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JOINT RESOLUTION APPROVING SETTLEMENT

2     
AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES

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2023 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Jerry W. Stevenson

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House Sponsor: Val L. Peterson

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This resolution approves a proposed settlement agreement.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This resolution:
13          ▸     approves the proposed settlement agreement related to the United States' claims
14     against the state of Utah in United States, ex. rel. Williams, v. State of Utah, et. al.,
15     United States District Court, District of Utah, Case No. 2:15-cv-00054.
16     Special Clauses:
17          None
18     

19     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
20          WHEREAS, Reginald Williams, a Utah Department of Corrections inmate, filed a qui
21     tam action against the state of Utah and certain current and former state employees ("State
22     Defendants") in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, Case No.
23     2:15-cv-00054 ("Williams Lawsuit");
24          WHEREAS, Williams alleged violations of the federal False Claims Act related to the
25     state's use of certain federal grant funds received between 2009 and 2011;
26          WHEREAS, pursuant to the False Claims Act, the United States intervened in the case
27     adding fraud claims and seeking repayment of all of the grant amounts plus treble damages,
28     totaling more than $50,000,000;
29          WHEREAS, the parties attended a settlement conference with the court and reached a

30     proposed agreement to settle the claims brought by the United States ("Settlement
31     Agreement");
32          WHEREAS, under the Settlement Agreement, the state agrees to pay the United States
33     $1,550,000 and the United States agrees to release all claims asserted, or that could have been
34     asserted, in the Williams Lawsuit;
35          WHEREAS, pursuant to Utah Code Section 63G-10-302, the governor has approved
36     the Settlement Agreement;
37          WHEREAS, Utah Code Section 63G-10-303 requires approval from the Legislature for
38     any settlement agreement that legally binds the state to take action that might cost government
39     entities more than $1,000,000 to implement; and
40          WHEREAS, the cost of implementing the Settlement Agreement will exceed
41     $1,000,000:
42          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature approves the Settlement
43     Agreement.