MINUTES OF THE
JUDICIARY INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 • 1:15 p.m. • 20 House Building


Members Present:
Sen. Todd D. Weiler, Chair
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, Chair
Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. John D. Johnson
Sen. Michael S. Kennedy
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Kera Birkeland
Rep. Brady Brammer
Rep. Craig Hall
Rep. Jon Hawkins
Rep. Brian S. King
Rep. Calvin R. Musselman
Rep. Stephanie Pitcher
Rep. V. Lowry Snow
Rep. Mark A. Wheatley

Members Absent:
Rep. Mike Schultz

Staff Present:
Kristina King, Policy Analyst
Jacqueline Carlton, Associate General Counsel
Christopher Williams, Associate General Counsel
Amy Hawkes, Administrative Assistant

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

Chair Lisonbee called the meeting to order at 1:52 p.m.
1.Committee Business
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2021, meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-7.
Yeas - 10Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. B. King
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. C. Musselman
Rep. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Rep. M. Wheatley
Rep. K. Birkeland
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. C. Hall
Rep. M. Schultz
Rep. V. Snow
2.Expungement
Sen. Weiler introduced the presenters for this agenda item.
2c DRAFT LEGISLATION: "Expungement Amendments"
2a PRESENTATION: Expungement Amendments
Jake Smith, Expungement Navigator Program Manager, Salt Lake County Mayor's Office, shared his background and experience with expungement, clarified certain aspects of draft legislation, "Expungement Amendments," and answered committee questions.
Nick Mecham, Policies and Projects Coordinator, Criminal Justice Advisory Council, Salt Lake County, continued the presentation on "Expungement Amendments," and answered committee questions.
Eric Hutchings, Criminal Justice Initiatives Office, Salt Lake County Mayor's Office, shared further information on "Expungement Amendments."
Gary Scheller, Director, Utah Office for Victims of Crime, answered a committee question.
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to adopt draft legislation "Expungement Amendments" as a committee bill. The motion passed with a vote of 16-0-1.
Yeas - 16Nays- 0Abs- 1
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. K. Birkeland
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. C. Hall
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. B. King
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. C. Musselman
Rep. S. Pitcher
Rep. V. Snow
Sen. T. Weiler
Rep. M. Wheatley
Rep. M. Schultz
3.Sunset Review: Utah Council on Victims of Crime
James Swink, Chair, Utah Council on Victims of Crime, gave an overview on the council and it's work, and answered committee questions.
Gary Scheller talked about the relationship between the Office for Victims of Crime and the Council on Victims of Crime and shared his thoughts on the council's work.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to utilize a currently open committee bill file, "Victims Services Agency," to extend the sunset date for the council for 5 years. The motion passed with a vote of 15-0-2.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. K. Birkeland
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. C. Hall
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. B. King
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. C. Musselman
Rep. S. Pitcher
Rep. V. Snow
Rep. M. Wheatley
Rep. M. Schultz
Sen. T. Weiler
4.Victims Services Division
Rep. Snow assumed the chair.
Rep. Lisonbee noted that there is a committee bill file, "Victims Services Agency," open on this topic, explained what the legislation would do, and answered committee questions.
James Swink introduced the presenters and gave an outline for their presentation.
Reed Richards, Attorney, Weber County Sheriff's Office, shared his background working with crime victims and his thoughts on a potential victims services division.
Heidi Nestel, Director, Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic, shared information on the clinic and the work it has done, and shared her thoughts on a potential victims services division.
Paul Cassell, Distinguished Professor, S.J. Quinney College of Law, shared his thoughts on a potential victims services division and information on what other states have done regarding victims services.
Tom Ross, Executive Director, Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, shared his thoughts on a potential victims services division.
Gary Scheller shared his thoughts on a potential victims services division and answered committee questions.
Rep. Lisonbee resumed the chair.
MOTION:Rep. Hall made a motion to open a committee bill file on expungement. The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-4.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. C. Hall
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. B. King
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. C. Musselman
Rep. V. Snow
Rep. M. Wheatley
Rep. K. Birkeland
Rep. S. Pitcher
Rep. M. Schultz
Sen. T. Weiler
5.Other Items/Adjourn
MOTION:Rep. Brammer moved to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-4.
Yeas - 13Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. B. Brammer
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. C. Hall
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. J. Johnson
Sen. M. Kennedy
Rep. B. King
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. C. Musselman
Rep. V. Snow
Rep. M. Wheatley
Rep. K. Birkeland
Rep. S. Pitcher
Rep. M. Schultz
Sen. T. Weiler
Chair Lisonbee adjourned the meeting at 3:14 p.m.