Senate advances bill to change highway-patrol uniform allowance and procurement; requests $250,000 appropriation

Senator Evans introduced and described Senate Bill 25 on the floor, saying the measure would revise how the state supplies uniforms for the Utah Highway Patrol and add funding to reduce out-of-pocket costs for troopers. He told colleagues the annual cost of outfitting a trooper is about $809 — while the current allotment amounts to roughly $520 per year — and argued the gap burdens patrol members and hurts retention.

"The cost of, one uniform for an entire year is $809," Senator Evans said on the floor, describing purchase and cleaning expenses. The bill would allow the Department of Public Safety to adopt rules to contract with local cleaners or other providers for bulk cleaning or provisioning; Senator Evans said the change aims to lower unit costs. The bill’s floor remarks also requested a $250,000 appropriation in the governor’s budget to begin addressing the need.

Supporters described practical and equity arguments. Senator Hall said he had to declare a conflict before speaking because his son recently graduated into patrol service; he described the recruit’s personal sacrifices and noted the family had covered uniform costs. Senator Beatty and Senator Tanner urged colleagues to approve the bill, framing it as a modest equity measure rather than a across-the-board pay increase.

The question to read SB 25 for the third time was called and taken by roll-call. The clerk announced 25 'aye' votes, no 'nay' votes, and the measure was passed for further action.

Senators indicated the bill would still need to go through prioritization and fiscal-note procedures. The appropriation described on the floor would be subject to the usual budget process and is not final until included in an enacted budget.