MINUTES OF THE
EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Monday, February 11, 2019 • 8:00 a.m. • 25 House Building


Members Present:
Sen. Jacob L. Anderegg, Senate Chair
Rep. Eric K. Hutchings, House Chair
Rep. Joel Ferry, House Vice Chair
Sen. Curtis S. Bramble
Sen. David G. Buxton
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore
Sen. Wayne A. Harper
Sen. Derek L. Kitchen
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Kyle R. Andersen
Rep. Brian S. King
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss
Rep. Marc K. Roberts
Rep. Angela Romero

Members Absent:
Sen. Daniel McCay
Rep. James A. Dunnigan

Staff Present:
Ms. Linda Service, Session Secretary
Mr. Gary R. Syphus, Fiscal Analyst
Mr. Alexander R. Wilson, Fiscal Analyst

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

1. 8:00 am: Call to Order/Approval of Minutes
House Chair Hutchings called the meeting to order at 8:13 a.m.
There were no minutes to approve.
2. 8:01 am: Judicial Branch (State Courts, Base budget ? $165.4 million)
Mr. Gary Syphus, Fiscal Analyst, Office of the Fiscal Analyst (LFA), reviewed the analyst presentation and provided an overview of funding for the Judicial Branch, performance measures, and options.
Judge Mary Noonan, Interim State Court Administrator, addressed the mission of state courts, along with governance structure, performance measures, budget priorities, and the fiscal analysts' recommendations.
2-Courts Presentation - EOCJ 2019
Judge Noonan asked Mr. Ray Wahl, Deputy State Court Administrator, to responded to Rep. King's question regarding comparing performance measures with other states. She resumed her presentation reviewing information technology: redundant site, assistance funding for the self-help center, and the need for a Third District Court clerk.
Judge Noonan responded to questions from Rep. Anderson and Rep. Roberts related to clerical staff salary adjustments. A discussion followed.
Judge James Blanch, Third District Court, addressed in detail the role of judicial assistants. A discussion followed with Judge Blanch responding to questions from committee members.
Judge Noonan resumed her presentation requesting additional judges and judicial assistants. Mr. Wahl responded to a question from Chair Hutchings related to problem solving courts. He reported that the issue for problem solving courts is having enough resources for referral purposes.
Judge Noonan continued her presentation.
Mr. Wahl discussed the collapse of the Seventh and Eighth Judicial Districts, the operation and maintenance of the Provo court house, and salaries. A discussion with Chair Hutchings followed.
Mr. Reed Richards, Weber County Attorney's Office, addressed court security costs.
Mr. Chris Palmer, Director of Security, State Court System, distributed and reviewed the handout, "Security Funds Collected."
Ms. Rosie Rivera, Salt Lake County Sherrif, noted that if the Courts' request for additional judges and staff is approved, Salt Lake County will be impacted. Mr. Syphus addressed a question from Chair Hutchings on funding court security. A discussion followed.
Mr. Mike Smith, Sheriff, Utah County, discussed the need for funds to open a new court house. He noted increased expenses for training, travel, equipment, and security. The handout "Utah County Sheriff's Office, Reimbursement for Fourth District Court Contract" was distributed.
Mr. Bill Lee, Commissioner, Utah County, spoke to the difficulty of finding a balance between funding court security and funding other competing interests within the county. A discussion followed.
3. 9:15 am: Division of Juvenile Justice Services (Base budget ? $95.2 million)
Mr. Syphus introduced the Division of Juvenile Justice Services (JJS), provided background related to an audit, and offered recommendations.
Mr. Brett Peterson, Director, Juvenile Justice Services (JJS), distributed the handout "Juvenile Justice Facilities by Judicial Districts" assisted by Mr. Nate Winters, Deputy Director, JJS. Mr. Peterson addressed improving overall efficiency, developing a highly skilled and motivated workforce, and helping with the healthy development of youth safely. He commented on operational efficiency and effectiveness, strengthening partnerships with providers, and recitivism. He responded to questions from Chair Hutchings related to recidivism.
Mr. Wilson, Fiscal Analyst, LFA, asked for clarification of a bar graph in Mr. Peterson's presentation showing dynamic risk factors and protective factors. Mr. Peterson responded.
A discussion followed with Mr. Peterson responding to questions from Chair Hutchings related to long and short term secure care, capacity, and number and cost of beds
Ms. Ann Williamson, Executive Director, Department of Human Services, provided a continuity of history for the Alta and Gemstone programs followed by a discussion with Chair Hutchings.
Ms. April Graham, Program Director, Community Programs, provided clarification related to the Alta and Gemstone Units. A discussion followed.
Mr. Peterson resumed his presentation reviewing community placement.
Mr. Justin Naylor, Director, Office of Quality and Design, Department of Human Services, provided an overview of his agency noting a significant focus on strengthening partnerships with providers. A discussion followed with Mr. Naylor and Mr. Peterson responding to questions from committee members. Topics included length of stay for youth in residential treatment facilities and services available.
Mr. Naylor continued his presentation covering topics such as stabilization, mobile response services, and school safety issues.
Mr. Peterson commented on requests for: (1) authorization of the Cache Valley Interfaith Chapel, (2) transfer of funds from JJS to DHS, and (3) a request to increase nonlapsing authority.
4. 10:20 am: Legislator Requests for Appropriation
Rep. Romero - request for Reproductive Health Education for Incarcerated Women, $158,000 one-time.
4a-Rep. Romero - RFA - Reproductive Health Education for Incarcerated Women
Rep. Eliason - request for new helicopter for the Aero Bureau, Department of Public Safety, $5.3 M one-time.
4b-Rep. Eliason - RFA - Helicopter
Sen. Mayne - request funds for Kearns Night Out Against Crime, $5,000 one-time.
4c-Sen. Mayne - RFA - Kearns Night Out Against Crime
Rep. Romero moved to adjourn. Chair Hutchings adjourned the meeting at 10:51 a.m.