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House approves bill redirecting funds to expand inmate housing and build prison training center
Summary
The Utah House passed a second substitute to Senate Bill 4,003 to redirect funds—including up to $1.5 million for Promontory facility upgrades and $1,540,000 in one-time money for an inmate training center—adding about 300 usable beds; final House vote was 71-1.
The Utah House on the floor approved Second Substitute Senate Bill 4,003, redirecting funds to expand inmate housing at the Promontory facility and to construct an inmate training center.
Sponsor Representative Art Bigelow told the chamber the measure has three parts: removing funds previously set aside for the proposed Oxbow purchase, authorizing up to $1.5 million in federal funds for capital improvements at Promontory (primarily perimeter security fencing and other modifications to make beds usable), and allocating $1,540,000 in one-time monies to construct a training center to continue prison-industry programs. "There are 3 parts to this bill," Bigelow said, outlining the proposed reallocations and contingency language if federal funds cannot be used.
Why it matters: lawmakers said the shift addresses an immediate capacity need after the Oxbow purchase did not go forward. Bigelow said the Promontory work will yield an additional 300 usable beds now and preserve prison-industry jobs and training. "This is the absolute minimum we must do," he said, adding the state will need more capacity in the general session.
Debate and details: Representatives asked technical and fiscal questions. Representative Farren sought clarification on whether the plan was replacing an acquisition with new construction and whether the $1.5 million would cover more than fencing; Bigelow said the work includes structural modifications and a building to house the modular-home manufacturing and classroom operations. Representative Dave Clark asked about earlier bonding tied to the Oxbow project; Bigelow responded that the $4.8 million referenced was a bond for part of Oxbow, while the current package would use smaller one-time and capital funds. "So the 1 and a half, we are now going to get an additional 300 beds," Bigelow said. Representative Daniels emphasized the rapid increase in the number of women inmates and the programmatic need to separate and expand capacity for female populations.
On training outcomes, Representative Goodfellow described a prison-industry partnership with Salt Lake Community College and builders and unions that aims to produce 50 modular low-income homes and provide apprenticeships leading to journeyman hours in trades such as electricity and carpentry. "They could come out as journeymen," Goodfellow said.
Vote and next steps: After floor debate, the House recorded a roll-call vote. The clerk reported the second substitute received 71 yes votes and 1 no vote; the presiding officer said the bill will be signed by the Speaker and returned to the Senate for the president's signature. Bigelow said additional capacity issues will be revisited in the general session.
What remains unclear: the floor record uses a term transcribed as "voitus" when referring to federal funds; the sponsor described them as federal funds available for the purpose but did not specify the precise federal program name on the record. The bill contains contingency language that if federal funds cannot be used, $1.5 million in state capital improvement funds would be applied to the Promontory work.
