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Senate advances bill to fund investigations and victim services for polygamous communities
Summary
First Substitute Senate Bill 8, providing funding split between the Attorney General's office and a human-services program (including shelter and a hotline) for investigations into polygamous and other isolated communities, passed to third reading after sponsor said the money could pay for itself by uncovering fraud.
First Substitute Senate Bill 8 advanced to third reading after floor debate on Feb. 22.
Sponsor Senator Ron Allen described the bill as a response to committee testimony about crimes and fraud in isolated communities, saying the bill funds both the Attorney General’s office and a human-services program to shelter large families and operate a toll-free hotline for victims. "Half of the money, $250,000, goes to the AG's office," the sponsor said, and the remainder expands an existing investigation program in Human Services.
Colleagues asked whether the AG's office could handle investigations within existing resources; the sponsor replied the AG’s office had 12 investigators and was overworked. Senator Jones questioned why additional appropriations were needed; Senator Allen and other supporters argued existing caseloads justify added resources. Senator Milstein and others sought clarification about coordination with Workforce Services and the mechanics of the human-services funding; Allen said the bill requires interagency coordination.
The Senate called the question and recorded a roll-call vote: First Substitute SB 8 passed to third reading with 27 aye votes, 1 nay and 1 absent reported on the floor.
Next steps: SB 8 will proceed to third reading and likely to final consideration, with sponsors and staff defining program details and interagency coordination requirements.
