Committee unanimously recommends B. Mason to replace Commissioner Anderson as Utah Commissioner of Public Safety
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Summary
The Senate committee favorably recommended B. Mason to serve as Utah’s Commissioner of Public Safety after a hearing that highlighted his 20 years with the Utah Highway Patrol, leadership roles, and priorities including customer service, EMS coordination and workforce pay for non‑sworn staff.
The Senate Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Confirmation Committee unanimously favorably recommended B. Mason to serve as Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, advancing the nomination to the full Senate following a hearing that reviewed his law-enforcement career and plans for the department.
Mason, introduced as the governor’s nominee to replace Commissioner Anderson, told the committee he spent 20 years as a state trooper and has held roles on the motor squad, the CERT team, training divisions and in leadership including serving as deputy commissioner. He said he has pursued further education, including a master’s in leadership and a master’s in public safety (capstone pending).
Mason laid out priorities for the department that include sustaining customer-service improvements in driver licensing, addressing Emergency Medical Services and the implications of proposed FEMA changes, strengthening relationships with chiefs, sheriffs and federal partners, and preparing for the 2034 Olympics. He stated: “I promise I can make is I will give this everything I’ve got for as long as I’m given the opportunity to serve in this position.”
On workforce issues, Mason said the Department of Public Safety has 13 divisions and about 1,700 employees, with roughly 700 sworn officers and more non‑sworn staff. He told senators some frontline non‑sworn workers are starting at $18 an hour and that pay and turnover in non‑sworn divisions are concerns he intends to address.
Senator Escamilla, among committee members who questioned Mason, asked how he would handle constituency outreach and crises; Mason cited community outreach during Operation Rio Grande and meetings with small‑area stakeholders as models for including diverse input before pursuing policy changes.
Senator Escamilla moved that the committee favorably recommend B. Mason to the full Senate; the chair ruled the motion passed unanimously. The committee record shows positive remarks from members about Mason’s temperament and past service. The nomination will proceed to the full Senate for confirmation.