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Senate approves $200,000 match to launch statewide Access for Justice system
Summary
Senate Bill 2 23 passed on third reading to appropriate $200,000 in one-time matching funds to the Utah Access for Justice Foundation to establish a statewide system matching people in noncriminal matters with pro bono attorneys.
The Utah Senate voted to approve Senate Bill 2 23, which seeks a one‑time appropriation of $200,000 as matching funds to the Utah Access for Justice Foundation. Sponsor Senator Suazo told the chamber the match will finance a centralized statewide legal‑referral system that pairs people needing noncriminal legal assistance with pro bono attorneys who have relevant expertise.
Senator Suazo described the appropriation as a dollar‑for‑dollar match and said the one‑time funds would allow the Utah State Bar and the Foundation to stand up the program; following debate about prioritization and possible funding timing, the Senate voted 25‑0 with four senators absent to pass the bill on its third reading.
Senators discussed whether the appropriation should be circled pending prioritization; the sponsor urged final passage to allow the initiative to proceed if the executive appropriations process ultimately allocated funds.
