law enforcement agencies that employ comparable positions, not just the three largest political subdivisions.

TECHNICAL

Made technical corrections to section numbering and formatting throughout the bill text.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/28/2025 12:02:603 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's law enforcement salary framework to create specialized pay plans for DNR peace officers and wildland firefighters. The changes clarify definitions, require salary surveys to include all comparable state agencies, and mandate that pay plans distinguish between different officer classifications and firefighter roles. These updates aim to improve compensation competitiveness and ensure fair pay progression for these specific public safety positions.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on state law enforcement compensation but now explicitly includes DNR peace officers and wildland firefighters with tailored requirements for their specialized roles.

DEFINITION

Added clear definitions for 'DNR peace law enforcement officer' and 'wildland firefighter' to clarify which positions the new pay plans cover.

REQUIREMENT

Updated salary survey requirements to include all state law enforcement agencies employing comparable positions, not just a subset.

Required pay plans to distinguish salary ranges and pay progression for each DNR peace officer classification and separately for wildland firefighter classifications.

Added minimum qualifications and training requirements as mandatory components of the specialized pay plans.

Established performance evaluation and promotion standards as required elements of the pay plan.

Required the plan to include funding recommendations and salary increase proposals for DNR peace officers and wildland firefighters.

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates salary plan requirements for Utah Division of Natural Resources peace officers and wildland firefighters, requiring coordination with the Division of Human Resource Management and inclusion of all comparable state law enforcement agencies in salary surveys. The bill also adds Section 63A-17-307 to establish exemptions from state pay plans for various employee categories including legislators, judges, elected officials, and specific department roles.

Scope change

Expanded from only DNR peace officers to include Division of Human Resource Management coordination and added comprehensive exemption list for state pay plans under Section 63A-17-307

REQUIREMENT

Changed salary plan establishment from DNR director alone to require coordination between Division of Human Resource Management, Division of Law Enforcement, and Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands

Added requirement that salary surveys must include all state law enforcement agencies employing comparable positions

DEFINITION

Updated terminology from 'DNR peace officer' to 'DNR law enforcement officer' and clarified definitions for relevant divisions

Added comprehensive list of employee exemptions from state pay plans under Section 63A-17-307, including legislators, judges, elected officials, and specific department roles

TECHNICAL

Added Senate Sponsor name and updated bill title formatting

Law Enforcement Salary Amendments

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