SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday to encourage the employment of Utah workers to build the new state prison.
The bill’s floor sponsor, Rep. Stephen Handy, R-Layton, said the state should have “first and foremost” consideration of Utah’s work forces as it prepares for the construction of the new prison.
“It’s not lost on any of us that we have tremendously skilled people in the state of Utah in our construction trades,” Handy said. “There are major construction companies here in the state of Utah that build things around the world.”
The resolution, SJR15, specifies that a replacement for the current Utah State Prison will be built with state rather than federal tax dollars and “will create jobs and be an economic engine” for the state.
It’s unclear how soon a new prison will be built. Lawmakers agreed last year to relocate the prison, but the Legislature has not yet decided on a site.
The full House approved the resolution with a 71-1 vote. Rep. Daniel McCay, R-Riverton, was the sole opposing vote.
The resolution now awaits Gov. Gary Herbert’s consideration.
— Katie McKellar