Tuesday, February 20, 2007

 

This Morning

 

HOUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE starts off this morning with HB 470, an automated red light traffic enforcement or "photocop" system.  Its use would have to be approved by local government.  Also in committee is HB 437, which would limit state and local government benefits to illegal aliens in Utah.  Both the benefit recipient and the government agency would be in violation of the law. 

 

HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT is discussing Substitute HB 422.  It spells out what is needed before Utah divides groundwater with another state, including an advisory committee, a water inventory, an assessment by Utah Geological Survey and other studies.  Both the governor and the Legislature would have to approve in a concurrent resolution.

 

The student clubs bill, Fourth Substitute HB 236, is up for concurrence in the HOUSE at 10 a.m.  The Senate passed a different version, more like the original.  Now the House will decide whether to concur with the changes.

 

This Afternoon

 

This is the last day for afternoon meetings of committees.  They're scheduled from 4:00 to "As Needed," meaning as long as it takes to cover all bills on the agenda. HOUSE REVENUE AND TAXATION will consider Substitute SB 171, a new research tax credit equal to 5% of a taxpayer's annual research expenses.  The cost would be $18.8 million in FY 2008. 

 

HOUSE WORKFORCE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will consider House Joint Resolution 13.  It encourages state government departments to inform low income working families about two beneficial tax programs.  One is the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which produces $17 million in direct payments and generates another $63 million in state and local economic activity.  The other is 211 Info Bank, which helps those eligible for the EITC make use of it.

 

HB 351, in SENATE EDUCATION at 4:13, would appropriate $5 million for a revolving loan fund for school districts to improve energy efficiency in their buildings.  Also before the committee are HB 195, a higher education tuition assistance program for needy students, and HB 100, which would allow a school to suspend or expel students who access pornography on school property.

 

Sandy Peck

League of Women Voters, 3804 Highland Drive 8-D, Salt Lake City UT 84106

801.272-8683   fax 801.272-5942

www.lwvutah.org

 

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