Governor signs prison development bill, enhancements to benefits for fallen police, firefighters
SALT LAKE CITY (March 25, 2015) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert signed 56 bills into law today bringing the total number of bills signed from the 2015 General Legislative Session to 200. The Legislature passed 528 bills this session, 495 of which require action by the governor.
Among the bills signed by the governor today is HB 454, Prison Development Amendments. This bill establishes the process to finalize the location of the new state penitentiary and enacts a local option sales and use tax for a city or town where the prison will be located. No site has been chosen for the site of the new prison at this time.
“The state prison facility in Draper is outdated and needs to be replaced,” said Gov. Herbert. “The construction of a new prison--regardless of where it is located--provides us with a tremendous opportunity to build a facility that will help us reduce recidivism while enhancing public safety.”
The bill also ensures both the legislative and executive branches will play a role in the final decision. Once the Prison Relocation Commission makes a recommendation, the full Legislature will vote on the recommendation. The governor will then have the opportunity to review the bill and sign or veto it.
The governor also signed HB 288, Line-of-duty Death Benefits for Peace Officers and Firefighters. This bill clarifies and enhances the amount of money paid to the surviving spouses of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty, as well as allowing their health coverage to continue.
“When police officers and firefighters are lost in the line of duty, we owe them more than just a debt of gratitude,” said Gov. Herbert. “I am pleased to see such strong support for their family members who have paid such a heavy price.”
The full list of bills signed by the governor today is as follows:
Bill Number
Bill Name
Bill Sponsor
Veterans Definition
Ray, P.
Emergency Placement of Children
Anderson, J.
Workforce Services Amendments
Edwards, R.
Transportation Project Amendments
Snow, L.
Insurance Related Inducements
Knotwell, J.
Drive-through Service Usage Amendments
Anderson, J.
Victim Restitution Amendments
Wilson, B.
Continuing Education for General Contractor Licensing
Gibson, F.
Strengthening College and Career Readiness
Arent, P.
Safe Technology Utilization and Digital Citizenship in Public Schools
Stratton, K.
Misrepresentation of Telephone and Text Identification
Lifferth, D.
Uniformed Services Amendments
Ray, P.
Appellate Bond Amendments
Sagers, D.
Air Quality Modification
Edwards, R.
Human Resource Management Market Research Amendments
Hutchings, E.
State and Local Government Employee Policies
Miller, J.
Incorporation Process for Cities and Towns
Brown, M.
Amendments to Fire Code
Kennedy, M.
Rights of Children Conceived Through Artificial Insemination
Pritcher, D.
Human Trafficking Amendments
King, B.
Livestock Branding Amendments
Noel, M.
Revenue Review for Certain Funds
Eliason, S.
Amendments to Powers and Duties of State Parks
Powell, K.
Interest Rate Swap Amendments
Knotwell, J.
Minor Alcohol or Drug Related Offenses and Driving Privileges
Redd, E.
Line-of-duty Death Benefits for Peace Officers and Firefighters
Ray, P.
Emergency Medical Service Providers Amendments
McCay, D.
Attorney Lien Amendments
Hawkes, T.
Vintage Motorcycle Amendments
Peterson, J.
Private Investigator and Bail Recovery Licensure Amendment
Oda, C.
Money Management Act Amendments
Cunningham, R.
Destruction of Livestock
Nelson, M.
Vote by Mail Revisions
Westwood, J.
Resolving Government Record Disputes
Chavez-Houck, R.
Constitutional Debt
Knotwell, J.
Retirement Window Amendments
Cunningham, R.
School and Institutional Trust Lands Budget Amendments
Brown, M.
Investigation Protocols for Peace Officer Use of Force
Roberts, M.
Underground Storage Tank Amendments
Eliason, S.
Local Health Department Emergency Funding
Ray, P.
State and Local Energy Efficiency Programs
Draxler, J.
Prison Development Amendments
Wilson, B.
Concurrent Resolution Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Settlement of Clarion, Utah
Cox, J.
Concurrent Resolution on Carbon Sequestration on Rangelands
Noel, M.
Compact for Interstate Sharing of Putative Father Registry Information
Escamilla, L.
Certificate of Stillbirth Amendments
Vickers, E.
Fire Code Amendments
Bramble, C.
Occupational Therapy Practice Act Reauthorization
Harper, W.
Health Facility Administrator Act Reauthorization
Mayne, K.
Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act Amendments
Weiler, T.
General Assistance Program Changes
Escamilla, L.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Christensen, A.
Credit Monitoring for Minors
Osmond, A.
Eminent Domain Amendments
Hillyard, L.
Office of State Debt Collection Amendments
Hillyard, L.
Adoption Amendments
Weiler, T.
