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House approves major corrections funding bill aimed at arresting staff turnover
Summary
First Substitute House Bill 23, a large corrections funding measure to improve pay and retention for correctional officers, passed the House unanimously 71–0 after sponsor Gary Cox cited severe turnover and recruitment problems.
The Utah House unanimously passed First Substitute House Bill 23 on Feb. 4, a substantial funding measure aimed at improving pay and retention for correctional officers.
Sponsor Representative Gary Cox said the corrections system faces severe staffing shortages and turnover: he cited more than 60 open positions in the Department of Corrections, a decline in average tenure from 9.5 years to three years over six years, and the loss of nearly $1 million in training costs due to employee turnover. Cox called the bill "a big money bill" but said it is necessary to maintain public safety and the level of service provided by corrections staff.
Supporters on the floor emphasized the cost of losing trained staff and urged the Legislature to fund the measure as a priority. Representative Nora Stevens and others voiced support while acknowledging the bill’s fiscal impact.
The House passed HB 23 with a recorded vote of 71 yes, 0 no; the bill will be sent to the Senate for further action.
