Committee advances large recodification to create Department of Criminal Justice

The House Business, Labor and Commerce Committee voted to advance SB 323, a comprehensive recodification that would reorganize the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) into a new Department of Criminal Justice and consolidate CCJJ statutes under a new statutory section (referred to in testimony as "75 E").

Tom Ross, executive director of CCJJ, told the committee that CCJJ has grown into 11 divisions with more than 85 employees and manages approximately $75 million in federal and state funds. Ross said the bill is organizational, not substantive, and would "untether" his executive director role from multiple statutory commissions by creating commissioner positions and deputy commissioners to handle many of the supervisory duties he currently fills.

Several stakeholders testified in support. Sheriff Chad Jansen, speaking for the Utah Sheriff's Association and as chair of CCJJ this year, said the reorganization "brings a lot of structure" and greater efficiency. Pamela Vickery, a youth-defense attorney and CCJJ member, said she supported the move; Blake Hills, chair of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, and Tyler Cotter, deputy commissioner at the Department of Public Safety, also endorsed the recodification. Online, Brian William of the Lone Peak Police Department and the Utah Chiefs of Police Association urged passage.

Representative Ballard moved to adopt the first substitute and a technical amendment; both were approved by voice votes. The committee then voted to give SB 323 a favorable recommendation. Supporters told the committee the reorganization could improve data alignment, save state money and make CCJJ's work more efficient while preserving commission input on policy questions.

The committee advanced the substituted and amended bill with a favorable recommendation; it will proceed to further floor consideration.