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Senate advances substitute SB 10 to add judiciary subcommittee to state substance-abuse council
Summary
The Senate adopted the committee report on substitute Senate Bill 10 to add a judicial subcommittee to the Utah Substance Abuse Coordinating Council; sponsors said it improves coordination between courts and treatment providers and carries a minimal $1,000 fiscal note for subcommittee travel. The Senate placed the bill on the third-reading calendar by roll call (23–0, 6 absent).
Senators on Jan. 25 advanced substitute Senate Bill 10, which would establish a judiciary subcommittee of the Utah Substance Abuse Coordinating Council to improve coordination among prevention, treatment, law enforcement and the courts.
Senator Delta Baird, the Judiciary Committee chair, moved to adopt the committee report and described the council as a coordinating body established in 1990 to bring unity to the state’s anti‑drug efforts. Baird said the substitute adds a judicial subcommittee, adds certain designees and an executive director as an ex officio member, increases some service limits from two to six consecutive years for continuity, and includes a minimal fiscal note of $1,000 to cover travel and related subcommittee expenses.
Baird said the council “must have representation from the prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and judicial communities” and that the proposed change would give courts a formal channel to raise concerns about calendaring and sentencing impacts on drug‑related caseloads. She cited state corrections data on the link between substance abuse and incarceration and said the addition of the judiciary subcommittee would provide “a forum for communication to study the impact of drug‑related cases on the total judicial system.”
Floor questions focused on how often the subcommittee would meet and whether the $1,000 fiscal note could cover travel and related expenses for a large group. The sponsor clarified the judiciary subcommittee would likely meet four or more times a year and that most members would be local, limiting travel costs.
On roll call the clerk reported substitute SB 10 received 23 ayes, no nays, and 6 absent; the Senate placed the bill on the third‑reading calendar. No final third‑reading vote was recorded on Jan. 25.
Ending: The Senate advanced the committee report and scheduled the substitute bill for third reading; additional fiscal detail was said to be prepared for the third‑reading calendar.
