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Senate advances House Bill 272 after debate on prison-industry competition
Summary
Senators advanced House Bill 272 to the third-reading calendar after floor debate about whether the bill would affect existing prison industries programs. Lawmakers said committee language and existing oversight are intended to prevent unfair competition with private industry.
SENATE — The Utah Senate moved House Bill 272 to the third-reading calendar after lawmakers debated whether the measure would affect existing prison industries that produce items such as furniture.
A senator opened floor discussion by saying, "I support the bill." Colleagues raised a question about whether the language might allow prison labor to compete with private industry. "There are...very stringent requirement[s] of oversight to make sure that all work projects meet with potential competitors in that area so that they are not unduly affected," a floor speaker said, noting the committee had added the phrase "unfairly compete."
Another senator stressed rehabilitation benefits, saying work, education and treatment programs in prison "help immensely in the discipline and the management of the inmates" and prepare them for discharge, which can reduce recidivism.
The chamber called for the question and held a roll-call on whether House Bill 272 should be read for the third time. The presiding officer announced the result: House Bill 272 received 26 aye votes, no nay votes, and three absences, and was placed on the third-reading calendar.
No formal amendments were reported on the floor during the exchange. The next scheduled item was House Bill 278.
