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House approves creation of legislative Prison Relocation Commission with reduced fiscal note
Summary
The House passed SB 268 establishing a commission to study moving the Draper prison; lawmakers approved an amendment reducing the fiscal appropriation from $5 million to $3.4 million and emphasized the commission must pair relocation planning with recidivism reduction efforts.
The Utah House approved Senate Bill 268 on March 12, creating a legislative Prison Relocation Commission charged with studying options to locate the state prison outside Draper and to recommend next steps. Representative Wilson, floor sponsor, told the chamber the commission will include members from both chambers (including minority-party representation) and appointees from the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice and the Department of Corrections.
On the floor Representative Wilson moved amendment number 1 to lower the bill’s fiscal appropriation from $5,000,000 to $3,400,000; he described the change as a reduction in the fiscal note to $3.4 million and the amendment was adopted. Wilson said the commission’s scope is limited to planning a new prison and explicitly prohibits the commission from working on development related to the Draper site. He also repeated that findings from the initial Draper-removal resolution carry forward, including the requirement to pair relocation plans with programs to reduce recidivism and manage future inmate population.
There was no extended debate; summation was waived and final passage was recorded at 64 yes to 8 no. The bill will be returned to the Senate for further consideration. Floor comments emphasized the commission’s focus on site selection, recidivism reduction programming, volunteer and court access, and the need for legislative oversight as the relocation process proceeds.
