House panel approves bill on racial, ethnic fairness

A bill to codify and fund the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System received committee approval Friday.

The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee voted 4-2 to move HB104 to the floor for debate. This is the second year that Rep. Duane Bourdeaux, D-Salt Lake, has sponsored the bill, which last year stalled because of funding.

The bill seeks an ongoing $122,800 budget to continue work started 10 years ago in monitoring the status of minorities in the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Michael Zimmerman, former Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice, said the committee is "dormant" because it lacks funding for staff or research. Zimmerman said the commission is needed because the "dream" of a colorblind society still isn't a reality.

Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, unsuccessfully sought to amend the bill so it would expire in five years.