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Committee extends Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives task force, adds sheriffs to improve jurisdiction coordination
Summary
Lawmakers voted to adopt an amendment adding sheriffs to the task force and favorably recommended renewal of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives task force through Feb. 19, 2027; supporters said the group has completed listening sessions and a report and now seeks time for implementation work with tribes and tribal leaders.
Representative Romero (presenting HB 15) told the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee that the bill would renew the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Task Force through Feb. 19, 2027, and that the committee’s amendment would add sheriffs to improve coordination across jurisdictions.
Romero said the task force spent its early years conducting listening sessions with tribal leaders and community stakeholders and produced a report; the current phase focuses on implementing recommendations and building relationships to address jurisdictional and communication gaps. “When we officially put the task force together in 02/2020... a couple of years ago, we were able to get funding to do a report,” Romero said.
Erin Jamieson, director of public policy at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, testified in support, describing the overlap between domestic violence response and MMIR issues and urging continued work and data collection to resolve jurisdictional confusion and gaps in service.
Committee members discussed the task force’s recent work, including outreach to tribal communities and attempts to develop memoranda of understanding to allow people on probation to live on reservations without losing supervision. The sponsor said tribal leaders have raised issues with law enforcement coordination, radio interoperability and response times.
Representative Stoddard moved to adopt amendment 1 (adding sheriffs); the amendment was adopted. Stoddard then moved that the committee favorably recommend HB 15 as amended; the motion passed unanimously. Supporters said the renewal will allow the task force to move from listening to implementation, including potential executive-branch staffing in the future.
