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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 cities or
15 counties to 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:
38 (i) a city with a forensic unit that services multiple jurisdictions to purchase forensic
39 equipment that allows for the analysis of evidence relating to a crime and provide related
40 training for employees; or
41 (ii) a county with a forensic unit that services multiple jurisdictions to purchase
42 forensic equipment that allows for the analysis of evidence relating to a crime and provide
43 related training for employees.
44 (3) (a) A city or a county that submits a proposal for a grant to the department shall
45 include in the proposal:
46 (i) a statement describing the forensic equipment the city or county is seeking to
47 purchase and the reasons why the city or county wishes to purchase the equipment;
48 (ii) a plan for utilizing the forensic equipment, including related training;
49 (iii) any funding sources in addition to the grant for the forensic equipment and related
50 training;
51 (iv) any existing or planned partnerships for the use of the forensic equipment with
52 another entity; and
53 (v) other information the department determines is necessary to evaluate the proposal.
54 (b) When evaluating a proposal for a grant, the department shall consider:
55 (i) the cost of the proposal;
56 (ii) the extent to which additional funding sources or existing or planned partnerships
57 may benefit the proposal; and
58 (iii) the viability and sustainability of the proposal.
59 (4) Subject to Subsection (3), the department may, in accordance with Title 63G,
60 Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, make rules to establish:
61 (a) eligibility criteria for a grant, including the types of forensic equipment that is
62 eligible for a grant;
63 (b) the form and process for submitting a proposal for a grant to the department;
64 (c) the method and formula for determining a grant amount; and
65 (d) reporting requirements for a grant recipient.
66 Section 2. FY 2025 Appropriation.
67 The following sums of money are appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1,
68 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for
69 fiscal year 2025.
70 Subsection 2(a). Operating and Capital Budgets.
71 Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the
72 Legislature appropriates the following sums of money from the funds or accounts indicated for
73 the use and support of the government of the state of Utah.
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ITEM 1
To Department of Public Safety - Programs & Operations| 75 | From General Fund, One-time | $2,000,000 | |||
| 76 | Schedule of Programs: | ||||
| 77 | Department Commissioner's Office | $2,000,000 | |||
79 (1) the appropriation under this item be used for the grant program described in Section
80 53-1-122 of this bill; and
81 (2) under Section 63J-1-603, the one-time appropriation provided under this item not
82 lapse at the close of fiscal year 2025 and the use of any nonlapsing funds is limited to the
83 purpose described in Subsection (1) of this item.
84 Section 3. Effective date.
85 This bill takes effect on May 1, 2024.