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MINUTES OF THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Thursday,
February 5, 2026
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8:00 a.m.
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120 Senate Building
Members Present:
Sen. Brady Brammer, Senate Chair
Rep. Matthew H. Gwynn, House Chair
Rep. Melissa G. Ballard, Vice Chair
Sen. Lincoln Fillmore
Sen. Wayne A. Harper
Sen. Don L. Ipson
Sen. Derrin R. Owens
Sen. Stephanie Pitcher
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Jefferson S. Burton
| Rep. James A. Dunnigan
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee
Rep. Grant Amjad Miller
Members Absent:
Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore
Rep. Angela Romero
Staff Present:
Gary R. Syphus, Finance Manager
Nate Osborne, Financial Analyst
Karen C. Allred, Committee Secretary
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| 1.Call to Order/Approval of Minutes |
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| Chair Brammer called the meeting to order at 8:23 AM. |
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| 2.Utah Sheriff's Association |
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| Gary Syphus introduced the Utah Sheriff's Association. |
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| Tracy Glover, Kane County Sheriff and President of the Utah Sheriff's Association, gave a report on the Utah Sheriff's Association. |
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| 3.Call to Order/Approval of Minutes |
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| MOTION:Rep. Acton moved to approve the minutes of the January 30, 2026 meeting.The motion
passed
with a vote of
10-0-5.
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| Yeas -
10 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
5 | |
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. M. Ballard
Sen. B. Brammer
Rep. J. Burton
Rep. M. Gwynn
Sen. W. Harper
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. G. Miller
Sen. D. Owens
Sen. S. Pitcher
| | Sen. K. Cullimore
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Sen. L. Fillmore
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. A. Romero
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| 4.Legislative Audit Report Presentations: |
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| a. Brian Dean, Legislative Deputy Auditor General, Office of the Legislative Auditor General (LAG), introduced Ryan Thelin, Audit Supervisor, LAG, and they reported on a performance audit of the Salt Lake City Police Department and the critical role of effective leadership. |
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| 2a. A Performance Audit of the Salt Lake City Police Department--The Critical Role of Effective Leadership |
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| b. Brian Redd, Police Chief, Salt Lake City Police Department, Department of Public Safety, responded to the audit. |
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| Sen. Owens commented on Brian Redd's great leadership, expressed appreciation, and emphasized continued support with the State and Salt Lake City. |
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| Rep. Ballard commended Brian Redd's leadership, administrative change, and the dramatic shift; expressed a concern that the mayor is not here to respond; and expressed appreciation to the mayor, and to Brian Redd for being here, with a response from Brian Redd. |
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| Sen. Ipson commended Brian Redd for such incredible leadership, and for the city feeling better and safer, with a response from Brian Redd. |
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| Chair Brammer expressed appreciation and commented on the different and safer feeling of downtown Salt Lake City. |
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| c. Brian Dean and Ryan Thelin reported on a performance audit of the Salt Lake County Jail and the impact of insufficient jail capacity on criminal justice outcomes. |
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| 2c. A Performance Audit of the Salt Lake County Jail-The Impact of Insufficient Jail Capacity on Criminal Justice Outcomes |
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| Chair Brammer expressed concern and frustration that beds were being leased to the federal government to make additional revenue, with a response from Ryan Thelin. |
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| House Chair Gwynn assumed the chair. |
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| Chair Gwynn asked about bonding fails, with a response from Ryan Thelin and Brian Dean. Chair Gwynn commented that this needs to be a lesson to all counties, with a response from Brian Dean. |
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| d. Rosie Rivera, Sherriff, Salt Lake County, responded remotely on the audit, and introduced Matt Dumont, Chief Deputy, Salt Lake County Sherriff's Department. |
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| Rep. Ballard expressed appreciation for the auditors good suggestions and asked where the mayor and council are. |
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| Sen. Fillmore commented that Salt Lake County is growing more and more, while the county government is responsible for less and less, and suggested they build confidence by right siding county government in a county with wall to wall cities, with a response from Chair Gwynn. |
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| Matt Dumont responded to the audit saying that the Salt Lake County Sherriff's Office, especially the Corrections Bureau, are dedicated to serving their communities and how to serve the community better. |
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| Rep. Dunnigan asked what had been done to increase beds, with a response from Matt Dumont. Rep. Dunnigan also asked about the federal beds and holding federal prisoners, with a response from Matt Dumont. |
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| Chair Gwynn expressed appreciation for staff and the extreme environments in which they work. |
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| e. Brian Dean and Ryan Thelin reported on a performance audit of the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, and improving governance and transparency. |
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| 2e. A Performance Audit of the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office-Improving Governance and Transparency |
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| Chair Gwynn asked for a specific example of how they were actually prevented access, with a response from Ryan Thelin and Brian Dean. They then continued the report. |
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| Chair Gwynn commented on performance measures and on the 27 counties collective letter, and asked about prosecution documents, with a response from Ryan Thelin and Brian Dean. Chair Gwynn also asked about plea deals, with a response from Ryan Thelin. |
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| Rep. Ballard mentioned that the transparency of cases and consistency of the office are very important, and expressed appreciation for the audit. |
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| f. Sim Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney, introduced Anna Rossi Anderson, Deputy District Attorney, District Attorney's Office, and responded to the audit. |
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| Chair Gwynn asked if there is anything in the audit that they disagree with and about the timeline, with responses from Sim Gill and Anna Rossi Anderson. |
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| Rep. Ballard expressed concern that they feel they will never reach the goals, and recommended they work hard, make the changes, and be more efficient. Sim Gill responded. |
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| Chair Gwynn asked if staff was instructed to not allow the audit team to be present during the plea negotiations, with a response from Sim Gill. |
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| Rep. Miller recognized and expressed appreciation for the prosecutors, with a response from Sim Gill. |
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| g. Brian Dean and Ryan Thelin reported on a review of the Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Systems and strengthening oversight and coordination for repeat criminal offenders. |
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| 2g. A Review of the Salt Lake County Criminal Justice System-Strengthening Oversight and Coordination for Repeat Criminal Offenders |
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| Chair Gwynn commented on how appalling it is that there is not one member of the county council or county mayor. |
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| Rep. Ballard commented that investing in the jail has to be a priority. |
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| Rep. Burton expressed appreciation for the auditors and those who showed up to the audit findings, and if suggestions are not taken seriously it affects the funding. |
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| Chair Gwynn said if leadership stops from the top down, he's wondering where the top leadership is. |
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| 5.Agency Budget Reviews: Courts |
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| a. Gary Syphus introduced the budget review and reduction requests of the Courts. |
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| b. Ron Gordon, State Court Administrator, Utah Judiciary, introduced Karl Sweeney, Finance Director, Utah Judiciary, and they gave a presentation on the Courts and budget reductions. |
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| 4. Courts power point presentation |
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| Sen. Brammer asked if statutory authority is needed to delay a judge taking office, with a response from Ron Gordon, who then continued the presentation. |
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| Sen. Ipson asked about the 5th district court added expense, with a response from Ron Gordon. |
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| Senate Chair Brammer resumed the chair. |
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| Chair Brammer commented that it is a commitment from the Chairs to try not touch the Judicial Assistant's. |
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| 6.Legislator Requests for Appropriation |
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| Rep. Dunnigan introduced an RFA for "Statewide Mediation Program" Nick Lloyd, Attorney, and Sahil Oberoi, Chief Operating Officers, Utah Community Action, introduced themselves, had a handout distributed and they explained this RFA beginning with Sahil Oberoi. |
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| 3a. Statewide Mediation Program RFA |
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| 3. Utah Community Action Part 2 |
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| 3. Utah Community Action Part 2 flip side |
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| Rep. Miller expressed that this is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to go upstream on homelessness. |
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| Chair Brammer asked if they receive funding from Salt Lake County, how much, and are most of the mediations in Salt Lake County, with a response from Sahil Oberoi. |
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| 7.Legislator Requests for Appropriation |
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| a. Rep. Kohler explained an RFA for "Courtroom Audiovisual Modifications" HB397, and Gary Syphus further explained this RFA. |
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| 7a. Courtroom Audiovisual Modifications HB397 RFA |
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| b. Rep. Mauga introduced an RFA for "Diversion, Re-entry, and Preventative Support Services". Desmond Alvarado, Co-Founder, Day Won Utah, further explained this RFA. Rep. Mauga concluded the request. |
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| 7b. Diversion, Re-entry, and Preventative Support Services RFA |
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| 7b. Day Won slide presentation |
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| 8.Agency Budget Reviews: Guardian ad Litem |
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| This agenda item will be heard at the next meeting. |
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| MOTION:Rep. Ballard moved to adjourn.The motion
passed
with a vote of
9-0-6.
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| Yeas -
9 | Nays-
0 | Abs-
6 | |
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. M. Ballard
Sen. B. Brammer
Rep. J. Burton
Rep. M. Gwynn
Sen. D. Ipson
Rep. K. Lisonbee
Rep. G. Miller
Sen. S. Pitcher
| | Sen. K. Cullimore
Rep. J. Dunnigan
Sen. L. Fillmore
Sen. W. Harper
Sen. D. Owens
Rep. A. Romero
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| Chair Brammer adjourned the meeting at 10:49 AM. |
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