Criminal Justice

failed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 105: Use of Force Amendments

SB 105 amends Utah's self-defense laws to limit when a person can claim justification for using force. It removes the defense if someone causes injury or death to an innocent person while using force against another individual, and denies pretrial hearings for defendants charged with reckless or negligent harm to others during such incidents. The bill specifically targets cases where the defendant’s claimed self-defense against one person results in unintended harm to a third party. These changes affect criminal defendants in Utah who attempt to use self-defense as a legal justification but are charged with causing harm to an unrelated individual. The amendments take effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts self-defense claims, denies pretrial hearings for third-party harm, reducing defendant rights in criminal justice cases.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 67: Law Enforcement Quota Amendments

SB 67 prohibits law enforcement agencies from requiring peace officers to meet arrest or citation quotas and bans retaliation against officers for refusing such quotas. It requires the State Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to collect and annually report alleged violations to the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee. The bill directly affects peace officers and local law enforcement agencies by preventing quota-based pressure and disciplinary actions. Key provisions include defining "impermissible quotas," mandating violation reporting, and amending existing statutes to align with this prohibition. The bill makes no financial changes and focuses solely on policy reforms to address alleged quota practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits arrest/citation quotas and retaliation, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights. Directly addresses a key reform issue in criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 94: Inmate Financial Literacy Amendments

SB 94 requires Utah's Department of Corrections to offer an optional financial literacy class to all inmates. The class must teach strategies for saving and managing money earned through employment, including income earned while incarcerated. This applies directly to every inmate in Utah state correctional facilities. The bill amends existing law (Utah Code 64-13-48) to add this specific requirement, building on current educational program mandates without additional funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates financial literacy education for inmates to improve post-release financial management, directly supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through correctional programming.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 133: Offender Registry Amendments

SB 133 clarifies Utah's requirements for juvenile offenders on the sex, kidnap, and child abuse registry. It specifies that individuals under 18 who committed certain offenses (like sexual abuse or trafficking) without force or coercion and were under 21 at the time of the crime will only need to register for 10 years instead of for life. This amendment to Utah Code Section 53-29-203 directly affects young people convicted of specific crimes who would otherwise face lifetime registration. The change applies only to cases meeting all the specified criteria, not to all juvenile offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces lifetime sex offender registry requirements for juveniles convicted of specific crimes without force, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by promoting rehabilitation over lifelong stigma.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 205: Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence Amendments

SB 205 requires Utah law enforcement agencies to publicly share policies governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including which AI systems officers may use and how they must be configured. It mandates that any police report or record created partly using AI must include a clear disclaimer and a certification that the content was reviewed for accuracy. Agencies must post their full AI policies and detailed information about AI settings - such as transparency features or crime-specific restrictions - on their websites or the state public notice site. This law directly affects all Utah police departments and sheriff's offices, ensuring transparency about AI use in investigations. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires AI transparency and accuracy certification in police reports, enhancing law enforcement accountability within criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparency, disclaimers, and accuracy reviews for AI in law enforcement, protecting data privacy and digital rights through accountability measures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 39: Prison and Jail Standards Amendments

HB 39 requires county sheriffs and Utah's Department of Corrections to implement independent oversight systems for all county jails and state correctional facilities. Specifically, it mandates that every county jail under a sheriff's jurisdiction must operate under independently administered standards and undergo regular independent inspections, with the same requirement applying to state facilities managed by the Department of Corrections. These provisions apply directly to county sheriffs, jail operators, and the Department of Corrections, adding new inspection requirements on top of existing standards. The bill makes technical updates to Utah law without appropriating new funds or creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates independent oversight and inspections for correctional facilities, strengthening accountability and standards per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted other

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passed · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 49: Law Enforcement Salary Amendments

HB 49 requires the salary ranges and pay progression for law enforcement officers in Utah's Division of Natural Resources (DNR) to match those of peace officers in the Department of Public Safety, with similar experience and qualifications. This directly affects DNR law enforcement officers, ensuring their compensation aligns with comparable state law enforcement roles. The bill includes an exception allowing DNR leadership (majors and division directors) to have lower salary ranges than other division directors within the department. It makes technical updates to Utah Code Section 63A-17-110 and takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new funding required.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAligns law enforcement salaries with comparable roles, supporting officer retention and effectiveness within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAligns DNR law enforcement salaries with comparable peace officers, ensuring fair compensation for state workers in this role per bill's explicit wage-matching requirement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 48: Kratom Revisions

SB 48 amends Utah's controlled substances laws to regulate specific kratom compounds. It designates 7-hydroxymitragynine (if exceeding 2% concentration) and Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (including synthetics) as Schedule I controlled substances. The bill requires kratom processors to label products with mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine content and prohibits mixing kratom with harmful substances or selling unregistered products. Violations carry a class C misdemeanor penalty, directly affecting kratom businesses operating in Utah.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill classifies specific kratom compounds as Schedule I, imposing criminal penalties (class C misdemeanor), expanding drug criminalization rather than advancing reform.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · Utah · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 11: Dyed Diesel Fuel Search Amendments

HB 11 amends Utah’s law regarding searches for dyed diesel fuel violations. It clarifies that government officials (including law enforcement) may only inspect a vehicle’s fuel for such violations if they have probable cause, the vehicle owner’s consent, or are conducting a search at a port-of-entry. Crucially, the bill states that simply observing a diesel-powered vehicle on a highway does not create sufficient probable cause for an inspection. This change directly affects law enforcement officers and vehicle owners by setting clear limits on when fuel inspections can occur. The amendment does not alter the underlying prohibition on using dyed diesel on highways or the associated penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts unwarranted vehicle searches, requiring probable cause per constitutional standards, aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Utah · House Feb 1, 2026

HB 6: Criminal Justice Base Budget

HB 6 is a state budget bill that allocates funding for Utah's criminal justice system for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It appropriates $1.35 billion for 2027 (including $949 million from the General Fund) and $27.8 million for 2026 to support agencies like the Governor's Office, Attorney General's Office, and Board of Pardons and Parole. Key provisions include funding for factual innocence payments ($95,000), jail reimbursements ($412,900), indigent defense services ($283,400), and non-lapsing funds for casework acceleration ($5 million) and children's justice centers ($1 million). The bill specifies how funds may be used and includes intent language to prevent certain appropriations from expiring at year-end.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.35B for criminal justice funding including $949M General Fund, directly advancing state budget appropriations for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $1.35B for criminal justice agencies including indigent defense and factual innocence payments, directly funding reform-oriented services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice