Correctional Facility Capacity Amendments, the official text

Correctional Facility Capacity Amendments
2026 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Karianne Lisonbee
Senate Sponsor: Todd Weiler

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses provisions related to correctional facility capacity.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill: creates the Corrections Facility Expansion Restricted Account.

Money Appropriated in this Bill: None Other Special Clauses: This bill provides a special effective date. Utah Code Sections Affected: ENACTS:
51-9-1001, Utah Code Annotated 1953
51-9-1002, Utah Code Annotated 1953

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 51-9-1001 is enacted to read:
10. Corrections Facility Expansion Restricted Account 51-9-1001. Definitions.
As used in this part: (1) "Offender" means the same as that term is defined in Section 64-13-1.
(2) "Restricted Account" means the Corrections Facility Expansion Restricted Account created in Section 51-9-1002.
(3) "State correctional facility" means a facility operated by the Department of Corrections to house offenders.

Section 2. Section 51-9-1002 is enacted to read:
51-9-1002. Corrections Facility Expansion Restricted Account.
(1) There is created a restricted account within the General Fund known as the "Corrections Facility Expansion Restricted Account."
(2) The restricted account shall consist of: (a) the portion of appropriations from new legislation for the Department of Corrections for: (i) any state correctional capital facilities costs; and
(ii) beginning the second fiscal year of a bill's implementation, one time savings that occur from delayed estimated fiscal impacts of increases in the population level of state correctional facilities;

(b) interest, dividends, or other earnings attributable to the restricted account; and
(c) additional money appropriated by the Legislature.

(3) The Legislature may appropriate money from the restricted account only for the purpose of expanding existing, or constructing new, state correctional facilities.

Section 3. Effective Date.
This bill takes effect: (1) except as provided in Subsection (2), May 6, 2026; or
(2) if approved by two-thirds of all members elected to each house: (a) upon approval by the governor;
(b) without the governor's signature, the day following the constitutional time limit of Utah Constitution, Article VII, Section 8; or
(c) in the case of a veto, the date of veto override.

2-20-26 4:22 PM