MINUTES OF THE
SENATE JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDING COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 • 4:00 p.m. • 210 Senate Building


Members Present:
Sen. Todd Weiler, Chair
Sen. Heidi Balderree
Sen. Brady Brammer
Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore
Sen. Michael K. McKell
Sen. Calvin R. Musselman
Sen. Stephanie Pitcher

Staff Present:
Lacey Johnson, Policy Analyst
Nancy Skidmore, Committee Secretary

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

Acting Chair Pitcher called the meeting to order at 4:12 p.m.
MOTION:Sen. Musselman moved to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2025 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-4.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. T. Weiler
1.2nd Sub. H.B. 224 Inmate Reentry, Finances, and Debt Modifications (Ballard, M.G.)
Rep. Ballard presented the bill.
Richard Morrow, Executive Director, Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Daniel Strong, Director, Sentencing Commission, CCJJ, spoke in favor of the bill.
Marlesse Jones, Executive Director, Victims Services Commission, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 224 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-0-5.
Yeas - 4Nays- 0Abs- 5
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. T. Weiler
2.S.B. 296 Judicial Amendments (Wilson, C.)
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to replace S.B. 296 with 1st Substitute S.B. 296.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-4.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. Wilson presented the bill.
Michael Drechsel, Assistant Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Courts, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Juliana Brine, resident, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jacey Skinner, Utah State Bar, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to pass 1st Substitute S.B. 296 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 4-2-3.
Yeas - 4Nays- 2Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. T. Weiler
3.H.B. 80 Disorderly Conduct Amendments (Brooks, W.)
MOTION:Sen. Brammer moved to amend H.B. 80 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 27 through 31 :  Line 27 through 31
2728293031

Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. T. Weiler
Rep. Brooks presented the bill.
Daniel Strong, Director, Sentencing Commission, CCJJ, spoke in favor of the bill.
Steve Burton, Director, Defense Attorney's Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Marlesse Jones, Executive Director, Victims Services Commission, spoke in favor of the bill.
Maryann Christensen Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to pass H.B. 80 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-4.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. T. Weiler
4.2nd Sub. H.B. 92 Private Individual Force and Detention Amendments (Brooks, W.)
Rep. Brooks presented the bill.
Nate Mutter, Chair, Utah Law Enforcement Legislative Committee, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jeff Buhman, Executive Director, Statewide Association of Prosecutors, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 92 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. T. Weiler
5.S.B. 299 Assault Modifications (Brammer, B.)
Sen. Brammer presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Brammer moved to pass S.B. 299 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-2.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
6.H.B. 225 School Zone Speeding Amendments (Moss, C.)
Rep. Moss presented the bill with the assistance of Justin Hoyle, Precinct Chief, Unified Police Department.
HB 255 School Zone Speeding Amendments Talking Points
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to amend H.B. 225 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-4.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 7 through 9 :  Line 7 through 9
789

2 .        Line 37 through 41 :  Line 37 through 41
3738394041

Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. Musselman assumed the chair.
Sen. Pitcher resumed the chair.
Nate Mutter, Chair, Utah Law Enforcement Legislative Committee, Utah Chiefs of Police Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to pass H.B. 225 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-2.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
7.S.B. 109 Judicial Officer Amendments (Weiler, T.)
Sen. Weiler presented the bill with the assistance of Michael Drechsel, Assistant Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Court.
Brett Robinson, Prosecutor, Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, spoke in favor of the bill.
Marlesse Jones, Director, Victims Services Commission, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to pass S.B. 109 out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 3-3-3.
Yeas - 3Nays- 3Abs- 3
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
8.S.B. 148 Court Fees and Administration Amendments (Weiler, T.)
Sen. Weiler presented the bill with the assistance of Michael Drechsel, Assistant Court Administrator, Administrative Office of the Court.
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to replace S.B. 148 with 2nd Substitute S.B. 148.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Brett Robinson, Prosecutor, Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to pass 2nd Substitute S.B. 148 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
9.S.B. 326 Judgment Renewal Modifications (Weiler, T.)
Sen. Weiler presented the bill with the assistance of Bob Hadley, Attorney, Zions Bank.
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to pass S.B. 326 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
10.2nd Sub. H.B. 148 Child Sexual Abuse Amendments (Wilcox, R.)
Sen. Wilcox presented the bill.
Nate Mutter, Chair, Utah Law Enforcement Legislative Committee, spoke in favor of the bill.
Daniel Strong, Director, Sentencing Commission, CCJJ, spoke in favor of the bill.
Steve Burton, Defense Attorney, Defense Attorney's Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Danica Baird, Chair, Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Brammer moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 148 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-4.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. T. Weiler
11.2nd Sub. H.B. 353 Criminal Code Amendments (Wilcox, R.)
Rep. Wilcox presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Musselman moved to amend 2nd Substitute H.B. 353 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 154 through 158 :  Line 154 through 158
154155156157158

Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Daniel Strong, Director, Sentencing Commission, CCJJ, spoke in favor of the bill.
Steve Burton, Defense Attorney, Defense Attorney's Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION:Acting Chair Pitcher moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 353 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. Musselman assumed the chair.
12.S.B. 286 Criminal Plea Withdrawal Amendments (Pitcher, S.)
Sen. Pitcher presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to pass S.B. 286 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
13.S.J.R. 10 Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules Regarding Pleas (Pitcher, S.)
Sen. Pitcher presented the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Pitcher moved to replace S.J.R. 10 with 1st Substitute S.J.R. 10.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-2.
Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. M. McKell
Mark Moffat, Defense Attorney, Defense Attorney's Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
David Simpson, Assistant Solicitor General, Criminal Appeals Division, Attorney General's Office, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Ann Talaferro, Criminal Defense Attorney, spoke in favor of the bill.
Christopher Ballard, General Counsel, Utah County Attorney's Office, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Richard Morrow, Executive Director, Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
Jeff Buhman, Executive Director, Statewide Association of Prosecutors, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Brammer moved to go to next item on the agenda.The motion passed with a vote of 7-1-1.
Yeas - 7Nays- 1Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Cullimore
14.S.J.R. 4 Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules on Attorney Confidentiality (Brammer, B.)
MOTION:Sen. Brammer moved to replace S.J.R. 4 with 1st Substitute S.J.R. 4.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-1.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. Brammer presented the bill with the assistance of David Simpson, Assistant Solicitor General, Criminal Appeals Division, Attorney General's Office.
Anne Talaferro, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Mark Moffat, Defense Attorney, Defense Lawyers Association, spoke in oppostion to the bill.
Richard Morrow, Executive Director, Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Frank Pignanelli. Attorney, Utah Bar, spoke to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Brammer moved to pass 1st Substitute S.J.R. 4 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 7-1-1.
Yeas - 7Nays- 1Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Cullimore
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to reconsider actions on SJR 10.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-1.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
15.S.J.R. 10 Joint Resolution Amending Court Rules Regarding Pleas (Pitcher, S.)
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to pass 1st Substitute S.J.R. 10 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 6-2-1.
Yeas - 6Nays- 2Abs- 1
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. K. Cullimore
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to reconsider action on SB 109.The motion passed with a vote of 5-3-1.
Yeas - 5Nays- 3Abs- 1
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. K. Cullimore
16.S.B. 109 Judicial Officer Amendments (Weiler, T.)
MOTION:Sen. Weiler moved to pass S.B. 109 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-3-1.
Yeas - 5Nays- 3Abs- 1
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. K. Cullimore
17.2nd Sub. H.B. 226 Criminal Amendments (Pierucci, C.)
Sen. Pierucci presented the bill.
3 Sub HB 226: Criminal Amendments
MOTION:Sen. McKell moved to replace 2nd Substitute H.B. 226 with 3rd Substitute H.B. 226.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-1.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 1
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. T. Weiler
Sen. K. Cullimore
Jim McConkie, Board Member, Refuge Justice League, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Lance Starr, Attorney, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Richard Lambert, Attorney, Refuge Justice League, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Steve Burton, Director, Defense Attorney's Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Sara Galverez, Voices For Utah Children, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Jill Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, Utah Nonprofits Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Alyssa Williams, Catholic Community Services, Non-Profit Division, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Madeline Scott, resident, spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Sen. Balderree moved to amend 3rd Substitute H.B. 226 with Amendment #1.The motion passed with a vote of 7-0-2.
Amendment 1

1 .        Line 88 through 91 :  Line 88 through 91
88899091

Yeas - 7Nays- 0Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. T. Weiler
MOTION:Sen. Brammer moved to pass 3rd Substitute H.B. 226 out favorably.The motion failed with a vote of 3-4-2.
Yeas - 3Nays- 4Abs- 2
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. T. Weiler
18.2nd Sub. H.B. 326 Pregnant and Postpartum Inmate Amendments (Pierucci, C.)
Rep. Pierucci presented the bill.
2 Sub HB 326: Pregnant and Postpartum Inmate Amendments
MOTION:Sen. Escamilla moved to pass 2nd Substitute H.B. 326 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-4.
Yeas - 5Nays- 0Abs- 4
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. T. Weiler
MOTION:Sen. Brammer moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-3.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 3
Sen. H. Balderree
Sen. B. Brammer
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. M. McKell
Sen. C. Musselman
Sen. S. Pitcher
Sen. K. Cullimore
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. T. Weiler
Acting Chair Musselman adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m..