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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill addresses grant funding for forensic equipment.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ defines terms;
13 ▸ requires the Department of Public Safety (department) to administer the Forensic
14 Equipment Grant Program (program) to provide funding for certain counties to
15 purchase forensic equipment; and
16 ▸ provides the department with rulemaking authority to implement the program.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2025:
19 ▸ to Department of Public Safety - Programs & Operations - Department
20 Commissioner's Office as a one-time appropriation:
21 • from the General Fund, One-time, $2,000,000
22 Other Special Clauses:
23 None
24 Utah Code Sections Affected:
25 ENACTS:
26 53-1-122, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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28 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 Section 1. Section 53-1-122 is enacted to read:
30 53-1-122. Forensic Equipment Grant Program -- Rulemaking.
31 (1) As used in this section:
32 (a) "Forensic equipment" includes software that allows for the analysis of evidence
33 relating to a crime.
34 (b) "Grant" means a grant awarded under this section.
35 (c) "Program" means the Forensic Equipment Grant Program created in this section.
36 (2) (a) There is created within the department the Forensic Equipment Grant Program.
37 (b) The purpose of the program is to provide grant funding for a county with a forensic
38 unit that services multiple jurisdictions to purchase forensic equipment that allows for the
39 analysis of evidence relating to a crime and provide related training for employees.
40 (3) (a) A county that submits a proposal for a grant to the department shall include in
41 the proposal:
42 (i) a statement describing the forensic equipment the county is seeking to purchase and
43 the reasons why the county wishes to purchase the equipment;
44 (ii) a plan for utilizing the forensic equipment, including related training;
45 (iii) any funding sources in addition to the grant for the forensic equipment and related
46 training;
47 (iv) any existing or planned partnerships for the use of the forensic equipment with
48 another entity; and
49 (v) other information the department determines is necessary to evaluate the proposal.
50 (b) When evaluating a proposal for a grant, the department shall consider:
51 (i) the cost of the proposal;
52 (ii) the extent to which additional funding sources or existing or planned partnerships
53 may benefit the proposal; and
54 (iii) the viability and sustainability of the proposal.
55 (4) Subject to Subsection (3), the department may, in accordance with Title 63G,
56 Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, make rules to establish:
57 (a) eligibility criteria for a grant, including the types of forensic equipment that is
58 eligible for a grant;
59 (b) the form and process for submitting a proposal for a grant to the department;
60 (c) the method and formula for determining a grant amount; and
61 (d) reporting requirements for a grant recipient.
62 Section 2. FY 2025 Appropriation.
63 The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
64 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
65 fiscal year 2025.
66 Subsection 2(a) Operating and Capital Budgets
67 Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the
68 Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for
69 the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
70
ITEM 1
To Department of Public Safety - Programs & Operations| 71 | From General Fund, One-time | $2,000,000 | |||
| 72 | Schedule of Programs: | ||||
| 73 | Department Commissioner's Office | $2,000,000 | |||
75 (1) the appropriation under this item be used for the grant program described in Section
76 53-1-122 of this bill; and
77 (2) under Section 63J-1-603, the one-time appropriation provided under this item not
78 lapse at the close of fiscal year 2025 and the use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to the
79 purpose described in Subsection (1) of this item.
80 Section 3. Effective date.
81 This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.