H.B. 136

1

ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY REPORTING
2 HOTLINE THROUGH THE OFFICE OF
3 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
4 2008 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Christopher N. Herrod
7 Senate Sponsor: ____________
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This bill modifies the State Officers and Employees title by amending the duties of the
12 attorney general to include establishing an Illegal Drug Activity Reporting Hotline.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This bill:
15 . requires the attorney general to establish and maintain the Illegal Drug Activity
16 Reporting Hotline to provide the public with a single, statewide toll-free telephone
17 number to anonymously report illegal drug activity;
18 . requires the attorney general to receive, log, analyze, and disseminate credible
19 information received from the calls to law enforcement;
20 . allows the attorney general to provide a reward for callers to report illegal drug
21 activities;
22 . provides certain funding provisions;
23 . requires annual reporting to the Legislature; and
24 . makes technical changes.
25 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
26 None
27 Other Special Clauses:

28 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.
29 Utah Code Sections Affected:
30 ENACTS:
31 67-5-26, Utah Code Annotated 1953
32
33 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
34 Section 1. Section 67-5-26 is enacted to read:
35 67-5-26. Illegal Drug Activity Reporting Hotline -- Established -- Procedures --
36 Funding -- Annual report.
37 (1) There is established the "Illegal Drug Activity Reporting Hotline" in the Office of
38 the Attorney General. The attorney general shall establish and maintain the Illegal Drug
39 Activity Reporting Hotline as a 24 hour, seven day per week telephone number (hotline) to
40 provide the public with a single, statewide toll-free telephone number to report illegal drug
41 activity.
42 (2) The hotline shall provide that a caller who wishes to remain anonymous may do so.
43 (3) The hotline shall be staffed by employees or volunteers who are skilled and
44 knowledgeable to receive the calls and make reports on the calls.
45 (4) The attorney general shall receive, log, analyze, and disseminate credible
46 information received from the calls for the purpose of stopping, investigating, and prosecuting
47 drug offender activities using the appropriate local, state, and federal law enforcement
48 agencies.
49 (5) (a) Subject to funding limitations, the attorney general may provide cash awards to
50 callers whose reports lead to an arrest or conviction.
51 (b) A cash award under Subsection (5)(a) may not exceed $100.
52 (6) The hotline shall be funded using monies appropriated by the Legislature.
53 (7) The attorney general shall make an annual report to the Legislature regarding the
54 activities, funding, arrests, prosecutions, and convictions resulting from the hotline.
55 Section 2. Effective date.
56 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.

Legislative Review Note
as of 1-17-08 5:51 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel