1. (1) There is created the sentencing commission within the department.

2. (2) The sentencing commission shall:

   1. (a) develop bylaws and rules in compliance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; and
   2. (b) elect the sentencing commission's officers.

3. (3)

   1. (a) The sentencing commission is composed of 17 voting members.

   2. (b) The sentencing commission's members are:

      1. (i) the executive director of the Department of Corrections or the executive director's designee;
      2. (ii) the director of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services or the director's designee;
      3. (iii) the executive director of the commission or the executive director's designee;
      4. (iv) the chair of the Board of Pardons and Parole or the chair's designee;
      5. (v) the state court administrator or the state court administrator's designee;
      6. (vi) three criminal defense attorneys, appointed by the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, with at least one being a criminal defense attorney in a rural county;
      7. (vii) the attorney general or the attorney general's designee;
      8. (viii) three criminal prosecuting attorneys, appointed by the Statewide Association of Public Attorneys and Prosecutors, with at least one being a criminal prosecuting attorney in a rural county;
      9. (ix) two representatives of the Utah Sheriffs Association, appointed by the Utah Sheriffs Association, with at least one being a representative of a sheriff from a rural county;
      10. (x) one representative of the Utah Chiefs of Police Association, appointed by the Utah Chiefs of Police Association;
      11. (xi) an individual, appointed by the governor, who assists in the rehabilitation of individuals convicted of an offense; and
      12. (xii) the chair of the Utah Victim Services Commission or a member of the Utah Victim Services Commission designated by the chair.

4. (4) In addition to the members described in Subsection (3), the following may serve as nonvoting members:

   1. (a) a district court judge appointed by the Judicial Council;
   2. (b) a juvenile court judge appointed by the Judicial Council; and
   3. (c) the chair of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee or a member of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee designated by the chair.
5. (5) The executive director of the commission shall hire a director of the sentencing commission to administer and manage the sentencing commission.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 291, 2026 General Session