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Senate advances Drug Offender Reform Act for third reading after sponsor says it could free thousands of prison beds
Summary
The Utah Senate voted 25–0 (4 absent) to place Senate Bill 22, the Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA), on the third-reading calendar after sponsors said the measure could divert nonviolent drug offenders to treatment and reduce prison bed demand; senators questioned timing and budget links.
The Utah Senate on Jan. 17 voted 25–0, with four senators absent, to place Senate Bill 22 — the Drug Offender Reform Act — on the third-reading calendar, advancing the measure to the floor for final consideration.
Senator Butters, the bill sponsor, told colleagues the measure had extensive bipartisan hearings and executive-branch support and estimated that, if implemented, DORA “could empty up to 2,000 of our beds” by diverting eligible nonviolent drug offenders into treatment programs. The sponsor said the bill’s intent and scope are well-vetted and urged action.
Senator Thomas asked about the timeline for seeing measurable changes if the bill is enacted, noting that the governor’s proposed budget includes roughly $9,000,000 tied to 500 additional beds. Senator Butters and supporters said projections vary by model and cautioned against assuming an immediate, full-scale reduction; supporters argued the shift in approach could reduce demand for new prison construction and jail expansion over time.
The motion to read SB 22 for a third time passed by roll call, and the bill was placed on the third-reading calendar for a future floor vote. No final passage vote occurred during this session. The Senate did not adopt amendments on the floor during the Jan. 17 consideration.
Next steps: SB 22 will appear on the Senate’s third-reading calendar, where it may be debated and voted on for final passage in a future session day.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the Jan. 17 Senate transcript: “Senator Butters” (bill sponsor) and “Senator Thomas” (questioner).
