Bill to improve security at Utah State Capitol moves ahead

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Capitol could soon get beefed up security, under a bill before the legislature.

Security at the Utah capitol complex

A bill that would add security resources to help protect the state capitol complex in Utah, as well as the officials who work there, passed the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee Wednesday morning. The vote was unanimous. 

Senate Bill 222 provides for protection for elected officials and staffers as well as those who’ve won recent elections but haven’t yet taken office. It also requires additional training and equipment for the Office of Executive Protection.

The bill appropriates $500,000 in one-time funding for additional training and equipment in this fiscal year. It also adds an ongoing appropriation of $680,000 for the increased cost of security at the capitol.

It now goes to the full Senate for its approval.

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