Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

S.B. 68 (2021GS)

Sponsor

Sen. Buxton, D. G.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/16/2021

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• creates a program within the Utah Highway Patrol to fund purchases of technology and equipment to assist law enforcement agencies in investigating officer-involved critical incidents when a firearm is involved;
• requires that a law enforcement agency that applies for funds must provide matching funds;
• requires the department to report on the program to the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; and
• appropriates $500,000 to the department.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

LAW ENFORCEMENT WEAPONS AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: David G. Buxton
House Sponsor: 
Paul Ray
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill creates a program to fund the purchase of technology and equipment for law
enforcement agencies to assist in investigating officer-involved critical incidents.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ creates a program within the Utah Highway Patrol to fund purchases of technology
and equipment to assist law enforcement agencies in investigating officer-involved
critical incidents when a firearm is involved;
▸ requires that a law enforcement agency that applies for funds must provide
matching funds;
▸ requires the department to report on the program to the Executive Offices and
Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; and
▸ appropriates $500,000 to the department.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2022:
▸ to the Department of Public Safety, Utah Highway Patrol, Special Projects, as a
one-time appropriation:
• from the General Fund, One-time, $500,000.
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
53-1-121
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
53-1-121
 is enacted to read:
 53-1-121.
Technology and equipment for officer-involved critical incident
investigation -- Rulemaking -- Legislative findings -- Revenue fund created.
(1) The department shall assist the law enforcement agencies of the state and the state's
political subdivisions to obtain technology and equipment to assist in the investigation of
officer-involved critical incidents in which a firearm is used.
(2) To be eligible, the technology or equipment shall be:
(a) capable of recording actual shots fired, including the date and time, from a specific
weapon;
(b) able to distinguish between actual shots fired and other, unrelated but
contemporaneous, events; and
(c) tamper-proof and unable to be removed or manipulated by the officer.
(3) The department shall create a program to assist law enforcement agencies through
monetary grants to:
(a) purchase technology and equipment to assist in the investigation of officer-involved
critical incidents involving a firearm; and
(b) train law enforcement officers in the proper use and handling of any technology and
equipment purchased in accordance with this section.
(4) (a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
the commissioner shall make rules establishing a program with criteria and procedures for
granting matching funds under this section to law enforcement agencies to purchase technology
or equipment meeting the criteria in Subsection (2).
(b) The rules shall require that funding provided to purchase technology or equipment
under this section shall be matched by the requesting law enforcement agency.
(5) The Legislature finds that the money is for a general and statewide public purpose.
(6) Expenses accrued by the department in carrying out this section shall be provided
from this appropriation, but may not exceed $40,000 annually.
(7) The Legislature shall appropriate funds to the department to use for matching grants
to local law enforcement agencies to carry out the purpose of this program.
(8) The department shall report annually to the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice
Appropriations Subcommittee on the program. The report shall contain:
(a) the total amount of appropriations received by the program;
(b) amounts granted from the program to local law enforcement agencies, including an
accounting of technology purchased by the local law enforcement agency;
(c) an accounting of any administrative expenses for the program paid out of the funds;
(d) requests for funding that were not granted and the reason for denial; and
(e) the total amount of remaining funds.
Section 2. 
Appropriation.
The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
2021, and ending June 30, 2022. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
fiscal year 2022. Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures
Act, the Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts
indicated for the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
ITEM 1
To Department of Public Safety -- Utah Highway Patrol -- Special Projects
From General Fund, One-time
$500,000
Schedule of Programs:
Utah Highway Patrol -- Special Projects
$500,000