MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDING COMMITTEE
Friday, February 13, 2026 • 8:00 a.m. • 30 House Building


Members Present:
Rep. Ryan D. Wilcox, Chair
Rep. Mark A. Strong, Vice Chair
Rep. Melissa G. Ballard
Rep. Matthew H. Gwynn
Rep. Katy Hall
Rep. Sandra Hollins
Rep. Trevor Lee
Rep. Lisa Shepherd
Rep. Andrew Stoddard

Members Absent:
Rep. Val L. Peterson
Rep. Stephen L. Whyte

Staff Present:
Lacey Johnson, Policy Analyst
An Bradshaw, Committee Secretary

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

Chair Wilcox called the meeting to order at 8:19 a.m.
Vice Chair Strong assumed the chair.
MOTION:Rep. Stoddard moved to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2026 meeting.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-5.
Yeas - 6Nays- 0Abs- 5
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Shepherd
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. R. Wilcox
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. S. Whyte
1.H.B. 454 Public Assistance Fraud Amendments(Wilcox, R.)
Rep. Wilcox presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Hall moved to pass HB0454 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-3.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Shepherd
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. R. Wilcox
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. S. Whyte
Chair Wilcox resumed the chair.
2.2nd Sub. S.B. 51 School Safety Modifications(Owens, D.R.)
Sen. Derrin Owens presented the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Stoddard moved to pass SB0051S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-3.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Shepherd
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. R. Wilcox
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. S. Whyte
3.1st Sub. S.B. 19 Digital Evidence Amendments(Weiler, T.)
Sen. Todd Weiler presented the bill.
Carl Hollan, Executive Director, Statewide Association of Prosecutors and Public Attorneys, spoke to the bill.
Nate Mutter, Chair, Law Enforcement Legislative Committee, spoke in support of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Ballard moved to pass SB0019S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-3.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Shepherd
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. R. Wilcox
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. S. Whyte
4.H.B. 455 Peace Officer and Dispatcher Standards Amendments(MacPherson, M.)
Rep. Matt MacPherson presented the bill.
Brett Robinson, Chief Policy Advisor, Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office, was invited to answer questions from the committee.
Columba Gonzalez, resident, spoke in support of the bill.
Nate Mutter spoke in opposition to the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Stoddard moved to replace HB0455 with HB0455S01.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-3.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Shepherd
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. R. Wilcox
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. S. Whyte
MOTION:Rep. Stoddard moved to pass HB0455S01 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-3.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Shepherd
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. R. Wilcox
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. S. Whyte
Vice Chair Strong assumed the chair.
5.2nd Sub. H.B. 138 Child Abuse Homicide Amendments(Shepherd, L.)
H.B.138 Bill Analysis
Rep. Shepherd presented the bill with the assistance of Brent Jex, Detective, Tremonton-Garland Police Department. A handout was provided.
Elizabeth Klc, Senior Policy Advisor, Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, spoke in support of the bill.
Marlesse Jones, Director, Victim Services Commission, spoke in support of the bill.
Maryann Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Legislative Watch, spoke in support of the bill.
John Laurson, resident, spoke in support of the bill.
MOTION:Rep. Ballard moved to pass HB0138S02 out favorably.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-3.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. L. Shepherd
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. S. Whyte
Rep. R. Wilcox
MOTION:Rep. Shepherd moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 8-0-3.
Yeas - 8Nays- 0Abs- 3
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. M. Gwynn
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. T. Lee
Rep. L. Shepherd
Rep. A. Stoddard
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. V. Peterson
Rep. S. Whyte
Rep. R. Wilcox
Chair Strong adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m.
NOTE: 01st Substitute H.B. 0188 was not discussed in the meeting.