Committee approves transparency rule for AI‑generated police reports; defense bar warns of evidentiary risk

Senator Pitcher presented SB 180, which would require police officers to state in a report when artificial intelligence assisted in generating a summary from body‑worn camera footage and to certify that they reviewed the AI‑assisted report for accuracy.

Nut graf: The bill aims to increase transparency about the use of AI in investigations and ensure officers verify any AI output they sign off on; supporters said the step would help courts and defense counsel evaluate the origin of investigative reports.

Steve Burton of the Utah Defense Attorneys Association told the committee he is not opposed to transparency but warned that reliance on AI to generate police reports changes evidence production. Burton said defense attorneys will not have access to the proprietary algorithms behind AI tools and would likely need outside experts to evaluate algorithmic accuracy; that raises costs and complexity in criminal cases.

Burton said he had recently seen a police report with a disclaimer that it was generated with AI and that both he and his client were “nervous” about it. The sponsor and committee members discussed tradeoffs between efficiency for departments short on staffing and the need for safeguards; several members said the bill represents a cautious, pragmatic starting point.

The committee passed the first substitute to SB 180 with a favorable recommendation by voice vote.

Ending: The bill will move to the floor for further action; the committee suggested the issue may deserve further review during the interim.